From the outset, Information Society had a tendency to variable formation
of personnel. That tendency and flexibility has lent itself to a longivity of
identity if not always continuous coherence -- a quartet originally formed in Minneapolis in the early eighties by James Cassidy, Paul Robb, Kurt Harland (aka Kurt Valaquen), and Amanda Kramer, the actual formation point was Macalester in Saint Paul where Larson was enrolled and goofed in Dupre Hall with various high school friends, including Larson and Robb, making original midi files, eccentric electronic instruments, rhythm and noise. The music is said to have come last.

The band played popular venues in the Twin Cities, signed to Tommy Boy Records a few years along and produced a self-titled debut album.

About The Album InSoc @imeem
Information Society InSoc Website
Release Date: 1988 InSoc Brasil
Label: Tommy Boy
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The album's 1988 break-out single "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)," propelled by an effective and memorable Leonard Nimoy sample as well as Valaquen's smooth, assured vocals, became a club hit and eventually landed at number three in the pop charts. Later that year, "Walking Away" hit the Top Ten as well, and the album reached gold-certified status. Kramer left soon after, however, to record with the Golden Palominos, 10,000 Maniacs, and also on her own.

Information Society's second album, similar to not-so-famous follow-ups by dance-popsters EMF and Jesus Jones, was more than competent but mostly ignored by critics who had pegged them as one-hit wonders. A loyal under ground following stayed true and several singles managed hit and miss success and shallow chart exposure, but after the third album's lackluster sales (1994's Peace & Love, Inc.), both Robb and Cassidy exited. Harland continued on, releasing the industrial-tinged Don't Be Afraid for Cleopatra Records in 1997.

The band occupies an interesting and somewhat overlooked hinge position between the wave of techo-dance bands that came out of the UK in the eighties and the less edgy retro-moog and real-life-drum-kit sound that Stereolab revived in the early nineties just as InSoc first departed.

In 2006, Paul Robb decided to reform InSoc with James Cassidy along with a new vocalist, Chris Anton. Original vocalist Kurt Harland initially opted out, citing work and family obligations. Occasionally performing with InSoc in concerts when Anton hasn't been available, Harland has recently increased his commitment and in keeping with tradition, additional members -- identified or not -- often appear in performance. Kramer continues on in her solo pursuits. In 2007, the band released an EP, Oscillator, and a new album, Synthesizer, under the resurrected Hakatak label.

Credit : John Bush, All Music Guide