Amoeba Music

A decades-long friendship drives an architect and a bio-medical scientist to make the weirdest music you've ever heard in your life. And thanks to the Internet, they're more popular than ever. The documentary 23rd Century Giants follows the musical careers of mild-mannered Brits Brian Poole and David Janssen, aka Renaldo & the Loaf, whose sonic experimentation with tape loops, household objects and repurposed musical instruments alike gave them a unique electronic sound that would inspire generations of adventurous music lovers for decades. From childhood friendship, to landing a deal with the record company of their wildest dreams (Ralph Records, home of the like minded Residents), then not speaking for 20 years only to reunite to world-wide cult status, this definitive history of the band features interviews with the avant-garde duo themselves, and virtually every key figure in their musical lives.

Not many bands can boast that one of their albums, "Songs for Swinging Larvae," was voted 14th weirdest of all time by Mojo magazine! The documentary includes the 1981 promo film made by Ralph Records for that very album, remastered in HD from the original 16mm source. There is also a plethora of unseen photos, unheard music and comedic cutout animations that do an incredible job of visually representing the strangeness. The band made their long anticipated live debut in Vienna in 2018 before an adoring crowd, footage of which is also included. This touching story of the power of friendship and creativity will have even reluctant listeners eager to hear what Renaldo & the Loaf come up with next, and send them down the rabbit hole of exploring their singular catalog. Essential for any curious fan of eccentric and unconventional music.

Special Features:

• Extended interviews and deleted scenes (25 minutes)
• 1981 Ralph Records 'Songs for Swinging Larvae' promo film, remastered in HD from the original 16mm source.
• Renaldo & The Loaf's 'Backwards Film Study #1' 8mm film
• Music videos for 'A Convivial Ode' and 'Optimism'