09.26.98: Apple Computer

Cupertino, CA.... 10:45am, the O.R.I. Sound Team, comprised of Dr.'s Triplex, Spanglestein, Barrone and Spectt have successfully navigated the ORItour vehicle (1997 Buick LeSabre) from San Francisco in to the heart of Silicon Valley. The Apple HQ complex, which would later be known as "The Mothership", was clearly evident from the freeway exit. 8 foot tall metal 'bitmapped' numbers identified the different areas of the campus.

Arrival at Apple Computer.

Upon arrival at Apple HQ Building #4 at approximately 11:00am, we immediately set about profiling the perimeter security system. It was determined that we not only needed "visitor" passes, but could easily access the equipment to make our own passes as the receptionist was mysteriously gone. Our first wave agents had been hard at work creating a diversion for her on the 3rd floor, something about a 'paper jam in the copier'. Using a Mac II ci, agents were able to print nearly 45 visitor labels with a variety of aliases for use by other O.R.I. agents who would be arriving soon. We then met our contact, Dr. Mark Gavini, who was conspicuously dressed in the Operation Re-Information motivational Briefcase T-Shirt, size large. He had obviously assumed the over/under-cover identity of an O.R.I. fan in order to seamlessly blend in with the crowd whom he would help manipulate. He introduced us to the technology liaison who would be responsible for accommodating our audio and visual needs, this individual will remain nameless.

Profiling the perimeter security system.

Attention was first focused on the visual elements of the impending reinformation display. It was determined that we could in fact utilize some of the more advanced features of the 'town hall auditorium', in this case the video projection of computer graphics. Technical Liaison "X", was able to correctly connect the house system to the Mobile ORIstage Net, and thus project Dr. Spanglestein's desktop image on the large screen that would back the stage. This technical success provided the opportunity for prominent O.R.I. product placement. BackToBasics version 7.499beta , which had been selected as the official version for this tour, was, in all its Pink Glory, projected behind us. Also projected on the stage were several diagrammatic and illustrative examples of Reinformation at work. These elements were delivered via the O.R.I. custom collapsible overhead projector operated by Dr. Pelc Barrone.

Next we concentrated our processor abilities on the sound system. Apparently, agents of Disinformation had somehow bypassed our counter-intelligence agent's last report and had sabotaged the Dolby Surround Sound System by, "playing the Jurassic Park soundtrack too loud", and "blowing the amps..." Little did these agents of Dis know that their measures to hamper the progress of the hardest working computer team in the business had only strengthened the power of the O.R.I. content manipulation solution; namely Reinformation.

The options were limited, and O.R.I. made the most of the situation. The decision was made to bypass the conventional stage PA all together and by calling on our experience as seasoned lecturers and seminar leaders we would, "Reach for the Ceiling". It would be a performance through the fifteen ceiling mounted speakers that were positioned over the audience. No PA on stage and no monitors.

Lunch on Apple

Other bands in the same situation might have self destructed on the spot. In fact, the only other band on the Apple campus that day was Cheap Trick, who were scheduled to perform in Building 1. They were reportedly dealing with the same technical difficulties, no PA, no monitors, and apparently all they could do was resort to signing autographs, by hand no less! After realizing the futility of their corporate autograph signing process as an effective solution, they were directed toward the O.R.I. performance for some presentation pointers. They were clearly not ready for what they could only perceive as the next wave of real time computer rock and roll, as they only stayed for 3 songs. The three songs that they did see, were some of the most powerful in the ORIsound repertoire. 'Oh, No. The Horse!', 'L.U.N.C.H.' and 'Vibrations' comprised approximately 1/3 of the set, which was punctuated by motivational advice from the team, facts about the power of Reinformation and explanations of what the overhead projections meant. Counter-intelligence reports suggest that after leaving the auditorium, Cheap Trick regrouped in the parking lot to strategize and reorganize their stage presence based on what they saw.

Upon conclusion of the 'Performance Segment' of the ORI show, the ever present 'Mobile ORImart Sales Segment' began with a bang. Somehow, the explosive emergency latches on the merchandise container were accidentally triggered and the ensuing detonation sent ORImart products flying all over our potential customers! Despite this mishap, per capita sales of O.R.I. merchandise at this location proved to beat all other locations on this tour. It is safe to say that the claws of Reinformation have punctured the skin of the apple.

Dr. Evertt T. Spectt

Apple HQ

A review of the Apple Computer performance

Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 15:54:12 -0700 From: "Ron Grandia" <rgrandia@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: (exotica) Operation Re-Information Live Tonight

Went to the Apple Campus at lunch time to see Operation Re-Information, An amazing trio of laptop-playing musicians dressed like IBM employees circa 1971. AMAZING! everything was being "played" on Apple laptops. Lots of sampled sounds of old video games and vaguely familiar beeps and bloops. Some movie dialogue and THE MOST INCREDIBLE cover of the Knight Rider TV theme a body can imagine. The horde of apple employees in attendance were all sitting there with BIG SHIT-EATING GRINS on their faces.

NO midi, NO samplers, NOTHING BUT THREE POWERBOOKS and six hands. There was a projected video image of the screen interface of their home-made software (Which I remembered seeing at the Man or Astroman Gamma Clone show) The software was being offered for sale for $20.00. I HAD to have it - It's pretty neat stuff: Simple, but POWERFUL in the right hands. At one point the members invited the crowd to come up and touch the keyboard - Some people RAN up there giggling like school kids. That's when mention of their tour vehicle came up... A buick LeSabre. Who needs a tour van, when all you play is a friggin' laptop computer. So, what's on YOUR Powerbook?

THEY ARE PLAYING LIVE ON KFJC TONIGHT(9-25)!!! Not in the BAY Area? Don't fret... The show is webcast at WWW.KFJC.ORG

Talking with them afterwards, I was astounded to find hay had little knowledge of the history of electronic music. Amazing, It has the playfulness and melodic strength of Perrey and Kingsley. (VERY coincidental I thought) I read the revue of last nights (JJ Perrey's that is) performance after seeing the noontime show of ORI, and was laughing out loud at the syncronicity of it all. This was the definition of Musique Concrete as I understand it, and they came upon it seemingly on their own. Add to the fact that THE MAN is in town and very much on the tip of everyone's tongue right now, and you see what a beautiful coincidence it is.

Hope this helps...

Ron Grandia