Do we know which brother plays what?

[Oscillon]

I have been listening to Geogaddi again the last few days and it got me thinking. Do we know which Brother plays the live drums on most of the tracks? Do we know who plays guitar and bass? I am guessing that they are both just multi-instrumentalists. I would love to know each brothers strengths and how they work out a track together.

I know that when they retire, we will probably just never hear from them again or even hear a goodbye. It would be awesome if Warp could convince them to release a documentary along with their back catalog when they finally hang it up. I would say BOC are the most influential electronic musicians outside of Brian Eno and tons of artists would line up to give an interview on how they influenced them.

[Opothecary]

Always got the impression that Mike was the drums guy but interviews point at both of them being multi instrumentalists.

[Peacock Tail]

I remember reading an interview where Marcus said Mike is a really good drummer. Both can play guitar, keys and bass. Marcus played Farewell Fire as a solo piece.

But can either play the spoons?

[Valotonin]

From memory, Mike is seen by Marcus as being very good with writing melodies and Marcus is seen by Mike as being a 'Guru of sorts', a very good producer very capable with sound equipment and I believe he tends more towards drum patterns on tracks but that probably changes between songs.

[john fonda]

mike has a lot of melodic ability too

both poppy seed versions were mostly him as far as I am aware

[GeogEddie]

I hear they play each other's skin flutes.

[Nottoolate]

I hear they play each other's skin flutes.

cool

[seanandcandy]

mike does the bleeps and marcus does the bloops

[747Music]

Mike has also mentioned that Marcus is "an excellent guitarist" and Marcus was also the band's bass player when they did a more traditional band thing in the mid 80s. Mike is good with drums as Peacock Tail had mentioned.
But both play a lot of instruments and were introduced to different instruments right from a very early age (6 or 7 years old), mainly developing themselves on piano and guitar and branched out further later on.

[nick47]

Marcus played Farewell Fire as a solo piece.

As a tribute to a friend that had passed recently. Done in one recording session. One of the most beautiful songs. Ever.

[Glen_Glog]

I don't know about instruments played but from reading all the interviews it seemed to me Marcus was more of the 70's production guy and Mike was the the psychedelic theorist.

[Cupz]

Sean Booth when asked about Tomorrows Harvest during the AAA:
"i reckon the album is pretty good but I prefer it when mike gets more busy on the keyboards just cos he's so unbelievably good at it"

So Mike is the melody guy, who does the grace note magic and shizz.

Source:
Question 700 and 701

I tend to agree with Sean here, Mike's runs make the band for me.

[Kyla]

My theory is that it's just one brother screaming at the other to do everything while chained to an SH-101 in his attic.

[Valotonin]

I think we are probably at the stage where we can start to identify which brother is responsible for what. The keys at the end of Happy Cycling are almost certainly Mike's creation, I can imagine him playing it solely with his right hand tbh. Faster intricate melodies seem to be his cup of tea whereas Marcus seems to be really good at atmospheric slow but poignant chord progressions as heard on farewell fire (It wasn't stated that it was written for a deceased friend, they said it was someone close and I am guessing through the atmosphere of the piece that it might have been a parent but that is none of my business). Gyroscope is also another 100% marcus song, heavy detailed percussion and atmospheric keys.

[Opothecary]

I think we are probably at the stage where we can start to identify which brother is responsible for what. The keys at the end of Happy Cycling are almost certainly Mike's creation, I can imagine him playing it solely with his right hand tbh. Faster intricate melodies seem to be his cup of tea whereas Marcus seems to be really good at atmospheric slow but poignant chord progressions as heard on farewell fire (It wasn't stated that it was written for a deceased friend, they said it was someone close and I am guessing through the atmosphere of the piece that it might have been a parent but that is none of my business). Gyroscope is also another 100% marcus song, heavy detailed percussion and atmospheric keys.

I think Mike said in an interview that he literally dreamed the song Gyroscope and woke up to write and record it.

[Valotonin]

I think we are probably at the stage where we can start to identify which brother is responsible for what. The keys at the end of Happy Cycling are almost certainly Mike's creation, I can imagine him playing it solely with his right hand tbh. Faster intricate melodies seem to be his cup of tea whereas Marcus seems to be really good at atmospheric slow but poignant chord progressions as heard on farewell fire (It wasn't stated that it was written for a deceased friend, they said it was someone close and I am guessing through the atmosphere of the piece that it might have been a parent but that is none of my business). Gyroscope is also another 100% marcus song, heavy detailed percussion and atmospheric keys.

I think Mike said in an interview that he literally dreamed the song Gyroscope and woke up to write and record it.

Oui, it is that interview that I sourced it from. Having two confirmed 100% marcus songs in the catalogue shows you what he brings to the table in terms of BoC and, by elimination and by noting what sets those tracks aside from others, you can tell what Mike also provides for the music. The hints from various people about Mike's insane keyboard skills also helps give a clearer picture.

[747Music]

My theory is that it's just one brother screaming at the other to do everything while chained to an SH-101 in his attic.

Hahaha. Armed with a whip and a feather tickler if he's slow. For rewards, Melissa Juice. To keep him active, delicious bread that's just out of reach. (I'm wondering if anyone will catch that.) Each time he finished a melody, the bread moves closer. Never close enough...

[ryetronics]

Sean Booth when asked about Tomorrows Harvest during the AAA:
"i reckon the album is pretty good but I prefer it when mike gets more busy on the keyboards just cos he's so unbelievably good at it"

So Mike is the melody guy, who does the grace note magic and shizz.

Source:
Question 700 and 701

I tend to agree with Sean here, Mike's runs make the band for me.

Man, frustrating to see Autechre was willing to do this but when we (or Fredd-E) tried the very same thing, we were shut down by BOC. Would have been epic.

[Cupz]

A boc AMA would kinda ruin the fun for newcomers woanit?

[Scyye]

I think it was an early German interview that mentioned how Mike usually writes/plays/comes up with most of the songs while Marcus is mostly responsible for producing and giving second opinions on the stuff Mike comes up with. I'm pretty sure that's not the case anymore, at least to that extent, but for earlier BoC up until the 2000-2002 era I'd say it's correct, interesting and makes a lot of sense.