Prozzäk
Encyclopedia
Prozzäk was a Canadian pop music
virtual band
that consisted of Simon (voiced by Jay Levine) and Milo (voiced by James Bryan McCollum). The name Prozzäk was inspired by the drug Prozac. In an interview with the New York Times, McCollum mentions that their music makes people feel good and happy which is an effect of the drug Prozac. Their music tells a tale of two friends who are in search of their true love. Their music videos feature full animation of the two characters Simon and Milo.
, Levine and McCollum never got along, yet they both agreed that the direction of band was restricting the type of music they wanted to produce. While on a European tour, the two created a comedic song titled "Europa" in which they sang in a British accent. The song did not fit in with the music produced by the Philosopher Kings, but the band's record company, Sony Canada
, enjoyed it so the two set aside their differences and created Prozzäk in 1998.
Their first album, Hotshow, was released in late 1998. It featured their platinum songs "Sucks To Be You" and "Strange Disease". Their second album, Saturday People, was released in 2000 by Epic Records
and also went platinum with "www.nevergetoveryou" and "Be As". Hotshow and Saturday People were both nominated for Best Album at the Juno Awards in 2000 and 2002, respectively.
Prozzäk resurfaced onto the music scene in 2005 with a new album and a new look. In 2005, Cruel Cruel World was produced from MapleMusic. Simon and Milo appear to have gotten older and more modern and their music has taken a more adult subdued theme.
, Quebec
, Jay Levine is the lead singer of Prozzäk and the voice behind Simon. Simon is the skinny character with jet-black hair who is often depressed and loveless. Through the music, Simon tells stories that represent Levine's actual life. For example, the song “Anna-Lisa” makes reference to his parents' divorce. Jay mentions that, “everything that Simon goes through happened to me.” Having fallen in love too quickly just to have his heart broken, Jay Levine is bitter with regards to relationships. Thus in some songs, the lyrics humiliate certain women in his life.
Jay is currently focusing on the business side of music with his company Jay Levine Entertainment Media Marketing that helps artists market their music.
, Quebec
, McCollum's creativity gives Prozzäk its unique sound. In the song "It’s Not Me It’s You", James incorporates a Tchaikovsky melody into the song. While James can joke that this melody came before Tchaikovsky, the music produced has a unique mix of the new and the old.
James is the founder of UMI Entertainment based in Toronto
, Ontario
. He is currently the guitarist for Canadian artist Nelly Furtado
.
during their road trips. One thing led to another and the cartoon characters became a part of Prozzäk.
The friendship of Jay and James brought together through music is referenced with the origins of Simon and Milo. The two are over 200 years old and were enemies in a previous life. Simon and Milo fought each other in a 20 year old war called "Ochiyaki". During their battles with each other, a ‘man in the sky’ came down and told them they were to be best friends. Sent to the 21st Century, they were given a mission. That mission was for the two to find true love through music.
In their music videos, Simon is in constant search of his true love believing that the perfect woman is out there. “Simon runs the full-gamut of cartoon emotions. He believes that there is a perfect girl and that’s part of his problem.” Jay Levine stated in an interview with Teenmusic.com. As a result, Simon ends up feeling depressed.
Their introduction in their album Saturday People mentions that they visit many nightclubs and bars hoping to find their true love. Simon having given up hears a voice from the heavens telling them that they have lost their way. Their music thus represents their social journey to find their true love.
s in 2000 and 2002. Prozzäk joined with Disney to increase promotion and released the album Ready Ready Set Go, also named "Simon and Milo". It is a compilation of songs from their first two albums along with a new single, "Get a Clue" which was written for the TV movie,Get A Clue
starring Lindsay Lohan
. In their latest album, Cruel Cruel World, Simon and Milo both receive a facelift. Milo is more proportional and less bulky while Simon is much older and more depressed. Cruel Cruel World was released on an independent label and did not receive as much promotion as their first two albums, and did not achieve the same success. As well 2 songs were released through the internet in 2006, "DJ-J-Vox" and "DJ (Calibe Remix)". In 2008 the band released a song titled "Chloe the Chicken" on a kids album titled "Roll Play."
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
virtual band
Virtual band
In music, a virtual band is any group whose members are not corporeal musicians, but animated characters...
that consisted of Simon (voiced by Jay Levine) and Milo (voiced by James Bryan McCollum). The name Prozzäk was inspired by the drug Prozac. In an interview with the New York Times, McCollum mentions that their music makes people feel good and happy which is an effect of the drug Prozac. Their music tells a tale of two friends who are in search of their true love. Their music videos feature full animation of the two characters Simon and Milo.
History
Originally members of The Philosopher KingsThe Philosopher Kings
The Philosopher Kings are a Canadian rhythm and blues band who were most commercially successful in the late 1990s. The name of the band is derived from Plato's Republic, in which he outlines the design of an idealistic government, ruled by philosopher-kings...
, Levine and McCollum never got along, yet they both agreed that the direction of band was restricting the type of music they wanted to produce. While on a European tour, the two created a comedic song titled "Europa" in which they sang in a British accent. The song did not fit in with the music produced by the Philosopher Kings, but the band's record company, Sony Canada
Sony Canada
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan. Sony provides products that include Blu-ray players, BRAVIA televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam Camcorders, VAIO computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video...
, enjoyed it so the two set aside their differences and created Prozzäk in 1998.
Their first album, Hotshow, was released in late 1998. It featured their platinum songs "Sucks To Be You" and "Strange Disease". Their second album, Saturday People, was released in 2000 by Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
and also went platinum with "www.nevergetoveryou" and "Be As". Hotshow and Saturday People were both nominated for Best Album at the Juno Awards in 2000 and 2002, respectively.
Prozzäk resurfaced onto the music scene in 2005 with a new album and a new look. In 2005, Cruel Cruel World was produced from MapleMusic. Simon and Milo appear to have gotten older and more modern and their music has taken a more adult subdued theme.
Simon (Voiced By Jay Levine)
Born in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Jay Levine is the lead singer of Prozzäk and the voice behind Simon. Simon is the skinny character with jet-black hair who is often depressed and loveless. Through the music, Simon tells stories that represent Levine's actual life. For example, the song “Anna-Lisa” makes reference to his parents' divorce. Jay mentions that, “everything that Simon goes through happened to me.” Having fallen in love too quickly just to have his heart broken, Jay Levine is bitter with regards to relationships. Thus in some songs, the lyrics humiliate certain women in his life.
Jay is currently focusing on the business side of music with his company Jay Levine Entertainment Media Marketing that helps artists market their music.
Milo (Voiced by James Bryan McCollum)
A contrast to Simon, Milo is a muscular blond character that accompanies Simon to find true love. The man behind Milo is guitarist James Bryan McCollum. Also born in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, McCollum's creativity gives Prozzäk its unique sound. In the song "It’s Not Me It’s You", James incorporates a Tchaikovsky melody into the song. While James can joke that this melody came before Tchaikovsky, the music produced has a unique mix of the new and the old.
James is the founder of UMI Entertainment based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He is currently the guitarist for Canadian artist Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
.
The Story of Simon and Milo
Prozzak are two animated characters named Simon and Milo. The creation of Simon and Milo initially began with accents suggested by the other members of The Philosopher KingsThe Philosopher Kings
The Philosopher Kings are a Canadian rhythm and blues band who were most commercially successful in the late 1990s. The name of the band is derived from Plato's Republic, in which he outlines the design of an idealistic government, ruled by philosopher-kings...
during their road trips. One thing led to another and the cartoon characters became a part of Prozzäk.
The friendship of Jay and James brought together through music is referenced with the origins of Simon and Milo. The two are over 200 years old and were enemies in a previous life. Simon and Milo fought each other in a 20 year old war called "Ochiyaki". During their battles with each other, a ‘man in the sky’ came down and told them they were to be best friends. Sent to the 21st Century, they were given a mission. That mission was for the two to find true love through music.
In their music videos, Simon is in constant search of his true love believing that the perfect woman is out there. “Simon runs the full-gamut of cartoon emotions. He believes that there is a perfect girl and that’s part of his problem.” Jay Levine stated in an interview with Teenmusic.com. As a result, Simon ends up feeling depressed.
Their introduction in their album Saturday People mentions that they visit many nightclubs and bars hoping to find their true love. Simon having given up hears a voice from the heavens telling them that they have lost their way. Their music thus represents their social journey to find their true love.
Discography
Prozzäk released four albums between 1998-2005. Of the albums released, Hot Show and Saturday People received nominations for the Juno AwardJuno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s in 2000 and 2002. Prozzäk joined with Disney to increase promotion and released the album Ready Ready Set Go, also named "Simon and Milo". It is a compilation of songs from their first two albums along with a new single, "Get a Clue" which was written for the TV movie,Get A Clue
Get a Clue
Get a Clue is a 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie starring Lindsay Lohan as Lexy Gold, a high-school student who investigates a mystery after one of her teachers goes missing, Bug Hall as a boy who helps her, Ian Gomez as the missing teacher, Brenda Song as Lexy's best friend, Ali Mukaddam as...
starring Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan is an American actress, pop singer and model. She began her career as a child fashion model before making her motion picture debut in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap at the age of 11...
. In their latest album, Cruel Cruel World, Simon and Milo both receive a facelift. Milo is more proportional and less bulky while Simon is much older and more depressed. Cruel Cruel World was released on an independent label and did not receive as much promotion as their first two albums, and did not achieve the same success. As well 2 songs were released through the internet in 2006, "DJ-J-Vox" and "DJ (Calibe Remix)". In 2008 the band released a song titled "Chloe the Chicken" on a kids album titled "Roll Play."
Albums
- Hot ShowHot ShowHot Show is the debut album by the Canadian musical duo Prozzäk.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 0:08# "Europa" – 3:30# "Strange Disease" – 3:26# "Omobolasire" – 3:41# "Shag Tag " – 3:59# "Hot Show" – 4:08# "Mediterranean Lady" – 4:05...
(November 2, 1998) recorded by Sony CanadaSony CanadaEstablished in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan. Sony provides products that include Blu-ray players, BRAVIA televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam Camcorders, VAIO computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video... - Saturday PeopleSaturday PeopleSaturday People is the second album by the Canadian musical duo Prozzäk. This album was only released in Canada.-Track listing:# "Saturday People Story"- 1:28# "Pretty Girls"- 2:55# "www.nevergetoveryou"- 3:29# "Be As"- 3:36...
(November 7, 2000) recorded by Epic RecordsEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A... - Ready Ready Set GoReady Ready Set GoReady Ready Set Go is the third CD by the Canadian musical duo Prozzäk, although under the name Simon and Milo. This album was released under Hollywood Records on April 30, 2002. Only one new track was included, Get a Clue, a theme song for the same titled TV movie, Get a Clue starring Lindsay...
(April 30, 2002) recorded by Hollywood RecordsHollywood RecordsHollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote... - Cruel Cruel WorldCruel Cruel WorldCruel Cruel World is the fourth album released by the animated pop group, Prozzäk . The cover of the first press version of the album shows Simon and Milo who look very mature, and is very beige. Also, the style looks darker than their previous album covers...
(November 29, 2005) recorded by MapleMusic RecordingsMapleMusic RecordingsMapleMusic Recordings is a Toronto based record label.The MapleMusic Recordings label is a project of Canadian roots rock band Skydiggers and entrepreneur Grant Dexter...
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart peak | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
|||||||||
| 1998 | "Omobalasire" | 50 | Hot Show | ||||||
| "Sucks to Be You Sucks to Be You "Sucks to Be You" is the second and most popular released by Canadian music group Prozzäk. Released in 1998 from their album Hot Show, the song peaked at #25 on the Canadian Singles Chart published by RPM.-Music video:... " |
25 | ||||||||
| 1999 | "Strange Disease" | 52 | |||||||
| 2000 | "Europa" | 45 | |||||||
| "www.nevergetoveryou" | 42 | Saturday People | |||||||
| 2001 | "It's Not Me It's You" | ||||||||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||||||
- X. The Canadian Singles Chart did not exist when this single was released.