School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Junkie XL

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Junkie XL is the stage name of Tom Holkenborg, a Dutch composer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer, born in 1967 in Lichtenvoorde. His mother, a music teacher, taught him to play piano when he was three. At eight he began on drums, at twelve on guitar. He was influenced by Pink Floyd and King Crimson and at fourteen took up the bass guitar. At seventeen he worked in a music shop in Leeuwarden, where he learned to appreciate the combination of electronic and organic sounds.

Music and breakthrough

In 1997 he released his first album under the name Junkie XL, Saturday Teenage Kick. On it he combined heavy breakbeats with rock and psychedelia, with vocals by Patrick Tilon of Urban Dance Squad. He then made Big Sounds of the Drags (1999). In 2002 his remix of Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation became a worldwide hit. He comes from trance and worked his way via big beat and electronica to film music.

Influence

With Hans Zimmer and his company Remote Control Productions he worked on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. As a composer he made, among others, the music for Mad Max: Fury Road, Deadpool, Tomb Raider, Terminator: Dark Fate, the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. His work shows how the dance culture of the 1990s carries over into the big film score, with a solid, rhythmic and electronic sound.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to the remix of A Little Less Conversation. Notice how Elvis's voice stays in place, while a tight, modern dance beat is built around it.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists