Dr. Steel is not properly Farrago-style weird. But he’s close.
He’s definitely odd, energetic and entertaining, and his steampunk fascism infused with Buckethead-style faux innocence is a product of clear influences, mixed to be eminently watchable and engaging. If Pee Wee Herman had aspirations for world domination after spending six months in Guantanamo being sleep deprived via toy commercials and KMFDM, the personality that resulted from the schizoid embolism might be Dr. Steel.
Dr. Steel is also a fine example of successful independent marketing. While I suppose I’m obliged to resist marketing and the commodification of art, the blitzkrieg of DVDs Dr. Steel slathered over Dallas’ anime-themed, ubernerd fest Project A-kon worked on me. I thought I was picking up a how-to guide from an indie gaming company; instead the disc, in its recycled Blockbuster case, contains Dr. Steel “propaganda” and most of a live show.
