Pan Sonic (they were also called Panasonic before legal issues took away the letter A) are two guys from Finland, Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen, who started out with long-term, low-frequency, high-decibel experiments and organizing rave parties in the country where "hardly anything happens ever". The minimalistic music of Pan Sonic is composed "from a forbidding array of pure tones, sinewaves, pulses, electronic squelches and ultrasonic waveforms," and a humorous attitude, "skilfully arranged into an accessible rhythmic package" mainly taken from the bowels of custom-built sinewave generators.
Pan Sonic formed in 1993, releasing their first 12" was released on Sähkö Recordings. Pan Sonic cite their main influences as eighties industrial acts such as Throbbing Gristle, Einstürzende Neubauten and Suicide as well as reggae, hip-hop and dub. The first EP, Panasonic (Sahko, 1994), was followed by the album Vakio (Blast First, 1995), the EP Osasto (Blast First, 1996), Kulma (Blast First, 1997) and A (Blast First, 1999), further moving towards a colder, dark variety of minimal techno with every release. Numerous other releases followed on Blast First records, while a constant flow of live shows and collaborations with the likes of Keiji Haino or Alan Vega have proved Pan Sonic to be among the most accomplished musicians on the scene. They have both also realized numerous solo projects.
During their stay in Belgrade, Mika Vainio will also have two more stage appearances: a solo show as part of the Raster-Noton showcase, and as a member of Vladislav Delay Quartet at the classic Kolarac venue.