brainiac

n. Slang
A highly intelligent person: "These companies are not hot Silicon Valley startups swarming with Gen-X brainiacs" (Ronald Henkoff).

[Probably from Brainiac, a highly intelligent villain in DC Comics, blend of BRAIN and MANIAC.]

(BRAY-nee-ak)

noun
A very intelligent person.

adjective
Highly intelligent.

Etymology
After Brainiac, a highly intelligent villainous character in the Superman comic strip.

Usage
"Who would you have bet on - the teenage coke-fiend or the brainiac Yalie?" — John Patterson; Beautiful Minds; The Guardian (London, UK); Apr 25, 2003.

"Don't be surprised if the person sipping a latte next to you is a brainiac from one of La Jolla's renowned research centers - the Scripps Institution of Oceanography or the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, founded by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk." — Katherine Kam; Good Looks, Money - and Brains, Too; San Francisco Examiner; Aug 20, 2000.

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• Formed: 1992, Dayton, OH
• Disbanded: 1997
• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "Hissing Prigs in Static Couture," "Smack Bunny Baby," "Bonsai Superstar"

Biography

Well after the death of new wave, Brainiac formed in 1992 with a sound that perfectly epitomized the uptight, herky-jerky tension of the early-'80s movement, as well as its warped sense of song structure and electronic breakdown. The band came together in Dayton, OH, originally the basement experiments of vocalist/keyboard player Tim Taylor and bassist Juan Monasterio. After recruiting guitarist Michelle Bodine and drummer Tyler Trent, Brainiac began playing around the Midwest and hooked up with Limited Potential Records, which released the single "Super Duper Seven" in September 1992. After another single, a split with Bratmobile on Dayton's 12X12 label, Brainiac signed with Grass Records. The group's debut album Smack Bunny Baby, produced by Girls Against Boys' Eli Janney, appeared in mid-1993. During 1994, Brainiac replaced Bodine with guitarist John Schmersal and released their second album, Bonsai Superstar. After a tour on Lollapalooza's second stage, a performance in Chicago impressed the indie label heavyweight Touch & Go, which signed the band and issued their third album, Hissing Prigs in Static Couture, in early 1996.

Brainiac released an EP, Electro-Shock for President, in April 1997, prior to entering the studio to record their fourth album. Over the course of 1996-1997, their profile had grown, and there were rumors that major labels like DreamWorks were interested in signing them after the new album was completed. As the group was recording during the summer, Tim Taylor was tragically killed in a one-car accident, driving home from the studio. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Internationale Buy this CD

Hissing Prigs in Static Couture Buy this CD

Electro-Shock for President Buy this CD

Bonsai Superstar Buy this CD

Smack Bunny Baby Buy this CD