Brian Graupner is an American musician, best known as the founder, sole consistent member, and primary creative force behind The Gothsicles, an industrial and electronic body music (EBM) band with songwriting for the project, which he started in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2002. The band later relocated to Chicago, Illinois, and then Boston, Massachusetts, in 2018. Graupner's influences include artists like "Weird Al" Yankovic, Atom and His Package, and Neotek, and his lyrics frequently draw from retro gaming culture, pop culture, and absurd topics.
Under his production alias "darkNES," Graupner has released several albums with The Gothsicles, including *Gothic and Amazing* (2005), *Ways to Be Wicked* (2007), *Industrialites & Magic* (2011), and more recent works like *Lights, Camera, Industrial Action!* (2020). The band's live performances are known for their high-energy, "spastic" style, often incorporating video projections and guest collaborators such as Matt Fanale (of Caustic) and Dan Clark. In 2025, he discussed his new piano album in an interview on the podcast *Space Couch*, covering topics like songwriting, touring (including shows in Germany), and music production.
Graupner has also pursued side projects, including electronic music under the moniker Gasoline Invertebrate (a "fossil-fueled industrial" act), where he experiments with politically charged themes, such as critiques of leftism. He maintains an active presence on platforms like Bandcamp (as "darknes"), YouTube, and Discogs, where his discography includes contributions to various industrial compilations. Additionally, he has a minor acting credit as himself in the 2020 vampire-themed web series *ATL by Night*.
In recent years, Graupner has gained attention in online communities for his outspoken, "based" (unapologetically conservative or anti-"woke") views, leading to him being "canceled" by parts of the industrial music scene and losing fan support. Despite this, he has a dedicated following, with fans advocating for collaborations (e.g., with Michale Graves of the Misfits) and recognition for his talent. He is active on X (formerly Twitter) as
@gasolinenvrtbr8, where he shares music updates and political commentary. As of 2025, he resides in or near Knoxville, Tennessee, and continues producing music independently.