Brainiac was an indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio that was active from the early 1990s-1997.

Brainiac is one of independent rock’s most tragic stories. The group was recording a new album, was headed to a big major label contract, and was earning recognition as the most exciting outfit of the post-grunge era when singer Tim Taylor was killed in an accident driving alone from the studio May 23, 1997. The Brainiac era was suddenly over.

Brainiac released the EP Electro Shock For President in 1997, then began work on their never-to-be-completed fourth album. Jim O’Rourke produced the EP, which showed the group’s potential to expand their sound into the electronic arena. Surviving members of the band have remained relatively quiet since Brainiac except for Schmersal, who has put together the group Enon.