WELCOME ONE AND ALL...


As you can see, 'Nighbreed Radio'... Great place to escape for an evening of 'Dark Nostalgia', and some 'F*cking awsome music'.... Love Ya 'Uncle Trev'....



Greeting's one and all. This site shall commemce shortly. As it's due for a re-vamp, and overhaul.


WHATS SPINNING - JAN '12


Edward Ruff...

01. Ancient Tales (Spa) - Malignant Tides '93 (Demo)...CDR
02. Christian Death (Usa) - Six Six Sith Communion...CD
03. The Eternal Afflict (Deu) - Ion...DCD
04. XIII Stoleti (Cze) - Nosferatu...CD
05. XIII Stoleti (Cze) - Werewolf...CD


Currently, thing's are quiet. Business will follow shortly...

Thanks for you patience...


E.Ruff

Any Live Promoters / Bands
Please Mail Us at : GingeBeard@GoogleMail.Com


Like to thank the following, for inspiration:

Chris Comber
Gemma Comber
Martin Comber

Dayal Patterson
Sandra Menezes
Dave Lambley
Regina Duarte

Ross Hodgkinson
Mike Wells
Draven
Lemmy Lupine
Trevor Bamford
Ressurection Records
Alex Eversfield
Sharon Clarke
Siobhan Clarke
Sharon Des-Landes
Donna Camilleri
Kim Munday

My Late Father R.I.P.

All interview's, written by 'Edward Ruff', unless otherwise stated...


Essentialy the Best three 'GOTH', resources in EUROPE..... (We'll Certainly the UK)...

Essential Goth Supplys : -

http://www.resurrectionmusic.com/
http://www.musicnonstop.co.uk/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Nightbreed-Recordings







Thursday, January 28, 2010

CAUDA PAVONIS


Interview with 'Cauda Pavonis' 28 Jan 2010

Firstly please tell us, about how you formed, and what your original intentions were?

Cauda Pavonis was formed in 1998 by Su & Dave. We started as a duo because both of us had been in bands before and we wanted an opportunity to explore a different style of music making.There was nothing out there that was combining live drums with a synthesized backing track and it was a combination that appealed to us. Dave’s music writing is quirky and artistic and Su comes from a more structured classical background and this gave rise to an interesting combination of styles that was greater than the sum of the parts. The band was found in a spirit of creativity and experimentation… and it has continued in that way ever since.

On your site, is mention during your first ever show, an ankle was broken, what exactly happened?

Actually Su fell down the stairs at home and broke an ankle at the very start of the band’s career and we had to cancel a couple of early gigs. However we got back to it very quickly and were able to pick up where we left off from.

Do you find that the visual side of things, is much as important, as the music you create ?

It’s absolutely vital to us to produce a ‘whole package’. We believe that an audience needs to be entertained and that it is a band’s job to provide that entertainment. There is very little point for us in getting on stage without bringing a sense of excitement and theatre to what we do and we make a real effort with costumes and makeup to bring the music to life. That’s not to say that the music doesn’t stand up on its own – it most certainly does – but we like to give that added dimension. We’ve always made an effort with our artwork too. It is carefully crafted to reflect the mood of the music it represents.

It mentions in your BIO, that the album 'Sigil', caused quite a stir at the time, what ingredients do you think this LP had, that made it so potent ?

It’s difficult for a performer to evaluate their own work like this but Sigil was a fantastic album. We really put our hearts and souls into it and perhaps we felt we had something to prove and went all-out to try and show the world that we deserved to be recognised. The truth is that this album was the transition from being an experimental duo to embracing something much more mainstream whilst trying to maintain our experimental edge. It wasn’t easy to do and we had to make some very hard decisions but it proved to be very worth it. Sigil is the first album to really capture the passion that is an integral part of the band and the album on which the Cauda Pavonis sound is established and we’ve built on it steadily ever since.

What was your initial reaction when you were approached by ITV, and with this do you think you were give the appropriate treatment, do you feel you got the correct message across ?

We were initially quite cautious. It’s not uncommon for the media to want to present alternative people as a bit of a joke and we had to be reassured that this was not the intention before we went ahead. ITV did a series of half hour programs about witches, ghosts, dragons and the program about Goths was part of that series. As it turned out the producer was lovely as were the rest of the crew and they took the whole thing very seriously. We felt quite honoured when they decided to use Bloodkiss and Sinner’s Lullaby for the program’s soundtrack. We filmed at Woodchester Mansion – a gothic ruin near Stroud – and in St Nicholas Market in Bristol. It was fascinating to see the filming process and whilst being interviewed is a bit daunting they really made an effort to help us to appear as professional as possible. And it was a huge amount of fun. We all got together on the night it was first screened and although we were all quite nervous at first once the program was over we were delighted with the result. Someone told us that it was the most sensible and sympathetic representation of the gothic lifestyle they had ever seen so it looks as if we did a good job.

You bands name itself, does it have a particular meaning, or a specific person or figure?

Cauda Pavonis is Latin for ‘The Peacock’s Tail’. Su found a reference to it in an alchemical textbook and it seemed very suitable. Alchemy defines states by colour and the multiple colours of the Peacock’s Tail signify the moment of transformation from the mundane to the wondrous. The peacock was also appropriate as a symbol for the visual package with costumes and make-up and, given that we all have day jobs, there is a good deal of ‘transformation’ associated with the band. There is a definite idea of being a different person on stage.

You were described by 'Mick Mercer' in his book '21st Century Goth' as a "Dark duo from UK with a bright future" and by starvox as "The most old school sounding goth since Rozz Williams hung himself." , whats your feeling on this one ?

It’s a tremendous compliment when someone as closely associated with Goth as Mick Mercer or Starvox says something good about your work. It makes all the effort really worthwhile. Every band gets more than its fair share of bad reviews and with the increased popularity of the Internet it’s very easy to see some of the hurtful things people post about you as well as the compliments you get from people who genuinely like what you do. It’s important to hang on to and cherish the good ones – if you let the bad ones get to you you‘d never write anything again.

I love the artwork on all your releases, is this all by one particular artist, and is their any hidden themes, or messages your trying to convey within ?

Most of the band’s artwork has been done by Dave. He has designed all our album covers, poster and promo material. The cover of Wars & Masquerades was done by a local Bristol artist, Jason Heeley, to Dave’s specifications. Each album cover is created to say something about the music and is related to the theme of the album it is associated with. There are a one or two things that are very specific to the band hidden on a couple album sleeves – they are private in-jokes which cropped up during recording. No-one’s spotted them yet and we’re not going to tell!!

The Sigil itself, what can you tell me about it, was designed specifically for the band, or does it have a part in history ?

The Sigil was designed by Dave. He drew it on paper with a ruler and pair of compasses before it got anywhere near a computer. The thirteen feathers in the design are quite significant in that the number 13 is closely associated with the band. Including the space there are 13 characters in ‘Cauda Pavonis’ and all four members of the band have the number 13 somewhere in their date of birth.

Looking at your most recent promo photos, I notice a very strong 'Misfits', look, do you consider them to be a great influence, on your works ?

They’re not really a strong influence musically but we may have a certain amount of attitude in common.The new look was brought in specifically for the Halloween gig in Bremen where we wanted something that would look good and also tie the whole look together. We decided on embroidered shirts that could be modified for each member of the band. The photos have turned out really well.

Lastly your new LP, 'Wars And Masquerades', what can you tell me about it, the World right now seems to be one giant dance around. Is this aimed at out current climate ?

I don’t think we’ve ever aimed anything at ‘the current climate’. We’ve always tried to be original and there’s never been a time where we’ve been writing a song and thought ‘Oh it ought to go like this because that’s what people are listening to at the moment.’ We don’t do dance music and if we decided to wouldn’t be Cauda Pavonis any more. We’ve often been told that we’re not properly ‘gothicbecause we don’t that the right kind of guitar sound or because we don’t use a drum machine. The point of Cauda Pavonis is that we have a personal musical vision and we’ve stuck to that. Admittedly it has developed over the years but it’s still fundamentally the same vision as we had when we started. We primarily make music for ourselves. If we are lucky enough to have other people like it that’s a real bonus. There are people who really like what we do and increasingly we find that we are making music for them as well as ourselves. Wars and Masquerades is simply the best thing we’ve done so far. It was conceived and made with ourselves and our fans in mind and we made an effort to produce stuff that appeals to us and to them. It’s stronger and harder and more polished than what has gone before it but it shows that the combination of passion and originality that has carried us this far is still alive and well.

CAUDA PAVONIS

For more info, and purchase. Please contact this great humble band...



http://www.caudapavonis.com
http://www.myspace.com/caudapavonis
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cauda-Pavonis/6911817361



LEGION


Interview with 'Legion' 28 Jan 2010

You first formed in Anno '07, how did you all meet, and what was the first initial rehearsals like ?

Maisey: Back then it was just 3 college kids in a bedroom. I just wanted to be in a Goth band so I could pretend to be Porn King. I started learning bass the day I decided to start a band - I ended up singing even though I couldn't, all of the demos from back then sound truly terrible. To be honest it didn't really kick off till late 2008 when Shelley (Keyboards) and myself moved to Leeds. We put a live band together, a few different people played with us for a little while, but it didn't really click until we got together with Natasha.

Natasha: Maisey had never heard me play guitar when he first approached me. It was a request based on our friendship and shared passion for the music we listened to more than anything - which in terms of making a band together can be either a very good move or a catastrophic one! And I think it has been bits of both along the way, but it's difficult to be passionate about what you're doing or attached to what you're writing without a few clashes.

How would you describe, your place within the modern scene, do you have any particular niche ?

Maisey: For the last year we've definitely been the newcomers. Being a bit younger than many bands doing similar things to us has meant we've been attracting some extra attention. I'd like think that we were straight up Goth Rock enough to please even the purists, but bring enough passion and fresh perspectives to it so as to be more a breath of fresh air than floggers of the proverbial dead horse.

Also, we get on really well with many of the bands on the current scene. I personally own records by most of what are now coming to be called. The New Wave Of British Gothic Rock. It's a lucky position to be both a fan and a friend of the bands around you. Special mention has to go to Rhombus, who have given us a massive leg up on many, many occasions. Everything from lending us kit to giving us good advice. Other bands I love that we've had the privilege to work with include Vendemmian, Grooving In Green (Tron especially is a good mate and we've had many a grand adventure together) and The Eden House.

Natasha: And I personally steal copies of records by most of The New Wave of British Gothic Rock from Maisey! But in all seriousness we have had a lot of support, that was at first musically unconditional - in that people were encouraging and helpful even when we were less musically proficient. As Maisey has mentioned, we have an added bonus of the fact that we stand out as a younger generation keeping the faith. We could have walked a fine line between being young and enthusiastic and being arrogant young upstarts, but judging by the friends we have been lucky enough to make, it's less of the latter.

What would you say are your main influences, and do your lyrics follow a particular path ?

Maisey: As I said before - I started this because I wanted to be Rosetta Stone! Personally I find 1990's UK Goth Rock (Rosetta, Stun, Vendemmian etc.) to be one of the most inspiring musical movements ever. It was all a bit before my time (I was born in 1989!) but it has a massive retrospective romance and allure for me. Despite this, loads of different stuff goes into the musical melting pot that is my influences, as I'm sure you can imagine. In terms of the lyrics on The Hereafter EP, the lyrical theme is hinted at in the cover art and inside sleeve. I try and combine the twin factors of being able to believe in what I'm singing and making them sound good.

Natasha: I am a little more from the 80s school of thought in terms of my goth leanings, but in terms of guitar playing my influences are a mixed bag. I am an acoustic guitarist naturally, with a soft spot for spangley, celtic sounding riffs. But with a little patience and a lot of playing around with effects we have made that sound suitably goth!

With your early material, how were the first initial reactions, and were you happy with the feedback ?

Maisey: I think the less said about the very early stuff the better! Suffice to say that enough people heard enough potential so that they often gave us a chance to try and prove ourselves. I think that in the last year and a half its been our activity on the live circuit that has gained us more positive attention than any of our demos; we always aim to improve every time we play. We hope The Hereafter EP will help to bring our recorded side up to par. We've been lucky because many people have been free with both positive feedback and constructive criticism. With one hand they giveth, with the other they taketh away - but in the end that's what helps you improve.

Natasha: We're still in a position, I feel, where our live performance sounds better than our recorded but that's perhaps a symptom of the fact that every time we write a couple of new songs we improve. Or rather, I feel it gets closer to what I have in my head. So an EP of old work will always feel, to me, overshadowed by the latest performance.

As a new band, how have you found the live circuit ?

Maisey: For me it's what makes it all worth while. I love performing and love watching other bands. It's one of my chief pleasures in life. Being active on the live scene has meant I've been able to go all over the country indulging this love. Many of the bands on the circuit are great to work with and people the it things can have a fairly brotherly atmosphere at times. A lot of what makes the current live circuit what it is is down to the sheer hard work and deep down passion of a fairly small group of promoters, anyone with an ear to the ground will quickly work out who these people are. In terms of our own back yard I think it worth giving a mention The Sheepish Goth nights in Leeds, who have not only given Legion a massive leg up on numerous occasions, but are also the most frequent (although certainly not the only) importers of the quality live dark alternative music in the area.

Natasha: For me, the experience of making music with other people is what really drives me so I am not as exorcised about sizes of gigs or how many people we are playing to. I just love to play, and if it can give other people some enjoyment that is a massive bonus (however this position may be born partly of my nervousness about performing)

What can we expect to see on stage, from the 'Legion', live show ?

Maisey: Not a lot! We use as much smoke as we can get away with, whenever we can get away with it. We're just starting to experiment with bringing own back lighting on tour with us as well.

Natasha: Me standing very still! See aforementioned nerves! Maisey approaches me sometimes during songs to try and create some showmanship with me - or maybe he's just checking I'm still alive...

Your debut MLP, 'Hereafter', is released shortly, how did things go for you, and did you find any great learning curves ?

Maisey: We were unhappy with the production and playing on our previous demos, so we wanted to get The Hereafter EP right. We defiantly feel that we've made some steps towards this, although we always want to improve things. We've spent a lot of time learning how to get the sound we want live but we're only just beginning to learn how to put it on record. Because we're all students everything has to be a bit D.I.Y. None the less, a few people have given us some vital support that has helped keep things moving. The CD was produced by Mark Driezehn of Alice Moving Under Skies in his own studio - without his input of time and skill we'd never have been able to put this CD out. Our driver and photographer Pyromancer often puts great amounts of his own time and energy into making sure we can do as many gigs as we can. On top of this, our manager & roadie Stella has given us loads of invaluable behind the scenes support, which has had countless benefits for the Legion.

Natasha: I am a perfectionist, who lacks any great knowledge of the more technical aspects of the recording process - in short, a nightmare (so special thanks to Mark)!! We will get closer and closer to the sound we want with every recording opportunity I feel. And I cannot agree enough with the thanks to Pyromancer and Stella. They have shown undwindling faith in us.

Thanks for your time, and I wish the best of LUCK... Looking forward to seeing you at GOTHAM II..

Maisey: We look forward to seeing you there! We'll buy you a pint of snakebite and if you can build the best human pyramid of the night.

Natasha: I'd hate to see what Maisey looks like on any promoter's Risk Assessment forms!

Any last words.... ?

Maisey: Keep The Faith. The UK is one of the most exciting places to be in the entire world if you want quality live music, and the Goth scene is no exception.

Natasha: Last word in the English dictionary "zyzzyva (noun) - any of various South American weevils, often destructive to plants" (you don't have to put this in :P)

{ Ooooh But I do, I'm the evil Editor }

For further information, and music purchase.

http://www.myspace.com/legionleeds

www.legion-music.co.uk/shop.html

info@legion-music.co.uk


LUPINE


Interview with 'Lemmy Lupine' 28 Jan 2010

You first formed around 1997, what were times like back then.What was the scenes reaction to you at this point ?

Yes times were hard, thank god for 'Nightbreed', we had loads of shows with the first lineup... But never got to do them... But at least we got the 'Love Of The Moon' EP done before the split... The scene then was pretty cool... God the old days... Loved them... Lol

There have been many themes hidden within your songs, does the occult play any part in your lives, either in actual practice, or as a general interest ?

The dark side... Yes I like to think what goes on round me and day to day life... This shit really happen... You lose your loved ones... War pain... Christ... No my friend... Some fans have said we are a 'Black Magic' band, but no... I still believe in god... But 'God' does not believe in me..

One thing I have noticed, is the great quality of all the artwork done, on your releases. Have all you releases been done by your good self. Has art also been a major point at one point in your life ?

Yes I love art... I have done the art work, wait until you see the new artwork for the new EP... Coming out this year. All artwork so far has been done by me, but for the people who suffer old cover was done by 13 candles Justin, but it was that bad, I had to get rid of it, and design my own.

In 2005, you released 'Spiritual Cramp', a tribute to the late 'Rozz Williams'. Has he always been an interest, and do you consider him a major influence on the bands music ?

Love 'Rozz'... All ways will, my god...

What exactly happened, you started to tell a quirky tale, regarding 'Molly Lee', can we expect her to to return to the live set any time soon, as this I feel is one if your key signature songs ?

'Molly Lee' was a witch from 'Stoke On Trent', she was a old witch, and died. Then they put her body the wrong way round, so they had to dig her back up, and put her body the right way around, its all in the song, but its true what happened, but as a song to come back in the set list. Maybe in the year 2011.

Apart from the live shows, and the Nightbreed support etc, what we expect to see from you in 2010 ?

Kickin ass... We have some dates already... London as well... Waiting on to hear about 'Whitby Goth Weekend' for 'OCT', cool. We have a new 'EP' coming out at some point this year... Called, 'Undecided Suicide', its on 'Nightbreed Records'. Plus I should be getting married again, in June. Maybe even becoming a 'Dad', Lol.

The music itself, apart from 'The late Rozz', who would you say inspires you, what makes the mighty 'Lemmy', tick ?

There's loads of bands, U2... The Mission, Duran Duran, but 'Rozz' is my god.

Lastly, the music itself, which you produce yourselves, has there been any interest by any pro-labels. Or do you feel your style would compromised, and you have 100% control of the 'Lupine', machine ?

Well we would not go under a other record company,we are on 'Nightbreed Records', one of the last bands on there. So we feel we that, Nightbreed have been a great support to 'Lupine' for the last 12 years. So we will never leave them, 'Trev Bamford' is a good Friend of mine, and I love him for what he has done for 'Lupine'. We will carry on realising stuff on Nightbreed until the end, 'Trev' doe's most of the mixing at the Nightbreed Studio,for Lupine, and we are recording the new 'EP' there at the moment, in Nottingham, and in Stoke, two studios, Lol

Any last words.... ?

...Last words, my love goes out to all my members, Nick, Hannah, Ryan... I love them all, and most of all to all 'Lupine' fans around the world. See you all soon on the Lupine, 'Undecided Suicide' UK Tour 2010...

Love
Lemmy Lupine

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

ALTERRED


Interview with 'AlterRed' 27 Jan 2010

When did AlterRed first form, and what was the initial goal ?

AlterRed was formed in the Spring of 2008. The plan was to create a sound that lay somewhere between the spooky-kid sound and hard electro. I’ve always loved the idea of writing an album of dark, atmospheric rock songs, then remixing the whole thing with a harder electronic sound. It took a bit of time to get the sound right and to find the right blend of characters for the band, but in the last six to nine months it’s really taken shape.

How did you all meet, and have you been in any other bands before?

We were all mates before who seemed to find ourselves at the same parties! It sort of came together from there.

As a new comer, how would you describe your brand of music?

My own description would be hard, dark electro. The songs on the album vary in style quite broadly, so anything else would simply be inaccurate!

How has the first initial reaction to you been, so far?

On the whole it’s been very positive, though we have played to a variety of audiences and our live shows sometimes need the audience to just go with the flow!

Like all 'Goth', naturally image in the visual sense is important. What made you adopt well I guess 'The Joker', Can we exspect 'Batman', gate crashing your live show. Ironicaly your playing 'Gotham' (Any influence) ?

Hehe, yeah a Batman themed stage show at Gotham would be quite amusing! To be honest, the Joker thing wasn’t actually meant to be a direct take on the Clown Prince of Crime, but was hugely influenced by the notion that “… all it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy” , which is quote from The Man Who Laughs. AlterRed is actually a character from a short story I’ve written where a psychiatrist experiences a series of bad days. The story also features the characters used in the live show.

Where do you draw your influences from, and do your lyrics follow a specific path ?

Oh, everywhere. Movies, literature, graphic novels. Anything that provokes the imagination. The lyrics tend to centre on absurd situations or people’s reactions to them.

As a young band, how have things faired for you. Do you have any crazy stories, you could share with us?

If I told you about our after show parties you likely wouldn’t believe me!

How would you describe your live, approach, what can we expect?

The live show is very much a full on Spooky-Kid theatre show, complete with mental patient and clockwork doll!

Ive heard the tracks posted, on MySpace, there real catchy. What can we exspect from the Debut LP, and does it have a full working title ?

Mind-Forged Manacles should be out in the summer. The songs vary quite a bit. We have basic piano waltzes, stompy industrial numbers, and soaring prog-electro anthems…it really is a mixed bag, but totally sums up the characters in the short story.


Thanks for your time

Anytime!, Hope to see you at Gotham II...




You'll be 'batz' to miss this one. A band to see and a band to watch...

For more info:

http://www.alterred.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/dustheads


Friday, January 22, 2010

THE REALM


Interview with 'The Realm' 21 Jan 2010

You first formed in 1997, I guess, in a way from the ashes, of at the time '13 Candles', which of course somewhat had a cult status. What was the initial meeting like, and how did things get down to a start ?

Rob: I had known the members of the band for a while, and had acted as a sort of magic act / MC for one of their shows. I bumped into Louis the morning after 13 Candles split and he was talking about packing it all in. I suggested that he should start a new band and offered my services on guitar (not thinking for a second that he would actually take me up on that part of the suggestion) I heard nothing for a few weeks, the one day Ingrid Pitt came to town, and I phoned Louis to let him know about it, we got talking again, and the first practice was a couple of days later.

Your Debut 'Welcome To The Realm…', how was this conceived at the time. Do you think from, the debut, you learnt any important lessons ?

Rob: The debut CD was really well received by everybody, we got a lot of gigs off the back of it, and it contains 'Vampire Eyes', which is still one of the most requested songs in our set, but the actual recording quality makes me cringe now, I find it really hard to listen to. The biggest lesson learned (though it took us another album to learn it fully) was that we really needed to improve the quality of the recording, not just go straight into the studio the moment we had a new song, but to work on it and get familiar and comfortable with it before recording it. During Vampire Eyes, I had someone holding up pieces of paper with the song structure and chord changes on them, all I hear when I listen to that song is my hesitation and uncertainty. I would love to re-record it now!

Apart from having several track's on 'Nightbreed' Compilations, has their been any Label interest ?, (as acquiring you material has been quite a challenge.)

Rob: Label interest, sort of… occasionally we have got into talks with people, but at the time when the talks were happening, they always seemed to be leading away from us having control over the songs, production, artwork etc. We have a fiercely independent streak, that probably has done us no good, but we do have the satisfaction of knowing that every good thing we have done, has been entirely down to us (of course, so has all the bad decisions, ropey recordings, and poor sales!) Finally though, with the next 2 albums, that are already recorded and almost ready to go – we’re proud enough of the songs to start thinking “this really should be released properly” so we shall see…

Early on in your career, you were introduced to the stage by 'Ingrid Pitt', what was the experience like ?

Rob: For me, it was fantastic, I’ve been a fan for years. Also, it was so appropriate as it was Ingrid coming to Chesterfield that had got Louis & I back in touch and led to the formation of the band. Also, as a result of that, Ingrid and I became friends, and still keep in touch regularly, so a fantastic experience all round.

Your music varies a lot, yet still has an underlying, well 'The Realm', feel, or strong identity. Where do you draw your influences from, be it other bands, poetry, or movies ?

Rob: I’m so glad you picked up on that! Right from the very first practice, we decided that we wanted to try and create a Realm sound, but didn’t want to just keep re doing the same kind of songs, the same kind of riffs. We spent a long time trying to work out how to introduce as much variety as possible, whilst still having a consistent sound. To be honest, all these years later, we still don’t know exactly what that is, or how we do it – there’s no formula. We just look at each other and go “nah, that’s not right” or if we’re both smiling, then we got it right again. The influences are again, very varied, and have no obvious logical connection. In my guitar riffs there are brief phrases stolen from all over the place, The Doors, Elvis, Britney, Sex Pistols, Motorhead, Gary Numan and Vice Squad come instantly to mind.

Your BIO, mentions touring a lot, is being on the road for you a great appeal, Do you find the Live experience, more rewarding than the studio environment ?

Rob: YES! Until very recently I’ve always hated being in the studio, I get stir crazy, there’s so much pressure to deliver the ‘perfect take’ that you will then have to live with forever after, the whole process is so slow and tedious, and you hear the songs over and over again so you come out saying “I never want to play those again” Live is just so much fun, going new places, meeting new people, and although the backing is always the same, we do introduce improvisation every night, the songs keep evolving and I can play them however I like. Going back to the studio though, the last 2 albums (the as yet unreleased ones) were recorded at Subzone studios, which is run by an old friend, and ex band mate Danny Worm, and the atmosphere is great, much more relaxed and I really enjoyed making these albums.

Recently your material was broken, down into the 'Bites' compilation. Was this a tactical move on your part, because of the line up changes. Plus you wanted to put to sleep, material you felt wasn’t up to your latter, higher progressed standard ?

Rob: Exactly. As the band develops, and the recording quality improves, and we get better at filtering out the songs that weren’t really up to the standard we would like them to be,it gets harder to go back and listen to the earlier stuff, so we just laid it to rest.

With the Re-formation of '13 Candles', will 'The Realm', still operate as usual. Which will take higher priority, or could the two happily Co-exist, and ever do shows along side etc ?

Rob: Happy co existence definitely. There may be times when we have to choose one band over the other,but that will depend on the individual event as to which band gets preference that night.

Back in 2007 you started recoding material for the next, at least two LP's, how the progress, and can we expect any new releases soon, on the actual table ?

Rob: The recording is finished (and sounds great – I’m now tempted to lay everything before this to rest, and call this our first 2 albums!) We just have to finish designing the covers, and decide whether to self release again, or to go for a proper label this time, we have had one offer…

Lastly, what can we expect from you in 2010, any London shows ?

Rob: More shows
(London would be nice, any offers anyone?)

Contact rob@therealmshop.com, getting at least one of the new albums out, getting www.therealmshop.com known, and developing the live sound even more now that we have added Nick and Hannah to the line up.


Thursday, January 21, 2010

PRENTIOUS MOI?


Interview with 'Pretentious Moi?' 21 Jan 2010

Please tell us how, Pretentious, Moi?, came to be and what your first intentions were ?

PM is a long, no make that really long running side-project of mine. The first demo was put out on a tape. I was in the then somewhat electronic ‘2nd coming/sins of the flesh’ – so PM was my own little gothic outlet. As the years have gone on and half my mates grew up to be DJs my more recent twiddlings have got a bit of club play – and through that plus the Internet it developed enough momentum for some nice people in Austria to offer me a gig on the proviso that I put a band together (which is reasonable) So I’ve pulled a band together out of my most capable friends, and here we are.

With three Demo's to boot, how has the feedback been ?

For the first one – muted, for the second one a bit more positive, and now that the demo material isn’t far off album quality – strangely enthusiastic. ‘Got to love the goth scene – If they like you , they really do let it show.

For the newcomer like myself, how would describe your brand / strain of goth of music ?

It’s a bit of a freeze-frame of the stuff I liked when I first got really into the scene – so it’s perhaps a bit dated in its influences, but brings in more contemporary ideas on how stuff should sound. I guess it’s a 90’s UK/German gothic sound – guitar driven with a dance beat - but a teeny bit more epic and, well, pretentious.

Do you follow any particular themes, or lyrical concepts within your music ?

Unconsciously yes, the lyrics are meant to be open to interpretation at one level, and the goth genre is a good vehicle for that, and I always thought I was writing about different things – but it’s only now I’m collecting the album together that I’m noticing consistencies between the songs. Oops.

How do you feel about the current situation of the modern scene, there are few left from the original pioneer's. The industrial electro scene seems to be trying to take over ?

I’m not well enough travelled to know how the scene as a whole is shaping up –I know that even from city to city there are differences in the prevailing direction.
I’m told by mates in Germany that things are still overwhelmingly industrial, but in the UK things seem to have reversed in the last four years or so – there are certainly more ‘trad’ goth clubs about than there were, and similarly the deathrock scene has reintroduced another more punky (and in some respects authentic) element to the scene. If the industrial scene is trying to take over – I’d say it either already has, or it’s on the wane slightly.

With the 'Goth', music comes a visual image, do you pride yourself in any particular stage look, or do you think the hell the music speaks for itself ?

I look like I always have – the kind of slightly scruffy type of goth that prevailed in the 90’s – before we all got jobs and could afford proper clothes. When it comes to stage-wear always dress for comfort, as it gets awfully hot up there.

Do you think you're now ready as a tight unit, and stable as a band to put out a full killer LP, and what can we expect ?

We’ve just had a our first post-austria get together, and we were pretty damn tight to be honest, in spite of the break – as we don’t intend to maintain a regular gigging schedule, day-jobs etc; y’know. So we have to work hard before each gig to make sure it’s all up to speed – fortunately the guys are really quite good – so they make It look pretty easy, which it isn’t. The album was put together before the band – and it’s very nearly finished – I’m thinking it’ll be ready for Whitby – this is what most goth bands usually say.

You re scheduled for the legendary Whitby, can we expect to see any live shows before then, any in London ?

Not in London – but we’re in Oslo in February, and in Lisbon immediately prior to Whitby – so we’ll be on pretty good form. It would be nice to play in London sometime, but there aren’t really that many decent venues of a sensible size, or sensible venues of a decent size, coming to think of it ;)


A stunning and beautifully, produced 5 track demo, is currently available from the band...

Demo '09

1. Witchouse
2. Malina
3. Living Dead And Undecided
4. Now And Again
5. Sense In Segments

Nearly twenty five minute's long. This MLP, certainly boasts a stunning studio feel quality, for a demo release. I certainly recommend making an effort to obtain this little gemm. It will leave you wanting more. Each track builds and leaves you humming them for weeks to come, check out 'Malina'.
(A band to watch)


Malina

your willing victim
but the crime we cannot know
you are the hope that ever turned to flight
I raise the cry that drifts across the burning fields
and rake the embers of your fading light

as I cry arise
I turn the dead to claim your prize

and though
I stare through
come closer
I knew you
and though
I burn through
you know we were fragile after all

you kept no promise
with no safeguards ever asked
what summer’s madness drew you back to us
I rock the cradle when the thought of you is gone
and warmest answers leave us cold enough

one for remembrance
and one for safe return
their colours melting in your blaze of light
one for forgiveness
and the spoils we cannot keep
we'll live again before you leave my sight





http://www.myspace.com/pretentiousmoi1








Monday, January 18, 2010

MALEFICENT


Interview with 'Maleficent' 18 JAN 2010

Firstly, please enlighten us about how you formed, and what the original planned outlook was ?

Mortimer Cain: I've been told it was some night when we all ended up meeting each other in the local A&E getting our stomachs pumped and blood transfusions. The next morning we went down the pub and started working on our first song BLACK MASS DESTRUCTION.

Maleficent, I found to be the witch, from 'Snow White', what made you choose this, is it a satirical fingered salute to dear Disney ?

Miss Martini: well… actually its the witch from ” Sleeping Beauty” and yes… it is a Disney character. I always loved it since I was a little girl, and it used to be one of my nick names.

Your image is based around the theatre, do you feel the visual, needs to be as strong as the essence of the music, more like each show is like a stage play ?

Miss Martini: Yes I do feel the performance has to be as strong as the music, and I also like to make every show slightly different. I like changes, and I like to progress. I’m trying to make the show fun for me to perform, coz Maleficent are all about enjoying ourselves on stage.

What would you say your main, influences are, and were you draw your lyrical theme's from?

Miss Martini: From life experiences. Mortimer Cain: and near death ones.

Demize, you debut is currently on the market, how was the recoding, and how has the initial reaction to it been ?

Miss Martini: The recording Part was Challenging as we did everything ourselves and.. Dr Sickx did all the mixing and production. We are proud of what we did so far and… it had a great response from media and public.

I see a lovely cover of 'Nick Caves' 'Where The Wild Roses Grow', do you consider him to be a influence on the bands sound ?

Miss Martini: He’s definitely one of my favourite artists.

What can we expect to see in 2010, is their any full LP, in the works, as I can see three shows in the early part of the year ?

Miss Martini: Yes we are working on our new album right now and we have a few gigs lined up in the UK already, and waiting for some confirmation on a Europe tour, so… Fingers crossed.


Out now 'Demize', If you have a wicked 'Stepmother', report her to 'Social Services', scank her purse and purchase a real fairy tale...




http://www.maleficent.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/maleficentband