GHOST IN THE STATIC

Interview with 'Ghost In The Static', 11 Apr '11

Firstly welcome to 'OfTheTwilight', please tell us a little about your selves. Who's, who, when did you first form etc?

We formed in the summer of 2009, based around the idea of doing some Industrial Metal as a side project for the other two initial members (Gareth - Guitars, backing vox and extra Synth and Lewis - lead guitar, synths and backing vox) who were already in a band, and as an outlet for some ideas I had carried for a concept based project for some time. Mike (my brother) joined us as a live bassist towards the end of 2009, and Martin (drums) joined us more recently to complete the line-up. Everyone is now part of the full band, live and creatively as we wanted to expand our influences and ideas as much as possible to stop ourselves writing in too formulaic a fashion.

We sat down together with little or no knowledge of how to make Electronic music, and just plotted out what we wanted to achieve.

I had a basic 'plot' for the album, involving tracks which would act as 'scenes' akin to a movie. We started with the intro track 'prophecy' and just started writing. It was actually a very easy and exciting process as we had given ourselves complete musical freedom to get to the end result, and we found that our personalities complimented each other very well.

How long was it before you started to create the form and sound that you wanted? Plus what were the first initial reactions like. Can you remember you're first live Gig?

I think it took 3-4 months before we really started to realise that we were on to something with Ghost In The Static, as I started to improve Vocally, and Gareth and Lewis' other band broke up, meaning they had more time and drive to put behind the project. I think once we had Pursuit, Change and Downer semi-finished, we could see that we were already very different to what was out there, certainly in the local area at least. It was around then we started discussing playing live, and how we would handle both the technical aspects and the show itself.

Quite early on we had spoken about putting on a 'show' which is still something that is a bit of a faux pause in the music scene outside of a few bands, with most going with the Jeans and a band shirt whilst jumping up and down approach.

We realised that with such a different sound, and a grand scheme behind the music we were making, that the only way to compliment that is to ensure we have the visuals to back it up. We spoke about projectors, movies and costumes from very early on, and it was always part of our aim.

In the first show, we used a CD player for the backing track as I recall, and we had problems with the CD skipping throughout the gig at key moments, but were able to cover most of them up with some improvisation. I was a pretty rubbish vocalist back then, and we were still finding our feet, but I think the impact in being so different from what people were used to be the important thing, and we learnt a lot from our first gigs.

The CD player was actually a last minute choice, I remember we were originally going to go with a laptop, but it kept overheating, so we all went into Curries and bought a cheap CD player. The bloody thing was determined to ruin it for us, but we got through it.

'Sands Of Fate', I believe your first official release, what’s the Story behind it creation, and what’s the tale behind its lyrical base. What made you choose the whole Middle Eastern sound, for the opener?

Ironically, Sands Of Fate was the last track we had written before we went on hiatus in early 2010, long after the album was effectively finished, and the first we had written that was made with out a concept or 'scene' in mind.

It stemmed from me trying to incorporate elements of tracks I had heard by Nitin Sawhney and 'Jagged' by Gary Numan, without really knowing what I was doing (a familiar theme you will find).

I researched some eastern scales, and built the core melody around them. After that it was simply a case of piecing a song around it. I still remember sitting at my computer, singing what was to become the chorus hook to myself and getting a tingle as I realised that this song was coming along nicely.

I then took it to Gareth and Lewis who took the pieces and made a song out of it. They really excelled themselves in managing to get it sounding as good as it does, and I think it still stands as one of the best examples of what we have achieved.

The lyrics stemmed from a difficult time in my personal life, where I was being forced to choose a path I didn't want to walk, and I lacked the courage at the time to do anything about it. So my frustrations emerged as 'I won't walk these steps to hell, I won't, I can’t. Accept this future you have shown me, I believe in a better tomorrow'

I never realised the significance of those words until much later when the dust had settled and the problem was solved.

The whole alternate, Future idea has baffled and intrigued man for many Centuries. Be it the great Science Fiction Writers, or Legendary Movies, such as 'The Terminator', 'Blade Runner', or say 'Ray Bradbury'. Is there any one particular source that has inspired you the most?

Personally, I have always been a Sci Fi fan, and fascinated by the future, but I think the 3 biggest things that drove me toward the dystopian future theme would be 'The Matrix', 'Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep' by Phillip K Dick and the artwork of 'Giger'.

There was something fascinating about all three of these things, wonderfully dark and yet very relevant. All of them had contemporary commentary hidden in their essence, whether it is the dangers of conformity, the arrogance of believing Humanity is the pinnacle of evolution, or how easily the veil of civilisation and morality can drop when our own desires are involved.

There is also a little of my political ideals in there, as I see a lot of dystopian stories being achievable if people don't take more notice of who they are electing to power.

I think I have always looked back, rather than forwards. History, rather than Sci-fi was always my main interest, and it gives me a whole different out look on the dystopian future scene. I think normally, people look to the dystopian future as the end, the ultimate culmination of the conservative state. I see it more as a phase humanity will go through, just as it has always entered and emerged from darkness throughout it’s time on Earth. For me my influences would be times like the dark ages, and the Black Death. Periods of absolute bleakness for mankind as a whole. How a man deals with these situations will not change on a personal level, regardless of it’s placement in time.

Where would you say you're personal 'Dystopian', ideal fits in? Could you almost bring in say 'Steam Punk', idealistic?

Personally, I see dystopian stories in the same way that people see parables in the bible.

They help me focus on living the right way and avoiding a path that can lead to '1984' or 'Equilibrium'. I don't pretend to the most dedicated 'Rivethead', 'Goth' or alternative type, as I don't often dress the part, and I am not strongly aligned with any group of people.

But I do hold at my core a belief that apathy is more dangerous than zealousness, and that if people do not take responsibility for those they assign to power, they may find themselves in a 'V for Vendetta' world.

Steam punk is an interesting genre, and not one that I pretend to be very knowledgeable about, but I suppose they see the same problems I do, but see a different solution to them.


When shit hits the fan. Man always wants something to blame. Be it GOD, or is it more 'DARWIN', I.e.: were evolving into bloody idiots. Where do you think were really heading, and is there anything to blame but our selfish selves?

There is always a danger in mistaking development with evolution. Evolution is a series of random mutations that happen to be beneficial, and this leads to this trait featuring prominently in future generations due to the increased odds of survival of that phenotype.

Where humanity is concerned, we have artificially improved our chances of survival through technology and 'civilisation'.

There is no blame to be assigned, as it is in our nature of overpower, dominate and consume and to blame a human for greed or aggression would be like blaming a dog for barking.

The problem lies with the hypocrisy that underlies it. If we are truly 'civilised' and 'enlightened' and hold ourselves to a moral standard, then we should stick to it.

It is always the way for the existing generation to decry the next, and say that with their ascension, the world is doomed. However in reality, a situation can emerge overnight. Take the recent Middle East revolutions, this time last year, no one would have predicted these events, but all it took was a single spark and their world was alight. One of the biggest factors is chance.

The World right now is in utter Chaos. The West seems to be the Bully, and we perceive the East, as almost primitive. Yet in hindsight that is the more evolved. We who rely on technology which fails, or an Arab with a sharp twig?

Evolution is relative, I can't breath underwater so am I less evolved than a fish?

We have developed in our own way in different parts of the world, and we are now clashing over what we perceive to be the 'right' way to do things. People need to learn to agree to differ on some things.

It depends on the situation, drop me in the jungle and I would die of starvation, drop a Jungle Tribesman in the city and the same thing might occur. We are all the kings of our own little bubbles.

The Bombs are falling, you're ushered in to a Bunker, you've gathered you're lover. Food isn't a problem. The head Paladin say bring minimal items due to space. You have Space for 30 CD's, which 'FIVE' would you consider the most important?

Hmm an interesting setting....

Gary Numan - Pure (Fave album ever)
Metallica - S&M
Celldweller - Any of them..
Skunk Anansie - Stoosh
Zeromancer - Eurotrash

Muse – Origin of Symmetry
Iron Maiden – Brave New World
Rammstein – Mutter
Queen – The Greatest Hits
And…
Aqua – Aquarium (Because we’ll need evidence of where we went wrong)

NIN – Pretty Hate Machine
Metallica – Master Of Puppets
Celldweller – Celldweller
Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies
Nightwish – Dark Passion Play

You're debut LP has an immense great flowing structure. So many different styles and sounds. Be it METAL, and naturally INDUSTRIAL elements. Yet the voice stirs for me, elements of PROG, DOOM, be it like modern 'Anathema', that kind of soft gentle foreboding sound of despair etc ?

Honestly, I don't listen to a lot of Prog rock, and the only Doom Metal band I ever really got into would be Paradise Lost. I think it’s because we all have such varied tastes and influences that we can swing between several genres without settling anywhere too long.

Vocally I am still learning, and the vocalists that have been the biggest influence on me would probably be Gary Numan, Scott Stapp (Creed), James Hetfield (Metallica) and James Maynard Keenan (Tool/APC).

Once again, it is the same thing with me. We all have so many influences in our music that if we settled somewhere for too long, we may find it would get a little boring. There’s nothing quite as dull as the same repetitive crap over and over and over and over…

From your perspective, who would you most love to support. I can see you more befitted alongside the naturally more Guitar, driven acts. The Likes, of say 'Midnight Configuration', or even maybe 'Descendants Of Cain', be it the Occult Dark Style, Nefilim, any band that paints Darkness ?

Personally, my dream would be to support Gary Numan, but others would include Deviant UK, Zeromancer, The Prodigy and Celldweller.

I see us as fitting best with high energy Industrial acts, as opposed to the more club based acts. but we are equally at home with melodic metal or gothic bands.

With the debut, would you say, their are particular favourites. be it the fans request particular songs, and what you would say you personally enjoy playing live the most. Really love 'Hope', myself the most, such an awesome chorus line ?

Hope was pretty special in as much as that from the first time we put all the parts together in a practise room, I think we all knew that chorus would be great. I spend a lot of time on trying to find vocal hooks that do justice to the rest of the song, and I think that and SOF were the quickest to come together in that respect.

As for favourites, we all have our own, in fact I think each band member has a different favourite track! Fan favourites vary from 'Change' to 'Sands Of Fate' and more recently we have seen a lot of interest in 'Nihilism II' which led us to making a remix EP based on it.

My favourite live track is probably 'Pursuit' at the moment, as it allows me to play some keytar live, and allows me to rock out for a bit.

For me it would have to be Rammstein, at our heaviest we do take some influence from them, and they have one of the greatest live shows on Earth.

There would be many bands, I would be so excited to play with Celldweller though… we could fit with quite a few bands due to our diverse sounds though

You’re currently under way working on a new and yet Untitled LP, how’s it going. Having heard a new opus 'Not Enough', things seem most promising. OK it's a rough working, at the same time, just bloody awesome?

The new album is being put together in a very different way. We had a lot of song ideas already floating around, and rather than try to force them to fit a concept, we decided to have a free form album and just write songs as they come to us.

This has meant a little more freedom, but a bit less control so we are all interested to see what happens.

'Not Enough' is the first track that we have 'finished' (whatever that means) mostly due to its simplicity of purpose. It’s a high energy song that thunders along, and we are working on it to get into the live set as soon as possible.

Our production and song writing skills have improved tenfold since the first album, and this next one should be a real humdinger, and we are hoping to have the album out for early 2012 if not before.

The overall feel is very different, also as the band has expanded from G, Lewis and Steve, to include myself and Martin, there are some new elements in there which while not radically changing the overall ethos of the band, are providing new ideas.

This is an interesting one, the writing format is currently taking a different path. Before, it was me, Steve and Lewis sitting in a room together and making music until it was done. This time round we are getting mike and martin involved, and a lot of the music ideas seem to come from us working alone and bringing it to the group before we develop it. Not Enough was one of those moment where we all worked together though. It is an exciting time, and if you liked the first album, this could be very promising!

Thank you Gentlemen.............. Any last Words ?

Thanks for the opportunity.

The music scene can be what we want it to be, so get out to gigs, buy albums and support your favourite artists!

Yeah, thanks for this, and for the readers, keep supporting the music scene!

Steve
Mike
Gareth

NINJA SPICE

Interview with 'Christina Monk' Aka - 'Ninja Spice', 11 Apr '11

Please tell me a little about yourself. How long have you been writing and creating music ?

I've been making music to some degree since around 84, when I got into electro. stuff like afrika bambaataa, egyptian lover and hashim. and early hip-hop. I made hip-hop for quite a while with increasing influences from other types of music, including jazz, funk, reggae, and later on jungle. After hearing chu ishikawa's soundtrack of "tetsuo II, bodyhammer" I got interested in industrial, and as I became increasingly frustrated by the decline of the hip-hop scene from being counter-culture to the lap-dog of capitalism, i started to replace it with industrial more and more.

The name 'Ninja Spice', is this a cheeky poke at thoose vile Girls that peaed everyone off in the Ninety's ?

No, it's a homage to the musical geniuses who inspired a whole generation in the nineties. particularly ginger spice (Geri Halliwell - ambassador for the UN if I remember right).

How would best describe your musical approach, and writing style. Are you a person who collects from whats around you, or more a book worm, and film buff ?

I do use samples from films, and did a film degree, but most of my song meanings come from my reaction to things that happen around me, either locally or nationwide. But some tracks will go more into the realms of fantasy and so might be inspired from ideas in films or TV shows (particularly "Being Human" and "Doctor Who")

If you had to Assassinate the 'Spice Girls', but save one. Who would it be, and what demise would the others meet ?

It's tough. it would be between saving ginger, or sporty. I think ginger, but it would be a close thing.

Prior too 'Ninja Spice', have you worked or been a part of other bands ?

Not really, I used other names before, but they were even worse names than Ninja Spice, so I'd rather not say. and it was before the days of the Internet, or me having any proper recording equipment at all, so nothing I did then survives, or probably really would have deserved to anyway.

Where would you say you draw your influences from. Has there been one artist in your life that really drives you ?

It's changed through the years. at first, definitely Egyptian lover was a big influence, then early hip-hop like public enemy, ultra magnetic and overlord x. Over the last 10 years though, which is probably the most important, my biggest influence by a really long way was chu ishikawa, who is criminally underrated, but still a legend for many. Lately 'Angelspit' and 'Combichrist' to a very large degree. Also 'BAAL', 'Modulate' and 'Punish Yourself 'are influences. And 'Skinny Puppy.' but it is very hard to emulate them!

Have to mention 'Kill Leona', any one person in particular, or just a Fictional character. What the story behind this, dark track ?

Leona Lewis. She won X-factor a few years ago and I got sick of hearing her. One time I was in a pub and she came on the juke-box and I started spitting blood. I got into a huge row with some guy and said at some point, if i could have her killed I would. or at least give her throat cancer, a few people got quite offended and I very nearly got thrown out. (Anything X-Factor, deserves a painful death)

'Kanashibari', or 'Sleep Paralysis !!!. What made you write a track around this bizarre disease. Is this something you've actually witnessed, or even suffered from ?

Yes. I had it for a while about 20 years ago for a long period of about 5 years. At the time it wasn't very well known about (or at least spoken about) in the west so I was quite freaked out, and the only people who I spoke to who knew what I was talking about were Japanese. so I knew it as kanashibari for years before I'd heard the term "sleep paralysis".

'Kirikaeshi', simply a cutting movement used in 'Kendo', is Japanese culture something that really fascinates you. Have you ever visited or studied their Culture?

I've not visited as I'm penniless and passport-less. I really would like to though. to be honest, I think I'd be frustrated just going a few weeks though. I think I'd rather try living there a while if I could. as for the culture, I watch a lot of Japanese films, and listen to Japanese music. For a long while I've been interested in both modern, and traditional Japanese culture.

Where would you say you draw your visual side from, again I guess the kitch, the kinky and Fetish culture. Be it the ,'Cyber Goth' look, you look bloody amazing ?

I tend to mix my image around and go through phases too. I've often had a cyberpunk look even, before I knew what it was. when I was about I wanted to be a punk with pink hair, but my parents wouldn't let me for some reason or other. Even though I only knew one song of theirs, I liked the look of 'Strawberry Switchblade'. for a while I started getting closer and closer to the Japanese Lollita look - even before I really knew about the scene. Lately I tend to be going for a sort of cross between Punk Lollita and Cyberpunk. My style icon would probably have to be 'Amelia Arsenic' from 'Angelspit'.

So far there loads of material, between various sites, has there been hard copy's available. How long have you been writing, is there a Discography, or official siter availible. Is 'Fukushuu' / 'Revenge', you debut as such ?

Nothing on CD. the place where the most of my tracks are is soundclick.

http://www.reverbnation.com/ninjaspice

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=502336

http://www.myspace.com/ninjaspiceattacks

I see from 'Spineless', you hate the music industry, or certain artists. I have to agree, combination of overpriced music, and ready made crap. Problem is, there's no Soul left, everythings dictated, sterile. Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and American Idol. Really are screwing the UK's music style ?

I don't think it's just music. globalisation, particularly Americanisation has been detrimental to many forms of media-culture and society - not just in the UK but worldwide. I think we get it worst because of sharing a language. But in the UK for a while we have been known for being able to make good quality music that can be critically acclaimed and still commercially successful. When we put faith in our own musicians and music scenes instead of trying to emulate. What is popular in 'America' we can make world-class music. Like with the 'Brit-Pop scene - whether or not you like them, 'Oasis' were good at what they were doing, and 'Blur'. and then later on 'Gorillaz'.

Recently there was the thing of British female singer songwriters - most notably 'Amy Winehouse' and 'Lily Allen', who were making music that was critically acclaimed, that sold shitloads of albums and actually deserving it, and it was a uniquely British sound. There aren't many countries that have a music scene strong enough to create genres that spread around the world.

The UK at it's best can do that - look at Jungle/Drum and Bass. That's everywhere now, and still, a lot of mainstream music, particularly the R&B and what used to be Hip-Hop scene has become all about either sex, or money, and nothing more. It's one thing Hardcore rap, or underground Rock using sex and violence in it's lyrics, but where music is aimed at a child and teen audience then it seems a bit screwed up to me. Like a few months ago, I had the telly on mute with subtitles while something was playing on my computer (Yeah, I'm fucking the environment with waste) and there was 'Rihanna' performing live, followed by 'JLS'. 'Rihanna' aimed at probably young adults I'd say, but 'JLS' 100% at children. both songs were about shagging as many people as you can while drunk and rowdy at a club.

Why not Ninja Kill 'Simon Cowell', I'd Paid too watch ?

I don't really blame Cowell. He's honest about what he does, and doesn't claim it to be any more than what it is. What's worse is when someone claims to be more, and are in the end just putting out what is fundamentally the same as every other average act. If i could have someone in music killed at the moment, it would be far more likely to be whatever 'Puff Daddy' is calling himself these days, or 'Gaga', or N-dubz.

So far you have around over 100, song's to boot. what would you say are you're overall favourites. Plus what would you say your fans love the most ?

A lot of the time, annoyingly people will like a track best that I want to forget about, and a track I am expecting will completely blow everyone and everything away will go completely unnoticed. But tracks that seem to have been the most well received lately were...

Ninja Spice - 'Fukushuu', 'God's Work', 'I Bloody Love You Guys', 'Bakemono'

Haru Yasumi - 'Eva Braun's Sex Tips For Girls', 'Ophelia As A Cyborg' I'm particularly proud of specially enhanced 'Silver/Chrome Alloy Battle Chassis'

Thank you young lady for you time.... any last words ?

Goodbye cruel world...

LIVE 2011

NANO INFECT

Interview with 'Nano Infect', Mar 02 '11.
Dedicated to 'Alex Everfield', Cheer's for the intro Bro !!!.....

Please let the world now, when did you first come into creation. Plus were you part of any other bands prior ?

NI were formed by Lunarian and myself at the 25th of April 2008.We wanted to work together since 2004.Back then I was into many projects from Ambient to Black Metal and some strange rave stuff. Lunarian was already into Industrial music with his personal project and Cybergoat also. So that day we decided to start a project together and then NI was born!

How long was it before, you created a sound that worked for you. Was it an easy affair, did you say right were creating this !, or was it more natural evolvement over time ?

It took a long time to create a sound I liked.Lunarian was into totally different direction from what I was dreaming about NI so at some point i started composing my first NI songs but they sucked haha.At first after we got a sound that worked for us most of the songs were Suicide Commando influenced but after that Dark Electro influences were more and more obvious so at that point it was hard for us to combine those styles,but I guess we did it.

How does 'Greece', itself accept the whole 'GOTH / INDUSTRIAL scene, certainly Greece is known for its strong Death And Black Metal. Can you point me to you're new comers, and any bands we should watch apart from yourselves ?

Greece could not deny to accept those bands cause in my opinion all of them kick ass! Every Greek band has a small fanbase...

The already famous bands are Siva Six, Virgins Or Pidgeons, PreEmptive Strike 0.1, Inline Sex Terror but there are new bands also like Hydra Division,Child From The Crypt,Red-Line,Technology, Contact Zero, 6.Aborted.6.Fetus.6, Orgasmic Chaos and Foresin, all of them are great in my opinion although I don't know all of the personally.

Agrotech is a strong word in itself. What are you guys shouting about. What pissing you guys off in these last days of Man ?

Every single song is based on a specific event in my life or points of view concerning religion,life and death. What pisses me off is definitely backstabbers and bitches,but if they weren't present in my life the songs would not exist

What would you say are your strongest influence's. What makes you tick, hows do you create you're whole persona ?

Definitely first and strongest influence is Suicide Commando, also Dawn Of Ashes, God Module, A7IE, Acylum, Agonoize etc.

Ok to 'Gas Chambers', aptly named. What we call a UK Curry House. Please tell me more, what can be found on it. Was this an easy affair. Plus naturally is it still around to Purchase ?

Gas Chambers was our first ever demo.It included the songs "Betrayed,Hell Invaders,The Mark Of Death,Black Combat and Till Death. All of them were way different than our present sound.It was self printed in like 30 copies so you could say it's extinct I mean I don't even have a copy haha.At least you can find the song Black Combat on youtube.

Due current times after a few line up changes, I understand. The debut LP, is in progress. Do it have a current working title, and are any of the earlier demo tracks going to feature ?

Yeap at first as I mentioned earlier NI was Lunarian and me,afterwards Insomnia-X was added to the band (the only female member so far). The second line-up was Tanziktator Saffer,X-Hazard and me. I am still in touch with every single one of them. At least for now the band is Tanz and me later on no one knows if anyone will be added or leave,time will tell. Concerning the CD it will be a full-length which will be called "Circuitry Of Blades".There won't be any tracks from the "Gas Chambers" demo but concerning the tracks that are already known such as "Fall Asleep" and "Abortion" are remade and sound even better.

Does the new LP, follow any set path or concepts in its creation. How would you best describe its current sound. Plus are you 100% happy with it's current direction ?

As I said before the album follows the concept of a specific period of my life.I assure you the lyrics are not happy at all. As for the sound I don't think I am the one who can tell since I just compose the songs i can judge them,but I would say that some of them are slow and majestic some are raw and straight to your face and yes I am definitely 100% happy with it's direction! I really love it I've been working this album for like a year and a half before mixing and mastering it so yes I am pretty sure about it!

Last I wish you well, can we expect you on English, soil any time soon, any last words ?

I wish we could perform in UK soon,I've been there once and it's really beautiful.
I would like to thank you Eddie and also all the people who support NI especially Alex Eversfield ;) ...

Spread the infection!

LIVE 2011

NIGHTPORTER

Interview with 'NightPorter', 27 Jan '11
Deadicated to my new found sweet friend 'Laura Puckett'...
Photo, by my good self May '10...

When did you guys first form, and have you been members of other bands prior ?

The concept of NightPorter was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in Feb 2009, we became a fully functioning band, some considerable time later when live appearances were demanded! Everyone bar Raven have been in bands before!

Please introduce yourselves, who's who, and who plays what ?

Our current live lineup has: Raven on vocals, I'l Dottore on Bass Guitar, Zee on guitar and The Preacher on drums.

When you first formed, did you have a set initial goal, on your appearance and overall sound ?

Our influences are vast and we don't like to pin ourselves down to a particular sound, we are continually developing and like to take the experimental approach to what we are working on at any given time.

Who writes your lyrics, and do you have a set pattern and themes. Or more a case of what pops into your head, by observation or inspiration ?

Our original material is always written within the band in a sort of organic process, so yeah I guess there's a certain amount of "what pop's into your head" involved but it's not quite that easy! There are no set patters or themes as we wouldn't like to limit ourselves, I think it goes without saying that we do however have a leaning toward all things dark!

'Victoria', I believe was your first song (Please correct me here), what the story behind its creation, I understand it relates to the girl in the video. Is this more a ballad to a girlfriend. Of has a more deeper meaning ?

Victoria was indeed our first project, as mentioned earlier NightPorter was initially more of a project/concept than a band and Victoria was the first result of this experimentation... It certainly isn't a ballad to a girlfriend and it was named by the fact that the girl in the video is called "Victoria".... The true meaning is much deeper and is "hinted" at in the video, other than that it has to be left to your imagination!

Have to mention 'The Sickness', a great show stomper. When referring to the 'Sickness' are you referring to dear old 'Humanity', I feel this has a deep and strong message ?

We love The Sickness and think it is one of our strongest songs to date, the beauty of the lyrics is that they can be applied to many different scenario's so it can mean one thing to some and something else to others, we feel if applied to society in general then it is currently very topical even though it was written some time ago!

Currently is there anywhere to purchase your material, Ive found sites with all your current songs, but no way to buy, or download ?

We have various web pages with players that live stream our demo's and have a few You Tube releases. We have yet to make a "commercial" release. The original songs in their current form were recorded as Demo's and never intended to "sell" commercially, they were intended as "A Taste of Things to Come" and there are a few promo CD's in the hands of various DJ's that are entitled just that....

Currently is there a debut under construction, or do intend to continue your touring schedule. Or release an EP, to wet our appetites ?

We hope appetites have indeed been wetted and we are currently recording our, as yet, untitled debut album, some of our original songs have already been re-recorded and we are very pleased with the results, in line with our organic approach the songs have developed with a year or so of rehearsals and gigging, along with some new material we hope the anticipation of our fans will not have been wasted!

Your new song 'The Box ', features reference's to 'Clive Barkers', 'Hellraiser'. Do you consider him a major influence, on your bands output, and lyrical idea's ?

The Box is just one piece of a project that currently consists of a trilogy (including "The Black Lodge" and "The Demon is a Liar") of work called "The Maldine Square Tapes" that may yet continue to grow, fundamentally they are "tribute's" to some of our favourite Movie's, the project is still current and there are several "unfinished" possible additions to the work...

Lastly what can we expect from you in 2011?

We hope 2011 is going to be a good year for us, we will announce the album release as soon as it's finished and that is very exciting, we are currently hard at work in the studio so not gigging but we intend to go live again soon. We are playing live at the Pray Silence festival in Portugal this summer where we will be sharing the stage with some real great talent including Gary Numan, UK Decay, Xmal Deutschland and many many more, hopefully we'll see you all there....

Regards,

Raven...

LIVE 2011