23 : OCT : 07
ANGELSPIT Interview in ASTRO REVOLUTION MAGAZINE
Interview by Avess Arshad

This is the text version. You can view the magazine scans here.

First and foremost – You’re becoming quite a major independent band! How and why did Angelspit form?

We started making art together in the form of zines. Destroyx made several very cool zines and ran a zine distro called Vox Populis. I helped her run the distro and also started making zines.
We started using the zine content as lyrics and the music was inspired by what we were listening to: Sonic Youth, Skinny Puppy, Rage Against The Machine, Marilyn Manson, Prodigy, Smashing Pumpkins, KMFDM...

I think we were ultimately inspired by a Berlin band called Cobra Killer. They played Australia in 2004. They were incredible. Two girls walk onstage scream over a backing track, get drunk and rip shit up...utterly BRILLIANT!
Two Years later we played a VERY cool underground festival in Brisbane (Australia). It was all lo-Fi Electro/Cyber punk. There were several other bands who were just 2 vocalists and a sampler. It was really awesome - It was PUNK!

Why cyberpunk? Have you guys always been into these sorta genres of music?

I think the first question is "What is Cyberpunk?"...and i have no idea what the answer is. I knew what it was in the early 90's, but it was based on the internet being this new cool fantastic thing. Now the web is a vital part of life...you can't go out with planning it online first.

For us, Cyberpunk is embodies a 'Do It Yourself' attitude through art, by using technology against the status quo. Technology is a tool for motivation, not procrastination
Increasingly, the web is replacing television as the create tool for procrastination. "Couch potatos" become "Mouse potatos".

I’ve read that bands such as Sonic Youth and Skinny Puppy have inspired you, but has there been any film or even any person that’s inspired your music?

Movies: Tetsuo, Blade Runner, Perfume, The Proposition, anything by David Lynch, 12 Monkeys, Brazil...

Artists: J.P. Witkin, Orlan (French performance artist), Mathew Barney, David LaChappelle and Bill Henson

I’ve noticed that there’s been quite an increase of little hardcore and cyber garage bands forming around the country, and I totally, totally support the idea. Do you guys have any words of advice for new bands and was it tough when you guys started out?

It was very tough for us in the beginning. We received a lot of negative criticism about our look. Some people don't think it is possible to put effort into your look and still sound good.

We were often cited as having "All Style, No Substance"...which in the beginning offended us, but now we embrace it - it seems to offend "Old School Goths" even more when you wear it as a badge.

My advice to young bands:
DO NOT STOP!!
No matter how lo-fi your music is, it is still your ART. Put effort and time into it.
Do not depend on the support from Goth/Industrial subculture...it does not matter if you are good or bad, they will probably hate you if you do not sound like all the other formulated crap. Be empowered by this - It is easier to deliver a powerful performance when you have something to prove!
Remember: Reviews are usually bitter and twisted because they can't write music (or a decent review)
Also remember, there are many people in the Goth/Industrial scene who are also disgruntled with the current state of music. These people will be drawn to you if you put passion and sincerity into your music.

Push your music. Take time to record your own percussion - smashing metal in the name of ROCK is fun!!

Listen to more music outside the genre. Listen to something different -classical, Jazz, R'n'B, Country. All music has something to teach you - let yourself be inspired by something different and create something new. Explore different tempos and different feels - go crazy!

Most importantly: the most unique instrument you have is your voice. Experiment with it - sing, shout, whisper, whatever. You WILL hate your voice to start with (everyone does), plus You WILL NOT SOUND LIKE YOUR FAVOURITE VOCALIST, and it takes years to come to terms with this. You must persist!

Take time in writing lyrics that mean something. God knows our generation needs it.

Okay, last question! I know it’s random but I ask out of personal interest for this one – What are yours and Destroyx’s favourite Angelspit songs and why?

ZooG:
Maggot from Nurse Grenade. It's such a brilliant song to sing - we usually end on it when play live. Vena Cava is also a favourite - I'm proud of the music and programming we did. The lyrics and energy in Wreak Havoc are also great.
...favourite?...eeerrrr...

Destroyx:
Maggot – but the material on the new album is the best we have written. We are very excited about releasing it.

ROCK!

ZooG.