05 : SEPT : 05
Interview with Torsten Pape BLACK-Magazin

ANGELSPIT

A few months ago I only knew the name Angelspit because of a remix you did for the "Psychic vampire"-single by IKON. Not the usual way to get in contact with a band but I suppose many people will do the same. So, would you please introduce yourself to our readers! Say something about yourself and how did you get in contact? Are there experiences with other bands or kind of musical education?

DestroyX: Angelspit is a multimedia performance group that tries to push the boundaries in music, fashion and design. We try to challenge the restrictions of musical genres, and don’t limit ourselves by labelling the music as being Industrial, Cyberpunk or Gothic.
We started the band as a reaction to the stagnation we encountered in music in an effort to create something new. We are always willing to take risks, which I think is exciting as it challenges us and our listeners.

Zoog: We’ve been making music together for about 12 months. We met through a common interest in zines and independent media. We just started making music together – it was the logical step in our creative partnership.

Of course you have to say something about the name of the band. Would you?

DestroyX: We took it from a Sonic Youth lyric – one of our favourite bands and biggest influences.

If I listen to your songs I can easily imagine that the power comes from some kind of anger or frustration. Would you buy this? Where is the source of creativity? In what kind of situations do you write your songs?

Zoog: I think it’s hard to live in this society we’re constructed without being very angry. There is so much apathy. My biggest enemy is Television. We’re been trained to watch TV rather than read a book, or write a book or make music. It is as if the ability to think, create and question is slowly being ebbed out of our system.
This anger is the fuel of our creativity.

Destroyx: The lyrics conjure imagery of the collapse of contemporary society, particularly the effects of consumerism and materialism. There is an emphasis on the friction between the natural impulses of people and the structure of society, as people are confined by routine, duties and self image… and enslaved by debt.

There are possible comparisons to bands like Atari Teenage Riot or KMFDM. Are these bands the ones to mention when you talk about your influences or favourite kind of music? Who else would you like to add?

DestroyX: I’d consider those to be marginal influences as I come from more of an alternative, 80’s, grunge/riot grrrl musical background, with some of my favourite bands being Sonic Youth, Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins, the Smiths and the Cure. Zoog introduced me to bands such as Skinny Puppy, Cobra Killer and Front Line Assembly.

The term Cyberpunk is often used while describing your music. What's your definition of this word or even lifestyle?

DestroyX: Cyberpunk personally is about embracing dominant technologies but subverting their traditional uses to undermine the status quo. In using the readily available technologies of the present in a rebellious manner- making our own music, fashion and art, we are able to present alternatives to the homogenised and commodified versions that are currently force fed to us by the mainstream media and corporations.

Zoog: I don’t hack. I hate computers. I only use computers to help me make music, making it a creative guerrilla weapon.

Would you please explain the title of your debut "Nurse grenade"? I am able to translate both parts but don't get the special meaning because there seems to be no counterpart within the german language…

DestroyX: It’s also about a character who is both healing (nurse) and destructive (grenade). In English, ‘Nurse’ is a verb as well as a noun, so there is a dual meaning underlying the title, as it could also suggest the sense of ‘nurturing’ the grenade, or the concept of entertaining danger (as symbolised by the grenade).

The entire EP is downloadable from your homepage as high quality mp3s. Is this happening just to get some attention and for a start in the music business or will you keep this music-for-free-attitude in the future?

Destroyx: The internet plays an incredibly important role in the dissemination of our music and message, as it means anyone regardless of where they live or how much money they have, can download our music for free. In a sense it democratises the distribution of music, with free downloading being the biggest ‘Fuck You’ to the music industry.

Zoog: We encourage people to download and copy our music. Initially it began as an experiment and has proved to be extremely popular as we have received a very positive response. Often people will purchase the CD after downloading it.

Destroyx: Our music is not a commodity, we will not allow it to be traded as one.

A songtitle and slogan you promote your band with is "Fuck fashion". Would you like to say more about that statement?

Zoog: Being told what to wear and how to look is a given in contemporary society, as everyone seems to accept these ‘rules’ of fashion, which is ridiculous. There are many meanings and references in that song – but a main one is that it’s important to be who you are. Dress how you want. No “scene”, “style” or “fashion” should dictate the way you want to present yourself.

Destroyx: Moreover I have experienced that even in ‘alternative’ culture, people mindlessly follow fashion, without a hint of personality or creativity. ‘Fuck Fashion’ is also about how fashion can also be used to fuck people over. We’re using fashion to our advantage. People are more interested these days in your clothes and hair than your music – and we have realised this and are using fashion to attract and define our audience. Let’s face it – if we had cowboy hats and cowboy boots would anyone be listening to our music? …I seriously doubt it!

Could it be that you have some affinity to the fetish-scene too or is it just your gothic-style of dressing?

DestroyX: In Australia the Fetish and Gothic scenes are more closely aligned – this can be attributed to the small population. I am very interested in fetish fashion though, and I feel there is a large cross over between fetish and gothic/cyber fashion.

Zoog: I love it when people put effort into whatever they do. Whether it’s in their clothes, hair, club, music or whatever. The cool thing about the Fetish scene is that (mostly) people put a lot of effort into how they look and that’s the aspect we have an affinity with.

Where would you draw the line between gothic, fashion, cyber-punk, gothic-fashion and fetish-style? Don't get me wrong but I also want to know if the gothic-movement isn't sometimes also a kind of fashion (for some people…)?

DestroyX: Allow me to make a bold statement. Fashion rules the goth scene.
If you attend any goth club you will realise this. People seem to be united by the way they look, not a distinctive style of music or particular attitude to life, as everyone seems to always disagree about the music played at clubs, and no one conforms to any one type of ideology. Fashion, I would argue is the most identifiable and distinctive characteristic of the scene.

Zoog: Wanna claw your way to the top? Start with big boots.

Who did create the bandlogo, which is simple, very easy to remember, but maybe also hard to find?

Destroyx: I designed the logo. It’s a monogram (a combination of the letters ‘A’ and ‘S’). I’ve tried to design something that’s very visually strong and memorable.

You already played a bunch of gigs. What can you tell me about these experiences and what can an audience expect from an Angelspit-concert?

Destroyx: We give a performance EVERYTHING. Audiences often comment that our shows are emotionally intense and furious. We have live crazy vocal effects and an ‘out of control’ dual vocal attack.

Zoog: We just rock as hard as we can. We’re always completely exhausted after a gig – we give it absolutely everything we have. It’s just the two of us on stage and the energy is a lot more raw and aggressive than on the CD.

What can you tell me about the Australian Gothic-Scene? I have the impression that it is definitely existing and growing - and I only had a short look on www.sydneygothic.com… What do you know about the European or even German scene?

Destroyx: There is an attitude in Australia that “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” – meaning that people here think that the other countries’ Goth scenes (particularly in London and Europe) are better than Australia’s. But we don’t believe this. The Australian Goth scene is a growing, extremely diverse and a very distinctive culture, which can perhaps be attributed to its small size, as other subcultures such as Punk, Psytrance and Rockabilly influence and merge with the Gothic scene on a musical and aesthetic level.
I haven’t had a chance to visit Europe yet, so I can’t comment much on those scenes, however we are looking forward to touring Germany (the Goth Industrial heartland!) in the near future.

You are part of the Crash Frequency. Please tell us something about the idea behind this collective? Who can be a part of it and are there rules to fulfil or respect?

Zoog: Crash Frequency is a collective of goth/industrial bands who pool their resources to help each other. Signed and un-signed bands are involved in the project. There’s a really great and encouraging attitude within the collective. Bands are always inspiring and helping each other out. Currently it is still in its initial stages, so new member bands are not being initiated, however in the future it will hopefully flourish and grow.

In this union there are for instance IKON, who are making music for almost 15 years and newcomer like Tankt, Crystalline Effect or Lux Voltaire. How did all these bands get (and stay) in contact and what about collaborations with each other? How does exchange of experiences or concrete help take place?

Zoog: There’s a huge online exchange between bands. We play many gigs together, swap programming tricks and always give comments and advice about music. The bands also swap remixes and collaborate with collective members.

Destroyx: Because there are so few goth bands in Australia, it is common for established and new-comer bands to play gigs together, which is how we have had the privilege of meeting IKON.

What is the highest aim you try to reach with this gathering of creative or even financial forces? How long will it take to get there and what is realistic forecast about the whole project?

Zoog: Through Crash Frequency we’ve learnt that we don’t need a record label – with hard work, dedication and networking we can get the music to the people who want to hear it. We have already released a compliation CD and will be planning to do some more in the near future, as well as organise small festivals and joint gigs.

Destroyx: We are currently working on a full length Angelspit CD. We are also working hard on the art package which will encompass print as well as interactive media that will accompany the CD. Angelspit is a dual art and music project, with visuals being just as important as the music.

What can we expect of Angelspit and Crash Frequency in the near future? Plans, hopes and dreams?

Zoog: Crash Frequency are looking at organising more compilation Cds, raising more awareness about the project and are looking into creating some Podcasts.

Destroyx: After we release the Angelspit album, we’ll start on a batch of remixes and begin touring. We plan on playing Canada, US, Europe and Japan.

Last words?

Destroyx: At the moment, we’re busily learning German – we’re moving to Germany for 12 months in 2007! We plan on playing many gigs and we are really looking forward to coming. Also if you are at all interested in extreme hair extensions, awesome accessories and jewellery, please visit http://www.surgeon-x.com which showcases the designs we have created! If you are interested in the Australian gothic scene, please visit www.sydneygothic.com to see what’s happening. Also, don’t forget to check out the other awesome bands on www.crashfrequency.com