With a new album imminent Zoog from Electro-punk riot squad Angelspit took some time out to answer a few questions about crowd funding, the new album and having such a talented fanbase. Regular partner in crime and disorder Destroy X might be focussing on other projects for the time being but this hasn’t stopped him from working fiendishly hard on new material that features appearances from Helalyn Flowers and Miss Ballistic amongst others.
From the start with first album ‘Krankhaus’ Angelspit has seemed to be about more than just music. A stylised visual aesthetic which wouldn’t look out of place in fetish
magazine Skin Two has accompanied each of your releases. Does the visual representation of Angelspit matter as much as the music?
At the core of everything I do is a concept. This concept is represented in the music, art and fashion. The new album is called “THE PRODUCT” – and the concept is a health care insurance company that is selling eternal youth, as it encompassed many of the concerns voiced during my conversations with Angelspit’s audience The future of the job market and the economy, retirement plans that won’t be around in 30 years…or 10 years, Health care and health insurance that means nothing, and online social networking that’s leaving us more isolated and lonely encouraging a “virtual” community as opposed to real relationships. Relationships are breaking down because the world is being over run with lonely desperate people who look beautiful on their avatar. This is the rise of the cult of selfishness.
I felt it was awesomely absurd to put the answer to this massive cluster fuck in a pill that would cure all your problems.
Your new album ‘The Product’ is set for release in March, what can fans expect from the new album and why did you opt for using Indiegogo for preorders?
I like crowd funding because you can involve people in the process of launching the album. I can easily update supporters on new developments.
The biggest selling item is still the signed CD. I have offered more modern options – like USB data keys in the shape of a pill – but people still prefer the CD.
Crowd funding is more than just presales, it is a way for the supporters to become the financial backers and act as a record label. These people inspired the lyrics and music, now they get to be the producers…this is AWESOME!
Bands embarking on crowd funding are always told to make a professional sounding sales pitch so people will know that the band is genuine…FUCK THAT, I wrote:
“ANGELSPIT’s new album ‘THE PRODUCT’ is crammed with SATAN! Thirteen tracks of MAYHEM to put more corruption in your life! Funds go towards hiring a militia OF ROCK WARRIORS to INVADE YOUR BRAIN!!!!”
For christ’s sake…this is Rock’n’Roll…why is everyone so serious??
Some of the recurring themes in your music are rebellion, independent thinking and commentary on the herd mentality. Did this come from an affinity with the themes of old school punk music?
Angelspit’s new album ‘The Product’ is inspired by conversations with people at shows and through social networking.
I wanted to pull the focus away from “I hate my job”, and move it onto “why do I hate my life”? Most people I spoke to are not happy. A recurring theme in my conversations was loss, relationships and an unsure future. In the past, Angelspit lyrics were picturesque, grotesque and more visual than literal. On The Product the lyrics are much more direct.
A fan video contest resulted in numerous impressive entries (Keith Jensen’s ‘Channel Hell’ being a personal favourite). This resulted in your recruiting ‘The Liar’ to join you as a video artist after winning with their video for ‘Fuck The Revolution’. Were you impressed by your fanbases talent?
Keith Jensen is BRILLIANT! I have hired him to make another video for the new track “Pretty Dead Boys” from the new album – this will be launched soon. Check out his other madness @ brainwomb
Another video entrant who stood out was Christopher Davis @ Humantwelve. I also recruited him to make the video for the new track “Ambassador”. Christopher can work with the most barebones material and make something AMAZING!
Angelspit had a design competition for our 2012 USA tour which was won by Walt Watts @ creative distortions . I hired Walt to do Digital Illustration on The Product. He is very talented!
I have also worked with many other supporter’s talents to help on the album. Sean Moriarty built me a KILLER music computer, John Dempsey built several DIY synths from old Atari computers, Rodney Linderman (legendary punk GOD from Dead Milkmen) also made me a Sonic Hell Box, Brian Kirby from Sum Zero Inertia also created several custom modules from vintage TV vacuum tubes. It is an honour to be surrounded by inspiring people…but it is exhilarating be surrounded by Mad Scientists!
You’ve released several remix albums with a variety of artists reworking your material, do you like seeing what other artists can do with your material and how it can be transformed?
The more people who help, the deeper it sounds and I recruited many people to help make the new album sound rich. On ‘The Product’ I took the opportunity to work with guest vocalists It’s great to throw and idea at someone and not knowing how they will throw it back. Helalyn Flowers appear on the song “Fight Dirty” their vocals and guitars DESTROY that track! Terror feme Fatale vocalist Miss Ballistic also appears on several tracks her voice is pure higrade explosive.
George Bikos not only supplies Angelspit’s KILLER guitars, but also cowrites the opening track ‘Hot Mess’. ‘The Product’ features slamming drums from Bradley R. Bills of Chant (www.chantproject.com/) and Chris Kling.
I also wanted to use a different sonic palette – so I collected several old samplers from the early 90’s 2 EMAXIs, an EMAXII, an EMULATORII and an EMULATORIIIXP. The Doepfer Modular Synth is once again heavily used. Synths, drums, guitars and vocals are wavehammered, patched and murdered!
‘The Product’ took two years to complete. At times it was a very difficult task – and I hope this album encourages people to keep going and pursue their goals. Sometimes the universe rolls a dice that is not in your favour, and all you can do is make the best of it. Don’t stop creating. You have no idea it is to the greater picture that you keep your mind active and heart open to change. Your current situation might be a hurtful place, but with a plan and persistence you WILL get to a better place. Do not give up.
‘The Product’ imagery credits,
Abby Schoofs Photography [abbyschoofs.com]
Hair and Make-up: Nicole Oechsner (Renaissance Salon & Spa) rensalon.com
Visit their website angelspit.net
Vist their indiegogo ‘New Angelspit album The Product’
Catch them live at Alt-Fest
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