Faygoluvers interviews Angelspit about their new album “The Product”

Chad Thomas Carsten from Faygoluvers interviews Angelspit’s Zoog Von Rock about their new album “The Product”

Originally from Sydney, Australia, now relocated in Chicago, Angelspit are true masters of industrial music and have been melting people’s faces off since 2004 with their original electronic addictiveness! They have shared stages with industrial titans Front Line Assembly, KMFDM, and Lords Of Acid. Angelspit have also been featured in the official Underworld Awakening film score, along with doing countless remixes for other recording artists including, the demented duo Twiztid! August 20th 2014, at the CHICAGO COMFORT STATION, Angelspit will perform the 90 minute soundtrack to the horror masterpiece ‘Nosferatu‘ – LIVE! Frontman and founder Zoog Von Rock, is a bad ass to give Faygoluvers an exclusive!

Pick one word to describe the sound of Angelspit, for all who are unfamiliar at Faygoluvers

Zoog: BALLISTIC

How did growing up in Australia develop your style as a recording artist and why the relocation to Chicago?

Zoog: Australia has a small population (20 million spread over the size of the USA). So the smaller genres have to stick together…so you develop a mix.

The full story behind remixing Twiztid’s tracks “Monstrosity” and “Down With Us”. First time you heard of Twiztid or anyone associated with Psychopathic Records, prior to remixing

Zoog: They liked Angelspit and asked for a remix. It was awesome fun to work with them!

When can fans of Angelspit and Twiztid expect an original track together??

Zoog: Now THAT would be awesome!

Define Music

Zoog: Structured noise.

Zoog: Noise…and structure.Without music, what else would you be pursuing in life??

The current state of Music? And are major labels collapsing for good in the near future?

Zoog: I sincerely hope not! Labels bring wisdom and support for artists.

A label’s cut is huge – but it buys artists an experienced THINK TANK and massive network. More signed artists need to take advantage of this.

Any stories on when fans come up to you and mention that your music helped out their lives? How does it make you feel?

Zoog: It is a humbling experience. I have met many couples who met at Angelspit shows. I’ve met a few people who have lost family in war, and have asked me to safe-keep their dog tags (which I guard with great care).

I have a message box full of people needing encouragement to get through life (which is why Angelspit social media contains so much encouragement).

I am always reminded that we are all in this together.

What can newcomers expect at an Angelspit show?? And the most wild show you’ve played and what happened?

Zoog: They get pretty wild. A lot of brutal rock!

We use a laptop to play loops and bleeps. It’s been knocked off it’s punch on several occasions, leaving us to continue as a 4 piece punk band without the machines…it was awesome!

Angelspit track you first recorded and will it see the light of day?

Zoog: ’Maggot’ from our first EP ‘Nurse Grenade’ was the first track we wrote. We play it at EVERY show!

The difference between Angelspit when first founding the band and it’s present sound?

Zoog: Angelspit was originally solid slamming anger. This is still present, but we are also much more versatile now. There is much more light and dark and more emotion.

…and when you add this, it becomes MORE energetic.

The lyrics are also more inspired by the supporters.

The main focus behind The Product and the recording process. How many hours a day were you in the studio? Most intense moments?

Zoog: ’The Product’ is my chance to do something a little different. With every album, you reflect on what you have done and try to grow and improve.

It took 2 years to create. I travelled all over the USA recording abandoned telephone lines, buildings being demolished, circuit bending.

Recording vocals is always intense…you need to get into a dark and brutal mindset.

Who is responsible for the unique costume design featured on ‘The Product’

Zoog: That was me! I love destroying fashion!

Releasing ‘The Product’ VIA USB Drive VS releasing Hard Copies? What do you prefer?

Zoog: I like them both – as CDs have art and USB have the capacity to hold ANYTHING.

I would love to keep doing more USBs. You can currently get the ENTIRE catalogue of Angelspit on our 8gig USBSPITPILL.

Angelspit’s music will be featured in an upcoming fan film with Marvel Comics favorite Vampire, “Morbius”!! Can fans get the background behind being involved with the film?

Zoog: I have been working with artists that I really admire! Chicago film maker Adam Michaels and his crew are AWESOME FUN and they do great stuff!

The best comic book and the reason it is the best?

Zoog: Undertow – because it’s awesome. Also Transfusion – robots and vampires fighting over fields of humans. It’s art, it’s great!

As an artist, how would you use Angelspit’s music if you had to engage in battle against the system?

Zoog: I would use it to build a giant robot with sonic cannons…nothing would stand in our way!

I also use it to remind people that they are important…and “The System” is merely your day-job on steroids…and you are so much more than your day job!!

Synthesizers you haven’t had the chance to use to create tunes with, but want to?

Zoog: Yamaha cs-80.

Synclavier.

Arp 2500 and 2600

SYNTHI A-100 (I’ve been in the same room as The Delaware!!)

Lexicon Prime Time version1.

These machines are huge, expensive and rare…but I have many samples. I also examine the signal flow and try to replicate them using what I already have.

I am fortunate that I am very happy with my current set-up. I do not use soft synths, everything I do is on EMAX1 and 2, EMULATORIII, Mini Moog and Doepfer A-100.

Any new upcoming sample ideas? And favourite sounds you’ve sampled, that were the most odd to you?

Zoog: I am getting back into using classic samplers such as Emulators and EMAXs. They have a massive sound that not many other synths have.

I love huge soundtrack sounding pads….clouds of sound that suggest the grandeur of Blade Runner.

I am recording and sorting through hours of recordings and samples to create monstrous, horrifically (yet beautiful) disturbing soundscapes which underpins the songs. You can hear this all throughout ‘The Product‘.

Will Angelspit ever create a Sega Genesis themed album? Or for that matter any type of an Angelspit video game themed album? Me personally I’m leaning toward Sega *Hint, Hint” 😛

Zoog: This is why I’m doing a side project with The Gothsicles called HARDCORE PONG!

Top 5 favourite video games

Zoog: Space invaders, Elevator, River Raid, Galaxian, Starwars (1985 version)

What advice can you give to the fans who are trying their best to achieve their life’s dreams & goals?

Zoog: Don’t give up. You fail when you give up…and you are the only person who will let you stop. You have nothing to lose.

Remember: one of the strongest skills you can have is tenacity. By the nature of this beast, those who don’t give up will raise to the top.

If you keep ploughing through, you will succeed.

Rock!

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