ANGELSPIT INTERVIEW WITH Nachtaktiv magazine
“It’s a war of man vs machine, electro vs punk every night. We have had situations where the laptop has broken down, and stopped completely, but we keep powering through the tracks. We are one of the few bands who can do this. We won’t stop. It’s manic.
My biggest musical influence came from the mid 90’s, where rock bands took synths and samplers live. The sheer energy was breathtaking. I have always tried to build on this, and make a live experience that people will not forget. Increasingly, I am trying to push our studio-recorded sound to be more alive and high-energy.”
– Zoog Von Rock
[MN]: Eletro and Punk – how could this harmonize with each other?
[Z]: I think Electro and punk have much in common – they don’t care for rules, they are written for the people, and they push the envelope of what is expected and allowed. They are both “party” music.
Industrial was originally made by punks with synthesizers…so it’s all very interbred.
Angelspit’s two biggest influences are electro and punk. I love smashing the two styles together in an all mighty train wreck of ROCK. You can explore the big beats/fat bass/slick production of elecrto; and raw guitar brutality/destructive drums/wild vocals of PUNK ROCK.
[MN]: You also stand on stage with Skinny Puppy and also like them you use real instruments when you play live. What do you think about these electro bands who stand on stage just with a laptop?
[Z]: …like Kraftwerk?!
I’m fine with it. Audiences just want a show. Some people can’t jump around, but they should also be given the encouragement to perform their music. Some of the coolest music I’ve heard is created by bands who have boring stage shows. Video projections and lights aid in performance.
Personally, I love to go WILD when I play.
Angelspit have both the regiment of a strict laptop band and the wild freedom of a punk band. While the backing track supplies basic drums, Chris, our drummer, smashes his kit into a pulp. The laptop also plays a skeleton guitar track, but George’s guitar screams manicly over it. All vocals are performed, distorted and manipulated live.
It’s a war of man vs machine, electro vs punk every night. We have had situations where the laptop has broken down, and stopped completely, but we keep powering through the tracks. We are one of the few bands who can do this. We won’t stop. It’s manic.
My biggest musical influence came from the mid 90’s, where rock bands took synths and samplers live. The sheer energy was breathtaking. I have always tried to build on this, and make a live experience that people will not forget. Increasingly, I am trying to push our studio-recorded sound to be more alive and high-energy.
[MN]: Your last album released last autumn. When we can hear new music from the house of Angelspit?
[Z]: The new song ideas are flowing thick and fast. Music is in the works which I am very excited about. Two things that are very important to Angelspit are invention and innovation – to take something that already exists and to use it in a different way, as well as building things from scratch. I am currently building a giant, electro- acoustic instrument that is over 8 feet long and weighs as much as a small car! It’s made from different sized pieces of metal sheeting. Each piece has a different pitch and tone, so when bashed it sounds like a giant post-apocalyptic xylophone. It has pieces of piano wire stretched throughout – these also resonates when the instrument is struck.
I am also building several electronic instruments. I employ circuit-bending, and the use of non-conventional electronic components to manipulate sound. For example: putting audio signal through a light bulb and using it as distortion.
I am constantly working on new music and remixes. I am exploring what lies between horror and beauty, life and death. Angelspit has always explored this image content, and the lyrics always explore how this applies to everyday life. For example: How do you remain human in the horror that is the dehumanized, corporate age?
[MN]: You are a part of the Underworld – Awakening soundtrack. Is the song “Sunrise” a pretaste for a new era? Will other movies follow in which you become a part of with your music?
[Z]: Most definitely! Angelspit’s music has always been suited towards soundtracks and visually rich content. Our music videos are becoming more provocative and plot orientated – more like a 4 minute movie than a traditional music video.
I am often approached by film directors asking to use Angelspit’s music in their movies. I think it is the highest compliment.
I find visuals to be more inspiring than music, as many of our songs begin with imagery and emotion as opposed to musical ideas.
[MN]: You have an unique style. How much time you need in front of the mirror every morning and how much time before you play a concert?
[Z]: Amelia and I are both work-a-holics. We crawl out of bed and get started on work. Amelia wears a little makeup when she runs around London. Most what we do is in our own work studios, so we don’t see people very often.
It is always a lot of fun to get dressed up when we play live. We spend at least an hour in the bandroom before a gig chilling out, getting ready, and hanging with the other bands. We are so excited about playing in Europe, and we cannot wait to see you all in December.
