Featuring Marcus |from Deadcell Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl 19 november 2009
1- Thanks Marcus that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
It's a pleasure. Thank you.
2- Greetings Marcus could you please shortly introduce our readers to your music project Deadcell?
DEADCELL is a dutch Industrial/Metal project founded in 2006. DEADCELL combines live acts ( alike to Laibach & Welle:Erdball ) with socio-political slogans, videoprojections and heavy Industrial/Metal music. Musicwise we sound like Ministry, Rammstein, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, KMFDM et cetera.
3- Please fill also a biographical resume about how,when and where... Deadcell was founded in ..... give us a more background information?
DEADCELL was founded in 2006 by myself and Mel ( our dancer/choreography ). So far we have done 2 tours ( ‘Massacre Tour’ & ‘State Of Fear Tour’ ) with nearly 100 shows throughout Europe. After our first show we immediately got noticed by promoter Jeps Salfischberger and were asked to perform at the Summer Darkness festival. The rest is history.
4- How did you start to make Industrial / Metal / Visueel and what is music for you?
I've been in bands since the age of 17. I always wanted to do something different than just another traditional band formation. When Mel and I met in 2003, we immediately had the idea of combining traditional and contemporary dance with Industrial music. I started listening to bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie, Wolfgang Press, Ministry, NIN, Morrissey, Cocteau Twins, Sisters Of Mercy et cetera. Mel introduced me to al lot of music I didn't know well.
5- What and who are some of your influences in Industrial / Metal / Visueel ?
My main influences are Ministry, Faith No More, Testament, Autopsy, Rob Zombie, Laibach, Horror movies in general et cetera.
6- What are your top ten favorite Industrial / Metal / Visueel Club Songs of all time?
Difficult question. There's so many diverse music I like. Some of my favorites : Rob Zombie - Superbeast, Ministry - NWO, Laibach - Alle Gegen Alle, Gothminister - Darkside, Testament - True Believer, Laibach - Das Spiel Ist Aus, The Prodigy – Warrior’s Dance, Tomcraft - Loneliness, Faith No More - Kindergarten et cetera. But I can also really enjoy a good piece of classical music,preferably Bach. I even listen to crooners to relax :-)
7- Tell one secret about Deadcell that you have never told to anyone?
I'm actually a woman.
8- So tell me a bit more about yourself, such as musical?
What is there to tell...I'm a busy guy. Next to my part-time job a Communication teacher at the University, I'm non stop working in the music business. Next to writing, recording and producing songs for DEADCELL, I also organise festivals at Dynamo & W2. I also run my own booking agency. I have a studio where I record all kinds of stuff. Plus I'm doing all PR for the band. And there's tons of other things I do, so you can say I'm pretty much a workaholic. But I love it.
9- By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
I've got an itch in the crotch, so 'Yes' would be the appropriate answer.
10- What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?
To have an open mind and truly be free. Think. Fuck the system and be as little dependent of it as possible. And that doens't mean I'm a hippie, cause I don't hate water.
Oh, and before I forget : don't trust people in suits....har...har..
11- What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
The name originates from the Stephen King movie 'Rose Red'. Watch it, it's one of my all time favorite horror movies. It's nice, like peanut butter sandwich.
12- where did the concept come from? and whats planned now that your new album finished? and out in nov 27th or anything else you're working on? Tell me why this title 'Black Rooster" Tell us a few words about the concept of this?
The rooster is a symbol of freedom to me. Perhaps you know the lightning arresters (mainly roosters) that are on top of Catholic churches ? Many times I feel exactly like that rooster. I like the symbolism of it in a political and social context.
The new album indeed will be released on November 27th 2009. I think it will be a major breakthrough for the band. We are touring more and more every year with bigger names in the scene. I've never been so excited about a DEADCELL album like this one.
I've just finished a remix for the Swiss group BAK XIII. Currenlty working on a remix for Schwarzblut ( a dutch electro band ), and I'm starting the 4th DEADCELL album soon. It will be released in 2010 with remasters of the best songs of the first 3 albums + some new songs. And then there's more, which I hope to find the time for !
13- Are you a member of any music organizations? and tel me about your label Urgence Disk Records
I'm a freelance booking agent for DYNAMO and W2. I love creating opportunities for other bands & keeping the ‘scene’ alive. The thing I love about Urgence Disk is that it's an artist community. Half of our profit goed back into this community to help other talented artists release their albums. All artists keep the copyrights to their own music, earn 50% of all money and still help eachother with new releases. To me, that's a great combination.
14-How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
It's going really well. We are getting a lot of airplay at online radio stations, the first reactions to the new album are great, we're doing several interviews for magazines & e-zines, so we don't complain. For the first show of the 'Black Rooster Tour' we are invited as special guest for the Gothminister/Trail Of Tears tour at IDUNA (Drachten,NL). Plus we will be touring 2 or 3 shows with MORTIIS late 2009. And a UK and French tour with PUNISH YOURSELF is in the planning. And there's more to come !
15- What do you think of a modern Industrial / Metal / Visueel and about Gothic scene?
The traditional Gothic scene doesn't exist anymore I think, which is a shame. But as time progresses things change, and we should always look forward. It's way more diverse right now with the Metal, Emo, Gothic, Hardcore scene blending all together. Especially at DEADCELL shows the crowd is really, really diverse. And that's a good thing I think.
16- Our usual question - what is music for you?
Music is all. Music is my life. I consider making music as an important job to get a certain message across. This job is taken way too lightly by many bands, which is a shame. Music is THE tool to reach out to people and get them involved. I’m not in this business for the money, but to achieve change and awareness in society. That’s why I can’t watch MTV or other music channels anymore. It’s just too plain boring and hollow.
17- What was your best live experience so far?
Our show at the London Underworld. We were touring with HANZEL UND GRETYL. The crowd response was HUGE. The crowd exploded during our show. It seemed like we were the main attraction, which was a real honour to us.
18- Please list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member
Marcus Bodine, 31 years old, Guitars/Vocals/Programming.
Snowflame, 33 years old, Guitars.
Mel, 30 years old, Dance & Choreography.
Therion69, 43 years old, VJ.
Maya, 35 years old, Acid Bellydance.
19-What are your views on the current state of this electro scene in the netherlands in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
I'm not very much into that scene, so I don't really know. I think it's a rather small scene, as well as the 'gothic' scene. The 'scene' is also small in other countries, but the fans are dedicated. And I appreciate that in an audience.
20- you have very nice album`and many more so Impromptu demo E.P.( 2006 ) and The Massacre album ( 2006 ) ( 2008 ) State Of Fear album tell me about lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work? How does your music creation process work? How do you create a song?
I pick up the guitars, start playing some riffs and then things tend to go rather quickly when it's a good song. Sometimes I start with a drum rhythm. Most of the core of the songs I write within half an hour. The recording, mixing and producing takes way longer of course. Creating a song is almost a spiritual experience. It's like lightning strikes you..BANG!.. and there's the song & lyrics. Creation is amazingly powerful.
21-What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
With DEADCELL Industrial/Metal, but I also compose film and classical music. Even dance and electro.
22-What do you do to chill out?
Go out and drink a shitload of booze.
23-So what are their main influences as a band at the moment?
Haven't I answered this question before ?
24-What is currently inspiring your material as an artist? tell me all about the Industrial / Metal / Visueel scene of the netherlands?
There isn't much of a 'scene' left. As I said before, all ‘scenes’ tend to blend at the moment.
25-Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?
Strange question. I don't know. As any other band, we evolve as time progresses. Maybe the next DEADCELL album will be bossa-nova, I don't know.
26-what is the key to making music from Deadcell and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
That's hard to explain. It's a certain feeling I can't express in words which makes DEADCELL stand out from other bands.
27-How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-Industrial / Metal / Visueel music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
Download as much as you want ! I'd be a hypocrite to deny people from doing that. Just buy the album at a concert sometimes to support the band !
28-If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would that be?
DEADCELL is more than just the music. It's a lifestyle, a profound message. You can call it an 'anti-voice' to the way society is evolving right now. The same like Ministry, U2 and so many other bands made a difference, we are doing it in our own way.
29-Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
The next release will be a 'best of' album with some new songs. I hope on short notice, depends on the amount of time I have :-)
30-It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
Thanks for reading this interview up to here, come check us out at a show near you. You'll fucking like it ! And come and meet us, we're actually nice people...
31-and what is next on the netherlands agenda?
27 NOV IDUNA cd release w/ Gothminister
28 NOV SODOM METAL FESTIVAL [headliner] cd release
32-thanks for your time! great work on the albums and good luck with everything.any How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
more info:
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