This interviews was conducted with Johan van Roy from Suicide Commando.on 20-Feb 2011 Thanks Johan
we are happy to get the chance to ask you a few questions For the first question will be Thanks Johan van Roy that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
1- For the first question will be - do you know the netherland?
Sure I know the Netherlands ! Leopoldsburg, my hometown, is not that far from the border with the Netherlands, so from time to time you'll find me in towns like Eindhoven, Valkenswaard or Roermond ... and often I'm also passing through Holland on my way to Germany. And I always enjoyed doing live shows in Holland, will be back soon again in October for 2 more shows in Eindhoven and Amstelveen.
2- What can you tell me about the origin of the name suicide Commando
For that we actually have to go back to the early eighties where it all started for me. In those days "suicide commando" was a popular song in the underground scene from a german band called No More. As I really liked that song and as I was fascinated by the meaning behind suicide commando, referring to the Japanese kamikaze pilots in world war II, I decided to name my project "suicide commando", and the rest is history.
3- Greetings Johan could you please shortly introduce our readers your music project suicide Commando Please fill also a biographical resume about how,when and where... suicide Commando was founded in ..... give us a more background information?
Oh, I guess telling my entire background information would take hours, after all suicide commando already exists 25 years by now, so there would be a lot to tell, so therefor I suggest you to have a look at my website at www.suicidecommando.be . You can find a detailed biography and discography on there, as well as many other info's ...
4- How did you start to make EBM and what is EBM for you?
It all started for me in the early eighties when I discovered bands like Front 242, Klinik, Depeche Mode, Fad Gadget ... Until then I grew up in the so called new wave scene, but as soon as I discovered the electro scene and bands like Klinik, Skinny Puppy, Executive Slacks, Fad Gadget ... it had such a big influence on me that I soon started my own project.With my saved money I bought my first synth, the legendary Roland SH101. In those days it was still impossible to do music on a computer and equipment costed a fortune, so it took me quite a lot of money and time to buy my first gear. But that's how it all started for me.For me EBM not only stands for Electronic Body Music, but also for a big part of my life, a part of my soul !
5- What and who are some of your influences in EBM?
Like I already mentioned, bands like Klinik, Front 242, Skinny Puppy ... basically most of the eighties electro bands left a big impression and influence on me and my music.
6- What are your top ten favorite EBM / Industrial Club Songs of all time? Who are you influenced by? What would you consider your favorite cd's?
That's a hard one and almost impossible to answer as I most likely will forget some songs or albums right now, but in the list for sure are ...
songs :
u-men - Front 242
sick in your mind - klinik
TV treated - The neon judgement
assimilate - skinny puppy
soylent green - wumpscut
adrenaline rush - leaether strip
blood money - dive
new life - depeche mode
collapsing new people - fad gadget
electrohead - combichrist
7- Could you briefly summarize Suicide Commando and what you guys are about?
Suicide Commando was, is and will always be the one man project (in the studio) from Johan Van Roy, started making electronic music back in 1986 and this year exisiting 25 years. Live on stage I'm joined by several live guest musicians on live drums (Mario Vaerewijck from Insekt, Lowpass ...) and live keys (Torben from Lights of Euphoria and from time to time Jan from Noisuf-X), but in the studio suicide commando was and will always remain my solo project.
8- If people don't know what you and your music are about where have they been!?,how would you describe yourself?
Oh, I'm sure there are still plenty of people who don't know my music, after all we're making music for a very small scene compared to the mainstream music you hear on the radio every day. So for those who still don't know Suicide Commando I always describe my music simple and easy as "electronic music", as I don't really like to be pushed into certain styles or boxes, so for me it's all electronic music, whether that is Electro Body Music, Dark electro, Endzeit electro or whatever you might call it ...
9- Tell me more about this album "implements of hell",
"Implements of hell" is my 7th studio album and was released early 2010 on Out Of Line. The album title refers to another serial killer named Albert Fish, who used to call the instruments/tools he used to brutally violate and kill his victims his "implements of hell". But apart from the album title, "implements of hell" is not just another album about serial killers as "bind torture kill" was. In fact only a very few songs on the album are inspired and refer to other serial killers.The album once again reached the top position in many international alternative charts and was released in 3 different versions, a regular CD edition, a limited double CD edition including a bonus disc with only remixes and rare material, and a special limited boxset including the regular album, a remix CD, a bonus single with "god is in the rain", a t-shirt, poster and postcards ...Both limited editions meanwhile are as good as sold out.
10- By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
;-)
11- How did you come up with the title "death cures all pain" and tell me more about this number "go fuck yourself" " (from your latest new single)
"Death cures all pain" tells the story of a fictional person on the edge of his life, wondering if suicide could be the solution for all his problems. If pain starts to control your life we often start to question life and wonder if death wouldn’t be the solution. For some people this really can become a burden and sometimes chase yourself your entire life, it’s something that can’t be cured and will always chase yourself no matter what. "Go fuck yourself" actually is my answer and revenge on all people who like to bash on suicide commando and my music, but it also can refer to daily life where we so easily bash and talk bad about others without even knowing that person. We often act biased and often have prejudices on others without even knowing the facts or without even knowing this person or their reasons. You should see the song with a bit of irony, but I guess those few people bashing on suicide commando won't get that irony any way.
12- And tell me about this number “die motherfucker die" ?
In a way "die motherfucker die" also deals about revenge, rage and revenge.The song title actually was borrowed from a metal band called Dope, but the song in itself has a lot more to say then you might think at first.At first sight you might think it deals about a serial killer and is explaining what drove this person to his cruel actions and what drove him to become a serial killer, as it is proven that serial killers often act out of revenge for cruelty that was done to themselves when they were young, often being abused by their own parents or relatives, often being mistreated in their own childhood.But the song also could deal about you or me, as we also often act out of revenge, act out of hate and envy. So it kind of tells that in the end there's not that much difference between a serial killer and a person like you and me, sometimes it's a very thin line between becoming a serial killer and keeping your anger under control.
13- How do you feel to hold the finished cd in your hands?
Sure the feeling is different when you meanwhile released so many other albums, singles etc ... but it still is a special feeling to hold the finished product in your hands, it's like a painter who finally finishes his painting or a writer who finally finishes his book.
14- Tell me about your site project Kombat Unit with Jan from X-Fusion & Noisuf –X?
Well, I know Jan for many years now and a few years back we thought it would be a good idea to do some music together. At that time we both still had some free time to work on music together, but unfortunately over the years we got less and less time as Jan got busier with his own projects and I was so busy with my works for suicide commando and meanwhile also became a family man and daddy, so working on new material unfortunately became pretty difficult, but we still hope to find the necessary time to finish an album some day soon. But it's a very slow process. Till now we released 2 songs on different samplers and we have some more material in the pipeline, but not enough for a complete album yet, so wait and see ... Maybe we'll find some time in the coming months.
15- What new music inspires you when you are writing? 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 tend to listen to many music, from the usual mainstream music on the radio to the alternative electronic music of our scene, so it's obvious that you always pick up influences and inspirations from there, but it's not that I get inspired by something deliberately. For me music has all to do with feelings, so it has to come from the heart (and mind), you can't really copy emotions or feelings from others, it wouldn't be me or suicide commando, as I consider suicide commando as a big part of me and my soul. So usually I just get behind my machines in my own little studio and start jamming until something decent comes out of it, sometimes it takes hours or even days before I'm happy with a certain tune or sequence, sometimes it almost comes instantly ... I don't have a special recipe for it, it all has to come spontaneously or it doesn't come at all ...
16-And, finally, what does the next twelve months hold for the band?
Like I said, suicide commando will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so be sure that we'll celebrate it in a special way. We already have some special things in mind, but unfortunately I can't reveal much at the moment, so be surprised and find out yourself.Meanwhile we obviously will keep on doing many live shows across Europe but also for the very first time in Canada, if I'll survive the flight, because due to an overpressure in my ears flying always was really uncomfortable for me and the main reason why we never toured the US etc ... so wait and see how that flight to Canada will turn out. Cross my fingers all will go well.Any way, lots of plans, lots of shows ... it never gets boring.
17- Last question before I’ve gotta go! What bands would you like to tour with if given the opportunity?
Well, I already had the honour to tour or do shows with many of my personal heroes or influences, from Front 242 to (RIP) Fad Gadget ... so I'm already a happy man.
18- Any final thoughts for the people out there?
It took me quite along time to finish this interview, but here you go ... And I obviously hereby would like to say hello to all my dutch fans in Holland, Belgium and where ever they may be ... thanks for your neverending support.
