Featuring Yurgak, Henker /from Struck 9 Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl 13-03-2010
Thanks Yurgak, Henker that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
For the first question will be - do you know Netherlands?
We don't know Europe yet, all the paperwork and requirements are kind of difficult to get and it is a long process. In other words, people still believe all Colombians are drug dealers, just try watching our independent movies and you will see.
Do you follow the electronic music scene; do you have any other favorite bands?
We listen to all different kind of tendencies in electronic music, we still follow the 70s, 80s and 90s. is where our Masters are
Greetings Yurgak, Henker could you please shortly introduce your music project Struck 9 to our readers. Please fill also a biographical resume about how, when and where...give us some background information?
The main idea of this project came from joining E.B.M. (Electronic Body Music) and punk lyrics and Industrial music, inspired by the social problems and a violent period in our country around the eighties, also the poverty and all the hit men surrounding our cities, terrorists attacks etc. During that time we had a curfew, we had to stay at home most of the time and the only way out of it was listening and making music with our friends.
How did you start to make EBM and what is EBM for you?
I began in the late 90s, I played with a synth band called Ex-dual Vision influenced by the great new wave music. Since there were no other bands in the country, most of them gothic bands. I started Struck 9 in 2001. there are a few good ones growing at the moment.
What and who are some of your influences in EBM?
We have a lot of band influences but the main deities for us are DAF, ARMAGEDDON DILDOS, DIE KRUPPS, SA42, NITZER EBB, FRONT 242, LEATHER STRIP, TEST DEPT, SPK, SKINNY PUPPY,MINISTRY, POUPPE FABRIKK, SCHNITT ACHT which were very hard to get here in Colombia at the time.
Tell me about Black Leather Records?
BLR is the record label we were waiting for all these years, I could say this is the first E.B.M. electro label in our country; they have the key and the spirit we have always wanted. They have been working with very interesting artists such as Equitant, Millimetric, Elite, Adriano Canzian, Egoamp, Adult, etc. They are going beyond, where other E.B.M. foreign labels are afraid to go.
By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
We like it man, let´s have a Beer.
What is the main idea, the message you want to send to people who listen to your music? What is your motto?
To awake consciousness about the social problems, to fight for a good cause and to learn from past mistakes. But mainly we like to open gates thru our music. We make music to feel and see.
What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
The original name of the band came from the Struck 9/11/01. The tragic event that took place in the United States in September 11, 2001.
When's the new album coming out?
We are expecting to have it in April 2010 under the label Black Leather Records; and there is a single with remixes coming too.
How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
Well, we have played only here in our city, where there are few but loyal old school E.B.M. listeners. (We are really open to go outside.) ??
What do you think of a modern EBM and about EBM scene?
We always prefer old E.B.M. but you can see, there are many bands that call themselves E.B.M. bands with the only purpose of selling records and image.
The real E.B.M. scene are the stompers and listeners who know and respect the E.B.M. roots and the industrial music. People who love their past and have a good connection with it.
Our usual question - what is EBM for you?
The new beat reincarnation.
What was your best live experience so far?
Our first and only time so far, it was back in October 2009.
Please list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member
Andres Yurgak (voice, live keyboards, arrangements)
Andres Henker (live drums)
William Brito (live electric guitars)
What are your views on the current state of this EBM scene in Medellin, Antioquia Colombia, in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
It's small compared with other countries. But there is a good feeling of friendship because everybody knows and supports each other. It’s kind of hard to see this in other countries.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Definitively Industrial. But the major influences were E.B.M. bands from Europe and punk bands from London and South America.
Since the music industry is more open now to purely electronic music, has this made things easier for you?
It has never been easy, especially in our country, however we like the obstacles.
So what are their main influences as a band at the moment?
The legendary Punk bands from our home town (Medellin): Fertil Miseria, Restos de Tragedia, I.R.A, Desadaptadoz,Encisos After the rain. We are currently working on some covers as a tribute to them. For oldschool Scene, we like Spark and Tech nomader. We wish the best for them
What is currently inspiring your material as an artist? Tell me all about the EBM scene of Medellin, Antioquia Colombia?
Actually our country is going through a very hard political transition and we have problems of social order. Confronting war threats with wisdom and unification, left and right together. Very interesting...
Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?
Our music is made for the few listeners who kept the E.B.M. spirit alive. We never care about the music press or big masses opinion.
what is the key to making music from Struck 9 and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
The key is to shine with own light. Performing in a country where no other oldshool E.B.M. bands exist, it´s what makes us want to grow more. we haven’t seen other oldschool bands in Southamerica by the way, sorry if I dismiss any. Feed our scene is the most important objective. Since no other EBM from outside had perform here Ever…
How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth, EBM music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
Digital downloads are fine, but I wish we could go back to tapes, vinyls or cd's.
If there was one thing you wanted people to know about your band what would that be?
Peace and Work!
Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
Our first release is coming in April 2010 called DEMOCRACY, we also will release a single on Black Leather Recs, with remixes from our current favorite electronic artists.
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity, Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
We'd like to express our gratitude to our listeners. And thanks for our message, keep it safe.
and what is next on Medellin, Antioquia Colombia agenda?
The democratic release party, we called it that way. We waited for years to release our material, it´s been a big effort but it has to be that way.
thanks for your time! great work on the albums and good luck with everything. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Thanks to you Ruud, it’s been an honor. Respects to Netherlands, I have a nice feeling about you, your work and your country.
Our music can be found in Juno Records from April 2010
Were you asked to play or did you have to ask for it a lot?
We have been asked to play in Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Sweden and Germany. We are planning to play in that order but the Hispanic audience goes first. To be honest I have noticed abandonment to the Hispanic countries, we are looking forward to changing that.
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Andres
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