DEATHPILE : BLACK interview

BLACK Magazine vs. DEATHPILE 5.30.00
This is an older interview for the German language magazine "Black".

I added comments on April 26, 2002 where clarification or updating was needed.

DEATHPILE interview (Jonathan Canady) by Heiko Meyer of Black Magazine, Germany

Contact: BLACKMAGAZIN@compuserve.com

I think DEATHPILE is still unknown in Germany. Please give us some informations about the genesis! How many people are involved in?

DEATHPILE's first release was in the beginning of 1996 on Bloodlust! (Mark from INTRINSIC ACTION/BLOODYMINDED's label). Since that time I've had many recordings released internationally and have done around twelve live performances. I started doing this project because I've been a follower of power electronics for many years.

I recently moved from Denver to Philadelphia which caused me to lose the two other people involved in DEATHPILE. I will most likely be recording by myself and finding someone else to help me play live here on the East Coast...

(Since relocating I recorded my half of the DEATHPILE split with WHOREBUTCHER entirely on my own. Recently I have been joined by David E. Williams on keyboards. More on that in future posts.)

Which main topics you realize into the sound of DEATHPILE? What influences characterize the work?

Topics: Sex and Death.

Influences: Pornography and True Crime.

Is there an ideology behind DEATHPILE?

I don't really have a set of beliefs behind DEATHPILE. It is just a way to express my most anti-social obsessions.

In your opinion, what are the main problems of human society?

People. There are too many stupid people on this planet. I think the other serious issue is religion. I can't believe it's been 2000 years since Jesus got nailed and people still believe in him. The widespread adherence to such a ridiculous fairy tale shows the rampant stupidity of society. If we kill everyone who believes in the doctrines of the bible we would be solving two of the worlds major problems.

Tell us about your collaboration works with other noise artists! I heard about a collaboration with AUBE and a BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA-release !? Do you have more (projects)?

Unfortunately, I think the AUBE project is not going to happen due to my lack of interest. I also did a dark ambient project with Michael from YEN POX called HOLLOW EARTH.

(The AUBE collaboration didn't happen because I wasn't willing to write lyrics that would agree with the AUBE aesthetic. I still have great respect for AUBE despite our differences.)

What about live activities? What can expect a visitor of a DEATHPILE-performance?

No frills. I just get up and start screaming over a wall of noise. I usually push the audience back a bit by coming down to where they are. We've done some "performance" type additions in the past but I think a straight forward short and brutal set is better.

I would love to play in Europe. I've heard that this type of music has a larger following in Germany.

I may be playing live with Rosemary Malign (Extreme Music from Women participant) and Randall Philip (Answer Me contributor) this summer.

(This never happened despite a couple of attempts at Philly shows. Maybe one day?)

Before a couple of months you have compiled ?The Sound Of Sadism - An International Power Electronics Compilation? on CROWD CONTROL ACTIVITIES. Describe us your activities for CCA?

I was involved in getting ATRAX MORGUE and DISCORDANCE hooked up with Crowd Control. I also do graphic design for CCA and he has helped me put out CDs I couldn't release on my own label.

Does your own label MALSONUS still exist?

No. I closed down Malsonus for good just before I moved to Philadelphia. I want to focus my attention on working for Relapse.

What do you think about the whole industrial and power electronics scene?

I really don't follow what's going on anymore. I was involved in the "scene" more when I was getting The Sound Of Sadism CD together. I expected to get a large amount of mail from new bands that would want to be on Volume 2 of S.O.S. but I have gotten very few inquires. I think I will just continue to do DEATHPILE and not worry about what others are doing.

Do you have contacts to the local music scene in Denver?

Yes, I lived there for almost my entire life. I started putting on noise only shows in Denver called "Night of Noise" around 1995. That was an ongoing thing until my recent move. I don't know if I have the patience and energy to put on shows like that in Philadelphia - we shall see.

(I haven't had the patience nor the energy.)

Which music styles and artists you prefer at home?

Mostly death metal and hardcore although I listened to "Heathen Earth" by THROBBING GRISTLE today.

What can you say about the upcoming release "Back On The Prowl"?

It was recorded over a year ago and it is the best recording DEATHPILE has done to date. It's the most extreme thing I've done in both the sonic and lyrical sense. The most exciting feature for me is that it is the only multi-song recording with members Don Poe and Brian D'Agosta. They contributed a huge amount to the power of the recording. As soon as I finish the artwork it should be ready for release. It's very hard to get that done when I work on graphic design as my day job.

What are your further plans?

I'm going to be working on new DEATHPILE material very soon. I am determined to get to a more mature yet brutal level with my lyrics. I look back at most of what I've done in that area and I am sorely disappointed. I will also be contributing my part to a new HOLLOW EARTH recording and possibly working on new DEAD WORLD material.

(A new HOLLOW EARTH CD was attempted but abandoned early on. I think that "Dog Days..." will be the one and only HOLLOW EARTH CD. DEAD WORLD is officially deceased - R.I.P. 1991-1999)

Last comments?

Contact DEATHPILE at: deathpile@hotmail.com