Internal Bleeding have long been staples of the NYDM scene. With release of their newest album, Driven To Conquer, Internal Bleeding have officially clawed their way to the top of the heap. Read on as Al Kikuras picks IB guitarist Chris Pervelis's brain.
Interviewed by Al Kikuras. Pics courtesy of Pavement Music and Internal Bleeding.
Al Kikuras: Driven To Conquer has surprised both IB fans and detractors. A lot of people that didn't like your first two albums love the new one. Did you have any idea that it would win so many people over?C: I didn't give the "winning people over" issue one thought...I couldn't put my finger on an specific feelings I had about the album, but I had this vibe that something good was going to happen with this release. The vibe actually came after we tossed Anthony and finally got Guy Marchais into the band. Me and him got down to writing and the music literally exploded. Its was like something new was being developed. I cannot explain it. Everything fit together perfectly. I knew it was still Internal Bleeding, but it was something better. We pushed ourselves away from dancing in our own footsteps, we wanted to push our envelope so to speak. The result was an album I think is a perfect representation of Internal Bleeding and the future direction of the band. Let's say its a new phase. Its still Internal Bleeding, you can hear the groove all over the place, but its something beyond what we've ever done-its more mature. I am glad longtime fans and even detractors are digging it. Sorry, I just rambled but I wanted to give you an idea of what I have been thinking about lately concerning the album.
Photo courtesy of Teen Hearthrob Magazine, July 1999 (pg. 12)A: How do you feel it holds up against the first two albums?
C: Well, I think it crushes the daylight out of the last two albums musically and production-wise. Don't get me wrong here Greg, I am proud of the last 2 releases, but this new one is like a dream come true-especially in the production department. You can hear every instrument - to me that's important and it's something we've never been able to have until now. One of the reasons we recorded "Inhuman 99" (which was on Voracious Contempt) was to show people that our music was always there-always complex, interesting and powerful, but it suffered from bad production...I think the song nestles in perfectly with all the other new ones, which goes to show you that the music was always there. Anyway, I am really happy with this album and it fits into Internal Bleeding history perfectly.
A: In retrospect, what about the first two albums would you change looking back now?
C: Okay here's what I'd change on Voracious Contempt: 1) I would have had Brian Griffin record/engineer the damn thing! 2) I would have had Frank vary his vocal attack a bit more 3) I wouldn't have let Scott Burns mix it, or at least I wish I flew down to Florida to be there while he did it. As for Extinction: 1) I would have had Brian Griffin record/engineer the damn thing (do you see a pattern here?) 2) I would have had Frank vary his vocal attack even more-we wanted him to sing more like Ray sings on Driven. These are things that I would love to have changed. As I said before I am still proud of these albums and it took a hell of a lot of work, sweat and dedication to make them. I am proud of them and will never deny that.
A: How much time went into Driven to Conquer total, from writing the tunes through the recording?
C: I guess it took a solid year work to get the whole thing wrapped up. We actually wrote pretty damn fast. I'd say the basics were written in 5 months. Ideas were flowing like mad, but we really, I mean really spent a lot of time on the arrangements - we wanted to build maximum tension and release and we studied and picked apart every tune until we thought it was perfect.
A: What do you consider to be the definitive Internal Bleeding song and why?
C: Thats a tough question. I think it is a tie between "Anointed in Servitude" and "Falling Down". The reason I choose these two is simple - to me, they sum up perfectly what we are all about, both musically and lyrically. From the "classic" slam part in "Anointed" (the "I command thee to rip up the dead" part which most IB fans know like the back of their hand) to the chorus in "Falling Down" with the lone snare chopping away. These two songs definitely capture the essence of IB.
A: That embryo-skull-spider insignia has been on each of your albums thus far... does it have a name? What is the concept behind it?
C: Well its name is "The tribal thing" and it represents the interests of all the band members. It has an alien feel and HR Geiger look to satisfy our interests in aliens/UFOs, etc., It has a semi-tribal looking ring, which satisfies some band members interests in tattooing and it has a spider's legs that represent the "creepy crawl" - a Charles Manson thing - something we all dig. We use it as a trademark of sorts. It will be somewhere on every one of our releases. I have seen a lot of people who have had it tattooed on them. That is a trip to see.
A: Why did Frank Rini leave the band?
C: Frank left for two reasons: 1) His career as a cop was calling him and 2) His woman was calling him (although he'd never admit to that!). Looking back at it, it was the perfect time for him to leave. We went through some rough times, but it all worked out perfectly. A lot of people didn't think we could survive without him. It was rough at first, but actually we are doing much better with Ray than we ever did with Frank, so I am happy as hell that I can say "fuck you!" to all the a-holes who thought we were sunk without him. Currently Frank is a corrections officer in MD. He's doing well and I talk to him a lot-we still remain friends.
A: When and how did you know Ray Lebron was the man for the job?
C: Well, when we were trying out singers, we'd usually have them come down 3-4 times. Usually after the 2-3d time we'd know most singers couldn't do what we were looking for. Most were doing the typical low-guttural growling stuff, which we were tired of. We wanted PISSED OFF VOCALS-something that represented us and stood above the music instead of being mixed in with it. Anyway, Each time Ray came down, he was better than before. We decided to rent a good room with a good PA one day and we told him "Sing it like you just got home and found yer wife in bed with 12 greasy ass men." Well, we burst into "Ocular Instrospection" and he let out a roar that floored all of us. We all knew he was the man for the job on that day. I think we made the right decision.
A: What percentage (if any) of your living comes from the band?
C: Here's an exact percentage: 0%. Now, take into account the money I dump into the band and that percentage comes out to -20%. I think you get the point. This band is a money looser-we're lucky when we break even, but it isn't about money, its about getting out there and pouring your soul onto the stage and letting people do what they want with it.
A: So, www.internalbleeding.com. What's stopping you?
C: Right now, its money. Soon we will have it, believe me.
A: Did IB's second vocalist get made fun of a lot because of his name?
C: Who Eric Wigger? hahah thats funny. No, that was a time before people were using the words "Wigger" around here. Nowadays I think he would get constant ribbing from people, especially if he really was a wigger, but he's as non-wigger as you can get.A: A: Did you ever have any male friends with girly names that you made fun of?
C: No, but I have had male friends who act like fucking girls and I make fun of them all the time. I say be proud of your damn testosterone ya know. Don't be a little pretty boy faggot girly-man, be proud of being a man.
A: Are you a fan of pornography?
C: I used to be a huge fan of porn, but now not so much, it just gets me frustrated and pissed off cause I am not the one getting laid.
A: Any favorite movies or stars when you were into it?
C: There are a few that I like: Tianna Taylor (even though her tits are so fake), Raven, Mimi Miyagi and some others. I don't really know many stars.
A: Is there a tour planned in support of Driven To Conquer?
C: We should be hitting the road in October with Broken Hope, I think. That's the scuttlebut right now. We shall see what happens. Hopefully we shall hit Europe later too!
A: The NYDM scene has been very prolific of late. Any new bands that you can recommend?
C: Here are some new bands, plus some old favorites. You are an idiot if you don't check out the following amazing bands: 420 (featuring ex Repudilation and Dehumanized members), Disfigured, The Forgotten, Skinless, Malignancy and Scrape - all excellent bands that need looking into if you haven't already!
A: Who in the band is most likely to shit his pants (accidentally) on stage?
C: Well, accidentally, that would be me for sure. Ask any of the guys in my band about my penchant for pissing and shitting all the time, at the worst moments possible-like in the middle of a traffic jam where there are no bathrooms for miles.
A: How about on purpose?
C: I think that would be Guy. He's known around here to be a bit of a strange fellow, and he does some weird ass shit sometimes...
A: Richard C from Wild Rags gets a lot of bad flack in the underground. In my dealings with him over the past 9 years or so he has always been cool as pie. IB has a history with Wild Rags. How was dealing with him for you?
C: Well, Richard and I have had a great relationship and still have. If you are on the level with the guy, and not a stupid limp dick, puss nutted asshole who think they are gonna be a millionaire because of their music. He's an invaluable tool in helping out your band. He's not gonna do your work for you though. I think many people think that. He used to push us so hard to promote, get out there and work. He gave us our work ethic. I owe a lot of our success to him.
A: You are a big Zappa fan, correct? Ever get to see him live?
C: Man, I discovered Zappa a little too late to ever see him live. I have a few videos but that's about it. He's gotta be the most amazing musician I have ever heard. Did you ever see the old video clip of him playing the bicycles on the Steve Allen show when he was about 12-13? Steve Allen was making fun of him. Now look! No one knows Steve Allen, everyone knows Zappa.
A: What is your favorite Zappa album?
C: That is an unfair question, there are too many great ones. Here are my favorite three Zappa albums: Hot Rats, Overnite Sensation/Apostrophe (I have them on one CD so it counts for one album!) and Joe's Garage.
A: While we are on the subject, what would you say your all-time top 5 albums are?
C: Another tough question, man, I hate limiting them, but here goes and I am going to give you 10 not five: 1) Black Sabbath Master of Reality 2) Black Flag Damaged 3) Frank Zappa Overnite Sensation/Apostrophe 4) Carcass Necrotism 5) Black Sabbath Black Sabbath 6) Suffocation Effigy 7) Terrorizer World Downfall 8) Black Sabbath Volume 4 9) Minor Threat "S/T" 10) Al Dimeola Splendido Hotel
A: Another highly-anticipated death metal release that came out recently is the new Immolation. Have you heard it?
C: I bought it the day it came out. I think the music smokes-pure fucking Immolation sickness...but (and I of all people shouldn't say anything) I think the production is worse than any of the past Internal Bleeding productions. I wish they would get the kind of production they had on their first album, or even Here in After's production. Still, I think the album smokes. I would just love to hear those de-tuned guitars with tons of bass in 'em, like their live sound.
Unfortunately, the photo we had of Bill Tolley was corrupted, so we went ahead and pasted Bill's face on Ringo Starr's body so he wouldn't feel left out. We also gave him a lolly. Sorry, Bill. Really, we are.A: Who is your favorite member of the A-Team?
C: I liked George Peppard - I dont know his name on the show, but G.P. was one slick motherfucker. He knew what to do in any situation, and was always totally cool about it. Besides, Peppard is a fucking awesome last name.
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