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I N F I N I T Y
Metal Maniacs recently reported that SYL had broken up... we're glad to hear that there is no truth to the rumor. Did you go about setting them straight?They'll get set straight when the next record comes out. They never paid any
attention to us until we had allegedly broke up, so at least we got some press out of it...
Any idea where they got the idea from?
From the time where we had broken up!
(Editor's note: The break up was due to Devin's illness. While he was in the hospital he didn't want to do SYL anymore and told the guys so but changed his mind when he saw how much others appreciated it and realised that he was giving something back to people and decided to continue. There will be a detraction in the next Metal Maniacs.)
We caught SYL twice on the Testament tour... in NYC at Tramps, and Obsessions in NJ. At the Obsessions show there was a problem with the staff at the club that caused you guys to end the show early. What happened that night?
Some people are put in your life to test you, the owner of Obsessions has a full time job fulfilling that job description for many people. He was a penis and no one had the balls to tell him. Including his staff. We had nothing to lose, so we gave him shit after he had treated us poorly during the day. Justifiable pecker-headisms on our part. The audience, the police, and the other bands were behind me for the action, and I was rewarded by being able to see a gorgeous praying mantis at a gas station later that evening.
How did Gene Hoglan wind up in Strapping Young Lad?
Right place, right time.
He recently joined Zimmer's Hole as well (SYL side-project, check out the review here)... is he living in Canada at this point?
Yes he is.
What do you feel about Gene's work before joining SYL. Were you a fan of Dark Angel, Death, or the last Testament album?
It wasn't my cup of tea. Although it was good I'm sure...
Your recent struggle with Bi-polar Disorder/Manic Depression is
reportedly going to affect future SYL material, as SYL is said to "represent the out-of-control anger and destructive aspects" of your illness... what can we expect on the 3rd SYL release? Will there be a marked decrease in the aggression of the music?
Infinity is first, and that opens an era. I had choices to make and Infinity is the path I chose. The next SYL record will be beyond disturbing as a reminder of what could have been. It will be alot more bleak, and much more resigned. It will be a metaphor, at the end there is nothing, past the end is a new beginning. Infinity is the new beginning. The next SYL is sad, and it's a product of the environment. The title will be The Introduction Of Black Food.
Why the decision to cover Cop Shoot Cop's "Room 429?"
Lyrically, that's what I wanted to express but couldn't at the time. It was satisfying.
Are they aware of the SYL version?
Not that I've been told.
Will No Sleep 'Till Bedtime (the forthcoming live SYL album) be released in the US?
I really hope so!
In the credits to Ocean Machine's "Biomech," you credit yourself as "Sell Out." Why? A snide remark for fans that might shy away from the material, as it is less extreme than SYL? Any words for the SYL fans that might be turned off by the less-heavy Ocean Machine material?
Bingo. To the fans that may be turned off... I know I can't please everybody all the time so I only try to please myself. If it's any consolation to someone who may not like it: I busted my balls to make it, and that should count for something. It is City's older brother. If you appreciated City for anything other than the brutality, that it should appeal to you as much on another level. It, again, is a result of Bi-polar disorder. I wrote City when I was up, and Biomech when I was down. Infinity is the middle.
What is the story behind Musibelios (the studio in Spain where part of "Biomech" was recorded) being "home of the biggest asshole [you've] ever run across?" How did you wind up recording in Spain?
Daniel Bergstrand, who has mixing with me, was living in Spain and extolled the virtues of a "cheap" and "quality" studio with all the amenities. It was cold, aesthetically revolting, we were lied to about rates, The owner wouldn't let us stay in the room by our selves because he thought we were going to mis-use his crummy gear, the computer broke, the engineer was doing coke all day (not Daniel...the other guy) It was NOT cheap. The owners bratty little kid kept... shit, I don't even want to remember it, it makes me sick, literally to remember...
Care to shed some light on Infinity?
One part ABSOLUTE Chaos (ie/ SYL's first record), one part Ocean Machine melody, one part big band, broadway musical a la "Jesus Christ Superstar."
How close is the final product going to be to the portion included on Biomech?
The melodies are nice sometimes...
Did Gene have any hand in its initial stages?
Just moral support and amazing drumming was fine for me.
What 3 albums have you been listening to the most lately?
Foreign Affairs - Tom Waits
The Right Of Spring - Igor Stravinsky
Endless, Nameless - The WildheartsWhat is the absolute shittiest album you have ever heard?
The scale hits a certain low, and the density of records lining that level is amazing. Especially lately. Oh well, all things are a circle, and the next phase is coming soon...people have run out of shitty ideas so there's no where to go but up.
What is your honest opinion of the Sex and Religion?
That kind of begs the question doesn't it? I was 19 and I hated it at the time, but now... I thinks it's absolutely necessary. Steve is a good egg.
In one sentence, give us your opinion on the following:
Frank Zappa - Bored
Deicide - Freudian
Manowar - Fun to drink beer with
Mr. Bungle - cool to pretend you understood 5 years ago
John Zorn - Mr. Bungle thought they understood him 5 years ago
If you were forced to choose one musical project to be involved in full time and you had to drop all the others, which would it be? Infinity
Who is the one musician, living or dead, that you would love to have a chance to perform with?
God
Are you a fan of pornography?
I'm asexual actually...I used to love porn when I was still terrified of women, now I find it titillating once every six months for a quick wank, followed by sympathy for the people who need to do it for a living.
Thanks for the interview and good luck on the Ocean Machine press tour... anything you'd like to say in closing?
I've been in the studio too long... I'm going out of my mind! Maybe I just need some food...or exercise...there's nothing worse than a skinny guy with one of those horrible little flabby belly things.
Thanks for the interview!