Hi Chris, thanks for doing this interview. How are you doing?
Fine thank you. Busy, which is good.....
You are one in the industrial scene for almost a lifetime, how do you look back on your career so far, what moments do stand out for you, positive or negative?
Well, it has been a while I suppose. That's a very hard question to answer, because there have been so many highs and lows. I'm proud of what I've done, yet I wish I had done more. I could go on for a while with this one, but in short, I would say things that stood out the most are; my first few live shows in the 80's, getting my first record out on a label (Will - Pearl of Great Price), the first FLA tour, which was my first real touring experience in 91. Also, the first time I went to Europe (again with FLA), working at Subconscious Studios when that first started out in Vancouver (lots of crazy loud fun there). I keep thinking of so many things as I type this.....so many good times. As for the negative things that stand out, well, again a long list, but I don't want to go on about that stuff. Bad things happen to everyone, and I deal with that privately. As for the experiences themselves, I find a positive way to deal with it, find a way to be stronger from overcoming obstacles and channeling my negative emotions into music/art instead of taking it out on people.
What triggered you to be a musician?
Being exposed to alternative and experimental music at an early age by my older siblings and their friends had me eager to try my own hand at it. By the time I was 16 me and my brother scraped enough money to by a digital delay (Kevin C. recommended the Korg SDD 1000) and Gary Smith (Images In Vogue) lent me a Pro One synthesizer. Before that I was writing programs in basic for our ancient Atari to make sounds. Well, there was no turning back from there. I was so excited and inspired by the stuff guys mentioned above played for me. Stuff like Severed Heads, Portion Control, LPD's, etc. There was just no way I wasn't going to find a way to get in on the joy of playing with gear, making noises and somehow turning all that nonsense into something interesting, or at least amusing and fun to do. I was always passionate about music, but meeting people that were also doing it really kick started everything. Another person that really pushed me to get further into it and take it seriously was Steven Ugo Rosin aka Mr. Fist. He saw potential in me and took the time to teach me how to record, use effects, tune things, wreck things.....lol...he was a huge help.
Obviously you had a big influence on the industrial scene, what did you bring to the industrial scene and what did it bring to you as a person?
I didn't know that was the case....lol..... I'm happy if I've made a mark though, just a little thing that will last after I'm gone. Something that says, "I was here, and here are some of my thoughts and feelings" It's normal to want some part of yourself to live on after you leave this place, and music is my strange way of doing that. What did industrial bring to me? Easy....the feeling that I'm not alone on this planet, in terms of thinking outside of normal conventions......
Creating and recording music has changed a lot over the years, these days many bands trust on software. What do you think about the changes in music?
I'm much less interested in what's going on now than I was in the past. I find myself listening to blues and big band music, older stuff. Not sure what that's about. It might not be the software, but more the kind of people that are coming out of our recent generations. It's an instant gratification society now, fast fads, empty idols, no value for things of substance and soul in any way....I've gone on about the software just recently in another interview, because that does make it easier for idiots to come off like they have a clue what they're doing, but I'm thinking it runs deeper than just software...........
Also the music scene has changed a lot, industrial became more and more techno influenced and so on, if you would place Unit 187 in the current scene, where does it stand?
I would say we stand out like a sore thumb. We'll clear the floor like a bad stink, but we're happy with that and so is that crazy guy in the corner that's getting into it.....
Unit 187 exists since 1994, when did you join the band and how did it came to this?
My involvement started with my doing a Decree style mix for 2nd Class Citizen. From there Todd and I started working together on more things that ended up on the Capitol Punishment album, and from there I ended up being asked to contribute to a new one....thus we have Out For Blood.
For those who don’t know Unit 187 already, can you give a brief introduction to the band and the members?
Todd is the angry guy that's yelling at you...he works in the film industry, set building and cool stuff like that. Ross is a jerk that makes ugly guitar and bass blasts, yells at me and Todd, then leaves. He also works in the film biz. Johnny is a total gear freak, techno-genius type of guy, but he's probably got some pretty weird fetishes or something....It's always the quiet ones......but seriously, he has done a ton of video game work, and software writing, he's built some of his own synth modules..oh and he does some of his own music of a more danceable nature...
How comes Unit 187 has only released 4 full length albums, what is the reason behind the few releases?
Same as for Decree really. Everyone involved has a day job that sucks up a lot of your energy right out of you, most of the people involved have kids as well, so you can see the math right there....and some of us have a lot of other musical endeavors as well....There has been some degree of Unit 187, and for that matter Decree, finding their ways so to speak. I think we all learned a lot lately and have become better at working together, knowing our roles and limitations within the band context.....i think these two bands can pick up the pace in the future....
How has the sound change over the years?
More focused I think. More punchy, better production values, better chemistry.
A new album is released on Vendetta Records, how did you get in contact with them?
Todd contacted them after taking a long look at the labels out there and the bands they were pushing. A phone call later and we knew Vendetta were the right guys...They are behind us for all the right reasons and that goes a long way.
The album is called “out for blood” can you explain the title to us, what is the deeper meaning behind it?
That's a question for Todd being as he wrote the lyrics and all....I think he's pissed off about something......lol.....
Music can be a tool for social change, it can be a statement, a protest, a hope & so forth, are there any ideas you want your work to represent? What do you hope your music conveys?
Something unique and personal to each listener. Something to inspire, excite, and motivate people to do creative and constructive things as a way of letting out negative energy.
What is your creative process for developing music and the lyrical content, do you always work the same way?
Any number of things can start a song, so it's not a formula by any means. It can be totally random.......a sample from a day trip to a scrap yard....a riff that Ross had in his head....sometimes films provide inspiration for a theme.......it's damn fun how something very simple becomes a full grown speaker crushin' monster.....
The album is filled with heavy guitarwork, great synthlines and strong vocals, how do you manage to find a good balance between the guitar and synth parts?
Thank you for saying so....umm...it's a matter of understanding what compliments what...therein lies the producers decisions when putting things together. So it's all about adding things that reinforce and compliment the original thought. When I'm making synth parts I don't want them to be standing out like a sore thumb also, so often there are parts on the record that you might think are guitar sounds, but they're actually sounds from the modular synth, and vice versa.
How are the comments on the album so far?
So far it's been slow starting but most of the comments are good except for the odd person who is totally unimpressed....it's not for everyone, but it's still nice to strike a chord in people, and thus far we've had some great feedback.
What should the album bring you for you to call it a successful album?
It already is. Anything else that happens is gravy really. I would like to see it do well in sales obviously...who wouldn't like that? But for all of us that underwent the journey and transformation of this album over the years, just finishing it is our greatest success. Having a label like Vendetta believe in it is a big bonus. Not many people wanted to take a chance on this one because it isn't really trendy of fashionable in any way as far as I can tell.
Will you support the album with a tour, can you give some more info on it?
No details on that yet, but we've been trying to work a mini tour around a festival date or something like that. We are itching to see how we can work together on a live show and get a few under our belt for sure. There's the economic hurdle as well, it's pretty tough to make a string of gigs not end up costing you an arm and a leg these days, but I think our determination will overcome that.
If you could give new musicians a word of advice, what would it be?
Don't quit your day job......seriously....
What will be next for Unit 187 and you?
Already getting the ball rolling on new songs, and as mentioned already, our eyes are set on the prize when it comes to finally playing live.
Any last words for the readers?
Thank you for your time, taking a moment to read this, and maybe even enduring a listen to the record. Your interest is appreciated, and we hope you'll like the results of our hard work.
www.unit187.com