Thank you. I’m doing OK over here in the States.
Let's start with the fact that you finally performed live on a stage! And not just somewhere - Maryland Deathfest! How was it? How did you feel when you saw people out there jumping and moshing?
It was very exciting. I was a little nervous because I didn’t want to mess up any of the songs or let our fans down. There were high expectations from everyone in the club, and it was sold out! But we had rehearsed a lot and we were prepared.
No, that flexi will have nothing to do with the next album, because the tracks were old songs re-recorded.
And here goes, probably, the most annoying question you get all the time, hehe) Since the very beginning (1994) you used programmed drums. Have you considered the option to finally get a real drummer? If it's speed issue, just look at the drummer from The Kill, for example, his drumming on their new album is really a blast!
The Kill is a fun band. I was able to see them play when they came to the States to tour. We did consider getting a drummer in the past for live shows, but it never worked out. We had several ideas over the years about how we’d play live, but in the end we always decided against it.
I know that Agoraphobic Nosebleed is not your only band, you also have Drugs Of Faith, tell us a little about it. As far as I remember, DOF released an album last year.
We had a one-sided 12” in 2013, and in 2014 we had a live cassette, a track on a Godflesh tribute record, and a Decibel Magazine flexi. We describe Drugs of Faith as “grind ‘n’ roll.” It’s a three-piece band with no machines!
It would be reliving the past. I can imagine playing some shows, because that’s what everybody does these days: restart old projects. But Enemy Soil already did that once: we played a reunion gig at CBGB years ago. The show is on the Enemy Soil DVD.
Each of your records has it's own unique sound and style, especially I would like to note your split with Apartment 213, where you managed to fully convey the mood, aggression and even the sound Man Is The Bastard had, and this is what makes this split so awesome. Is it your goal to have as much style variety in your music as possible? Or you just play what you feel like to at the moment?
Some of the records, like that split or “Altered States of America” are what I would describe as more experimental or more radical, and some are more traditional. Scott Hull writes and records all the music, so we always have to wait and see what he comes up with.
Kat once mentioned in one interview that every member of AN is about to record solo album. Could you tell us a little about it, please?
Kat’s record is nearing completion, and we haven’t gotten anywhere with the other records yet. We’ve just talked about what each one will probably sound like.
We’ve had fights in the band over the years. There would always be long periods of time in between when we would work on a record and see each other, when it was time to record vocals. My involvement started when I did vocals on the ANb/Laceration split 7”. Back then the records had different vocalists all the time, and it didn’t start to get stable until later.
What brings you the most enjoyment in Agoraphobic Nosebleed?
Seeing the other people in the band and spending time with them at rehearsal or when we record vocals. That’s the best.
Richard, do you like vinyls? Do you have this sweet feeling when you get home with new vinyl record, put it in your vinyl player, sit back and enjoy it?
I do still buy vinyl, but not more than CDs or digital. These days I don’t sit down and listen to records as much as I used to, which is a shame. Many times I’ll listen to music while I’m doing something else.
Oh, by the way, about the band's name - Agoraphobic Nosebleed - does it have some backstory or is it some kind of reference to band's members, or you just picked this name 'cause it sounds cool?
I think it had something to do with Scott not being very social in his younger days, but I could be wrong.
You could hear some A.C. influence in some of Scott’s playing. There’s limitations with the CD format, because of how many tracks you can put on it. You’d have to do some sort of A.C. thing where songs are on top of each other I guess. I’ve never talked to him about this, actually.
Who would win - Robocop or Terminator?
Well, I guess Robocop, because he has built-in weapons and Terminator doesn’t, right? Although I guess if Terminator got Robocop in the face, that’s the one place he’s vulnerable.
Thank you. And I appreciate ANb fans waiting for us to play a show after all these years and waiting so long for us to put out records.
