Band: DEATHGUY
Country of origin:
Thailand
Style: death /
black / goth / avantgarde
Questions by:
Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied
by: Joe (vocals, bass)
Let’s start with
somewhat insulting but still inevitable question: why
such a stupid
moniker? Don’t you think that you’ll have to replace it with a more intelligent
one with time, anyway?
- I don't understand what is "moniker". Sorry.
No more verbal assaults; let’s better make ourselves with what lies behind DEATHGUY, i.e. what and how has been done in order to bring the band forth the light; most importance occurrences and present lineup. And… I guess, there’s no one better than you to guide us through these historical labyrinths…
- OK!! I'm Joe (vox / bass). I met Ong (guitar) back in Summer of 1998. That was a DEMONIC gig, as far as I remember. I sold him my demo, he liked it and was willing to play metal with me. As you have already probably understood, we were DEATHGUY's founding members. We started to write songs and record 'em at the Ghost Studio. Then we released our first EP "Introduction EP '98". Later on we found other members to join the band. Imm (guitar) and Link (drums) completed the lineup, and fortunately it's still quite stable. Then we participated in few gigs and finally unleashed the first full-length work of ours, "The Secondary Quest", in 2000 AD.
Why
the lyrics in Thai? Would I be right supposing that the second work of
yours comes up with a lyrical canvas composed solely in English?
- Previously I've been writing lyrics in Thai, because I'm really poor in English. In EP they're hate of meaning. I wrote them carelessly. But when it comes to our LP ("The Secondary Quest") I wrote lyrics in English only. They're something about fantastic words. I study more English at the moment and I think I'm the right person to write them. However it depends on you to decide whether they're good or bad.
Where would you place DEATHGUY in terms of stylistic definitions? Death or black metal? Or perhaps a successful amalgamation of both genres?
- I think it was a mixture of good old death and thrash metal when it comes to the EP. Vocals sound more in a death / black vein, though. In our LP there's huge variety of styles mixed into one. Death / gothic / black / heavy ...etc. We don't really care about anyone's opinion. I think we have created quite satisfactory art. However, in the future we're going to deliver more aggressive stuff than ever before. I love both death and black metal.
Are you still incorporating a drummachine? What causes such a need (probably a stupid question, since most likely there’s one and only answer: the lack of skillful drummer living nearby)?
- In the beginning we didn't have a drummer, therefore we had to choose drummachine. In fact, it depends on the money (or rather lack of it). We had to pay for all the recording and mixing, both EP and LP's. We're unemployeed, you see. Yes, now we have a drummer, but our label couldn't cover our studio expenditures, so we had no other way but incorporate drummachine... again. But be sure that our next album will feature live drumming! I mean, our label promised us to pay for the recordings...
Any comments on Thailand’s scene and underground community in the whole? How does the narrow-minded ones, the crowd, perceive what you’re doing and aiming to do?
- The underground scene here is very small. Nevertheless, we have some great bands like SURRENDER OF DIVINITY, LACERATE, INFERNAL VILE, PLAHN...etc. The number of metalheads living around another province is very little, to be honest. Yes, there're some narrow-minded guys here. Many others just hate Thai bands and obviously aren't willing to support any of them. And of course, some fights between those who listen to DIFFERENT music take place sometimes. I don't mind them, anyway. I just work for the band and write songs. I think I can't do anything but create MUSIC. It's easier than fighting the narrow-minded ones. Each metal gig here has a very warm atmosphere. The crowd is very friendly, you see. I hope Thailand's scene will be great someday.
South-Asian black and death metal acts are completely unknown in Europe (needless to say, they’re even more “completely unknown” over the seas); what do you think is a reason for that?
- I think it's the same reason that some bands in Europe are unknown in SEA (i.e. South-East Asia - ED). We're very quiet in contact. They're other reasons that I simply can't explain here. Maybe this will change for better if we contact more people overseas and pay attention to the European countries. By the way, associating via WWW is a great thing, especially nowadays.
Forgive me my lack
of knowledge if I’m wrong, however what’s the sense wearing inverted cross
if Thailand hasn’t been infected with a plague of
christianity?
- There're some christians in Thailand.
The presence of Catholic church is
obvious. I'm also a christian (hmm...
I wonder how it may correspond with verses like "... My pagan stick crushing
her anus. Anal violation that I love. We do it with her vehemently..."
And by the way, is Ong wearing inverted cross because he's christian as
well, or what? - ED), but I don't feel anything about wearing
inverted cross in Thailand (oh, now I know...
- ED). However I'm not satanic. Honestly speaking, I don't know
much about God and Satan (the same with 99% of
homo sapiens. The christian ones - ED). But some guys here are
doing something like that to be fashion.
Back to “The Secondary Quest”, a follow-up to the “Introduction” (I guess that was the one you’ve made your debut with). Judging by the flyers, it appears as an all-conceptual piece. Does it concern both music and lyrics? What kind of concept is it based on? What are the primary aspects differing “The Secondary Quest” from the very first effort you’ve came up with?
- In "The Secondary Quest" they look more like fairy tales than ordinary lyrics. Story of someone who's travelling and seeking for destiny, betrayed by the whole world. Some of them are about love, hate and revenge of psychotic murderer named "Black Swan" who thinks that he was a bard. He made genocide. At last he dies with the promise of demon. It's completely different from "Introduction EP" that I've told you about earlier.
How
do you estimate your chances at least to stay a functioning band in few
or more years and possibly stand against the background of all these faceless
death / black metal acts which seem to emerge in doubtlessly enormous quantities
nowadays (I don’t even dare to discuss anything described with a simple
“attaining the success” phrase)?
- Yes, I've been thinking about this phrase for a long time. I sent our LP to friends and various labels as well as distros... but in vain. It's hard to find someone who's interested in distributing our songs. In the future, playing more aggressive stuff maybe will work better. Our label in Thailand didn't promote us abroad, didn't promote at all! It's hard for us to promote "The Secondary Quest", you see. But we're preparing for this problem now... and we'll fight the whole world again. Now I'm busy doing my side project - porn / death / grind named SHE'S GORE. Maybe this will work. I've already finished the recordings and will make my debut soon.
May I wonder how do you value the development metal music has endured throughout the years it has been in existence, and what is your prognosis when it comes to what it will endure in the nearest time to come?
- Metal is pretty big nowadays. They're many people who support this music, and their number is rapidly increasing in each and every country. And more contact together. I don't know anything what concerns the future but it'll be greater than today, I think.
Obviously, one’s age seriously affects his / her disposition, and most possibly it also regards the extreme kinds of modern music. Otherwise, I believe we wouldn’t had a chance to behold that black metal boom back in early nineties, since most of those who took part in it’s uprising and those events (arsons, imprisonments, etc.) have been mostly driven by youthful ardour and maximalism… Would you agree with me on this subject, or not?
- I think it's not sure for some guys. Some guys will and some guys will not. However human is sinner of quenchless need. Hmmmm.....
Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you’ve heard lately?
- I really don't know anything and hope to hear from your country after this interview is published. Please visit our homepage and you'll know more about Thailand! http://members.thaicentral.com/deathguy
As usual, the future plans of yours, as well as few words for our precious readers.
- Thanks for interview and sorry for the delay in replying. Hello to everyone. Please wait for SHE'S GORE! As to our LP, you can download samples at my homepage. Unfortunately, we have it available in the shape of cassette only at the moment. If interested, please email me and I'll reply for sure. Keep the metal alive forever....
DEATHGUY contact -
Email: thepsitrakorn@hotmail.com