Please, give us a brief history of the band...
 
- NOXIOUS EMOTION was formed in 1991 as an alternative to the
alternative.........hehehe......basically we just got fed up with hearing thousands of bands that were all the same.....3 chords, long hair and flannel shirts. The grunge scene hit Seattle so hard that it's STILL not back to normal. I've been involved with the band from the beginning, and I'm the only core member left. We have toured the US 5 times, have released 5 full length albums and are currently looking to make both of those 6........hehe

How would you describe NOXIOUS EMOTION's style yourself? Is it EBM?
industrial? dark wave...?

- If you're talking to someone who actually knows what Industrial is, then I say we're EBM.......but if I'm talking to, say a friend of my parents who knows NOTHING about the scene, I just tell them that we're DEPECHE MODE with a really Bad Attitude........

I wonder if there's any kind of concept that skulks behind the "Symbols" CD? At least, the title itself together with that (amazing) artwork and phrases like 'there are symbols - throughout the ages -  connecting the ages - are the symbols' corroborate my assumption...

- Yes, actually......that's very astute of you to notice!! The concept is based around WATER......just as "Count Zero" was based around FIRE and "This Hallowed Ground" was based around EARTH.......the next CD will be based around AIR.........you know, the four elements kinda theme.......

What about the lyrics of yours? By the way, being an antichristian I
should admit that I really appreciate the lines like "I don't need your christ / And I don't need your fucking son"!

- Hehehe......right on!! Yea, I've always written lyrics that strike hard (or at least as hard as I can) at what I think is the base of the worlds problems........particulary organized religion. I personally think that there was a time in history when religion was neccessary, but that day has passed (long ago) and we should start believing in ourselves as human beings, not in some imaginary friend who will magically forgive all the shitty things you do to fellow human beings...........I mean, what kinda fucked up thought process does it take to prescribe to a belief that is just one step down from Santa Claus? Go figure......

The artwork and layout your latest CD comes with are simply outstanding! Who designed both and whose idea was to place DaVinci's painting on the album's cover?

- Thanks for the compliment there!! I designed the album, and did the concept (under the monacher Mental Ward: aka Mike Wimer.....hehehe). One of the coolest things I remember from when I was younger, was how some albums had SOOOOO much thought put into the cover and concept......I always appreciated that, so I try to give the listeners of NOXIOUS EMOTION the same thing. Artwork and Music that always has something new to say when you listen to it over
again..........

As far as I know, "Symbols" is the second CD from NOXIOUS EMOTION, while "Count Zero" was the first one. And (unfortunately) I never had a chance to get myself acquainted with that piece...

- Actually, "Symbols" is our 5th release.........hehehe.........the first two ("Noxious Emotion" & "Erogenous Pit") are impossible to find anymore......."This Hallowed Ground" was released in 95 and there are still a few copies at Isolation Tank, exclusively.......http://www.isotank.com
"Count Zero" is like a rougher version of "Noxious Emotion".........we had other members in the band at that time, and some of our songs were kinda LONG.......D'oh!!!

If I'm not mistaken, both CD's were released through ADSR Musicwerks... Are you pleased with the way they do their job when it comes to NOXIOUS EMOTION? Could you please introduce us to the other bands on ADSR...?

- Yea, we've been VERY happy with ADSR, we're basically the label's flag-ship band.......the other bands on ADSR right now are FOCKEWOLF, NINTH CIRCLE, OMNIBOX and MENTAL WARD (my solo project)........there should be a FOCKEWOLF CD comming soon, and also a compilation later in 1999.........check out the webpage, http://www.adsr.org

Any thoughts on vinyl? Would you rather do CD's or records?

- Well, that's a weird one........we've never pressed vinyl, only  CD's.......it's just a matter of what will sell and what  doesn't.........unfortunately, vinyl never sells anymore.......but maybe someday I'll do an exclusive 12" remix or something......that would be cool.....hehe

If you weren't in the band, would you buy a NOXIOUS EMOTION record?

- Definately yes.........I love the music we do......hell, if I didn't, then why keep making it......hehehe.......

Since you're a trio, I wonder how do you assign the duties within the band?

- Actually, we're now a Quartet:
Mike Wimer: Programming, Vocals
GodboY: Percussion, Back Vocals
Fritter: Percussion
R Wilhelm: Keyboards

Sean Ivy of SMP, Kelly Williams of NINTH CIRCLE and R. Wilhelm of FOCKEWOLF appear as guest musians on "Symbols", while "Count Zero" features guest appearances by members of CHRIST ANALOGUE as well as aforementioned SMP... What was the reason for inviting 'em?
 
- Well, it's basically my friends helping out where they can.......I've always liked it when we sing on eachother's albums.......I've sung with SMP on their last CD "Ultimatum"........it's kinda one of those "brothers in arms" things......we watch out for eachother and work well together. Hell, R Wilhelm ended up joining the band.........hehe

If you could change one thing about the band what would it be?

- Distribution..........we need better distribution...........if I had a dime for everytime that a 13 year old emailed me saying "I can't find your CD in Sam Goody's or Tower" I'd be rich............NE is at that point where we need bigger distribution, the people want the CD, they just can't find them.......UGH!!!!

It's obvious that the world inevitably ends some day... the sooner the better...???

- Within my lifetime would be cool.......I mean, think about it.........if the world is gonna end, you might as well be alive to see it........everyone has to die someday, I just want to make sure that it's done with a bang........and a good view........hehehe

Well, if we began to talk about the world's decline, let's also discuss various oracles saying that we'll face the End before the year of 2000 arrives... Less than half a year's left before this date (frightening for some) and it might be rather entertaining if any of these prophecies will fulfill... 'What a wicked joke' - you may say. However, you should understand that I don't believe a word when it comes to all this religious crap. 2000 is a usual year, just like this one, just like the previous one... Moreover, it's the year of two thousand according only to the christian calendar, while the things are different if checking the heathen one... Oh, seems like I said enough (even too much) already, so it is time for you to speak...

- I couldn't agree more...........the only thing that will bring things crashing down is gonna be the idiotic massess of Christians doing STUPID things because of their fear of 2000........it's kinda like a self-fulfilling prophecy.........if your priest tells you you're gonna die within 24 hours, then being a believer, you're gonna find a way to make it happen. I think that 2000 is gonna come and go, and when it's all over, I'd like to think that people will look back and realize their errors about belief in superstitions, but more likely, the idiots will just set a new date, let's say 3000........Y3K idiocy will be even bigger and better.........

Ok, nothing lasts forever... Could you finish this interview by telling us in what kind of house(s) do you live and whether you live alone or not?

- Actually, I live on Capitol Hill in Seattle in a 3 bedroom house with my wife Kymm and our cat Lucifer........Lucy.......it's a good existance, I've got NO complaints.......hehe.......we have wine tasting parties ever so often, and I enjoy videotaping stuff like The Simpsons, and Family Guy..........it's my therapy..........D'oh!!! Thanks SOOOOO much for the GREAT interview.......I really had fun with that........Hope that your zine sells a million copies, and kicks the shit out of Rolling Stone.......hehehe

Take it easy!
Mike

NOXIOUS EMOTION contact -
Email: mikew@swog.fhcrc.org