Hi there, thank you for agreeing to answer our questions, how’s it going?
Things are well thank you, slightly frantic and on edge as always, but well!
Are you excited to have won one of the opening slots on Damnation Festival?
Yes, it really was a surprise! We received communications from the Damnation overlords asking us to be part of their vote, we agreed and the next thing we knew, we were onboard! It's very exciting!
You’ve been going since 2004; I think I’m right in saying that makes you the
longest running band of the opening slot competition winners playing Damnation. Has it been a tough struggle to get here and still (criminally in my opinion) be unsigned? How do you make ends meet?
Ends are met with various means, teaching youngsters the art of horror music, grave digging, number science and other nefarious deeds. We don't usually find anything that much of a struggle as we are doing what we do for ourselves and having fun as we undertake our plans. Signed or unsigned, we will continue to play.
How do you rate your fellow competitors and your chances for winning the
recording slot with famed producer Russ Russell?
Well, if there is one thing we have learned from the Damnation experience already its that you never know... Everyone has a chance, we shall see! Russ is a great guy and I'm sure whoever wins will have a blast with him.
What do you make of the bitter accusations of vote rigging from fans that
have derailed the possibility of another fan poll for next year‘s Damnation?
The modern age of computers has brought along its share of downfalls as well as its great increase in the accessibility of information. As always, its such a shame to see that kind of thing happening in the Metal scene, a scene where you always think the best of your fellow brothers and sisters. Maybe this will teach some people a lesson. A damn shame for all involved.
Are there any of the other bands on the Damnation 2010 line-up, thrashers or
otherwise, you are looking forward to catching?
Sabbat are definitely going to get a watching. They really are, in my opinion, the only older UK Thrash band worth listening to. Discharge are also a band I've wanted to see for many years.
You are considered one of a crop of thrash revival bands, who’s the thrash
crème de la crème you respect?
As well as our friends in Gama Bomb, Evile etc, I would say bands like Deceptor (UK), Vektor, Speed Trap and other non-thrash bands like Ghost, In Solitude and Repugnant really are holding up the flag for true heavy music nowadays.
How did the tour with Gama Bomb go and how has the reaction from fans been?
We always have fun with Gama Bomb, it was a bit edgy at points as their vocalist Philly was sick, leaving their bass player Joe to take over vocal duties for a few shows. When Joe's voice gave out I even had to fill in for a show! Aside from that, it went very well, we got to play in places we never had before and converted more metal heads into Mutoids. We also got drunk as you would imagine with those guys.
I think when I saw Mutant you were using the old school epic intro to Red
Dwarf to start your show, how did that end up happening?
Well, as well as being a totally serious and awesome sounding piece of music, it will always be remembered with a smile and of course Red Dwarf is a British thing. It's everything we could want from an intro!
As well as thrash, what music floats your boat?
Honestly, thrash gets about 5% of play time on my speakers. The rest of the time it's Death Metal bands like Entombed, Crematory, Asphyx, Pestilence and Nocturnus. Heavy Metal from Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest and too many others to mention. Also different sounds from Gerald Donaldson or classical composers really get a lot of airplay in Mutant HQ.
Settle an argument for me, The Matrix or Jurassic Park?
A really tough one, I watched Jurassic Park religiously as a youngster, almost each day I got back from school. The first Matrix film really blew me away though...very difficult question but I think it has to go to Spielberg's effort. It really affected me when I was a kid.
Many thanks. Good luck guys, hope to catch your set at Damnation!
Thank you very much, see you there!
