IRT Magazine

A Review of the new NIN DVD by the Quiz Kidd

A lot of Nine Inch Nails fans were disappointed with Trent Reznor’s last album, With Teeth. Survivalism, the first single from the new NIN album, Year Zero, is a return to form. When asked to describe the music he was writing for Year Zero he responded “Highly conceptual. Quite noisy. Fucking cool.” And Survivalism is all of those things. Even more interesting is the viral marketing plan surrounding the record. Websites, Morse code, mysterious flash drives found in bathrooms during NIN’s European tour, phone numbers that lead to frightening 911 recordings and sound clips are all part of getting the word out behind the concept of Year Zero. If you have a few hours to kill and love of post-apocalypticA good overview of the happenings can be found at http://www.ninwiki.com/Year_Zero_Research.

-Brad Filicky

SAYING GOODBYE TO A MUCH RESPECTED COMPETITOR IN OUR CITY’S FOYERS

By Ed.

In a letter from Laris Kreslins, former publisher of Arthur and my one-time co-worker at SHOUT Magazine here in New York, he stated the following:

02/25/2007
Dear Arthur Friends,

As of Friday, Feb. 23rd, Arthur Magazine is on indefinite hiatus. We at Lime Publishing, the current publisher, had been working toward transitioning operations to a new publisher since the start of the year. A breakdown this past week in negotiations for the future of the magazine led to an unfortunate and perplexing announcement that “Arthur is Dead.”

This poorly-timed message was sent out, against explicit wishes of Lime Publishing, to the public before the staff, advertisers or contributors were notified. It was disheartening to receive distressed phone calls from dedicated people in the Arthur community, who devoted their time and creative energy on the magazine.

The flood of calls and emails we’ve been receiving from friends and readers is heartwarming and reassuring, especially after what has been a difficult time. The support we’ve seen is tantamount to the strength of the Arthur community. Thank you to staff, contributors, distributors, readers and advertisers for all your dedication. We will post Thank You’s on the Arthur site to demonstrate just how many people have contributed in so many ways to Arthur and made it the celebrated paper it is.

The current hiatus may still lead to future opportunities for Arthur, but for the time being we are paring down operations. The website will be kept up as an online store for back issues and other merchandise. An archive of all our Arthur issues as PDFs will also be available for people to access.

Shortly we will be sending notifications to subscribers for options on cancelled subscriptions.

Please check back often for updates.

Sincerely,
Laris Kreslins
Lime Publishing
laris@arthurmag.com

It’s a shame when a fellow purveyor of truth and soul goes down. And as a music fan, I am truly sad for the loss of a great, original publication who believed in what they were doing to the point of physical and spiritual exhaustion.

There is no payday in what we do, and once you start thinking you’re gonna strike it rich in the business of trying to breathe true culture back into the lungs of this country, like my old friend Mr. Kreslins allegedly did, something is gonna give.

So with that said, I bid a modest thanks for keeping us on our toes, fellas. I’m gonna miss seeing you guys on the warpath.

Respect,

Ed.

Ministry is a band that has been around a lot longer than most and maintains a level of success that most bands from the 90’s would give their right arm for. They are recording a new album for release this fall and have added Revolting Cocks’ (a Ministry side project) guitarist Sin as a permanent guitarist. I recently talked to Sin about his experiences with the RevCo/Ministry camp and his days as part of Porn auteur Matt Zane’s band Society 1. Society 1 was known for crazy on stage antics including suspending Matt from hooks though his body. From that to the notorious bad boys in Ministry, Sin has seen a lot in his short time in the biz. How did you hook up with al? I stated about a year ago. Last March I came up and started to do rehearsals for the Revolting Cocks. That’s when we first started working together. Not writing material, just working on stuff with the Cocks. I went on the road with the Cocks and that’s how our musical endeavor began. While we were on tour he asked how I would feel about writing some stuff fro Ministry. That’s how that whole thing started. How did you become a full time member of Ministry? That didn’t come about till about November when I came out to start recording material for the Ministry album. Did you record with the Cocks on their last record? No. I came in right after that for the tour. I was the live guitar player. How was that tour? Any crazy stories? Oh man! That tour was out of control. It was blast. It was a zoo every single night. We had a few guest players come out on the road. One show that sticks out is at the Chicago House Of Blues show when Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick came out. I’m a big Cheap Trick fan so it was crazy having Rick come out at sound check and me showing him the guitar parts. For me that was insane. He came out and did Fire Engine with us. That’s probably the most fun I’ve had on tour in a long time. It reminds me of when I was just starting out and playing in garage bands and just doing it for fun and your love of music. Through years of touring you kind of lose that. Not that it’s not fun anymore, but it becomes somewhat routine and the business side of it makes it feel that way. But with that tour it was just a total blast. I know that Society 1 did some crazy shit on stage. Who had the crazier tours Revolting Cocks/Ministry or Society 1? Its two totally different things. Society 1 was much more of a shock rock type of band. Not that we didn’t take pride in what we did musically, but we also did a lot of things on stage to get a reaction and shock people. With Ministry and RevCo it was a different vibe. It was crazy in more of a traditional rock-n-roll sense. There was a lot of destroying hotel rooms and lobbies and trashing back stage dressing rooms. What were some of the things Society 1 did to shock people? We did the suspension thing. We did it at the Download festival in front of 35,000 people. Where do you go form there? We were a band that loved to push buttons. And we found the buttons to push. Nudity on stage, simulating sex acts on stage while we were performing. Did you get a lot of hate mail? Oh man we used to get everything from religious groups to feminist groups. We used to have picketers at our shows. You are writing stuff with Al. Is he open to the stuff you bring to the table? I didn’t know what to expect when I first came out to Texas. I had never written anything with anybody else outside of my old band. I was nervous when I first came out here because I didn’t know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised to find him open to ideas and suggestions. We work very well together in the way we bounce ideas around. Al is a guy who I’d looked up to for years. I try and learn from him and his experiences as much as possible, but he is a very open minded guy who is always asking for my thoughts and ideas. It’s been a complete blessing. I can’t tell you haw great it’s been writing with him. How far into the new Ministry album are you guys? I’d say we are about 75% done. We’ve got about 10 songs done down and have another two or three to go. It’s sounding phenomenal. It’s going to blow people away. I think we’re bringing some of the older feel to it with a bit of a modern twist. I think old fans will dig it and newer fans will REALLY dig it. I think we are going to make people notice that we are musical as well. The last few Ministry albums have been very political. Is it the same with the new album? It’s going to tie in with the Bush administration and his cronies. It will probably be the last statement dealing with that. Who else is on this record? On this record is myself, Paul Raven (who was on the last record), Tommy Victor (Also on the last record) and Al. Is that going to be the touring band? Yes. I’m pretty sure keyboardist J.B. will be around as well. I’m not sure right now what the drummer situation is. Who’s been playing drums on this record? It’s all been programmed so far. But that’s’ not to say we won’t bring someone in to go over what we’ve done. Do you have an idea when the new album might be released? It will be out mid September. -

interview by Brad Filicky

Yet another weekend movie round up Feed – genuinely disturbing horror movie. The acting sucked but the premise and execution made the acting easier to overlook. I won’t tell you what the premise is other than to say you won’t look at the term “chubby chaser” in the same way again. Half Nelson – Ryan Gosling got an Oscar nomination fro his portrayal of a drug addicted teacher in this indie film. This is the performance of his career. A truly human look at relationships that passes no judgment on the characters. This film won’t be seen by as many people as should see it. US Vs John Lennon – A documentary about John’s anti war years. Everyone from Yoko to G. Gordon Liddy is interviewed. The result is shows a john Lennon that is principled, clever, snarky, arrogant (in a good way), intelligent and focused. He stood up to the FBI and even the president and could not be stopped. Or deported. Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. Power to the people. Factory Girl – Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick. This film is being torn apart by critics and Bob Dyaln tried to stop it from being made. Was it that bad? Well, it sure didn’t portray Andy Warhol in a positive light, but it did show Edie was a tragic character. The problem is that you didn’t feel as sorry for her as you should. What was Bob so upset about? Judging by his performance, Bob was probably pissed that a hack like Hayden Christiansen played a character based (loosely) on him. To sum it up – not a great movie but if you have an interest in Andy Warhol, Edie, or the 60’s in general you’ll dig it. Breach – Telling the true story of the effort to capture FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen for selling secrets to the Soviet Union. Chris Cooper does a great job of playing Hanssen, his paranoia and faux morality. I top notch political thriller.

- Brad Filicky

Is it harder to write when you are happy or when you are feeling down(this may seem like an odd question but many singers say when they are happy they are busy living so they don’t write and I know you try hard to keep things positive)

It’s not an odd question- Down! For sure…can’t you tell? Like on In

Deep- Maybe this applies to my upcoming album-but there are all kinds of songs on there.

Some of my songs are happy but when I write about something happy it’s usually not about what I’m feeling in that moment of my life or someone else’s, it’s more of an observation or something from the past. But even my “down” songs have an “up” in them. Some gold at the end of the rainbow.

Would you ever consider writing a political song?

Yes I’ve considered it….I’m not the most political person; I am trying to learn more. But I’m very involved in animal politics/issues right now.

Anti-abuse/neglect songs, you know. I actually wrote one of those when I was up in Woodstock once for the Film Fest there where I was playing. I wrote it after I went to an amazing animal sanctuary where they save abused farm animals. One beautiful, sweet horse named Cinnamon was shot in the head because the owner just didn’t want her anymore and she lived! They saved her. So now she has this hole where the bullet was and they flush it out every day but she is taken care of, loved and seems fine. I also adopted a pretty cow named Penelope at another one upstate. Not sure if it’s “political” per se but it is when some humans get involved and think they have power over these beings to treat them anyway they want to. It’s horrible and it’s a huge issue to me.  These animals can’t speak for themselves and need help. Jelly was not in good shape when I met him; it was heartbreaking that someone could do that but he is a strong survivor and is doing well now. You know he is also the sweetest guy. I learn from him. Helping him helped me and changed my life. We also just had a banner up on an anti abuse site with our photo that we were asked to make.

What is the one song you wish you had written?

Such a good question… and a hard one. Right now I’m saying In the Sun by Joseph Arthur. Or Up Here by Terra Naomi. There are many more I wish I had written.

Is there any genre of music you WOULDN’T incorporate into your music?

Jazz. Death Metal (sorry).

When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

I sang as a kid here and there and loved it. When I started going to concerts and seeing live shows a whole new world opened up for me. When I saw the Dead for the first time I was fascinated (and scared) by the whole scene but fell in love with it and community existing around music- Got into that scene in school but also was out dancing on South Beach at night with flamenco, club, reggae and grunge which I was really into at the time too-Music was everywhere, it accompanied our lives. That’s the time when I wanted a guitar and asked my dad for one.  I also had a crush on this guy who played. It was just for fun but I started writing on it immediately. Took a few lessons from a guy named Julian Lesson-seriously- and started jamming a bit with people.

The first time I ever got onstage and sang rock music though was when my friend Dave and I went to see one of my favorite bands at the time Day By The River in Miami. I had a huge crush on the lead singer (different guy) and my friend pushed for me to go onstage and sing with them. I sang back up on a song called Naked where the lead singer did this thing where he drops his pants at the end but he is concealed with his guitar(from the front). What a night- I was hooked.  I was also asked to sing with this Dead cover band a couple of times after that-the bass player or something was a professor at my school and they had a big biker crowd. When I went back to NY I was introduced to Tony Polemeni, my first producer/collaborator and fell in love with recording too. Then it just spiraled and I worked with a hip hop producer for a while and Muzz-which made me a much better guitarist-inspired me to start playing it solo. And here I am.

What was the first song you remember really inspiring you?

You know, I was thinking about this one for a while and I can’t remember! Maybe All Along the Watchtower or Love Street-Zeppelin and Pearl Jam were big for me in high school? I love so many songs from different people, genres- so many inspire me. Artists like PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, Cat Power, Juliana Hatfield, Elliot Smith-they inspired me to feel like I can go off and try to make my own recordings.  It’s constantly changing for me.

I get into a song and I listen to it over and over again until the next one I that can’t stop spinning. You have been subjected to that!

I was always inspired by music -since I was a little kid. My parents used to listen to it/have it playing around the house.

My dad still does sometimes-Dylan, The Beatles, CSNY, Van Morrison. (mom was into a bit harder stuff-Bob Seeger, The Stones, Guns & Roses-yeah). Dad has an amazing record collection that we pulled out and listened to one night, it was rad. The next question is related to this kind of music…

What decades of music do you like the best? Why?

The late 60’s-early 70’s.I was brought up on music from this time which I think started my interest in it. To me there was no time like then, I am taken by it. In fact I have a phat collection of books from that time.

The collection is mostly bios like Marianne’s but just finished reading Laurel Canyon, which I lapped up, about the music scene up there back then when Joni and CSNY were living there and Clapton and Zeppelin first came to Cali. They all lived next door and hung out and played music in the mountain in LA -it seemed magical until it turned bad. I also just saw the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll circus on TV which blew my mind. Plus Marianne (and others) perform in it and is gorgeous. There was just so much heart in that music and it was so radical at the time. It was more than just music, it was a culture.  They looked different, acted different, sang different. They shook it up. It seemed free. For a while.

If you could work with anybody in the history of music who would it be?

I think I am learning that I am NOT a one answer kinda gal from this interview -of course I have more than one “anybody”…I am sure there are many that I just can’t think of now but off the top of my head Bill Graham, Ahmet Ertergun and innovators like that. People that did something shocking and new. All of the artists I adore and probably their PRODUCERS too. That’s vague..I know but trying not to make this a book.

Oh and Timbaland. Ha! Remember I told you that the other night?!

Is there any subject you wouldn’t write about? IN other words when does songwriting become too personal for you?

Um, I’m pretty honest in my writing but I do shade things here and there -there are times I will not say exactly what I mean and play around with words or it will just come out that way. And there are times I say just what I want and have those lyrics that I make people blush.  It’s not always what it seems but sometimes it is. There is one song I don’t play right now and it’s not on an album.

Talk about your recording process…

Well, what I did on Back to My Roots, is put down the guitar(s), then vox, then ear candy. Then final mixing. Those songs were already written, I want to try creating one as I go. Now that I dipped into working with loops on In Deep I’m more apt to do that.

If I had a full band I think I would have drums and bass put down first or all at the same time. Sometimes it’s different; Swallow It Down Remix was backwards! Viola put the bass/drums on through cyberspace after the acoustic/electric parts and vocals because they were already done!

It’ll be different with bringing other peeps in and I welcome that.

We’ll see then. Check ya later.

interview by Brad Filicky

I’ve always had the feeling that emo is a genre that completely exists and is created by and for the young. That it would never grow or survive longer then the current fans are young enough to appreciate it. Two albums have come out over the five months that have changed my mind. The first is My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade”. Beyond any weak “concept” involving a character called “The Patient”, this album works simply because of pure epic bravado. Singer Gerard Way has worshiped Freddy Mercury and Queen for the past few years and the influence of Fred and company could not be more blatant. No band in their right mind should make songs as bombastic and over the top as the songs on TBP. Simply put this band has balls and a penchant for catchy, epic pop tunes. You want to be an artist you’ve got to be wiling to let self consciousness fall by the wayside. MCR has done that with this record. The second record is Brand New’s “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me”. It is obvious that between the last album and this album the members of Brand New have gone through some serious dark shit. There are songs about lost love, but mostly these songs deal with a deep disillusionment and a search for faith in a hostel world. For instance “Limousine” is a song written about a little girl who was decapitated in a car accident on Long Island. The music reminds me a bit of what the Afghan Whigs used to do. You can dismiss these bands because they are on the cover of Alternative Press, but you’re missin’ out.

Editor’s Note: This is the unpublished version of my Letter From The Editor I ran in the Winter 2007 issue of IRT. Initially, I had cut it on account of music editor Rob Harvilla’s kind albeit neutral mention of our humble publication in his CMJ blog as a sign of solidarity. But after reading the Pazz and Jop issue of the new Voice, which not only fails to thank any of the critics who have been submitting ballots for umpteen years (2006 being my 9th year, personally), but also completely eschews the original P & J poobahs’, Messrs. Chuck Eddy and Robert Christgau, kind gesture of posting all of the polling critics’ top ten lists and comments on their website. How’s that for a fine fuck you, huh? So just on principle, here is my original, uncut Letter From The Editor for Winter 2007, complete with my initial commentary on the newly diluted, New Times-ruined Village Voice: