Ex Nuns interview with Joram Livengood and Jeff Truckenmiller
Following up from last year’s dose of completely unhinged
psychedelic post-punk noise a la the Dead Zero single, Ex Nuns have unleashed a
fresh batch of mind altering hysteria for the public to pop like ecstasy at a
rave in the form of the four track Death Triangle EP cassette. If you tuned into the detached, antiseptic
sound of “Dead Zero” and “Crash Meditation” then the new cassette may be almost
shocking at first. There’re the same
elements of noise, punk, psych and dead ahead rock ‘n’ roll but it’s so much
fucking harder this time around! It’s a
little bit looser, a little bit noisier, and most definitely more
hardcore. The vocals are the first thing
that rattles your brain, traversing from the subversive, hypnotic drones on
their first single Death Triangle is wall-to-wall, balls-out hardcore noise in
the most grandiose sense. The howling
vocals on the opening track “Whore’s Heart” suddenly drop out into a faded haze
of reverberated screams and tumbling utterances into the dark void of
reality. The guitar is mixed a little
bit lower, treading on the same convulsive explosions between rhythm riffing
and all-out screeching solos of gnarly, distorted guitar pummeling the
decimated remains of what used to be your eardrums. “Force Of Habit” displays a penchant for
actual riffage throughout a song which I something I’d yet to hear from the
fellows and carries the savage power of the first track into the third part of
this debaucherous and noisy foray into the dark recess of post-punk dissonance,
“Shiner”. Clocking in at a mere two
minutes and fifteen seconds it’s not only the shortest track to date, it’s a
front to back, good ol’ fashioned punk ass whooping that’s setting you up for
the seeming knock-out blow “Charles”.
That being said you should definitely score a copy of the tape while
it’s around, and while you’re streaming it on your computer, anxiously awaiting
your tape in the mail, you can read the sweet interview below and get all the
sweet, sweet details on the recording of the new material and just what Ex Nuns
have been, and plan to be, up to! Yep,
Psychedelic Baby’s kinda your one stop shop.
You’re welcome.
psychedelic post-punk noise a la the Dead Zero single, Ex Nuns have unleashed a
fresh batch of mind altering hysteria for the public to pop like ecstasy at a
rave in the form of the four track Death Triangle EP cassette. If you tuned into the detached, antiseptic
sound of “Dead Zero” and “Crash Meditation” then the new cassette may be almost
shocking at first. There’re the same
elements of noise, punk, psych and dead ahead rock ‘n’ roll but it’s so much
fucking harder this time around! It’s a
little bit looser, a little bit noisier, and most definitely more
hardcore. The vocals are the first thing
that rattles your brain, traversing from the subversive, hypnotic drones on
their first single Death Triangle is wall-to-wall, balls-out hardcore noise in
the most grandiose sense. The howling
vocals on the opening track “Whore’s Heart” suddenly drop out into a faded haze
of reverberated screams and tumbling utterances into the dark void of
reality. The guitar is mixed a little
bit lower, treading on the same convulsive explosions between rhythm riffing
and all-out screeching solos of gnarly, distorted guitar pummeling the
decimated remains of what used to be your eardrums. “Force Of Habit” displays a penchant for
actual riffage throughout a song which I something I’d yet to hear from the
fellows and carries the savage power of the first track into the third part of
this debaucherous and noisy foray into the dark recess of post-punk dissonance,
“Shiner”. Clocking in at a mere two
minutes and fifteen seconds it’s not only the shortest track to date, it’s a
front to back, good ol’ fashioned punk ass whooping that’s setting you up for
the seeming knock-out blow “Charles”.
That being said you should definitely score a copy of the tape while
it’s around, and while you’re streaming it on your computer, anxiously awaiting
your tape in the mail, you can read the sweet interview below and get all the
sweet, sweet details on the recording of the new material and just what Ex Nuns
have been, and plan to be, up to! Yep,
Psychedelic Baby’s kinda your one stop shop.
You’re welcome.
Okay man, so who
all’s there?
all’s there?
Joram: It’s me and
Jeff.
Jeff.
We talked to you
guys last year right after you had droped your single (interview here). What have you all been up to since then? I mean obviously, other than putting out the
EP real recently and everything?
guys last year right after you had droped your single (interview here). What have you all been up to since then? I mean obviously, other than putting out the
EP real recently and everything?
Jeff: Um, playing too
many shows, ha-ha! Yeah, we’re kind of
hitting it hard right now we’ve got a lot of shows coming up, some really good
shows. We’re going to play with some
really cool Minneapolis punk bands this summer, some really good shows and then
we’re going to Montana to play Total Fest.
I think we’re going to try and do a tour later this year with us and
this up and coming band New Wave Hookers, they’re pretty exciting. So, try to hit the road as much as possible,
write as much as possible and then record another full-length or EP, we’re not
sure yet. It’s all about monetary
supplementation is the main issue, I guess…
many shows, ha-ha! Yeah, we’re kind of
hitting it hard right now we’ve got a lot of shows coming up, some really good
shows. We’re going to play with some
really cool Minneapolis punk bands this summer, some really good shows and then
we’re going to Montana to play Total Fest.
I think we’re going to try and do a tour later this year with us and
this up and coming band New Wave Hookers, they’re pretty exciting. So, try to hit the road as much as possible,
write as much as possible and then record another full-length or EP, we’re not
sure yet. It’s all about monetary
supplementation is the main issue, I guess…
Right, right. But you all have already got your mind set on
recording something else?
recording something else?
Joram: Oh, yeah! We actually, so we did those live studio
videos for you and two of those songs we’re going to send you are brand new,
yeah brand new, unrecorded tracks.
videos for you and two of those songs we’re going to send you are brand new,
yeah brand new, unrecorded tracks.
Cool! So how much stuff other than the material of
the new EP do you all have? Because
there are four tracks on the new EP, right?
the new EP do you all have? Because
there are four tracks on the new EP, right?
Joram: Yup.
How much other
than that do you all have written?
than that do you all have written?
Joram: Seven songs?
Jeff: Yeah…
Joram: I think seven
songs.
songs.
So you guys are
definitely on your way to an actual full-length then? Jesus…
definitely on your way to an actual full-length then? Jesus…
Jeff: Yeah, I mean
I’m a little apprehensive about a full-legnth because we’re not like, you know,
that well known, or whatever. So, like I
don’t know who would want to listen to a full-length by us, ha-ha!
I’m a little apprehensive about a full-legnth because we’re not like, you know,
that well known, or whatever. So, like I
don’t know who would want to listen to a full-length by us, ha-ha!
Joram: Yeah, it’s
like “Who the hell is this band? Why do they have 10 songs?”
like “Who the hell is this band? Why do they have 10 songs?”
Well talking about
the new EP, did you all try anything new or radically different with the
songwriting or recording? Had the songs
been around for a little while and you guys were just holding off for a bit to
record them?
the new EP, did you all try anything new or radically different with the
songwriting or recording? Had the songs
been around for a little while and you guys were just holding off for a bit to
record them?
Joram: Well, I think
basically is what happened is, was we all just got more comfortable with each other as far as playing and writing. Um,
because we had never been in a band together before…
basically is what happened is, was we all just got more comfortable with each other as far as playing and writing. Um,
because we had never been in a band together before…
Jeff: Well me and Ian
had been in a band together before, but not like this.
had been in a band together before, but not like this.
Joram: It was short
lived.
lived.
Jeff: It was short
lived.
lived.
Joram: But uh,
stylistically it just shifted because it was just more comfortable for us to do
that kind of music, it makes more sense to us, we understand it a little better
and I feel like we didn’t have to try to write something, it just kind of
happened.
stylistically it just shifted because it was just more comfortable for us to do
that kind of music, it makes more sense to us, we understand it a little better
and I feel like we didn’t have to try to write something, it just kind of
happened.
Jeff: Yeah, we don’t,
we don’t like – we don’t go in it… We
like so much different fucking kinds of music like , we just like don’t try to
go in and do anything kind of specific.
It’s just basically what we’re going through in our lives, you
know? It all just seems to kind of come
out, so I don’t know… Ha-ha!!
we don’t like – we don’t go in it… We
like so much different fucking kinds of music like , we just like don’t try to
go in and do anything kind of specific.
It’s just basically what we’re going through in our lives, you
know? It all just seems to kind of come
out, so I don’t know… Ha-ha!!
Joram: (joins in
laughter)
laughter)
It’s a little
snapshot of your brain right at that second?
snapshot of your brain right at that second?
Jeff: Yeah we’re
pretty depressed individuals, ha-ha!
pretty depressed individuals, ha-ha!
Joram: I wouldn’t go
that far…
that far…
Jeff: I’m just
screwing around, it’s funny.
screwing around, it’s funny.
Where did you guys
record the EP at?
record the EP at?
Jeff: Our buddy Knol,
Knol Tate. He’s an engineer here, he has
a house that he records bands at and he um, offered to record us and we
recorded all this rotation in like two days.
It was really fast and it was really affordable, and we’re like very
happy with him and we’re definitely going to be recording in the future with
him. He’s been in like, a lot of punk
bands and he definitely understands the sounds that we’re going for. It’s really, really amazing to work with this
really cool dude so we also hope to work with him in the future.
Knol Tate. He’s an engineer here, he has
a house that he records bands at and he um, offered to record us and we
recorded all this rotation in like two days.
It was really fast and it was really affordable, and we’re like very
happy with him and we’re definitely going to be recording in the future with
him. He’s been in like, a lot of punk
bands and he definitely understands the sounds that we’re going for. It’s really, really amazing to work with this
really cool dude so we also hope to work with him in the future.
Did you all feel
like there was a big difference between working on the material for this new EP
as opposed to like the single that came out last year? I know you said you guys feel like you’ve
gotten a lot more comfortable as a band, have you guys learned a lot as a band
as well? Or changed a lot since those
recordings?
like there was a big difference between working on the material for this new EP
as opposed to like the single that came out last year? I know you said you guys feel like you’ve
gotten a lot more comfortable as a band, have you guys learned a lot as a band
as well? Or changed a lot since those
recordings?
Joram: Oh yeah, absolutely!
Jeff: Oh my god, well
you know we had four people in our band and then we dropped to just us
three. So, we have less musicians in the
mix…
you know we had four people in our band and then we dropped to just us
three. So, we have less musicians in the
mix…
Oh, really?
Jeff: Yeah, so um one
less person, so we’re a trio now and I think it’s going to be that way for the
rest of our career, so like um… It
definitely different but it’s a little bit more focused now and it’s a lot
faster writing, we write songs a lot faster now. And it’s more fun because we’re better
musicians than we were when we first started.
And yeah um, yeah, I mean it’s just like the writing is more fun, it’s
less stressful. I used to dread writing
in this band, now I think it’s more fun.
But then again, I’m um, I’m better than I was too so it’s a lot
easier. I think now we’re just more
focusing on having fun right now and
less person, so we’re a trio now and I think it’s going to be that way for the
rest of our career, so like um… It
definitely different but it’s a little bit more focused now and it’s a lot
faster writing, we write songs a lot faster now. And it’s more fun because we’re better
musicians than we were when we first started.
And yeah um, yeah, I mean it’s just like the writing is more fun, it’s
less stressful. I used to dread writing
in this band, now I think it’s more fun.
But then again, I’m um, I’m better than I was too so it’s a lot
easier. I think now we’re just more
focusing on having fun right now and
Joram: And it’s a lot
different ‘cause for that seven inch, for those two songs, um they had already
pretty much written those and didn’t have a bass player. So, I joined and just wrote my parts for the
songs but all this new stuff, it’s like a three-way writing process. Everyone has their own ideas, everyone throws
them out there. There’s constructive
criticism and um, opinions and stuff.
different ‘cause for that seven inch, for those two songs, um they had already
pretty much written those and didn’t have a bass player. So, I joined and just wrote my parts for the
songs but all this new stuff, it’s like a three-way writing process. Everyone has their own ideas, everyone throws
them out there. There’s constructive
criticism and um, opinions and stuff.
Jeff: But, we don’t
really argue when we’re writing anymore so it’s kinda peaceful actually, it’s
more fun. Like I said we’re just having
more fun as a band, just enjoying it, you now?
really argue when we’re writing anymore so it’s kinda peaceful actually, it’s
more fun. Like I said we’re just having
more fun as a band, just enjoying it, you now?
Not to pry too
much, but um, you said you know you kind of dreaded writing stuff before and
that now it’s a little bit more collaborative, you get to add your own ideas
and kind of come in and do your own thing but together as a band. Like what has changed? I mean, I know you’re working as a trio now and
stuff, but when you say, “I dreaded writing” that bring some gnarly imagery to
my head, you know what I’m saying? And
you also said, “we don’t argue anymore writing songs”…
much, but um, you said you know you kind of dreaded writing stuff before and
that now it’s a little bit more collaborative, you get to add your own ideas
and kind of come in and do your own thing but together as a band. Like what has changed? I mean, I know you’re working as a trio now and
stuff, but when you say, “I dreaded writing” that bring some gnarly imagery to
my head, you know what I’m saying? And
you also said, “we don’t argue anymore writing songs”…
Joram: There’s no
more like, fetal position cry sessions, ha-ha!
more like, fetal position cry sessions, ha-ha!
Jeff: Yeah, yeah…
It’s just like less bullshit now so um, I don’t know I just think, maybe
the relationship between us is better or whatever. It’s just fun, it’s more fun…
It’s just like less bullshit now so um, I don’t know I just think, maybe
the relationship between us is better or whatever. It’s just fun, it’s more fun…
Joram: Everyone
listens to each other, if someone is doing something and the other people think
it oculd be better, they voice it and that person will take that and um, make
it better!
listens to each other, if someone is doing something and the other people think
it oculd be better, they voice it and that person will take that and um, make
it better!
Jeff: Or with
something’s we find it just fails to excite us initially then it’s like, we
have to like let it go, hey, we can’t do this anymore, just drop out of it.
something’s we find it just fails to excite us initially then it’s like, we
have to like let it go, hey, we can’t do this anymore, just drop out of it.
Joram: We’ve written
so many in the last year we’ve ditched like probably five songs just entirely,
we play them at shows for a few months and then we just loose an initial
excitement of a brand new song that we’re playing ‘cause we write a different
song, and we’re like, “the new song’s way better than the old one, let’s throw
that old one away”!
so many in the last year we’ve ditched like probably five songs just entirely,
we play them at shows for a few months and then we just loose an initial
excitement of a brand new song that we’re playing ‘cause we write a different
song, and we’re like, “the new song’s way better than the old one, let’s throw
that old one away”!
Jeff: Yeah, we’re
pretty um… We would rather be our own
worst critic, you know – that sort of thing?
We’d rather call ourselves out, I mean um, yeah… I don’t know.
pretty um… We would rather be our own
worst critic, you know – that sort of thing?
We’d rather call ourselves out, I mean um, yeah… I don’t know.
Rather than
putting out every belch, fart, and whistle like my father would say you guys
are like a little more selective about what you want to put out there?
putting out every belch, fart, and whistle like my father would say you guys
are like a little more selective about what you want to put out there?
Jeff: Yeah, it’s just
like so painful to see bands play songs that they think they have to play to
fill space, and you can tell they’re not their best ideas, you know? And it’s just like I don’t want to do that!
like so painful to see bands play songs that they think they have to play to
fill space, and you can tell they’re not their best ideas, you know? And it’s just like I don’t want to do that!
God! Man I’m in a band and you know like down in
my area we have to play like three and a half hour shows!
my area we have to play like three and a half hour shows!
Jeff: (laughs)
Joram: Holy shit!
(laughs)
(laughs)
Jeff: (laughing) I
have never heard of that before!
have never heard of that before!
Oh man, and when
you play three and a half hour shows it doesn’t matter, I don’t give a shit if
you’ve got three bands – which is a fucking nightmare to set up and take down
anyways and even then, you know everyone else has got like thirty to forty five
minutes of material. So it doesn’t
matter, we’re up there for like two hours!
So we’ve got like seventy-five songs and I know exactly what you’re
talking about, because you can just see the crowd. They’re like, “wow that was just totally a
half-assed idea”. Well, and it might not
even be that the song’s not that good, it’s just you feel that way. You’re like dude, we have like ten songs that
I would rather be playing right now, but instead there’s this six minutes that
we have patch in…
you play three and a half hour shows it doesn’t matter, I don’t give a shit if
you’ve got three bands – which is a fucking nightmare to set up and take down
anyways and even then, you know everyone else has got like thirty to forty five
minutes of material. So it doesn’t
matter, we’re up there for like two hours!
So we’ve got like seventy-five songs and I know exactly what you’re
talking about, because you can just see the crowd. They’re like, “wow that was just totally a
half-assed idea”. Well, and it might not
even be that the song’s not that good, it’s just you feel that way. You’re like dude, we have like ten songs that
I would rather be playing right now, but instead there’s this six minutes that
we have patch in…
Jeff: You know
man? That’s exactly it…
man? That’s exactly it…
Joram: It’s like that
seven inch that we did, we uh, we released that, we played the release show and
uh, after that we just pretty much stopped playing those songs all together
because we had all this new material written, and we were over that seven inch
by the time it actually came out.
seven inch that we did, we uh, we released that, we played the release show and
uh, after that we just pretty much stopped playing those songs all together
because we had all this new material written, and we were over that seven inch
by the time it actually came out.
You guys were
talking about how you kind of cycle stuff in a live and then move it out, and I
know you guys aren’t really interested in doing studio recordings of that stuff
but you guess seem to um, do really well with live stuff. I’ve seen those, I haven’t seen the videos
you shot for Psychedelic Baby yet, but I’ve seen some stuff floating around
online and you guys are pretty tight live!
There are some bands, a little bit sloppy I wouldn’t really recommend it,
have you guys thought about compiling some of that stuff from your live
performances, maybe doing a live recording or something?
talking about how you kind of cycle stuff in a live and then move it out, and I
know you guys aren’t really interested in doing studio recordings of that stuff
but you guess seem to um, do really well with live stuff. I’ve seen those, I haven’t seen the videos
you shot for Psychedelic Baby yet, but I’ve seen some stuff floating around
online and you guys are pretty tight live!
There are some bands, a little bit sloppy I wouldn’t really recommend it,
have you guys thought about compiling some of that stuff from your live
performances, maybe doing a live recording or something?
Joram: Uh no, that’s
not really something we’ve thought about.
I think someone offered, they do like an archive of Minneapolis bands
and they wanted to do one of our shows so they could put it in that archive,
and that’s fine but we wouldn’t like actively seek out doing a live recording
like that, it’s. I don’t really know
why, it’s just not something we’ve thought about. We’re just like, to focused on other aspects
of our lives outside of the band that doing practice and playing shows and
stuff is, uh, kinda all we focus on right now, writing new music and stuff, so…
not really something we’ve thought about.
I think someone offered, they do like an archive of Minneapolis bands
and they wanted to do one of our shows so they could put it in that archive,
and that’s fine but we wouldn’t like actively seek out doing a live recording
like that, it’s. I don’t really know
why, it’s just not something we’ve thought about. We’re just like, to focused on other aspects
of our lives outside of the band that doing practice and playing shows and
stuff is, uh, kinda all we focus on right now, writing new music and stuff, so…
Right on. Well, talking about the bigger goal and what
you guys have in mind, are there any major plans or goals that you guys are
looking to accomplish in the end of 2014?
you guys have in mind, are there any major plans or goals that you guys are
looking to accomplish in the end of 2014?
Jeff: We’re playing
Total Fest in Montana in August, and that’s kinda like a big deal for us ‘cause
there are like a lot of amazing fucking bands that are playing that festival as
well too, so that’s one goal that we’re going to accomplish. I mean, ideally we’d like to you know tour
more, but I think that we need more material…
We need like a really, a record that we feel like we’re like one hundred
percent about and then we’re ready to go out and tour the world, I think we’re
kind of like waiting for that moment but I think that we’re trying to make sure
our skills you know are, that we’re a better band before that happens, you
know? We just keep working at it, and I
think we’re just waiting for the right time for that to happen to tour all the
time. I mean right now we’re all too
busy working, I’m in another band too so my time is split between Ex Nuns and
my other band, but you know I’m just constantly working on music so, I don’t
know. It’ll happen when it happens, I
guess. But we definitely want to do
that, tour the world that would be really cool.
Total Fest in Montana in August, and that’s kinda like a big deal for us ‘cause
there are like a lot of amazing fucking bands that are playing that festival as
well too, so that’s one goal that we’re going to accomplish. I mean, ideally we’d like to you know tour
more, but I think that we need more material…
We need like a really, a record that we feel like we’re like one hundred
percent about and then we’re ready to go out and tour the world, I think we’re
kind of like waiting for that moment but I think that we’re trying to make sure
our skills you know are, that we’re a better band before that happens, you
know? We just keep working at it, and I
think we’re just waiting for the right time for that to happen to tour all the
time. I mean right now we’re all too
busy working, I’m in another band too so my time is split between Ex Nuns and
my other band, but you know I’m just constantly working on music so, I don’t
know. It’ll happen when it happens, I
guess. But we definitely want to do
that, tour the world that would be really cool.
Is there anything
that you guys want to cover or bring up?
that you guys want to cover or bring up?
Joram:
Uuuuuuuuhhhhh…….I was going to try think of something witty, but I’m
not that witty so fuck it.
Uuuuuuuuhhhhh…….I was going to try think of something witty, but I’m
not that witty so fuck it.
Jeff: Uh no, I just
think this summer, we’re like booked solid this summer and we’re all really
excited about our upcoming gigs that we have and we’re just, like fucking
enjoying it man! You know? (laughs)
It’s like, we’re playing in some really cool shows, and we’re really
happy with our EP and the new tunes, it’s definitely more noisy hardcore kind
of stuff and its, I’m really excited about it.
It’s more angry, and it’s way more fun too so it’s, I’m really excited
to present more material and hit the road and to play shows, you know? Yeah, it’s really fun, it’s being more and
more fun so you know.
think this summer, we’re like booked solid this summer and we’re all really
excited about our upcoming gigs that we have and we’re just, like fucking
enjoying it man! You know? (laughs)
It’s like, we’re playing in some really cool shows, and we’re really
happy with our EP and the new tunes, it’s definitely more noisy hardcore kind
of stuff and its, I’m really excited about it.
It’s more angry, and it’s way more fun too so it’s, I’m really excited
to present more material and hit the road and to play shows, you know? Yeah, it’s really fun, it’s being more and
more fun so you know.
Joram: I just kind of
want to see places. I just wanna go play
a show, have some drinks, meet some people and then do it all over again…
want to see places. I just wanna go play
a show, have some drinks, meet some people and then do it all over again…
Jeff: Yeah it’s all
around the world, it’s like meet cool people that like punk music and art and,
you know? Just fucking do it! It’s like, it’s exciting.
around the world, it’s like meet cool people that like punk music and art and,
you know? Just fucking do it! It’s like, it’s exciting.
Joram: It’s not
really about the like, I wanna be in a band to like, get big or have people
notice me. We just want do this so we
can enjoy the experience of the band itself…
really about the like, I wanna be in a band to like, get big or have people
notice me. We just want do this so we
can enjoy the experience of the band itself…
Jeff: Yeah! Yeah, put out music that we’re one hundred
percent behind and play with bands that really inspire us. I think that’s just the, that’s the most
rewarding thing and I mean I don’t, we don’t give a fuck if no one likes
us! I mean like, we’re not like an
accessible band.
percent behind and play with bands that really inspire us. I think that’s just the, that’s the most
rewarding thing and I mean I don’t, we don’t give a fuck if no one likes
us! I mean like, we’re not like an
accessible band.
Joram: We’re not
writing music for you! We’re writing music for us.
writing music for you! We’re writing music for us.
Jeff: (laughs) It’s like, we don’t give a shit, you know?
Joram:
(laughing) We’re just kind of
lucky that some people care, we’re very lucky!
(laughing) We’re just kind of
lucky that some people care, we’re very lucky!
Jeff: Yeah, pretty
fortunate… You know what I mean?
fortunate… You know what I mean?
(Laughs) No, no I know exactly what you’re saying
dude…
dude…
Jeff: We just don’t
give a fuck man…
give a fuck man…
That’s the way to
be dude! If you start giving a fuck it
gets into your head!
be dude! If you start giving a fuck it
gets into your head!
Jeff: Yeah, it’s
just, it’s fun and that’s all I think about so…
just, it’s fun and that’s all I think about so…
Joram: If you’re not
having fun, why the fuck are you doing it?
having fun, why the fuck are you doing it?
Because you’re all
wrapped up in your self neurosis of one type or another, that’s why…
wrapped up in your self neurosis of one type or another, that’s why…
Joram: Yeah sure, it
would be like, really, monetarily awesome to play guitar for like, Miley Cyrus
but that sounds boring as shit!
would be like, really, monetarily awesome to play guitar for like, Miley Cyrus
but that sounds boring as shit!
Jeff: Oh, I don’t
know, I don’t think I’d be very happy doing that to be honest with you…
know, I don’t think I’d be very happy doing that to be honest with you…
Joram: You’d make a
lot of money though…
lot of money though…
Jeff: I don’t give a
fuck about the money!
fuck about the money!
Joram: Exactly, we
don’t give a fuck about the money!
don’t give a fuck about the money!
Jeff: (laughs)
Joram: We just wanna have a good time.
Jeff: I just don’t care.
I would have a
really nice house for the six months before I put a shotgun in my mouth, I’ll
say that! (laughs) The one thing you
guys did kind of bring up that was like, with all of your shows coming up you
guys are talking about how you’re booked pretty solid, and how you guys re
looking forward to doing a lot of stuff.
Are there any bands, you know, you guys are really looking forward to
playing with? Is there anyone that you
guys have been looking forward to?
really nice house for the six months before I put a shotgun in my mouth, I’ll
say that! (laughs) The one thing you
guys did kind of bring up that was like, with all of your shows coming up you
guys are talking about how you’re booked pretty solid, and how you guys re
looking forward to doing a lot of stuff.
Are there any bands, you know, you guys are really looking forward to
playing with? Is there anyone that you
guys have been looking forward to?
Jeff: We’re playing
this 5 year anniversary at this music venue/bar called Cause and we’re playing
with this really cool band, this um bill with this band Gay Witch Abortion,
they’re on Amphetamine Reptile Records and um, Buildings and Strange, and
they’re uh, local bands that we really look up to that are really amazing
bands. And then we’re playing with um
Animal Lover, they’re kind of blowing up right now, they’re from here in
Minneapolis, and New Wave Hookers – I guess talked about them a little bit
before. They’re like an up and coming
post-noise industrial like punk band, they’re really fucking cool. They’re all super young and it’s really
awesome, they’re like nineteen…
this 5 year anniversary at this music venue/bar called Cause and we’re playing
with this really cool band, this um bill with this band Gay Witch Abortion,
they’re on Amphetamine Reptile Records and um, Buildings and Strange, and
they’re uh, local bands that we really look up to that are really amazing
bands. And then we’re playing with um
Animal Lover, they’re kind of blowing up right now, they’re from here in
Minneapolis, and New Wave Hookers – I guess talked about them a little bit
before. They’re like an up and coming
post-noise industrial like punk band, they’re really fucking cool. They’re all super young and it’s really
awesome, they’re like nineteen…
Joram: Yeah, they’re
like nineteen…
like nineteen…
Jeff: Yeah they’re
like nineteen years old and they have like ‘X’s on their hands when they play
shows, you know… But um, I’m really
looking forward to, we’re all like super excited about playing that Total Fest
‘cause Wolf Eyes are headlining.
like nineteen years old and they have like ‘X’s on their hands when they play
shows, you know… But um, I’m really
looking forward to, we’re all like super excited about playing that Total Fest
‘cause Wolf Eyes are headlining.
Joram: Wolf Eyes is fucking sweet!
Jeff: Yeah Wolf Eyes
is fucking amazing and um, we’re really excited about that and we have some
other local stuff coming up but um, our shows, we’re just playing, we’re just
really excited about the shows that are coming up, so.
is fucking amazing and um, we’re really excited about that and we have some
other local stuff coming up but um, our shows, we’re just playing, we’re just
really excited about the shows that are coming up, so.
Joram: I just wanna
go to towns where we’ve met bands that have come through Minneapolis that we’ve
seen that we really liked. Like I would
really like to go to Seattle and play with this band called Haunted Horses,
they’re fucking sweet.
go to towns where we’ve met bands that have come through Minneapolis that we’ve
seen that we really liked. Like I would
really like to go to Seattle and play with this band called Haunted Horses,
they’re fucking sweet.
Jeff: Yeah, they’re
great. Definitely check them out.
great. Definitely check them out.
Joram: Or on the
other side of the country our buddy’s in this band called Pile, that band is
fucking sweet! They live in Boston and…
other side of the country our buddy’s in this band called Pile, that band is
fucking sweet! They live in Boston and…
Jeff: Yeah those
dudes are fucking awesome, Pile’s really cool too, yeah we played with KEN Mode
and those guys are great and their bands great too and….yeah, hopefully we
get to play with them again too, that was really amazing.
dudes are fucking awesome, Pile’s really cool too, yeah we played with KEN Mode
and those guys are great and their bands great too and….yeah, hopefully we
get to play with them again too, that was really amazing.
Jeff: Or the other
band that was on that show, Inter Arma those guys are cool as shit. They’re all really nice guys, they were fun
to hang out with and play with…
band that was on that show, Inter Arma those guys are cool as shit. They’re all really nice guys, they were fun
to hang out with and play with…
For the record,
Gay Witch Abortion is awesome by the way!
Gay Witch Abortion is awesome by the way!
Jeff: Hell yeah,
they’re like one of the best punk acts in town right now for sure, definitely.
they’re like one of the best punk acts in town right now for sure, definitely.
They slay, they
definitely slay…
definitely slay…
Jeff: I’ve seen them
like so many millions of times and it fucking never gets old and there’s always
a shit ton of people at their shows.
like so many millions of times and it fucking never gets old and there’s always
a shit ton of people at their shows.
Joram: Slay is an
understatement (laughs). Even when
they’re guitar player broke his fucking leg and he had to play in a wheelchair
it was amazing!
understatement (laughs). Even when
they’re guitar player broke his fucking leg and he had to play in a wheelchair
it was amazing!
Jeff: It was still
good, it was like, you played in a fucking wheelchair, you blew everyone
away. It was fucking amazing!
good, it was like, you played in a fucking wheelchair, you blew everyone
away. It was fucking amazing!
We’ve covered all
of my questions, is there anything you all kinda want to take this opportunity
to talk about before we sign off, or anything?
of my questions, is there anything you all kinda want to take this opportunity
to talk about before we sign off, or anything?
Jeff: I just want to
say Minneapolis right now, is like fucking blowing my mind with our local scene
right now and it’s very cool and I hope that more people take notice like of
what’s going on here.
say Minneapolis right now, is like fucking blowing my mind with our local scene
right now and it’s very cool and I hope that more people take notice like of
what’s going on here.
Joram: It’s very
encouraging to live in a city where there’s so many bands that you can be
friends with and like their music.
‘Cause it would be really disappointing if there were a bunch of cool
guys that were in bands and they all sucked.
But we have the privilege of having a shit ton of really god bands with
likeminded musicians that just want to have a good time and we get to hang out
with those dudes and…
encouraging to live in a city where there’s so many bands that you can be
friends with and like their music.
‘Cause it would be really disappointing if there were a bunch of cool
guys that were in bands and they all sucked.
But we have the privilege of having a shit ton of really god bands with
likeminded musicians that just want to have a good time and we get to hang out
with those dudes and…
Jeff: Very
talented. I mean I think there’s
something going on right now. I think
we’re kinda lucky to be in this scene right now in this point and time.
talented. I mean I think there’s
something going on right now. I think
we’re kinda lucky to be in this scene right now in this point and time.
Joram: This Total
Fest Blog article about us playing, the whole thing is pretty much just about
how there are so many sweet bands from Minneapolis that are playing Total Fest
this year.
Fest Blog article about us playing, the whole thing is pretty much just about
how there are so many sweet bands from Minneapolis that are playing Total Fest
this year.
Jeff: Yeah, it’s cool
someone took notice of that.
someone took notice of that.
Joram: Something
about, there must be something in the water here…other than snow and beer.
(laughs)
about, there must be something in the water here…other than snow and beer.
(laughs)
Jeff: Yeah, other than like snow and beer. (laughs) But I gotta go to work man. It was awesome meeting you I’m glad I got to
talk in this interview, thank you so much.
We’ll um…
talk in this interview, thank you so much.
We’ll um…
Joram: Quit touching
my arm!
my arm!
Jeff: (laughing) We’ll um, make you a, we’ll send you a tape
just send us your address and stuff like that so…
just send us your address and stuff like that so…
Righteous
man! Thanks so much for taking the time
to talk to us!
man! Thanks so much for taking the time
to talk to us!
Jeff: Yeah man,
absolutely man. Thank you.
absolutely man. Thank you.
Cool man, before
we sign off since you talked a little bit about the scene dude do you want to
give the readers a list of anybody that they should for sure be checking out?
we sign off since you talked a little bit about the scene dude do you want to
give the readers a list of anybody that they should for sure be checking out?
Joram: Oh shit,
absolutely.
absolutely.
Jeff: We’ll just send
you a list of bands…
you a list of bands…
Joram: Just rattle
off some bands, you’ve got thirty seconds.
off some bands, you’ve got thirty seconds.
Both: Gay Witch
Abortion, Buildings, New Wave Hookers, Animal Lover, um, The Blind Shake, France Camp, Wage Theft, Disasteratti, Mrs.
Mrs is fucking awesome, Pallex, Jeff’s other band which is heavy
shoegaze.
Abortion, Buildings, New Wave Hookers, Animal Lover, um, The Blind Shake, France Camp, Wage Theft, Disasteratti, Mrs.
Mrs is fucking awesome, Pallex, Jeff’s other band which is heavy
shoegaze.
Jeff: But I uh, I gotta go to work man! Allright, I gotta go dude…
Joram: And now here I
am alone…
am alone…
Jeff: See you Joram.
Joram: Bye Jeff, love
you.
you.
Jeff: Love you too
Joram… (laughing)
Joram… (laughing)
I love you too
Jeff (laughing) Is there anything else that you want to cover or anything? I know I kind of already asked but…
Jeff (laughing) Is there anything else that you want to cover or anything? I know I kind of already asked but…
Joram: Um, I don’t
know I’m really and at this kind of thing.
This is the first interview over the phone, or Skype or whatever that
I‘ve done (laughs). Most people don’t
care about what I have to say, and I don’t’ really have a lot to say so…
know I’m really and at this kind of thing.
This is the first interview over the phone, or Skype or whatever that
I‘ve done (laughs). Most people don’t
care about what I have to say, and I don’t’ really have a lot to say so…
Piss on that! You’re at least funny to listen to, that’s
more than I can say for most people!
more than I can say for most people!
Joram: Well, we’re
just a bunch of, dudes, that like to hang out and have a good time. We don’t really take anything seriously
except for music. Kinda like, let’s say
Interpol, the reason they all wear suits is ‘cause that band was the only thing
they took seriously, so they dressed up for it.
We don’t wear suits, but the music’s the only thing we take
seriously. Outside of that we just kinda
fuck around, so…
just a bunch of, dudes, that like to hang out and have a good time. We don’t really take anything seriously
except for music. Kinda like, let’s say
Interpol, the reason they all wear suits is ‘cause that band was the only thing
they took seriously, so they dressed up for it.
We don’t wear suits, but the music’s the only thing we take
seriously. Outside of that we just kinda
fuck around, so…
Sounds like a good
mantra…
mantra…
Joram: It’s not
bad! It’s pretty good, it’s pretty
fun. The hangovers suck, but whatever…
Just start drinking again, it’ll fix the problem! (laughs)
bad! It’s pretty good, it’s pretty
fun. The hangovers suck, but whatever…
Just start drinking again, it’ll fix the problem! (laughs)
Exclusive Videos
DISCOGRAPHY
(2013) Ex Nuns –
“Dead of Zero” b/w “Crash Meditation” – Digital, 7” – 25 Diamonds Records
(Limited to 300 copies on random colored vinyl)
“Dead of Zero” b/w “Crash Meditation” – Digital, 7” – 25 Diamonds Records
(Limited to 300 copies on random colored vinyl)
(2014) Ex Nuns –
Death Triangle EP – Digital, Cassette Tape – Self-Released
Death Triangle EP – Digital, Cassette Tape – Self-Released
By Andrew Kurtz
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
