The Eye Jabs interview
What would you say if I want you to imagine music, that sounds just like “The Atomic Vampire from the 4th dimension seducing a lovely
femme fatale!”?! Old school b-horror films, killing bikers on acid, vampire chicks on cocaine and mysterious swamp atmosphere. Some of these words would perfectly describe what the Eye Jabs from St. Louis are doing. Dave and Nathan had in mind to start an industrial band, but out of that idea came more of a rock horror act. It seems they were watching too many late night horror movies as kids. They recently released an album on CD titled Sounds Of The Fourth Dimension !, which was recorded in Nathan’s recording room. Below is our interview with Dave and Nathan and a link to their soundcloud page.
femme fatale!”?! Old school b-horror films, killing bikers on acid, vampire chicks on cocaine and mysterious swamp atmosphere. Some of these words would perfectly describe what the Eye Jabs from St. Louis are doing. Dave and Nathan had in mind to start an industrial band, but out of that idea came more of a rock horror act. It seems they were watching too many late night horror movies as kids. They recently released an album on CD titled Sounds Of The Fourth Dimension !, which was recorded in Nathan’s recording room. Below is our interview with Dave and Nathan and a link to their soundcloud page.
What’s the story behind The Eye Jabs formation?
Dave: We started out wanting to bring back the late ’80s early ’90s industrial sound like Thrill Kill Kult and KMFDM. Then we sat down and
started writing, however we ended up sounding like this so we just went with
it. I think it’s important to play music that comes natural to you and that’s
what we did.
started writing, however we ended up sounding like this so we just went with
it. I think it’s important to play music that comes natural to you and that’s
what we did.
Nathan: I have known Dave since we were 15 years old. Dave rode
the bus with me. Dave is more into Metal and Blues, where I am more into ’80s
and ’90s rock and electronic. It started when we were watching Old Black Box
music videos from Wax Trax. We decided we should start an Industrial band, but
we ended up sounding like an old rock band. We started recording every weekend
for six months. It was the worst winter I can remember. I was mostly snowed in
and stuck to writing music in my basement.
the bus with me. Dave is more into Metal and Blues, where I am more into ’80s
and ’90s rock and electronic. It started when we were watching Old Black Box
music videos from Wax Trax. We decided we should start an Industrial band, but
we ended up sounding like an old rock band. We started recording every weekend
for six months. It was the worst winter I can remember. I was mostly snowed in
and stuck to writing music in my basement.
You are coming from St. Louis. What’s the scene there?
Dave: The scene here is pretty diverse. It’s not strange to go
to a local show and see metal, rap, punk and folk music all in one show. Even
if I don’t like all the music it is good to see so many people doing something
creative and original.
to a local show and see metal, rap, punk and folk music all in one show. Even
if I don’t like all the music it is good to see so many people doing something
creative and original.
Nathan: Mostly cover bands in St Louis. Lots of Metal bands.
Have you been in any other bands before you started this one?
Dave: Matt and I played both played guitar in a thrash metal
band called Discord Armada for a couple years. My first real gig was a folk
rock band called In June. Also, a lot of fun projects that never left the
garage.
band called Discord Armada for a couple years. My first real gig was a folk
rock band called In June. Also, a lot of fun projects that never left the
garage.
In June Myspace:
https://myspace.com/injunerocks/music/songs
https://myspace.com/injunerocks/music/songs
Nathan: I played in a ’90s cover band for five years. I also did
an electronic music solo project. https://soundcloud.com/nathan-butterhorn/against-brush-past
an electronic music solo project. https://soundcloud.com/nathan-butterhorn/against-brush-past
The Eye Jabs influences?
Dave: Black Sabbath was a band that really inspired me to start
writing music at a young age. When I first heard the opening riff on their
first album I said ‘I want to do that!’. Other influences crept in over the
years like Danzig, Leonard Cohen, GG Allin and Leadbelly.
writing music at a young age. When I first heard the opening riff on their
first album I said ‘I want to do that!’. Other influences crept in over the
years like Danzig, Leonard Cohen, GG Allin and Leadbelly.
Nathan: My parents are musicians and raised me on classic rock. I
also love New Wave, and ’90s rock. Direct influences for The Eye Jabs would be My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pink Floyd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chuck Berry, The Toadies, Air, and Nine Inch
Nails.
also love New Wave, and ’90s rock. Direct influences for The Eye Jabs would be My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pink Floyd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chuck Berry, The Toadies, Air, and Nine Inch
Nails.
Your music is a mixture of horror psychedelic garage
rock. How does the recording process look like?
rock. How does the recording process look like?
Dave: We wrote most of the album as we were recording. It all
came together like Frankenstein’s Monster. Never really had a formula it was
more like ‘Hey, I got a groovy idea let’s try this..’.
came together like Frankenstein’s Monster. Never really had a formula it was
more like ‘Hey, I got a groovy idea let’s try this..’.
Nathan: We recorded one track at a time using Ableton Live. I use
a APC 40 with it and have got a pair of Yamaha monitors when we started. Most
of the songs were written spontaneously. I use a Gibson SG and a Fender Strat
most of the album. This goes through a mic’ed Marshall DSL 100. We used an EHX
Voice Box for the background Vocals on broken wing. Dave sings and I go over
and do most of the background vocals. I record all the keyboard parts with my
midi controller.
a APC 40 with it and have got a pair of Yamaha monitors when we started. Most
of the songs were written spontaneously. I use a Gibson SG and a Fender Strat
most of the album. This goes through a mic’ed Marshall DSL 100. We used an EHX
Voice Box for the background Vocals on broken wing. Dave sings and I go over
and do most of the background vocals. I record all the keyboard parts with my
midi controller.
Where was the album recorded?
Dave: Nathan’s basement has been fashioned into a recording
studio/pinball arcade. It’s pretty awesome.
studio/pinball arcade. It’s pretty awesome.
Nathan: In my recording room I got carpet, drop ceilings, big rugs and a big couch. I hung foam
blankets from the ceiling around Dave to make a voice room for the vocals.
blankets from the ceiling around Dave to make a voice room for the vocals.
What can you say about the cover artwork?
Dave: The Atomic Vampire from the 4th dimension seducing a
lovely femme fatale! Will she succumb to his sinister groove?
lovely femme fatale! Will she succumb to his sinister groove?
Nathan: The cover was all Dave. He is the Artist in the band.
Can we expect a vinyl version? I’m asking this, because we
all are big fans of vinyl format, which is these days becoming more and more
popular. What’s your opinion about this? How do you see it in digital world?
all are big fans of vinyl format, which is these days becoming more and more
popular. What’s your opinion about this? How do you see it in digital world?
Dave: I would love to do a vinyl press when we get the funds. I
think the older you get the more you miss things like that. However, kids today
love convenience more than anything. I personally love the cassette format. I
still have a pretty good collection of underground metal tapes.
think the older you get the more you miss things like that. However, kids today
love convenience more than anything. I personally love the cassette format. I
still have a pretty good collection of underground metal tapes.
Nathan: I still have my pair of Technic 1200 turntables, I would
love to hook them up again. I think it’s a great idea.
love to hook them up again. I think it’s a great idea.
Do you do any touring or concerts in general?
Dave: Our first show a few weeks ago and I hope to have at
least one show a month. It might be kind of hard for me to go on a long tour
with my job and family, though we will see.
least one show a month. It might be kind of hard for me to go on a long tour
with my job and family, though we will see.
Nathan: The cd release show was a few weeks ago.
Any wacked stories from shows?
Dave: Not yet! We will let you know though. Hopefully we get
some weird stuff on film.
some weird stuff on film.
Nathan: Stay tuned on our facebook page for them.
Future plans?
Dave: Record and gig as much as possible and just see where that takes us. We already have a lot of ideas for the 2nd album.
Nathan: We basically have three songs already for album two. I don’t think you would have to wait very long.
Can you share some words about songwriting and song meaning
in general. “Mushroom Man” and “Kiss To Kill” have interesting themes…
in general. “Mushroom Man” and “Kiss To Kill” have interesting themes…
Dave: The lyrics usually turn out kinda dark even when I’m just
having fun. I can’t really help it. Sex and black magic seem to go well with
biker chicks from hell and killer mushroom people. It’s just like writing my
own trippy horror movie from the early ’70s only with my own style and personal
metaphors thrown in.
having fun. I can’t really help it. Sex and black magic seem to go well with
biker chicks from hell and killer mushroom people. It’s just like writing my
own trippy horror movie from the early ’70s only with my own style and personal
metaphors thrown in.
Nathan: I grew up watching old horror and sci-fi movies. I love
Ed Wood, and Twilight Zone, and Night of the Living Dead. The pop culture that
was left behind is still an infinite source of inspiration.
Ed Wood, and Twilight Zone, and Night of the Living Dead. The pop culture that
was left behind is still an infinite source of inspiration.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Dave: Thanks for the article! Also keep a look out for our next
venture into the depths of sonic madness!
venture into the depths of sonic madness!
Nathan: Be sure to check out our music videos at
http://vimeo.com/theeyejabs. I made most of them the same night we wrote the
song at three of four in the morning. I would post them before Dave woke up and
send him the links. Thank you.
http://vimeo.com/theeyejabs. I made most of them the same night we wrote the
song at three of four in the morning. I would post them before Dave woke up and
send him the links. Thank you.
Interview made by Klemen Breznikar/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
Turbulent sounds and dark, psychedelic lyrics bringing a roller coaster ride of cult-classics, haunted houses and hilarious sci-fi that tears you away from your body. I got the opportunity to hang with these cats and they blew my mind.
Can't wait to catch the next show!