Exclusive Interviews: Vendetta Music

Interview with A'grumph

November 7, 2004

Q1: After a long hiatus, A'grumh have released 3 DVD's, a limited live 7" entitled "Tribute to TG/PTV", 2 live albums and the first ever recording by the band "By The Phone" along with Negapadres.3.3 (ambient side-project) "Re-birth" on CD. Are you working on new A'grumh material and do you have a tentative release date?

S@3eVETS: Yes it was our midlife crisis. We are focusing more on nEGAPADRES.3.3. stuff and released a new album entitled "Exstrophy of Amphigouris" that we have self produced and sold directly to the peeeeople. By accident during these sessions, a rhythmus track came out, called "Jennifer Says" but it is not finished yet. It is possible that we'll make new à;GRUMH... tracks but not sure yet. We're very old, you know.

J3sEUQCAJ: It's your midlife crisis my dear S3.I am young, I am proud and I like fishing

Q2: Your last official release "And Now For Something More Completely Different" mcd came out in 1989.What led to the break-up of A'grumh &how did you get back together?

S@3eVETS: We toured until 1991!We never split up. J3 went to live in the baltic countries, Canada and Patagonia. That slowed down our production that's all. Now that his wife Pinchouh died of leukemia, and his children got sold for flesh trade, we got together again for some mutual raspberry jam body-spreading and that got us thinking about the Concept of the Harp and therefore music. But we only can do it on full moon days, and if he shaves.

J3sEUQCAJ: I traveled all over the world to forget my empty life and of course to fly fish!

Q3: A'grumh cd's are long out-of-print and highly sought after. Are you going to re-release the entire back catalogue?

S@3eVETS: Ask PIAS

J3sEUQCAJ: God, i haven't had a bite all day!!!

Q4: A'grumh were the frontrunners of the Belgian electro-industrial scene in the mid eighties along with Front 242,The Neon Judgement, Vomito Negro, The Klinik to name a few..and you have been a source of influence for many EBM acts. What are your favorite electro bands and which style of music did you listen growing up?

S@3eVETS: Thank you very much! We're very humble too. Who are the bands that you mentioned? Front 242 and Skinny Puppy to me were the only top ones. We liked Cassandra Complex, Borghesia and The Weathermen too, in another style. We listened to everything...among my favorite songs of all time, you find such things as Clash, Electric Light Orchestra, John Lennon, Tom Waits and even U2. I'm totally eclectic. I even cry for some old songs like "Moon River"... imagine.

J3sEUQCAJ: My favorite industrial bands, this week: INADE, OTHILA, VENETIAN SNARES, LESSER, XABEC, DEUTCH NEPAL

Q5: 2004 witnessed the return of Portion Control, Skinny Puppy along with classic Belgian electro acts namely Snowy Red, Insekt and A Split Second (they're all working on new material).Are you in touch with these bands and what do you think of the revival of old-school EBM?

S@3eVETS: We are in touch with all our old friends, but not on a musical point of view. The only person that stayed very connected to us musically was Aldo from Borghesia who kept on sending us cd's of sounds and software's we never even installed during the period where music was the least of my concerns. I've had 5 careers started since 1991 and most of them still going on (produced 17 long movies, edited 53 issues of a magazine, organized international conventions, became a food critic etc etc - Won't comment on that).But I don't like old bands who get together and go on stage "like 20 years ago". I think it's pathetic and I want to keep my excellent souvenirs of the +-2000 concerts I've seen when I was young(er). Some fans tell me "yes but I was not born then, and i want a chance to see you live now". Well, I reply, when I was 16 I too wanted to see Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin live, but they were already dead. So that's it !

J3sEUQCAJ: The fish is biting

Q6: You've worked with Skinny Puppy in the past (A Chud Convention "Sorrow" 12").Any plans for future collaboration and are there any bands you admire and would you like to work with?

S@3eVETS: Actually, we did one tour together, and when we came back we went to a studio for one day. cEVIN was on the phone most of the time and J3 was coughing. No plans for future collaboration with Skinny Puppy because of their new hair! Yes there are many bands i admire but they are out of my league and i'm not a good musician enough to even pretend working with them.

J3sEUQCAJ: I am sluggish but it would be great! Skinny Puppy's Parisian gig was fucking great.

Q7: Is there any special synthesizer or software program that you consider to be the best to work with?

S@3eVETS: Steinberg

J3sEUQCAJ: Weee Haaate teeechnical problems HHHaaahhhiqstrhf!!!

Q8: What do you think of the "futurepop" scene and do you see things ever changing to pure harsh elektro instead of poppy bands getting all the attention?

S@3eVETS: I don't know what that is! I love Miss Keating. I also like Keane. All start with Kea. But I hate Ikea.

J3sEUQCAJ: Fucking futurepop scene. Don't trust a futurepop man!

Q9: Are you planning a tour for North America anytime soon?

S@3eVETS: No !

J3sEUQCAJ: No, S3 is old.

Q10: Any last words or comments for your fans?

S@3eVETS: Life is short, enjoy every day, even if it's to watch TV and eat potatoe chips, that too is a choice and drink more wine !

J3sEUQCAJ: Enjoy theee noise! I work with a friend, Benoit Blanchard, the machineman of AIBOFORCEN (belgian electro band). An album is coming soon!