Exclusive Interviews: Vendetta Music

Interview with Portion Control

July 6, 2004

Q1: Hello John, it's good to have you back! After a long hiatus, Portion Control have released a double cd entitled "Well-come". Can you tell us more about the new album &the upcoming remix EP?

JOHN: We decided in 2002 to prepare a new product as portion control. We knew expectations would be high so we set about developing 'Well-come' after meeting at the 'Medicine Man' exhibition at the British Library. We took a snapshot of our former image and applied a pure [Portion Control] Principle- we set an ambitious task of preparing a double CD. We see it as a journey through [Portion Control]. As the material developed it took over- becoming denser and more vivid- again we wanted to deploy different programming & production techniques, allowing tacks to cut short or develop into longer pieces. The technology we use today is very different as we only [use] software- which suits us fine. We've always hated large ungainly keyboards and leads. Well-come has given us a good platform to build from and we are in the process of preparing a new product aimed at electronic clubs- we have also re-activated VMAG to prepare our Visuals for live- we are just agreeing a handful of appearances for this year.

Q2: Portion Control has been a source of influence for many electro-industrial acts including Skinny Puppy & Frontline Assembly. The connoisseurs of industrial music consider you the godfathers of "Electronic Body Music" (EBM), along with Front 242 & DAF. In your past interviews you've always dissociated yourselves from EBM, why is that?

JOHN: EBM seems a pretty narrow concept- 4/4 kick drums, sequencing and distorted Vocals- aimed at the dance floor- our music isn't so easy to categorize. We prefer "Punk-Electronic", if it has to have a category at all. The growth of the Internet has led to even more pigeonholing and some weird convergence... I don't say that we dissociate ourselves from the bands… you mention just the term.

Q3: You're going to open for Skinny Puppy in July. What a special treat for your English fans! The Klinik (original line-up), Insekt & Snowy Red are all working on new material. Are you in touch with these electro legends & would you work together in the future?

JOHN: We are loosely in touch with some of them. Portion Control has never really worked with outsiders, with the exception of TG's Chris Carter who assisted us on parts of 'Hit the Pulse'.

Q4: Do you listen to new elektro-industrial releases &what do you think of the current dark elektro scene dominated by Wumpscut, Hocico, Suicide Commando & YelworC?

JOHN: I've heard bits by some of these acts - but prior to releasing 'Well-come' We were just not aware of the current scene. Self-promoting our release has put us back in touch but things have been busy and we haven't really drawn breath yet.

Q5: You were at your peak when you called it quit in 1986.What are the real reasons behind the break-up of Portion Control?

JOHN: Simply the signing and break-up of the deal with London Records.

Q6: Your vinyl releases are long out-of-print and very pricey. Are you going to re-release your back catalogue in a limited box set and do you've a tentative release date?

JOHN: Getting asked this a lot and I don't have an answer. A lot depends of how successful our new material [is]. If we did, we would like to see them come out in there original form (on CD) with the original artwork.

Q7: Are you planning a tour for North America anytime soon?

JOHN: It would be great to visit North America- it's a territory we have never visited.

Q8: Any last words or comments for your fans?

JOHN: Only we are very pleased with the reaction to the new material and it's good to be back in the fray. Watch this space.