Exclusive Interviews: Vendetta Music

Interview with Jacky Meurisse of the band Signal Aout 42

January 3rd, 2007

Q1: Hello Jacky, it's good to have you back! SA42 fans have been yearning for your return and their dream will come true soon. The new tracks on Myspace sound very promising, and I predict "Langemark" will be an instant club hit. What can you tell us about your new EP and album?

Hello everyone! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that SA42 is well known across the Atlantic, and that despite the long years of silence, people haven't forgotten the band. It has been nearly 11 years since the release of "The Immortal Collection 1983-1995". That's mainly due to strong musical divergences between SA42 and our former label, Now Disc/Black Out Records. They wanted SA42 to pursue a completely commercial orientation and that didn't sit well with me. I could write dancefloor-oriented songs without compromising SA42's fundamental musical identity. For example, "Le Dormeur" (released under the moniker Pleasure Game), was a huge commercial success, but it still retained its underground style. Black Out Records tried to capitalize on "Le Dormeur's success, and transform it into a mainstream commercial tune. That's why I took some time off to concentrate on other things in life without completely abandoning music composition. I've had enough time to reshape my musical identity, eliminate the commercial aspect from my latest composition, and regain confidence in myself. I think I've succeeded in recapturing the underground spirit that will always be inherent in my personality. My hard work and determination has yielded a 14-track album featuring the potential club hits, "Langemark" and "Religion" . The new material showcases dark, brooding, melodic and powerful electro tracks that will hopefully appeal to long time SA42 fans and young electroheads alike.

Q2: Signal Aout 42 is one of the most influential and distinctive EBM bands of all time. Your highly-acclaimed albums "Pro Patria" (1989), " Contrast" (1991), and "Conviction" (1993) received positive reviews and connoisseurs of alternative electronic music foresaw a promising future for SA42. You've been sadly overshadowed by the success of Front 242, The Klinik, Insekt and Vomito Negro, yet you have accumulated an enviably loyal fanbase. What's the real reason behind your long hiatus?

As I said earlier, we've had some very sharp differences with Black Out Records, and I gradually lost interest in the music business. I had free reign to work on my personal project SA42, but I was contractually bound to record material for my other projects (Pleasure Game, Amnesia, and Le Park to name a few) at the label's studio. I had no say in the business aspects of my work, and that was emotionally and psychologically draining. I had no contact with other labels because I was stuck in the studio most of the day. With no money to get released from my contract, and no valuable contacts within the music industry, I was left extremely weakened by years of artistic exploitation but rest assured, SA42 is back stronger than ever!

Q3: What are your favorite electro bands and which styles of music did you listen to growing up?

I started appreciating music at a relatively late age (I was 14 years old). I used to listen to Sex Pistols, Ramones, Clash then I discovered Bauhaus, Gang of Four as well as the synth/new-wave groups such as Kraftwerk, Fad Gadget, The Human League, Soft Cell, Visage and Killing Joke. I've always been fascinated by powerful, dark music as well as Hans Zimmermann's movie soundtracks. I must admit that I was heavily inspired by the aforementioned bands but I enjoy listening to different styles of music: classical, electronic, folklore and French variety.

Q4: Veteran rivetheads have expressed utter disgust at the hellektro/futurepop-infested electro scene. Do you see things ever changing to pure harsh elektro instead of generic trancey bands getting all the attention?

I'll be honest with you: I'm running solo and I don't follow the current craze. What really matters is the product itself .I appreciate superbly crafted and cohesive albums. The band's philosophy and their approach to electronic music aren't that important to me.

Q5: The last few years have witnessed the return of classic electro acts ( Front 242, Skinny Puppy, Portion Control and last but not least Nitzer Ebb) and the emergence of neo-old school bands (Severe Illusion, Last Influence of Brain, Spetsnaz, CAP to name a few). I strongly believe that authentic dark elektro (100% trancewhackedgoregalore-free) and old school EBM took the first step toward regaining ground. What's your take on that?

The alternative electronic scene has grown stagnant in recent years. Modern bands keep rehashing the same recipe and people are rediscovering the original sound of old school EBM and dark elektro. The flourishing of online music forums has facilitated the interaction of passionate electroheads of different age groups and from every part of the world. We're witnessing the emergence of a small yet growing international EBM community and that's what's keeping the scene alive.

Q6: Are you in contact with promising neo-old school bands and would you work with them in the future?

I've always worked solo, everything I've done, I've done on my own really but I recently got in touch with other bands on Myspace and lent my voice for the song Release Me to the promising new act Psychosomatik . I've got lots of e-mails from well-known bands wishing me a successful comeback, and I'm so glad to meet highly motivated people. These contacts might eventually bear fruit in the future.

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

I rely mainly on software but I still use my Korg Poly 800, Yamaha DX 27, EMU vintage key, Akai S1000, Roland TR 626 and a few processors.

Q8: Are you planning on re-releasing your long out-of-print (& highly sought-after) back catalogue?

I would love to but Black Out Records still own the publishing rights and we aren't on speaking terms. The only thing I can do is to re-record these tracks and release them in live format.

Q9: Any last words or comments?

I'd especially like to thank you Nader for this interesting interview and I'm very grateful for the loyal SA42 fans who have supported me so well throughout my career. I hope you like the forthcoming album and it will be well worth the wait.