File: The Pain Machinery | Online Date: 03.13.04 | Operative: GunHed

01. First off, what led to the inception of The Pain Machinery and when did you start creating music?

TPM: I started creating music in the mid 80's inspired by the DIY culture of Punk. The music I do has always been some sort of "Electro Industrial" but my attitude towards music definitely comes from Punk. I've done music under the name The Pain Machinery since the early 90's.

02. What is the meaning behind the title of your latest record, "The Venom Is Going Global"?

TPM: Actually that title has a lot of different meanings to me, but as always with my works, the listener is free to make up their own meaning.

03. I've read in the past that you were skeptical about signing to a label because they wanted you to change your music. So I'm assuming BLC Music gave you unlimited artistic freedom?<

TPM: Yes totally, my label boss has been cool so far and BLC has supported me 100% with this first release. But then again, you never know if it will go this smooth with the next release.

04. Is The Pain Machinery your only project at the moment?

TPM: No, I've got too many projects and too little time! After I'm finished with the next TPM album I will do a new album with my other project "Preset". I'm also working on an EP with a yet-to-be-titled project that I've started together with the band "Splitter".

05. Could you tell us about your split release with Severe Illusion? And why only a limited release of 200 copies?

TPM: I've been talking with Severe Illusion for a long time about releasing a split vinyl. Both I and Severe Illusion are really into vinyl and we like the idea of very limited editions for our hardcore fans...plus we couldn't afford to press more than 200 copies :)
The TPM side on the split will be harder and more demanding of the listener than "The Venom Is Going Global", more in the vein of my earlier releases.

06. "Terminate Transmission" is very much entrenched in the Rhythmic Noise genre but your latest release "The Venom Is Going Global" mixes hard Electro with Rhythmic Noise. You even include vocals, which I'm assuming is something you never did in the past. why the decision to put vocals in your music?

TPM: There are a lot of good instrumental "Rhythmic Noise" acts around today, but what I miss nowadays is really good hard vocal based electronic music that doesn't just sound like distorted Euro disco. What I try to do with TPM now is to fill that void and do challenging music with vocals. Music I would like to listen to myself.

07. You did a music video for the song "Isolated." Who directed it and will you be doing anymore videos in the future?

TPM: The video for "Isolated" is directed by an old friend of mine, Mikael Prey a.k.a. Fetish 23. He's done lots of cool visuals for a long long time (videos for Cold Meat Industry artists, backdrops for Ministry of Sound etc). He's a true talent!
Currently we have two videos planned. One will be directed by Fetish 23 and the other one will be done by my brother. He's working with commercials and stuff like that, so they should both be good :)

08. Are you still djing?

TPM: Oh yes! I did a DJ gig last week. I love doing it :)

09. What type of music did you listen to growing up?

TPM: ABBA was the first band I remember listening to. When I got a bit older I discovered Punk ("London Calling" was the first album I bought) and electronic music (Kraftwerk etc) then my elder brother's friends would lend me albums by TG, Cabaret Voltaire, 23 Skidoo etc...and I got really hooked on Industrial. And then EBM came, fusing the energy of Punk with the sound exploring possibilities of electronic and Industrial music. Something that I found really exciting!

10. What would you say is currently your favorite instrument and why?

TPM: I always had a weak spot for percussion of all kinds. Everything you can beat on. Even though the music I do is mainly electronic I want it to be as "physical" as possible.

11. You recently started your own label, First Aid Recordings. Why the decision to start your own label?

TPM: The idea with First Aid was to create a home for all my (and a few friends) different projects. Our first compilation "Proven In Action" happened more of a chance. We just asked bands whose music we like if they might be interested to submit a track, and everybody said yes!

12. Your live show looks quite dramatic. How much time goes into preparing your live show?

TPM: Even though I want the live shows to be a bit chaotic and "improvised", I take a long time making intros, passages and live versions of the songs. I even do new songs exclusive for a single live gig and never use them again. That is of course a stupid waste of time but I like doing it. And since much of the music is pre-recorded it's a good way to give the audience exclusivity.

13. Do you have any contact with Tarmvred? I know he's from Sweden as well. What do you think of his music and are you a fan?

TPM: Tarmvred is a good friend of mine. We've done lots of live gigs together and he's working on a remix for my next record. I'm a big fan of his music and I can't wait to hear his upcoming release!

14. You released quite a few CDRs and Tapes in the past ("Mind Fuck," "Reanimated," "Terminate transmission," etc..) Are you planning on re-releasing any of them for fans that didn't have the chance to hear them the first time because of limited quantities?

TPM: Yes I'm thinking of taking the best tracks of my old releases, remaster them, add a few remixes, unreleased stuff and live tracks, and then re-release them in some form.

15. Would you like to add anything in closing?

TPM: First, I want to thank you for this interview! īZines like yours are very important for us smaller artists to let people know that we exist. And second, I urge people to be curious of different kinds of music and try to break the walls between genres that unfortually still exist!

Interview conducted by: GunHed
(c) 2004 Wet-Works Electrozine