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Hails blaash!! How is 2011 starting out for you? For the readers who have
never heard of your zine or band please introduce yourself.
2011 is at least
a year closer to the Mayan end of the world whatever is going to happen in
2012. I will thankfully be at a bar with a lot of whiskey and many loaded
firearms. Whether or not that helps, I care not heh. Wheresmyskin zine.. a
shitty clutter and paste zine that started around 93 or 94 or so.. Downright
crappy production, no kind of coherence, and all around hard to read unless
you're taking a shit and have some time to read.. Myself.. listen to hank
III's 'getting drunk and falling down' and that pretty much sums up who I
am.. bitter, acrid, and full of nothing happy, fun and/or entertaining..
pending on whether you like pornography or mass violence.. heh
When did you first start listening to metal? Who were some of the first
bands who caught your attention? Who are some current favorites you enjoy?
Not exactly sure
when I started listening to metal.. gotta be around 86 or so.. first bands
were of course "the oldies but the I'm not going to see them now goodies",
like Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, SOD, Slayer, Rigor Mortis (will see them
now if I can).. basically the fast thrash metal of the time that did NOT
have big poofy haired mutherfuggers runnin' around trying to get chix with
their style of "metal"... I don't know how I missed early DEATH but I did -
at least I caught Possessed's "7 Churches"... the problem, and still to an
extent still is.. that I really do not like conversing and/or getting to
know, meet, greet, and give mutual handjobs to other folks in the metal
scene so back in the day (pre-interpenet) you did your own research....
Current
favourites of today -highly varied.. All the way from FUNERAL MIST,
TEITENBLOOD, IMPRECATION to LIFELOVER, OCTOBER TIDE, HANK III, ONDSKAPT..
and Finnish Honour Guards like BEHEXEN, SARGEIST, I.N... also quite a few
USBM bands.. AMPUTATOR, BLACK WITCHERY, FAMINE, TERATISM, MORBUS 666,
BLASPHERIAN..
Really quite too many to mention... I prefer extreme..
extreme whatever, as long as its not extremely gay...
You started where's my skin back in the early 90's correct? What gave you
the idea to create the zine? How did you come up with the name of the zine?
How many issues have you released so far? Which are still available?
The main
motivation behind starting a zine was that I did not like what I found in
the general extreme UG at the time.. I mean I did have limited sources -
Houston, Texas, did not have (as far I know only a couple zines) that were
available in the early 90s, and MRR (Maximum Rock and Roll) was one of the
few things that could be bought next to the dirty book store that
constituted anything even relatively zine-ish... So.. I had a penchant in my
younger years for writing/talking shit, and thought, well hokay, lets see if
I can actually get this into print.. thus the zine was born.. The name comes
from a basic undertaking - when youre slowly getting your flesh peeled from
your body, what should be the underlying question at that time? Not do I
believe in god, do I need forgiveness for fucking my grandson, or some such
thing - it should be, paramountly, Where Is My Skin... so just a random
thought really that I used..
Eleven issues
have been issued in a .. hm.... 16-17 year period.. Thats.. not.. very
good.. but oh well. I'm the only one working on it, and I've been drunk for
20 years so, it slows down production. Currently as of 2011, Issues 10 and
11 are available from me...
It seems like your first issues were mostly death metal bands. Then it
seemed to gradually switch to almost completely black metal. Did this simply
reflect your musical tastes and no longer liking dm? Or did you find the dm
bands did not stand behind their lyrics and imagery and the black metal
bands did and that is the reason you gravitated towards bm?
Always, always
have I tried to listen to music I thought was true to its ideas, its lyrics,
and those behind them... The term itself Death Metal to me should mean,
those who worship, promote or encourage DEATH, with lyrical form..And NOT
say in real life that they are "just lyrics they sing"... I'm not saying
every death metal band member has to be a Kip Kinkel and cap folks at the
local starbucks or high/middle school... but why in the fuggin' hell would
you sing about things you do not believe in???? It seemed to me that the
early Scandic black metal assault had started a new war, and had a staunch
belief system tied to anti life and anti xtianity. This of course appealed
to me, but I thought I should do my research and interview a few of these
blokes.... That is one of the reasons I gravitated towards BM in the mid to
late 90s.. nowadays I am just looking for sincere fanatical bands that
believe in whatever they believe in..
Have you started work on the new issue of where's my skin? What bands/labels
do you hope to feature? Do you try to work on a certain time/page-limit or
do you just work until you feel the zine is complete? In your eyes what
makes a good fan/web-zine?
No, I have not
officially started working on Wheresmyskin 12... I only have a few bands
that have inspired me, and I have not created anything as of yet.. I do have
a bit review material I should probably get cracking on though.. I don't
know what bands, labels or personalities I want for issue 12 yet.. I don't
force the process... I have never, ever worked on a page or time limit - it
gets Done when it Is Done... thats that.. Fan/web zines can be okay as long
as they're not one-offs done for their school project in middle school -
keep it up to date - keep it personal - keep DOING it.. its the same as a
zine.. you have to keep putting something into it.. otherwise you only did
it to say you did it..
You have interviewed some great bands/labels over the years. Who have been
some of your favorite musicians to interview? Is their any musicians past or
present you want to interview sometime?
I really liked
hearing back from Bhaobhan Sidhe, Satyr, Raven (Mysticum), Mika (Impaled
Nazarene) alot.. but especially Arioch from Funeral Mist.. and just the
very, very thorough answers of anyone I've interviewed - the fact that they
took the time to read and respond in a fashion thats better then "Yes/No"
etc... shows alot to me.. SIGRBLOT were also quite good..The Anja
Offensive.. you can never go wrong with MkM... always has a brutally honest
opinion on things..
No.. don't think
to this date I've missed somebody I want to interview... mebbe a few mass
murderers but not really associated with the scene...well.. Mebbe KATHARSIS....
but thats also because I can read other interviews and decide whether I can
bring something new to the table.. if not, no need to..
You briefly moved to
Norway. Did you
keep working on the ‘zine while living there? I assume it would have been
quite easy to locate bands in Norway at Elm Street
and such places, did you take advantage of these contacts? What bands and
people did you hang with most during your Norwegian days?
Not really .. it
was around 1997/98 and I did not have the facilities to continue the zine at
that time.. I did make more contacts though,. and had brought my US made
double tape deck to continue tape trading, so I did that for a little while
I was there.. I am only inspired to work on Wheresmyskin based on the bands
I'm listening to at the time. It does not matter where I reside.. I spent
thousands of dollars and many hours in the mid 90s at Elm Street..
MasterCard and Visa will attest to that.. I met many bands, but I did not
form lasting contacts.. for them I was just another person passing though
which at the time, was fine with me.. I did not know how long I would stay
there, even though I was married, EU certified, and able to work there..I
didn't speak the language and seemed to content to drink away my savings
talking metal to whomever I met.. I just tried to stay fairly low key.. or
at least as low key as an obnoxious drunk Texan could be heh..also got asked
if everything was bigger in Texas (heh), if I owned a Horse, Oil Rig, Cows
and Guns.. the only one I could verify was the projectile weapon part.. I
recall spending quality conversations with Mr. Brynjard Tristan, Mr. Einar (Abyssic
Hate cover), Mr. Maniac, and many a fine conversation with Mr. Fenris ... I
think that I was at Elm everyday for about 9 months, and no matter if it was
night, day, weekend or other, I think I always saw one of the Mayhem guys
there.. gotta admire their dedication heh..I also traveled to Paris quite a
few times to hang out with MkM and other associated allies - there were more
shows in Paris at the time - I only caught a few shows in Oslo.. Also had
the honour of visiting Mr. Timo.. from Davthvs fame.. Ran into Dauanic from
DECREPIT (among the many other bands he's in) in Oslo and Sweden..
Your main focus music wise has always been violent, raw black metal. What is
it about this form of metal that has kept your attention over the years?
It has not
always been that way - if you check out Wheremskin Issues 1-3, you'll see
bands like NECRONY, PURTENENCE, DEMIGOD, DISGRACE, GUT, GOREBEYONDNECROPSY,
DERANGED and so on.. I really liked the heavy aspect to Scandic death
metal.. what I did not like was a band that did not stand behind their
lyrics.. I always wanted to move to the more extreme genre.. and it seemed
with the violence in the Scandic area in the early 90s that Black Metal was
the avenue to follow..I really want to honestly hear what a band has to say
about the music they preach and spread to the masses - how much do they know
about the society around them, and the mass shootings, violence, and
lynchings that occur.. I do not like ignorance... so if youre going to be
part of the extreme scene. I'd like to hear a few opinions on things..
Everyone has their own ideas/opinions on what black means so I was curious
what does black mean to you?
Prozak of the ANUS terrorist collaboration first asked
of me many, many years ago.... I'll give the same response.. an honest
realization that there is no devil to save you, no "paradise" free from god,
just utter fucking violence, bitterness, and realizing this is a losing
fight - but one that must be fought, lost and puked at later...
Do you find being a musician helps give you insight when reviewing an
album/demo or conducting interviews? Do you find the longer you play in
bands that your writing for WMS has changed compared to the earlier days?
I have found out
I do not know how to play an instrument and have alot more respect for those
that can.. at the same time, mere copying of others technical skills only
works to an extent.. I am not really supposed to play in a band, I am a true
fan - it is by simple luck (or unluck) that a few individuals have seen fit
to include me in their music endeavors knowing that I am not the most
proficient at any instrument..
My writing style
for Wheresmyskin, to my knowledge, has not changed much due to "being in a
band" - it is non-sensical drunk speak peppered with my own take on what
words should or not exist in the english tongue heh.... Pour a copious
amount of liquor and peckersnot normally reserved for the little lady, and
you get my "writing style"
How many copies of each issue do you usually print up? How many copies of
the first issue compared to new issues? Have you ever run into any
complications while in the process of duplicating the print issues?
Honestly.. not
many.. I cannot.. the prohibitive cost association with printing them
usually means only a small amount can be produced.. Most WMS issues are
between 70 - 100 pages, with myself as the only institution to pay for
everything... I do try to recoup postage, which has gotten ridiculous
lately... but anyway.. usually only about 100-400 get printed.. honestly
though usually about 200... WMS Issue 1 was produced at about the same as
WMS 11.. 100-200... You don't get much of this zine runnin' 'round and
botherin' folks.. I have run into some questions, but not complications with
getting the issue xeroxed... I have heard of the zine being confiscated in
certain countries due to the content though...
You have been a part of the u.s.b.m scene since the mid 90's what is your
opinion of the black metal scene in the u.s? Who are some of your all-time
favorite bands? Are their any new u.s bands you feel will take the scene by
storm this year?
I have been part of the extreme scene (to an extent,
I've never been really the social butterfly (or radioactive moth) type..
since the early 90s.. this is true.. but black metal was not prevalent here
in the US in the early 90s..... death metal, thrash, and the like ruled the
land and that is not a bad thing in the least.. What is bad is when you play
death and/or thrash and preach leftist, life loving, hippy bullshit lyrics
about wanting society, life and/or yourself to happy and positive while
supposedly playing in the extreme scene. Boy golly did that annoy me... I
find a LOT of honourable and deadicated USBM bands out there now.. this
tempered with the ability to wield firearms and burn all holy things is just
dandy these days...There are currently a FUCKLOAD of excellent USBM bands..
too many to mention.. the INQUISITION juggernaut, BLACK WITCHERY(excellent
live), AMPUTATOR, PROFANATICA (fuggin' love their new stuff), MORBUS 666,
TERATISM, DEMONCY, OBEISANCE, SUMERIA, ASHDATAUS, AVERSE SEFIRA, VALDUR,
ABAZAGORATH, KATHONIK (rip), NOKTURNE and then RITUAL COMBAT, TYPHUS, IBEX
THRONE (rip) and then ICONOCLAST CONTRA, KRIEG (gotta give Neil credit for
bein' 'round and gatherin' armies of session members), recently got back in
touch with a USBM from the 90s, LORD OF DEPRESSION..new stuff ont the way -
very good.... I am forgetting a fuckload more I am most certain... newer
bands.. well I like VATICAN... from CA..
As mentioned you have been in the black metal underground for many years and
have had the opportunity to interview / review bands from all-over the
world. So I was curious what are some countries you feel have the best black
metal scene?
I prefer bands
that stand next to their lyrics - whatever country they may be
in...Countries do not necessarily promote better musicians.. but think about
it.. if the government gives good social services, it is a little easier to
actually attempt musical work. Therefore some countries can come up with
"better" musicians.. what I am looking for are sick, depraved individuals
that stand behind their creations lyrically.. FAMINE (from the US, conjured
by Mr. Worthless) is one goddamn fine example of this..
How has the landscape for printed fanzines changed through the years? Do you
find in recent times due the internet and other factors that demand for
print ‘zines continues do dwindle?
I'm not entirely
sure... the internet is not entirely bad.. but at the same time it can
diminish the effort one puts into an actual written zine.... it IS much
easier to do things online... but after 20 years I refuse - and will
continue to attempt a written approach to a zine.. And I honestly, as
stated, do not promote the zine very much.. I really don't want to have to
make many copies - those who want to know more about my filth will seek
me... and my badly copied issues heh... My zine is not very reader friendly
- the english is poor, its hard to read (badly copied) and has copious
amounts of page space wasted on badly photoshopped porn to hitler to ATM
shots.. I mean really, I'm not going for something that the masses will
want..
How do you go about putting together Where’s My Skin? Are you a fan of cut
‘n paste, do you get much into the computer with layouts and photoshop etc…?
Do you review everything that is sent in for review or if there is some
pussy stuff you dislike do you just throw it in the trash?
I use a
combination of methods these days.. I do use Pagemaker, Photoshop and,
Macromedia Fireworks to an extent, but then I also just sit down and start
cuttin' and pastin' things as well after I print out said items.. Also, I
use the time honoured technique of going to Kinkos and copying some layouts
with the copier open - this gives me a lot of the "black" space I'd like to
have ... I review (unless I lose, forget or otherwise) EVERYTHING I get, no
matter, how fuggin' 'orrible it is (Napalm records is winning with the most
Goth crap they've ever sent).. I honestly feel if a band or label has gone
through the trouble of sending me a package then I will dutifully review
it.. KNOW that just because you sent me something heh, does NOT mean it will
get a good review.. I will speak my narrow minded self in the review.. I do
not cater to labels or bands - by that I mean I do not charge to put flyers
etc in my zine - THEREFORE I do not care one goddamn bit about giving a good
review just because a band is on a certain label...
Thank you for doing this Blaash. It is great to have you back in the pages
of Winter Torment and Canadian Assault once again! Please let us know what
your future plans are with the zine, your bands and other music related
activities.
Hails for the interview Patrick.. I am a great fan of
Canadian Assault and appreciate your support as well..... I slowly intend to
start WMS Issue 12.. one of these days.. and continue working the with the
BAHIMIRON and TOWARDS GLOBAL HOLOCAUST war machines.. war whiskey sodomy
blaash
http://wms.bahimiron.com/
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