ChargementInterview With Shane Embury Of Venomous Concept (and Napalm Death of course)
The guy is a legend and needs no introduction… We focused this interview on Shane’s Venomous Concept, a side project for which he entirely wrote the brand new killer album: « Poisoned Apple» . Teaming up with his Napalm comrade Danny Herrera, the band also consists in the Thrash legend Dan Lilker and the Grindcore veteran Kevin Sharp from the resurrected Brutal Truth. Anyone into Power Punk Hardcore with a crusty edge should definitely check this out. Well, you’ll see that sometimes questions are longer than answers but hey, who cares? We have a Shane Embury interview! Enjoy.
emofag: Hi Shane, I’m really pleased to this interview with you… How are you today?
Shane Embury: Pretty good, I am in Worcester, Massachussets in the USA on tour with Napalm Death.
e: Can you please sum up the history of Venomous Concept? It seems that everything started back in 1989… What was the brief regarding the band’s music?
SE: Well no, I met Kevin Sharp in 1989 and we have remained good friends ever since. Venomous Concept started in 2004 as a result of our long friendship…
e: Why did it take you so long to see you guys release at least a first album in 2004?
SE: Timing, as we all have busy schedules. I moved to the guitar since Buzz from The Melvins was very busy and that’s really it. Hopefully the next album won’t take that as long.
e: What are the main differences between the first one and this brand new LP?
SE: I guess the production is better and the songs have more variations. It’s not as one-paced as the debut album and probably sounds more like a real band.
e: What happened with Buzz? The town was too small for two curly haired guys?
SE: He will be with us live at various points, as I said it’s pretty tough with our schedules but I hope when we play live he will be here…
e: Of course now you’re playin’ guitar with Venomous Concept… Is that also the case in Brujeria? Are you comfortable with that? What was your gear to record this album?
SE: I used a Gibson LesPaul on the album through a Marshall JCM 800. Since I wrote all the songs it seemed easier to play the guitar and have Buzz as the second guy we should play live which I think will be interesting from a sonic point of view.
e: Talking of Brujeria: is there anything planned with them in a near future? I didn’t really like « Brujerizmo» , sounded Nu-Metal to me…
SE: We have some ideas, quite a lot of the new stuff we are writing is more brutal than Brujerizmo.
e: We can hear that you really enjoyed recording this new stuff… How is it going when you guys get together in the rehearsal room? Is that party time? No ego conflicts poppin’ out?
SE: No. it’s very easy going when we do get together, we are all real good friends and I guess a reason for doing this band is to have the opportunity too share some great experiences before we get too old to see each other anymore…
SE: As you play again with Dan Lilker, did you find some spare time to resurrect Malformed Earthborn?
SE: We have talked about doing another album… I am always up for working with Dan as he is a genius.
e: I think that the most interesting songs in this album are the D-Beat Hardcore ones, « Workers Of The World» is the perfect example, who’s in the charge of the punk aspect of VC?
Well musically I wrote all of the songs on this one… We wanted to keep the Discharge feel as much as possible but also wanted to move in other Punk Rock areas musically as well.
e: Was it the kind of stuff you were listening as a teenager? All the Punk Hardcore scene, Discharge, Exploited and stuff?
e: I came from a Metal background but crossed over to Hardcore Punk at an early age. I loved Discharge and G.B.H as much as I loved Venom or Judas Priest.
e: Who is the greatest UK Punk band? Did you see the Crass reunion show in London?
SE: No I missed that one and it’s a tough question. The greatest UK Punk band, mmm… I don’t know. A tough question.
e: UK Metal now: did you ever consider the fact that all greatest UK Metal bands were founded by ex Napalm Death (NB: Carcass, Cathedral, Scorn, Godflesh to name a few…) members? How do you explain that?
SE: Never really thought about it actually, but that’s a nice thing for you to say.
e: But well, let’s talk about « Poisoned Apple» . The lyrics first. Is Kevin responsible for all of them? Is it social themes going on there? Could you give us more indications on the lyrical content?
SE: Kevin wrote all of them except « Just Another Case Of The Mondays» which was me. The concept really I guess is being enslaved within the 9 to 5 rat race, trying to be in control of your own destiny and trying to live your life as pure and as honestly as you can taking into account that everyone has made mistakes.
e: He is a great singer right? I find his job amazing on this album?
SE: I think Kevin did a really killer job on this album and I’m very happy.
e: Is that true that he’s gonna replace Barney in ND?
SE: He he, no. Barney is still firmly in place in Napalm Death.
e: Regarding the music, I have the feeling that you were in charge of most of it on this one, am I wrong? Did you use any leftovers from unreleased ND songs? A lot of Napalmish stuff here…
SE: No. This was all written for Venomous Concept and I tried to put my style away from Napam but inevitably it comes up from time to time I guess…
e: I have only one reproach to make about this album: I think that, sometimes, the playing is bit too rigid for Hardcore / Crust songs… Don’t you think?
SE: Mmm… I don’t know, I don’t think so. I think it’s a pretty loose album riff-wise.
e: Yeah, don’t get me wrong, I think that’s really refreshing that some tenors of the scene still kicking asses like that! Did you plan any shows with Venomous Concept? Will Buzz join again then?
SE: We will play live at some point and if Buzz is around and free, there will be two guitar players.
e: You released this album on Century Media… Why not on your own label? How is it going these days with Feto?
SE: Feto is going well and I will release the vinyl version of « Poisonned Apple» on it but I wanted a more established label for the actual CD version.
e: There are a lot of bands gettin’ together again these days, including of course Brutal Truth & Nuclear Assault but also Carcass, At The Gates and so on, what’s your thoughts on that, being part of one of the few bands who didn’t split up these last 20 years?
SE: It’s interesting but I know all of those bands and I know why they splitted. It happens and there were genuine reasons… I am proud that Napalm Death never gave up though…
e: I’m also curious to know how do you manage to keep the same energy and the same passion in your music after all these years? On the same perspective what was the electroshock which got you into that?
SE: This is what I know and what I love, I like to keep busy and I find myself with more enthusiasm as I get older. Weird I guess…
e: When you started making music, there were no internet, no cellphones, more vinyls and tape-trading… When I look back in the days I can’t help myself thinking there was more excitement… What do you think? Are you nostalgic of the good ol’ days?
SE: I get pretty nostalgic at times yes, it was different and perhaps there was more fun involved back in the day. Nowadays I think music sometimes is perceived as disposable which is a little sad.
e: Among all the ex Napalm Death members, from which one(s) you’re the closest today?
SE: I am really friend with Lee (Dorrian) and Bill (Steer) but also with all of the guys, really.
e: Who’s your favorite Comics character?
SE: I used to love Iron Man as a kid but also Captain America.
e: Apart from the fact that you played live with Anaal Nathrakh, you never got into a Black Metal side project right? Do you listen to Black Metal? What’s in your CD charger these days? Do you collect records?
SE: I listen to some Black Metal. At the moment I have been listening to a band called Sleepytime Gorilla Museum… I don’t collect records that much these days…
e: What you’re up to when you’re not touring, rehearsing and recording?
SE: Spending time with my wife, watching movies, simple things…
e: Now, I guess you’re more focused on Venomous Concept but what can we expect with ND soon?
SE: Napalm Death will rehearse and record a new album this summer after we finish our tour with Suffocation in Europe in may/june.
e: Can we say that you’re definitely into brutal music? Are you agree to say that even the most brutal Metal can be soothing & relaxing?
SE: I like brutal music of course but I like a lot of other musics too…
e: And that Britney Spears latest single can be extreme as fuck?
SE: I don’t know anything about Britney Spears
e: What’s your schedule this week?
SE: I have more shows in the USA with Napalm Death and a few more e-mail interviews for Venomous Concept plus work to do with Feto so overall pretty busy…
e: When you’re travellin’ France what’s the things you never miss?
SE: Never miss beer and food.
e: Thank you very much for your time, that’s really cool to get a Shane Embury interview!!! Do you want to add something to close this interview?
SE: Thanks for taking the time and support is always very much appreciated. Cheers.
Shane Embury
OFFICIAL VENOMOUS CONCEPT MYSPACE PAGE:
http://www.myspace.com/venomousconcept
OFFICIAL NAPALM DEATH SITE:
OFFICIAL NAPALM DEATH MYSPACE PAGE:
http://www.myspace.com/napalmdeath
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