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Interview conducted
in April 2003
LATEST RELEASE:
"Beyond the Valley of the Proles" |
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| |  | |   | | By Christophe Labussière | | Photos all rights reserved |
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David Thrussel is one of the last geniuses of electronic music. Militating artist, this Australian citizen has, because of his origins and his endless oppositional commitment, a vision of the world on which it was opportune to wonder about in these difficult times.
In which "psychological state" are you with the current situation between the USA and Iraq?
Disgusted but sadly not surprised. The american empire is on the warpath and its disinterest in the opinion of its "allies" and others is now very clear for all to see... While the poor people of iraq go through hell there are some small positives. Some opposition to the great white satan is now evident.
What could each of us make individually against this forthcoming war?
Disengage from the american/u.k/australian bullshit machine. Don't give them your support or your money and never believe one single thing they say. Civil disobedience and protest do produce some result so engage in these if you have the opportunity...
For good war informations go to:
www.aeronautics.ru
www.indymedia.org
www.copvcia.com
What is the position of the Australians and of the Australian government?
The australian government is tonguing the american arse so deeply that it has brown cheeks. The australian people are generally opposed to the war but it makes no difference to the government. It answers directly to Washington... mmmm...??? ...and yet the zombies still like to think we live in a democracy... Ho ho ho...
Do you remember exactly what you did on September 11th 2001?
We had just returned from New York! Had finished some Snog shows there. I was recovering from jet lag at my friend's place when the telephone started ringing off the hook.
What went through your head then?
I wondered how far it would go. You remember at the time there was constant talk of 8 planes hijacked... where did they go? I wondered if it was the start of a war. In the following days I became very suspicious. Where was the evidence? Where were the airforce? No correct answers have yet been provided.
How did you "discover" Chris Woods?
We saw his great art in the fine magazine "adbusters" and contacted him. He's a very nice chap!
Are his drawings especially made for you or do you choose from his existing works?
He has many published and unpublished works. We choose from these. I am very happy with the "Beyond the Valley of the Proles" art because it fits so beautifully the music and the "vibration".
Is Snog and Chris Woods a kind of "ideal couple"? Do you think you'll keep using his paintings for a long time?
Yes. Quite possibly.
Your two latest albums were censured in Australia, was it because of their covers?
Yes. They are banned in Australia due to commercial pressures. The Macdonald's fast food corporation attempted to sue the band, our label, the distributors, record stores, our tour promoter, radio stations, music press and others! They also placed private investigators and surveillance on us. Australia has no legal protection for freedom of speech or freedom of artistic expression so it was easier to attack us here than other places. Australia is the playground for the new world order-nazi elite!
Are you sure it's necessary to blame the system and not the people accepting and making this system work every day of their life?
Both. But I'm ambiguous about always denouncing. Sometimes we just catalogue the horrors and make small nursery rhymes about the everyday life. Sometimes we make nursery rhymes about the internal struggles as well. We paint dark abstract canvases anchored in the mundane and yet fighting toward the stars. To bravely bleep and strum where few have bleeped and strummed before.
I dared compare your latest album with Death In June and Wall Of Voodoo. What do you think?
I think those comparisons are fine. I have interest in both those groups, though for different reasons. What matters to me is the song and communication. When you turn the record off i want something to stay with you. Some small trace of a new idea or hint of a new friend who wishes you well.
Is your musical stance closer to Lea Hazzelowood's or to Converter's?
Exposed!!!! In fact I am Lee Hazlewood trapped inside a sampler circuit board! Help! Help me!!! I must escape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Third Mall From the Sun" was the most electronic of all Snog's albums. In the last one, there are the most beautiful ballads you ever made. How do you explain these important variations?
The soul yearns to be free. The spirit shifts and mutates. Like valiant knights we quest for the purest expression of our muse. Roaming the land for the most delicate melody, the sickest electronic beat and the most yearning lyric. Perhaps we may yet find our Grail. The perfect electro-folk hybrid.
You are a member of MACOS which is an organization against the copyrighting of samples. You can tell me more about that?
Sonic liberationists get naked with the chattering wires. Sound and art are born free. Only fools or paid dupes attempt to enslave ideas. Their days are numbered. Viva la m.a.c.o.s!!!!!!!!!!
Do you have children?
Only those spawned by the seeds of our musical love. Our children are everywhere and come in all different shapes and types. Our love for them is as profound as it is fleeting.
What are your wishes for their future...
Synthetic nudist colony of organic mango eating country pickin' pagan spiritualists. Gang-banging groove hipsters rolling in a tub of concord grapes. Revolutionary freaks on a monday at the beach... | | | | | | | |
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