Interview for Zillo Magazine in English

1. How long did you work on the album

MVK: It's been about two years. Our goal was to experiment and delve deeply into ourselves. Music is ritualistic. It should strike deeply into your subconscious and charm your soul into moving your body. We wanted to capture the intensity of a live performance and provide an avenue of escape for those who need it. Each of the songs has several different personalities. Casual listeners may hear one side. Listening to them on headphones will show a much different angle. Dancing to them while they're being played loud on a big sound system is another experience altogether. Of course, the ultimate expression of our music is hearing it with a live audience. There is something about group energy that hits that certain comprehension, where everyone gets it and just lets go for a while.

Lord Spanky: Soon after the release of our first CD, we parted ways with our original band members and added Kiki on bass. The three of us discovered we had a highly creative, productive and fun working relationship. We soon had the basic structure of some songs we were really excited about. We just needed to spend time making sure we took them to the highest level. Much work was put into perfecting the sound – both within the band and with our producer, Robert Wear. Along the way, there were numerous delays. Some good, like a few big show dates. Some bad, like sickness in Robert's family. As the months stretched on, we all started getting more anxious. It became hard to sleep. We had at least five CDs entitled, "Now Lie In It Final Mix". Each time we got a mix, one of us would have a good idea about how something should be done differently. So we had to go back and approach it again. Then, finally, we put the last mix into our CD player and were absolutely blown away. We all knew that we were finally done.

Kiki: This was my first recording experience and although I didn’t expect it to be hard, I was surprised at how challenging it was mentally. When I heard everything put together it felt so good to finally hear on cd what I had heard us practicing for so long.


2. How would you describe the musical development of Spanking Machine from the first album to this one?

MVK: We've evolved into what I knew we were capable of all along. We are much more focused. This is the music I grew up on and the reason I went to clubs several times a week since I was a teenager. I still like the old CD, but it always felt misdirected. We had a different band back then with rock influences. We thought it would be interesting to incorporate everyone's different backgrounds. I don't personally like rock that much. It doesn't speak to me like electronic music. The last CD was a project where everyone was supposed to be happy, which usually ends up meaning that no one is happy. That tends to come through in music. A lot of people really like our last CD, but I can hear what is underneath. Our current lineup all have backgrounds in industrial, trance and EBM. I'm not sure if it is the sound of new technology or the embracing of the future that is so appealing. But, whatever it is, we all like what we hear. And that enthusiasm shines through on this CD.

Lord Spanky: On our last CD, I think we were a little too focused on what people in the fetish scene expected us to be. When we started work on Now Lie In It, our goal was to make a CD that really pleased us, regardless of what anyone else thought. If you compare the two, you'll find that the new CD has much more of an EBM feel. The lyrics are much more personal. And the overall sound is much less harsh.


3. How is the work with Robert Wear?

MVK: Robert is great. He has an uncanny ability to get a song at its absolute deepest level. We love working with him. He has our same sense of humor, the same musical background and is constantly pushing us into new ways of looking at the music. We may not always be in agreement but it is best to consider all options. And we all want to do what is best for the music. We have all learned from working on these projects together. Our first CD was his first experience at producing an album. He was an experienced remixer. But working on an entire album, where each song has to stand on its own while also fitting within the whole, is a big task. We all were pretty new to the process. We were able to fuse our passions and intensity pretty solidly. Now we feel like old pros and if nothing else we get to see all the latest movies on his Mac G5 and tell jokes while doing what we love.

Lord Spanky: I feel that working with a producer like Robert, whenever possible, is very important in industrial and EBM music. Like many bands in our genre, we write our music and lyrics, do our own programming, put together our stage shows, promote ourselves and do all our own design. It's extremely valuable to have someone who will dedicate themselves to meticulously going through your songs. Someone who has the knowledge and time to make sure the mix is right and that you're not missing any opportunities for another synth line, extra rhythms or a better patch. Robert impressed us years ago by his club remixes. In fact, his first work for us was a remix of a song on our demo called, "Deathryde". A number of producers had approached us by that point. But we knew that Robert was the only one with the skill, talent and spirit to achieve what we wanted.


4. What's up next for Spanking Machine? Are you already working on new material?

MVK: Actually yes, we are doing an original song for the Das Bunker compilation and working on new songs for the next album. Our goal is to have another out within a year, but we'll see how it goes. The music is more important than the deadline. And we are incredibly busy promoting the current album.

Lord Spanky: We also have a remix CD in the works. A number of groups have signed on to contribute mixes. We'll also be doing a few remixed versions ourselves. And, as Victoria said, the next CD is already underway. During the creation of Now Lie In It, we all had full time jobs. Most of the writing and programming was done very late at night. There were months when we often didn't sleep more than 3 hours a night. Red Bull was the forth member of the band. I think this schedule added to the intensity of the CD. But for our next release, I'd like to see what kind of sound we could create with a little more sleep in our bodies.

Kiki: I’m really excited about the new songs we are working on. I’ve been experimenting with harder basslines intended to keep the boots moving on the dancefloor.


5. Are you planning a tour? Coming to Europe/Germany any time soon?

MVK: That is our next goal. We are dying to play Europe. We've all been to Europe many times for visits. But we got a glimpse of what it is like to tour Germany at the Wave Festival last year in Leipzig. Seeing the people in Leipzig all dressed up with parasols and platform boots felt like we had found home. I want to see Europe while still high on adrenaline from a show and exhausted from giving our all every night. I want to see ancient ruins while speeding to a venue. I want to see castles so much that they are second nature. And I want to take in the land that my great grandparents grew up in and wonder why they ever left.

Lord Spanky: I don't think we can progress any further as a band without coming to Europe. The US has become quite conservative. Each year, more and more club venues get closed down. Destroying club culture is actually part of the Bush Administration's agenda. Europe is much more free and open-minded. There are so many more festivals and clubs that a band in our genre can play. In fact, I'd be happy going to Europe and not returning for quite some time.

Kiki: I’m convinced that Europe is where we need to be. But I don’t want to just be an aquaintance that stops in and sees the sights and eats at the cafes. I want to feel like more of a friend and get involved in the culture.



6. What kind of performance can concert visitors expect from Spanking Machine?

MVK: I know what I want to see when I go to a concert. I like a band that can take me into their world and lead me to a place where I forget everything about the mundane. All problems dissolve and I feel the heartbeat of the universe. That is where we aim to take an audience. And as long as the sound system allows us, we can accomplish that goal simply by being present in the music. We usually add theatrical elements to the stage show to enhance that experience, without overpowering it.

Lord Spanky: I've seen a lot of concerts over the years. The ones that always stand out in my mind are the shows where the band makes a real connection with audience. A couple weeks ago, we went to a big show here in Los Angeles. One of our friends actually had to go and sit down because the band had touched her so deeply. That's the ultimate kind of reaction we like to create live. We make it a point to have our synth and drum programming very tight but to leave a lot of space for the energy of live instruments – so that everyone can communicate with the audience in their own way.



7. What was the thought behind those interludes (Track 3, 10, and 13)?

MVK: Track 3 is a quick history of where we were and where we are going. We used many stage techniques as part of finding ourselves as a band that involved complicated and sometimes shocking storylines and theatrics. Now I see that as sacrificing what was most important, which is the music, for the security of having a bunch of people on stage. It was fun, but it's time to move on. We wanted to give homage to our past while moving solidly into the future. Track 10 is humorous and again harkens back to our roots. Track 13 is a beautiful ending. And although there is more to all of those, I think that some things are best left a mystery.


8. Where do you take your inspirations for new songs and lyrics?

MVK: Lyrics are usually ideas I've been feeling for a very long time and can only express through music. Most of them are metaphoric and don't necessarily mean what they appear to be saying on the surface. Usually we have a broad idea of what we want to say and the lyrics and music evolve together. The fetish community inspires quite a bit. Not necessarily certain individuals in the community but the idea behind BDSM in the first place. I like the thought that people are taking control of their own dominance and submission. We are dominated every day by people and organizations that we have not given consent to. We go to jobs that tell us how to dress, how to act and when we can eat lunch. The church tries to tell us what is right and wrong and our government tells us what we can’t do with our own bodies. We are not free. I want to offer something that de-programs the propaganda we are fed every day, like the idea that sexuality is bad or that we need to sell our soul to a job and buy the latest haute couture to be happy. I want to offer something that feels truly free.

Lord Spanky: A lot of our musical ideas start with an emotion that we're trying to express. I'll get on the synths, with no particular musical structure in mind, and experiment with sounds, patterns and rhythms. Over the past couple years, I have experienced the death of a couple people closed to me and have watched a few friends lose themselves to their addictions and insecurities. I've also met some of the most amazing people I've ever encountered and experienced incredible amounts of support from fans. It's been this odd mixture of pain and euphoria. I feel much more comfortable expressing my feelings with music, rather than words. The synths are my therapy. In fact, if I don't work them on a regular basis, I start to get a little hard to be around.

Kiki: Most of my inspirations come from my own desire to lose myself in music.


9. What bands do you like personally?

MVK: We are actually friends with Debra of Diva Destruction and have met Mark and Ronan when they did a DJ set at a club we were co-promoting in Hollywood. But that probably is not what you meant. Some of my favorite bands are Nitzer Ebb, Covenant, Apoptygma Berzerk and VNV. I keep going back to Depeche Mode and am still blown away by them - every album is incredible and classy. They sort of quietly get you on their side and are not afraid to be vulnerable. I listen to Absurd Minds while at the gym lately and Combichrist when I want someone else to be angry for a while. Of course I love Icon of Coil, Throbbing Gristle, Assemblage 23, Lords of Acid, Skinny Puppy. I absolutely love Trance and Tracid. I could go on and on and on. I've probably left out bands that I love and will think of after this comes out. I’m lucky because Lord Spanky is a fantastic DJ, so he introduces me to all the latest and greatest music. Our livingroom is filled with turntables, cd’s and record cases.

Lord Spanky: I have a passion for music that is dark, hypnotic and well produced. I also need to hear original sounds to really like a track – not just the overused Rebirth and Reason tricks. Also, I'm really tired of hearing people remake the 80's over and over again. Some of my favorite acts right now are Imperative Reaction, Seabound, Icon of Coil, SITD, Apoptygma Berzerk and VNV, as well as many of the dark trance and hard dance producers like Kia Tracid, Lab 4 and Lisa Lashes.

Kiki: Of course I love all the usual suspects like APOP, VNV and Nitzer Ebb. But my main inspiration comes from Manson. When I leave his concerts I feel like I just stepped out of a dreamworld and it takes me awhile to snap back into reality. I love his visuals, the amount of care in his stageshow and his makeup and styling.


10. Thank you for your answers and much success! Hope to see ya around someday!

MVK: Thank you. We'll be in your country soon, count on it.

Lord Spanky: Maybe at a Zillo Festival?

Kiki: If we are there tomorrow it is not soon enough.