South Africa is not known for it's metal and GrindCore scene.
Groinchurn is the only metal band from South Africa who have made it outside this country. They have just released their second album "Fink" through Morbid Records. We caught up with MaRk for an interview.
1. When and where was Groinchurn started ?? Could you give us a brief biography ?
- We got going in 1994, at first as a side-project, and then as a full time
band, after our other bands, SEPSIS and DESECRATOR kinda went downhill...
The line-up has been the same from the start: Sergio - drums, Christo -
bass/vocals, and myself, Mark - guitar and backing vocals.
2. Please tell us more about your demo tapes "Human Filth" and "Every Dog Has It's Decay" + your contributions to the "Four Ways To Misery" sampler.
- Well, the first demo, "Human Filth" was just intended for fun - just for
our friends, but it seemed to get around, and when we decided to do the
band full-time, we went to do a proper demo, which was "Every Dog... "Human
Filth" was recorded and mixed in an 8-track studio in about 3 hours. It was
basically just 7 songs of really raw old-school grind. The second one was
14 songs and a bit more polished I guess! From the demos we scored a deal
on German label MMI records for a spot on the "Four ways to Misery" CD.
What it boiled down to was 20 minutes of our stuff alongside 3 other bands
NYCTOPHOBIC, CAESAREAN SECTION and WINTER OF DISCONTENT. Then the label
went bang, and very few copies of the disc actually got around as far as I
know...
3. Your debut album "Sixtimesnine" was released on a label in South
Africa. I have never had the chance to hear this album. Can you please
tell us more about this album and the label it was released on ?
- Well, to pick up from the previous question - the label MMI records went
bankrupt, unfortunately after offering us a deal for a CD... Anyway, we had
songs ready and we thought: "Fuck it, lets get it out ourselves", so we
did, and released on our own label, Happy Hamster Records. The CD is
still available, either from your nearest cool underground distro or label,
or if you can't find it, directly from us - $12 US or an equivalent in your
currency... (We also have, just by the by, copies of the KILL YOUR IDOLS CD
available at the same price, and the new GROINCHURN 3" MCD for $6)
4. How much did this album sell and what kind of distribution did it get ?
- So far it sold just over 2000 copies, and still going strong (which is
about tenfold more than we expected when we did it!!!). Also, we just got a
distro deal with SPV, so that should help move a good couple of extra
copies too! We got a lot of help getting it around though, especially from
Morbid. Other labels that have distributed it in other countries include
Relapse, Repulse, Warhead, Displeased, and tons more...
5. Your new album "Fink" was released this fall through Morbid Records.
Please present us to this album. For example the recording, the lyrics,
the writing process and the featured tracks.
- Well, mmm.. I don't know what I can really say about it... It's got 21
tracks (officially), and it's pure down-the-line grinding South Africore!!
It's a lot better than our previous material, so we think anyway! The
lyrics, as always are sarcastic and introspective, but pretty open for
personal interpretation. Musically, I would say it's a lot more experimental than
before, but a lot catchier... best thing to do - buy it a decide for
yourself!! As far as the writing goes, I do a lot of the musical ideas, but
then Sergio and I get together to do the final jamming and arranging.
Christo does all the lyrics, so the workload is pretty even as far as
song-writing goes, and it's great, because it allows for all our different
ideas to come through into the music...
6. How would you describe Groinchurn's music and sound ?
- Grinding South Africore! We have the basic elements of grindcore in our
songs, but it's purely indigenous to SA I think... Although we draw a lot
of inspiration from European and other bands, I think we've developed our
own style, within our framework of intensity and heaviness! Once again -
take a listen for yourself to find out!!
7. Morbid Records are your second label. What is your experience with
the record industry ?
- Morbid rules!! I can't say one single bad word about them - they have
helped us out, helped us get our music around right from the beginning.
They are great people and we are totally happy to be working with them! We
have had some nasty experiences with labels in the past, for example Wild
Rags, right in the beginning made us lose a whole lot of money on a bad
demo licensing offer... Oh well, I don't care anymore, it's all in the
past, we're with a totally cool label now, and we're happy!
8. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
- Political - I hate it and try to stay away from all that crap. Example:
South Africa is struggling like crazy economically - our money isn't worth
shit. Two days ago, the government permanently cancelled the Air-ambulance
helicopter service, saying there is no money, yet our government is sending
troops in Lesotho, wasting taxpayers money in anopther country. The typical
African story - the military always comes first. I don't believe in any
form of religion - believe in yourself - you are the only being that can
make your life better. And I think my philosophy in life is pretty much
summed up by the believe in yourself bit. You can do ANYTHING you want to
if you believe you can and you're willing to work at it in reality. Off the
soapbox...
9. What is your view on the metal scene in USA & Europe from your
address in Africa ?
- The European scene is definitely MUCH bigger, and the fans are much more
enthusiastic and loyal - that's easy to see! In SA, most people only ever
get really excited about overseas bands, and the local metal scene is very
small. I must say hello and cheers to all the people that came to our
shows!! We will see you again in 1999 on Grind over Europe III !!!!
10. What are your plans for the coming months and year ?? Any tour plans ??
- GRIND OVER EUROPE III!!!!! BRUTAL TRUTH, AGATHOCLES, HAEMORRHAGE,
GROINCHURN and possibly NASUM! That will be happening sometime early in
1999, so watch Morbid Records' website for update news!! Hopefully we will
also be doing some shows in the USA, and Australia, but no dates are
confirmed. If we do some shows in Australia, we will hopefully also stop
over in Singapore/Malaysia...
11. How is the metal scene in South Africa and the rest of Africa ??
- I can't speak for North Africa, but here down below, there are only a few
bands: In South Africa there are SACRAPHYX, GUTTED REMAINS, INFECTIOUS
OUTBREAK, P.I.T.T., and our good buddies V... There are a couple of others
too, but not many... In Namibia there is one band that I know of: ARCANA
XXII, and in Botswana a metal/rock band called METAL ORISON. There are
three labels, ours, DARK AGES and one called WAY COOL records who release
metal and extreme stuff, and one zine: the CRUSADER - a mag done by the
guys from DARK AGES (Mocke from DARK AGES also plays in a blackmetal band
called FUNERAL GOD).
12. Finally; a lot of changes has happend in South Africa in the last
ten years. How is it to live in South Africa ??
- Well, it's not a picnic... The crime is pretty bad, so you have to be aware
of what's happening all the time. The government and the police are so
corrupt and useless that they don't help the situation much, oh yes and our
currency is worth less than toilet paper... BUT, having said that, South
Africa is a beautiful country, and also has many positive aspects.
Personally I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but unfortunately, one
day I might have to...
13. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be
contacted ??
- Yup! Stuff available from us:
"Sixtimesnine" CD $12
"Already Dead" mini CD $6
KILL YOUR IDOLS tribute to Agathocles Compilation CD $12
Stuff available elsewhere:
"Fink" CD - Morbid Records
split 7" with HAEMORRHAGE - Morbid Records
"Sixtimesnine" 10" picture disc - Fudgeworthy Records, USA
Coming soon:
New 12" on Conspiracy Evolve, USA
split 7" with PANTALONES ABAJO MARINERO
4 way split LP on a Brazilian label, with 3 Brazilian bands
our address:
GROINCHURN
PO Box 4478
Vereeniging
1930
SOUT AFRICA
E- mail: grind@acenet.co.za
Or visit them at their web- site
Thanks tons!! Thanks again for the interview - keep in touch!
We wish Groinchurn good luck with their new album "Fink". If you are into Grind; you know what you have to do.