Lividity has created a lot of fuzz with their first two studio albums. Both for the music and the artwork. The band also tour a lot and this band is widely regarded as one of the best bands from the new wave of American Grind Core and Death Metal. We contacted Dave Kibler for an update on Lividity.
1.When and where was Lividity created ? By whom ?? Please give us a full biography.
Dave- In Central IlInois around 1994 by me (Dave) as a 1 man project coz I couldn't find anyone to share the same views I did! Recorded a 3 song promo on 4 track recorder and presented it to friends and underground zines or at local shows. Started jamming with Tommy Davis on drums (plus he did vocals) on the the basement 4track recording of 9 song demo "Ritual Of Mortal Impalement" '95! Local deathers, Desecration (the Illinois ragers) broke up and Tommy and I started crushing with Matt Bishop (guitar, backing vocals) and Aaron Heath (bass, vocals) and went to pro studio to record the 4 song demo "Rejoice In Morbidity" to be released through Polish label, Immortal Records! Aaron left the band and Matt stepped up to lead vocals and we hired Mike Smith on bass! We went to studio and recorded the 11 song CD "Fetish For The Sick" to be released by Ablated Records (Usa)! Tommy was replaced by Nick Null on drums, at the mean time we took a live recording from 1997 gig in Ohio to get remastered then put out on CD with bonus "R.I.M." demo at the end through United Guttural Records (Usa)! We went to studio with Nick and recorded 9 song CD "The Age Of Clitoral Decay" '00 through United Guttural Records again! During this process we sent 3 of the songs to Cudgel Agency (Ger) and released a split 7' record with brothers of metal, Profanity (Ger)! The new release has been licensed to Erebos Prod. (Slk) for European / Asian invasion in mass quantity with CD's, cassettes and shirts! At the moment Lividity consist of Matt, Dave, Derek Hoffman (drums) and the return of original freak, Aaron back on bass!!
2. Please tell us more about the chosen band-name. What does it stand for ?
Dave- Lividity is a medical term for when the brink of death is upon you and rigor mortis and lividity sets in they can determine the time of death and such. A bruise on your arm or leg is somewhat a form of lividity, the dead skin and such. When the heart stops pumping your blood pulls up at the lowest point of your body! Pretty sick, huh?!!
3. Please tell us more about your demos, split tapes and '7.
Dave- Well I explained most of that in bio, but it all really started off raw and ugly yet brutal and with integrity and has picked up more and more stability and anger through each release. Lividity isn't about a member or the people playing the instruments, it's a musical art for which anyone who has been on a recording or wrote a lyric has put in their desires of hate and lust and anger into the music, not for what a band is suppose to sound like or become. We have always been a "peoples" band not a business band! We are fans of brutal music giving 110% to something we love to do!! So if you listen to each release you might hear a different technique or sound, but it is still angry and with feeling, groove oriented, blast beating, double kicking, 2 - 3 vocal style gurggle / shriek Lividity!
4. Please give us a presentation of your first album "Fetish For The Sick" album.
Dave- Was recorded at a digital studio in Bloomington, IL. and we created tons of sickened perverted lust hungry anthems of disgust! I admit that the production lacked but everybody really seems to consider it some kind of a classic cult moment! We have never been a flashy speed, speed, speed... band, we rely on heaviness, so the doomier the parts the heavier and thicker we must make it!! The grind parts are dealt with in 2 ways, which is where the drummer comes in, coz they can be blasted note for note, grooved with half time snare but booted with double kicks under it! Then we have other parts that are jazzier, but not happy notes, just mid tempo or jazzed up!! So I think that release shows a lot of character! We even re-recorded some of our early demo stuff to show the grindier side as opposed to the groovier side!! Cool stuff I think!
5. You split with Ablated Records and signed on United Guttural Records (licenced on Eerebos in Europe). Please tell us more about this change of labels.
Dave- Everyone has helped us establish great notoriety, we appreciate everyones input!! No one has done us wrong, the best part is we, the band, are still in control of what we do, no label, manager, promoter, etc... that's the way we like it, so we get to pick and choose! As far as leaving Ablated, we were offered a deal that they couldn't match from U.G.! As far as licensing the release to Erebos, we needed more push coz we were in a slump at the time and they were punctual and very honest friends about their ideas and company!! So no releases have been pulled from anybody, we are trying to create an army here for the power of Lividity!! I think we almost have evry corner pegged!! There are no attitudes or rough stuff going on here, we are the easiest group to get along with, until you deliberately try to screw us, then we hold grudges and we will make sure your life is Hell... hahaha
6. There was an announcement from Repulse Records that you had signed on this label. What happened ?
Dave- That was like premature ejaculation on their part, we haven't discussed nothing about finalizing a deal, it just went up on their news as it was, they couldn't treat us the way we felt like our business should be dealt with! They would benifit and the band wouldn't! Not for me... But Dave Rotten and Repulse put out some cool and brutal stuff and we respect his input within the scene and his contributions with tours, festivals, etc.... believe me, we see his work ethic every day!!
7. Please tell us more about your live album "Show Us Your Tits". Is this album still available ?
Dave- Yeah, through United Guttural Rec. Contact Rich if interested. In order for us to get represses of the Live CD and/or the Age Of... he needs to get the rest of his stock sold, so some cash orders would be nice for him (and us) if I had more, I would do the hooking...
8. Please give us a presentation of your new album "Age Of Clitorial Decay" album.
Dave- The best piece of brutal Lividity torture yet!! Great production from Private Studio (Champaign, IL) and we used triggers this time on the bass drums and the vocals are a lot more confident, guttural, shriekier, sicker etc... The songs are groovier, stompin', nice pieces of grind I must say!! We are very happy with the final product and can't complain one bit! A lot of work and bullshit went into the making of this release but when listening to it all that subsides and it was all worth it!!
9. You have a hard core porn image through your lyrics and the art work on the two albums. Why have you taken this image ?
Dave- To explore the unexplored through our lust and love of female bodies!! We still sing about gore, serial murder, grave robbing, etc... The porn definately stands out more coz that's what EVERYBODY likes!! There's no denying that. Some folks are more reserved and closet cases, but since we have brought it to your attention, I think more perverts are showing their true colors!! We don't sing about spirits or ghosts it's all real flesh you can see, smell, taste, feel.... you get the picture! We love it!!
10. Which bands would you compare yourself with/to ??
Dave- Hard to say, we don't compare what we do with anybody! There are only 12 notes in music, so you have to share... we have many influences though that you might hear in our tunes like... Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Torture Krypt, Gutted Pulp, Vader, Incantation, Immolation, etc...
11. What is your view on today's world wide Death Metal scene ??
Dave- I love it... wouldn't want to be a part of any other lifestyle! Every region has their own influences and ways of supporting each other and so much more. A lot of talented bands out there and I'm glad they help keep this scene kicking!! Every once in a while you may a band try to grab on to the coat tails of another, but the strong survive, and they get booted. It's best to be yourselves, self motivators, leaders, not followers!! Makes this world seem so much smaller after visiting Europe, all the mail, and such. Like I can reach out and touch you all!!
12. What is your future plans ?
Dave- Give the world Hell!! Write more tunes with the best group of guys I know, play some key shows, and support the underground the best I can!!
13. Where can Lividity be reached ? Any mail order list ?
Dave- Through any of us, but you can reach me at
P.O.Box 3325
Peoria, IL.
61612-3325
USA
or e-mail
website
I am also owner of Coven Of Death Distro and maker of dreaded Comp Tapes (Volume 8 is circulating now)... my ways of helping spread the violence of underground bands needed to be heard!!! Contact me!!! We have CD', tapes, shirts, patches (thanx to Shindy Prod. Cz), and more!!! Stay Sick Lividity
14. Is there anything you want to add to this interview ?
Dave- Nope, I think we covered it all!! Thanx to you my brutal friend for the great support and the positive attention! You rule!