Alright, it might not be fastest album of all time, but it’s probably damn close. After a very limited demo a couple of years ago, The Ergon Carousel began crafting ‘Dead Banks’ – 17 tracks of harsh, despondent, warp-speed grindcore with some of the most mindbending killer riffs you’ll ever hear. Recorded, engineered and mixed to perfection by Jason Sanderson (Rolo Tomassi, Antares, Lavotchkin et al) – The Ergon Carousel have taken the murky filth of their demo ep and plunged it into a terrifyingly clear abyss of razor riffs, eternal blastbeats and gesticulations that sound like being smashed into the future at 1000000 miles an hour. There is of course just cause and reason that this band do not fuck about – three members did time in Narcosis (aka the last UK grindcore band, before The Ergon Carousel, worth bothering with…) whilst other members did time in the massively underrated Carmen and the recently reformed Beecher. UK pedigree. There really is not much else to say about this band. You will not see a more intense band live. You probably won’t comprehend them. There will inevitably be reviews that just call this a noise. We are safe and comfortable in the knowledge that this band are so good they make us laugh. Answered by Johnboy (guitar)
How are you? Where does this Q&A find you?
I’m fine thanks, you? I’m in a terraced house, In Wigan, Drunk. There are loads of dogs constantly barking at the back, a young lesbian couple having loud sex on one side and arguments on the other. There is lots of children at the front shouting, playing and swearing. Welcome to the North West.
How did the recording sessions for your latest release go? Did you achieve all you’d planned to?
Yeah, Superb, Great. Personally it was the most comfortable environment I’ve ever been in for a recording. The mighty Jason Sanderson recorded it. I just felt I had a very good mix of what I needed to hear when we were recording the songs. And he is a good man. Very hospitable. Happy with the way he recorded and mixed the guitars to.
What goals did you set yourself before you started recording? Did you do anything differently this time, on purpose? If so, why?
No goals as such just our all time constant goal of making sure we get the moment right for each song. If it isn’t intense or Tight or fast enough one of us will usually pipe up about it and push that couple of tenths or so harder to get it FASTER Or more aggro.K.E.R.S And D.R.S Are deffo allowed at any time. It’s definitely for me a behavioural issue. But then I do get very passionate about anything I record or write.
What do you feel are your own limitations when it comes to creating/writing music?
So far I have not had any, it seems that if I get an idea in my head or if I wake up with an idea going over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over all through the day, as long as I have some like minded people to jam with, the ideas have always come out how I wanted them. And more.
What do you consider to be your best 3 songs, and tell us the inspiration behind them?
My God, Who wrote these Questions Eddie Thomas? Haha. I can’t really answer that, but I will.....? Even though it would mean nothing to the person who next listens to the songs. As long as one person likes anything I write I’m Happy as a pig in the proverbial. But now as you have twisted my arm I do really like Blind summit, Broken Mirrors and Human Rail. I wrote all 3 you see! Ha-ha. All the others are Supergood Superfast though, 186,000 miles per second. But you get to that later. The Inspiration from me I suppose is something I can’t explain. You can really pour tons of aggression into an instrument or vocal Performance and that to me feels good. ADHD Grind ! As musicians we all do other things to, different styles and Other bands that are not just 100000000000 miles an hour for 83% of it hahahaha !
What do you love and what do you hate about life on the road? Tell us your funniest tour experience yet?
I enjoy playing to people who have no idea about anything. C'mon let’s be honest here, the majority of people you meet not just at gigs but everywhere are living a total lie. I believe in honesty and doing what comes out of the mind and soul and not trying to please. Not trying to be someone. Just being yourself. But then the joy from someone shouting "Dickhead" at me makes me into it more. I start to think that nothing, not even light can escape. That extra tenth or so comes from the show. We all have an obsession with PACE. Well I hope we all do. Tell us your funniest tour experience yet? We told everyone I was dead. I had my folks and girlfriend ringing me up in panic. I have also drunk band members piss and lots of other Assorted scallywag behaviour..........
How would you describe your own/bands sound, or what do you hate being labelled as?
People can label us what they want to, we don’t mind or care. We are just having fun and going Very, Very fast !!
Who is currently moving you musically at the moment?
New stuff? Not much. I'm listening to Mandrill, Graham Bond and Mountain allot at the moment.
What album changed your life and why?
I’ve never had an album change my LIFE? Ha-ha!
If you could erase one single/album from history (your own or someone else's) which would it be and why?
There are Lots of sleeping people. Lots of annoying Jo Whiley Radio one bullshit,U2 Albums. Dunno?
A rumour you'd like to start about yourself, or one you'd like stopped?
Haha, there is enough around. Keep 'em coming. Oh and Destroy the universe.
The revolution comes, who would you like to be first against the wall (and if you're feeling particularly bitchy, a second, third, fourth and so on...)?
Jo Whiley, Paul David Hewson.Me.
Best piece of advice you'd give to aspiring musicians, or the best piece of advice you were given when you started?
I can’t change anything; it’s the hardest thing in the world to change yourself, Never mind gods good. He sends these things to try us. We have not much money but we do see life. Play from within. Don't take everything too seriously. Have lots of fun.
If you're in a car going at the speed of light, and someone turns the headlamps on, would they do anything?
Einstein said it’s impossible to travel at the speed of light, speed of light is Constant and that nothing can go faster than this speed. He obviously hasn't Heard Ergon Haha ! We pull about 50 g in the jam room. Deadly, our drummer cut all his hair off to get them vital seconds. But yeah headlamps would come on. Quick ain't they!
TOP 5 IPOD TUNES
1.GINGER BAKERS AIRFORCE - LET ME RIDE.
2. FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI - ZOMBIE.
3. SON HOUSE - SHETLAND PONY BLUES.
4. MANDRILL - HANG LOOSE.
5. HOWLIN' WOLF - SPOONFUL.
‘Dead Banks’ is out now on Holy Roar
Live date – November 2nd – Gullivers, Manchester w/ Saviours
http://holyroarrecords.com/album.php?id=901
http://theergoncarousel.bandcamp.com/album/dead-banks
http://www.myspace.com/rocklikeergon
Thanks to Ellen @ Holy Roar
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