| ragazzi: |
"What do you think about Atari Teenage Riot / Alec Empire since they are regarded as the founders of Digital Hardcore, a kind of music people find on your albums as well. Have you ever met Alec / worked with him?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"I used to really like Alec's music, however a few years ago he called me a "fascist" for no reason at all which was a really stupid thing to do - fascism is a serious subject and he seems to call people that just for his own purposes and almost as a casual insult. Since then I can't really listen to his work. I still like other Digital Hardcore artists (such as Christov de Babylon, Bomb 20 etc) though I'm not sure my music has much in common with there's." |
| ragazzi: |
"It is said that ULTRAVIOLENCE are "at the very forefront of the UK Industrial-Cyber scene. Could you explain the scene to those of our readers who are not so familiar with it?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"Band member Mel Allezbleu replies; "goths that like pounding techno music."" |
| ragazzi: |
"What was the initial incident that brought you into the hard electro/techno/industrial stuff?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"In the late eighties I was listening to a lot of techno music like 808 State, Acid Rock, N-Joi etc but I wanted to hear more extreme music both in terms of sounds and lyrical content. I was also listening to Front 242, KMFDM etc and to a certain extent I wanted to bring the two styles together whilst adding my own ideas." |
| ragazzi: |
"How can people imagine your live-performances since they are more than "normal" DJ sets?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"Ultraviolence have a full live show with me on keyboards/vocoder, Charlie Sanderson on vocals and Mel Allezbleu does angle grinding which looks spectacular." |
| ragazzi: |
"For what other purposes than clubbing could/should your music be used?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
 "The full length albums are written to be listened to at home - loudly! I try to include enough variety in the sounds and lyrical content for them to be interesting for their whole duration even if people aren't dancing. Sometimes the emotional content can get a little lost in a club so I hope people will listen at home as well. Indeed, some of my pieces aren't designed to be danceable at all." |
| ragazzi: |
"What are the criteria when you chose the singers for your tracks?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"I tend to hear people sing either on another recording or live and keep in my mind the emotional impression their voice leaves on me. When I write a track that reminds me of their particular voice I first imagine them singing it and then hire them in the studio." |
| ragazzi: |
"Already in 1992 you took part in a Peel Session. Recently John Peel died. What was so fascinating about him?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"John Peel brought a lot of new music - including mine - to a larger audience with completely unselfish motives. He was a charming and friendly person and his death is a sad loss to music and humanity in general." |
| ragazzi: |
"What bands/music styles do you like listening to? Are you also familiar with German stuff?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"Mel has played guest keyboards for Icon of Coil - they're a cool band. My favourite German artists are Wagner, Beethoven and Bach but maybe this is the wrong interview to say that!" |
| ragazzi: |
"You supported Moby on his "Animal Rights" tour. How was it? How did it happen?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"He picks his own support acts and chose us because he liked the "Heaven Is Oblivion" track. He happened to be playing his rock music on the tour but I much prefer his electronic work." |
| ragazzi: |
"You also went on tour with Punk band The Exploited. Seems a bit strange…. Why? And: Was it real Punk-lifestyle on tour?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"I was a fan of the Exploited since my school days when I used to play it to shock and offend everyone! So it was nice to have the opportunity to tour with them. I don't know if a "punk lifestyle" is relevant nowadays but I did get spat on a lot!" |
| ragazzi: |
"How would you describe the London club scene these days? Any interesting / new developments?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"We played at Slimelight last week which was excellent. A lot of the music in most clubs is a bit retro right now but seeing as my new album spans ten years its OK with me! I'm looking forward to writing new material early next year to shake things up a bit." |
| ragazzi: |
"Does it make a difference to create songs for movies ("Guts")?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"It's very different in that I'm writing music to represent the director's vision as well as the narrative and mood of the film whereas I normally just please myself. I love films, especially extreme horror so its great to be involved in the film making process. Perhaps writing for film could be seen as a constraint but I see it more as an enjoyable challenge." |
| ragazzi: |
"Any plans about touring Germany?" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"No concrete plans right now but I hope we'll be there in the New Year." |
| ragazzi: |
"Thanks a lot for your answers!" |
| Johnny Violent: |
"Thanks in turn for your questions and interest...Merry Christmas!!!"
Stefan |
