The following interview was done for Relapse Records' RESOUND magazine to correspond with the reissue of BODYCHOKE's obscure classic album "Cold River Songs." Thanks to Relapse for letting me republish it here. To get a copy of the physical RESOUND magazine just drop an e-mail to relapse@relapse.com.
England’s BODYCHOKE was a short lived but essential experiment in taking Rock n’ Roll as close to post-industrial noise as it could go. The band is the dark, violent and intense "rock" project of experimental noise pioneers Kevin Tomkins (Vocals and Guitar) and Paul Taylor (Guitar and Vocals) as well as Gary Kean (Bass), Mike Alexander (Cello), Manu Ros and Jamie Hitchens (both on Drums). Tomkins and Taylor are better known among noise fans as SUTCLIFFE JUGEND, arguably the most brutal and uncompromising power electronics project of all time. Sadly BODYCHOKE only existed from 1993 to 1999 and has remained obscure and mostly ignored until recently being resurrected by Relapse Records. Their final and greatest album “Cold River Songs” will be available on February 3rd after being out of print for far too long.
Interview and photos by Jonathan Canady. Please note: the accompanying photos are from SUTCLIFFE JUGEND’s 2006 performance at New York’s No Fun Fest.
RESOUND: How did BODYCHOKE first become a group?
KEVIN TOMKINS: I told Paul I was starting a rock band and asked him along to rehearse, that day he went out and bought a guitar and an amplifier and we evolved very quickly into BODYCHOKE. A key point came when we started experimenting with more aggressive guitar noise. I have loved guitar abuse and experimentation since I first heard the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Keith Rowe, it's a very expressive and versatile instrument.
RESOUND: What were some of the bands and albums that inspired you the most to start the band?
KT: Paul and I loved Hendrix, The Velvets, Can, Joy Division, Birthday Party, Swans, Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. So it was inevitable we would explore rock as a means of expression. The guitar work of Kevin Shields was a huge influence, I remember being completely blown away when I first heard his guitar playing. The same thing happened when I first heard Sonic Youths Teenage Riot.
RESOUND: The lyrics and themes of BODYCHOKE are potentially very offensive to conservative types and feminists. Did this ever cause you any problems?
KT: Never. I always have had faith that our audience were to intelligent or free thinking to take offence. Either at BODYCHOKE or anything else for that matter. Having said that the only thing I find offensive is people’s ignorance.
RESOUND: I noticed you mentioned The Marquis de Sade and Peter Sotos in past liner notes. Were there any other major literary influences on this project?
KT: Did we need any others? The references reflections of our own views and philosophy and were not a direct influence on the music. The music was personal at times, and observational at others. I hope no literary influence shows in the music. Although I consider myself well read, I find literary references cheap, snobby and completely lacking in original thought.
RESOUND: Are there any book(s) you've read recently that have impressed you?
KT: I particularly enjoyed Bob Dylan’s Chronicles. He writes so beautifully. His 'Blood On The Tracks' has been one of my favorite albums since the mid-seventies. I re-read 'Interviews with Francis Bacon' last week in preparation to go and see his exhibition in London. Not only is he the greatest painter ever, but he articulates my thoughts on being an artist (and indeed my own feelings) better than I ever could, Genius is too small a word for this man. I also read Zizek's 'Violence' a good read.
RESOUND: Can you tell me about BODYCHOKE's most memorable live performance?
KT: The most memorable for me was when we played a small venue in East London. I remember Paul and I completely lost it. I threw my guitar and cracked Mike Alexander's 'cello and stumbled off stage halfway through the set after giving myself a black eye head butting a monitor. A few moments later Paul came of stage and puked up on the floor. We had three strings left on our guitars between us. The funny thing was that the most memorable thing during the set was silence. We used to leave bigger and bigger gaps between riffs during an introduction to a song. At this gig the gap was over three minutes. I know because I counted it. No one moved, no one spoke. You could have cut the tension with a knife. It was so powerful, two hundred people soaking up the atmosphere and nobody wanting to break the tension.
RESOUND: You recorded your second album, "Five Prostitutes" with Steve Albini. In addition to being a great recording engineer he's quite a character. Any anecdotes from those sessions?
KT: This is probably pretty uncool, but we were all singing “Have you ever seen a fully grown man naked” in various styles from Opera to Country and Western and Dr Doolittle, he was more than happy to join in. He recorded us exactly as we sounded. He did not 'produce' or offer any advice. He just recorded the moment.
RESOUND: I heard a rumor that "Five Prostitutes" was originally going to be released by a major label. Is that true? If so, what happened?
KT: It was going to be licensed through American Recordings for the US. The Contract they sent was fucking horrendous. We sent them back a seven point contract on one side of paper. They said okay we'll just rewrite that. It came back at about 120 pages, still full of controlling bullshit. We phoned and said no thanks.
RESOUND: You recorded some demos of new songs which made up part of the "Completion" CDR. What prompted the decision to not make a final full length album?
KT: Those demos span all three Bodychoke albums. The missing album actually came before Cold River Songs. Many tracks were not even recorded in demo form.
RESOUND: How do you feel about "Cold River Songs" being made available again by Relapse Records?
KT: I'm really glad to see it get re-released. I think it still sounds good today, even though it did split up the band. Paul can't listen to it even now because he had such a bad time recording it.
RESOUND: The artwork for this reissue is drastically different from the original release, are you satisfied by Orion Landau's new design?
KT: I am. The cover is excellent. It's strange to see the lyrics included. They still sound extreme today.
RESOUND: You told me a while back that you might be doing more "rock" music in the future. Can you tell me anything more about this?
KT: I have recorded an album of guitar songs called 'Loss'. Hopefully to be released in the new year on our own label. Although I wouldn't call it rock. Also I have been performing as a guest vocalist for Shit and Shine at some of their shows. They're a great live band. They use anything between three and twelve drummers. I may also work with them in future on a collaboration album.
RESOUND: I know that Paul Taylor has remained a regular collaborator with you but what are the other former members of BODYCHOKE up to these days?
KT: I believe Gary Kean lives in Malta now. Mike Alexander plays in Veldt and Manu Ros spent some time in Cranes and Giddy Motors, I'm not sure what he is doing now.
RESOUND: Are there any current groups that fall into the "rock" realm that you enjoy?
KT: I enjoyed GSYBE and Sigur Ros for a short while a few years back. Radiohead are always interesting, although I thought their last album was appalling. I like Tom Waits and Nick Cave, I guess they rock sometimes. Mainly I like fucked up shit these days.
RESOUND: Is there any chance that this re-issue could inspire you to reunite BODYCHOKE for a live performance or tour?
KT: If we used a different drummer and wrote some really inspiring new music, who knows. Never say never I guess.
For more information on the music of Kevin Tomkins and Paul Taylor check out sutcliffejugend.com and myspace.com/sutcliffejugend
Pre-order a copy of "Cold River Songs" direct from Relapse here. When you order "Cold River Songs" from Relapse you get two free CDs including the amazing and essential "Descension" by SLAB! What a deal.
To see all my photos from this show go here.
Thanks. -Jonathan
