Interview with Our Last Enemy

Interview with Matt, Craig, Bizz and Oliver 

 
How did you come about obtaining the band name?

Matt - Our Last Enemy is a quote that is referenced in the bible “Until the day when we meet Our Last Enemy… death itself…” But in tarot cards if you are to pick the Death Card it actually means rebirth. So it’s a whole Positive/Negative thing that we like to do, it’s all in the eye of the beholder and how they interpret it. And that’s art... right?!

Oliver - It represents the duality of life and death. It can mean death itself which can be a negative thing and also the symbolism of rebirth which is positive. We had come from two bands who had folded and this was our new beginning. It also represents the inevitability in life and that it will end and reminds you to make the most of it before you face your last enemy.

 
Bizz - Guitar 

A Sagittarius whose age is an ancient rock star secret

Joined the band in 2010

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?

Matt - To easily sum it up, we do say to people “Industrial Metal” but we don’t let that define us or make us feel that we should be writing music in a certain way.

Craig - I agree. I have even described our sound as a mix of Fear Factory meets Faith No More.

Bizz - Your parents will hate us. 

Oliver - It’s definitely metal. It takes from a lot of genres as our tastes and writing styles are varied. The use of keys/samples and the fact we recorded with Christian from Fear Factory does get us lumped into industrial metal, but we are definitely more metal than industrial.

What one thing do you feel sets you apart from the rest in this genre?

Matt - I’m not sure that’s a question we can answer, but I would say we’d have to be one of the hardest working bands in Australia. I’ve lost count of how many tours we have done and how many places we’ve seen. But someone did tell me that O.L.E has played over 100 shows. There’s a list somewhere.

Craig - We like to keep people guessing and stray from the standard lines and mix things up a bit.

Bizz - The energy of our live show. We’ll kick your ass (and our own asses).

Oliver - Definitely our work ethic and our belief in putting on a show when playing live. We don’t stand around trying to play the fastest. We try to create an energy and vibe that makes people feel as if they witnessed a real performance and not a wanking contest!

Craig - Keyboards / Samples

25 - Gemini

Joined band in 2010

How long did it take to record your latest material?
And is there any particular message you are trying to relay to your audience with this album?

Matt - The actual recording was about two months. We lived with our Producer, Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory. The album does follow the story of a character Pariah who is always around destruction and decay, doesn’t die and just keeps repeating itself forever; hence overseeing all the ‘Fallen Empires’ throughout time. There are also two musical pieces on the album for a friend of ours who passed away. One is ‘Charron’ as that is the name of the ferryman who takes souls from one side of the lake to the other and we thought it was a fitting name for the feel of that song and the album. There’s also a hidden piano piece which is at the end of the album.

Oliver - We spent six months doing demo’s and pre-production here in Australia with our good friends at The Brain studios in Sydney. We then spent two months in LA recording the album. We did not plan any kind of theme or concept for the album, but when we sat down and started thinking about the album name, we realised there was an underlying theme and reoccurring ideas.

RELEASES
	…Is Death 2008 EP
	Fallen Empires 2010 Full Length Album

Which label, if any, have you produced this album through? Do you think record companies actually make the recording process any easier?

Matt - We produced the album ourselves, that is, the actual making of the record. Our label Riot! Entertainment came on board to help us promote and distribute it and that’s when Warner also jumped on board.

Oliver - We are signed to Riot! Entertainment and it is distributed through Warner Music. The recording was done independently so they did not help us in that regard, but having a national distributor has helped the CD get more psychical exposure than we could have done on our own.

How have things progressed since the ‘... Is Death’ recording?

Matt - Fuck, that feels like a lifetime ago! I still remember Oli and I picking up the master copy knowing we would be late to work, hence both of us receiving written warnings. (We worked at the same place.) Since “…Is Death” we have supported many well known international acts, recorded our album in Los Angeles with Christian, signed to Riot!/Warner, toured non stop here and overseas and have met so many people. So I think things have progressed well so far, but by no means are we content with staying at this level of progression. On a side note, Vas from Hanzel Und Gretyl has the last printed copy of
“…Is Death”.

Bizz - On another note: I was at the Hanzel Und Gretyl / Our Last Enemy gig. I had no idea that I would eventually be joining OLE. None of us did! Haha..

Oliver - Musically, we expanded on a few things; we added solos and added some more experimentation with song structure. We actually re-did two songs from the EP for the full length.

Any plans for a music video? And which is your favourite video thus far?

Matt - Yeah, we will be starting production on our first video clip in Melbourne on the 24th of April. The video clip will be for ‘10,000 Headless Horses’. This is our first official video clip, so I can’t give you a favourite video of our thus far.

Oliver - We begin filming our first official clip this April while on tour. We are doing it down in Melbourne with Sherri and The Body Cage Media who did the art for our CD and merch. We have been really happy with the art direction they have given us and can’t wait to see it in motion!

When you go into recording mode, do you find it easy or challenging?

Matt - Challenging for sure. Anyone who says otherwise, is either lying, cutting corners, not pushing themselves hard enough or they’ve written retard-easy music.

Bizz - Easily challenging. But it’s easy to keep going because the challenge is what makes it enjoyable. That and the final product. 

Oliver - We take our time writing and everyone has a lot of input, so it can be challenging but rewarding. It’s been great to work with Bizz on the new material; to have his approach and ideas thrown in. He is a very experienced writer and has brought another level of professionalism and focus to the band.

Jeff - Drums

Who’s responsible for the bands artwork?

Matt - The overall concept comes from the band to fit with our musical ideas and then our friend Sherri from Bodycage Media helps us focus the ideas and suggests different ways to portray a certain idea.

Oliver - We use The Bodycage Media for all our art at the moment. It helps us create a strong and recognisable ‘brand’ for the band. Our CD art, merch and websites all come together by using the same art ideas and themes.

How hard has it been to get to this point?

Matt - It’s pretty hard at times. There’s a lot of sacrifice; money, relationships with friends and girlfriends, late nights - getting home at 2am from band practice then getting up and going to work, physical injuries - some of us have bad backs and a few of us have been split open onstage a couple of times. Actually, what the fuck are we doing?!!

Oliver - We have gone through a lot; personally and professionally. It can be very hard for an Australian band, let alone a niche metal genre, to really make a go of it. But you get out what you put in and I think we are testament to that.

Can you recall a favourite venue?

Matt - Metro Theatre, Sydney

Craig - The Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Great stage and sound!

Oliver - Being as energetic as we are on stage, I find the bigger venues the most enjoyable and it really lets us let rip and put on a show. Definitely the Factory Theatre and the Metro.

Matt - Bass

26 - Sagittarius

Joined band in 2006

Where does your main fan base / support tend to lie?

Matt - We have a few support areas; Sydney - As it’s our hometown, Canberra - Where some of our most loyal supporters are, Brisbane/Gold Coast - Is almost as good as Sydney and we also have some very good friends there, Melbourne - It was the hardest city for us in the beginning but now the most rewarding for us, it’s a city we don’t like going too long without playing.

Oliver - Obviously our home town of Sydney is strong for us, but we have some loyal followers in Queensland and Canberra. We feel as if our Melbourne base is growing each time we go there; we notice bigger crowds. We are very proud to have fans with our logo and art work tattooed on their body; it really blows us away!

What are some of your favourite Australian acts? And have you had the chance to play alongside them?

Matt - I personally love Switchblade and yes, we have played many shows with them, but not for a while… may have to look into that.

Craig - There are a number of great Aussie bands but a few that pop into mind are The Amenta, Recoil, Witchgrinder and Celebrity Morgue. I have too many to list and yes we have played with all of these guys.

Bizz - I’m just going to be the oddball and say Frenzal Rhomb. Anyone who’s got a problem with it can eat a bag of dicks!

Oliver - Some of the bands we have done tours with are my favourite bands so we have been very lucky in that way. For example: Voltera, Deprivation, Witchgrinder, Viral Millennium, Switchblade and Celebrity Morgue.

What would be your most memorable gig / performance to date?

Matt - Opening for Static X at The Metro or our album launch show in Sydney.

Craig - I have too many good and bad memories of our performances to date but I’d agree that our album launch show was fucking awesome! Also playing with Fozzy at The Factory Theatre. 

Bizz - The album launch was my favourite as well but Craig and I are the new guys in the band. We weren’t here for the Static X gig that Matt just mentioned.

Oliver - Definitely the album launch shows; both in Sydney and Melbourne. The big international supports are fun and a great opportunity to play to bigger crowds. I also loved the New Zealand shows; we had a great response and it was great to tour overseas.

Oliver - Vocals

29 - Taurus

Started band in 2006

You are currently on an Australian East Coast tour with Viral Millennium, what can you tellus about that?

Matt - Well it starts in April, we’re playing in Sydney twice, Melbourne twice, Wollongong, Newcastle, Canberra and then we’ll go up to Qld – which we’re still figuring out the dates for. For any info on the shows please go to our Myspace. Or check the Mystic Metal Gig Guide.

Oliver - Yes, it starts in April and will hit all over the East Coast. Qld dates have been moved and will be announced soon. The tour will also be in support of our album being released digitally so people can grab it online via ITunes etc.

Have you got a favourite song you like to play? And is there one in particular your fans seem to prefer?

Matt - My favourite to play live is probably ‘Decoy’. It’s a fucking fun song for us. The song that gets the most reaction is ’10,000 Headless Horses’ which is also great to play live.

Craig - I have fun playing all our songs and agree with Matt, but the one that stands out most for me would be ‘Ants In The Palm’!

Bizz - Decoy is my favourite.

Oliver - Fans love ‘Decoy’ as it has a bit of crowd participation haha.. Also the lead single from the album, ‘10,000 Headless Horses’ is always well received. I love playing ‘Pariah AD’ as it’s quite an epic track that has a lot of different vibes and shows off some sweet guitar action!

If you created your own metal festival, who would you prefer was playing alongside you and where would that be?

Matt - Uhh.. Fuck… off the top of my head NIN, Prodigy, Pantera, Slayer and Faith No More. The show would be near an active volcano. I don’t care where, just get me an active fucking volcano!

Craig - Shit! Just to name the few that popped into my head, I’d say NIN, Marilyn Manson, Ozzy, Pantera, Faith No More, Prodigy and Deathstars.

Bizz - A bunch of awesome Japanese bands that you’ve probably never heard of.

Oliver - Mr Bungle, Meshuggah, Ministry, Dillinger Escape Plan and Rammstein! It would be in Europe and have free entry!

What kind of instruments do you use?

Matt - Usually sexual instruments, but we do have endorsements from companies such as ESP, Dean, Hartke, Nady and Dunlop. I actually got the first ESP Ltd Viper 414 bass in the country which was nice. It now lives in my music room.

Bizz - Yes, sexual instruments. For example, Craig spends a lot of time playing with his organ. Personally, I use Dean Guitars. More specifically the Dean Cadillac. I’ve got seven of them.

Oliver - I use Shure wireless microphones, specifically the Beta 58. I always get a lot of comments on it from sound guys on how good it sounds and its clarity level – wink, wink Shure... email me!

What have been some of the more bizarre signings you’ve had?

Matt - Nothing too bizarre, just some people crying.

Oliver - Do you mean signing things, like CD’s? The best was signing a girl’s tattoo of our logo and then seeing her at the next show with our signatures tattooed on.

Have you ever had any Mystical experiences?

Matt - Whenever I get laid it’s pretty mystical. Yeah we have, I don’t really want to talk about mine.

Craig - I think the most prominent of these experiences was when I joined the band – jokes... But in all seriousness I have had countless experiences which have guided / misguided me throughout my life and to share them would possibly leave them open to misinterpretation. So let’s just say come and watch us perform, a mystical experience? Maybe. But an experience none the less!

Bizz - Pfft. I ‘am’ mystical. 

Oliver - I used to be heavily into the occult and have studied a lot of things mystical and mysterious since I was a small child. My next tattoo is going to be Aleister Crowley related, so soon I can say my ink is mystical! Haha..

Where can people purchase your music and merchandise from?

Matt - All good record stores nationwide; JB HiFi in particular. Also our website / myspace page and we will have the songs available on iTunes sometime in April. Stay tuned for that one.

Oliver - All record stores should have it and if it’s not on the shelf ask at the counter and they will order it in. You can buy it online from our website / merch store and soon it will be on iTunes etc. Merch and CD’s are available at all shows as well so come and see our friendly merch girl!

What was the main reason you chose this career path and has it turned out as expected?

Matt - Music does something to me, it can change me. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and it may be in my blood. My grandmother sang for the troops in WWII when she was in the British army and my Uncle is an AFI awarded movie music director and has worked on some big named movies. But fuck him! I cant answer if it turned out as expected as that would assume we have achieved a status or a point where we are content or are in the twilight of our career and we are far from either. *touch wood*

Craig - I believe it chose me. It is the perfect creative outlet and like a wound, the creativity seeps, crust’s to a scab that eventually leaves a permanent mark. I believe things happen for a reason and I enjoy the unexpected. It helps to mould ones self or shape a creation.

Bizz - I chose music because I couldn’t see myself being happy doing anything else. I’ve had a good run so far and have played on an international level for most of my career in bands such as The Undead (ex Misfits) and Genitorturers. I’m new to AU and Our Last Enemy, but in the short time that I’ve been a part of this band we’ve made a lot of progress and I don’t see any sign of slowing down. These guys are some of the most dedicated, hard working people I’ve ever worked with. I have no doubt that we will reach beyond what any of us have ever grown to expect.  

Oliver - Ever since I started my first band in high school I was hooked. Things have panned out pretty much like I expected because I never gave myself any other option. “A job worth doing is worth doing well” my grandmother used to say.

Let’s pretend you were creating a tour survival guide. What would be your top three tips for surviving a long tour with the band?

Matt - Painkillers / Alcohol, The mind set of a pirate, Destroy yourself.

Craig - Painkillers / Alcohol agreed, Annihilate every crowd like they are your last standing enemy, And of course a fucking strong will to survive.

Bizz - Don’t freak out on airport security, Don’t threaten airport security, Don’t rebel against airport security.

From all the places you’ve been able to travel to, have you come across any which you’d consider a good holiday destination?

Matt - Well, we like the Gold Coast, but we have a lot of friends there and we get to do things a lot of other people may not get to do. We usually like to go there at the end of a tour and take a few extra days to recover.

Bizz - Amsterdam pretty much rocks!

Oliver - I really liked New Zealand. Shame we didn’t have more time to see it properly. Gold coast always has a holiday vibe!

What words of advice can you offer anyone looking to enter the music industry?

Matt - Be prepared and don’t do anything by half measures.

Craig - Never lose sight of what you see ahead, trample the meek and hurdle the dead!

Bizz - Prepare to start out eating shit, getting disrespected by promoters and venues alike and getting paid peanuts. Unless you’re Oli, who happens to be allergic to peanuts. (Sorry Oli, I couldn’t resist!)

Oliver - No one is going to come and make it for you. Put your money where your mouth is!

Anything you'd like to add or say to your fans?

Matt - Yeah! – Thank you to the people who come to our shows, buy our album and generally support us. We know it takes a lot for people to get to a show, buy merch or even care these days, so we are always humbled when someone takes interest in us.

Craig - I couldn’t have said it better myself! \m/

Bizz - I couldn’t have said it better than Craig, who said he couldn’t have said it better than Matt.

Oliver - Live long and prosper.

LINKS

Our Last Enemy Website

Our Last Enemy Myspace