Interview with Asky and Nailhead
Introducing The Devilzwork
There's Tobias Ahzi Malek on vocals and bass, Nailhead on guitar and vocals, Postal on stunt guitars and Asky on synth and devices (studio). When we play live we have enlisted the services of Ash on the synths and Daemon is the skinsmaster.
How did you come about obtaining the band name?
A reference to Charles Manson. There's a little Charlie in all of us.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?
Thick bass, pounding drums, distorted synth sounds, sledgehammer guitars, tearing vocals. The Terminator on morphine, with a synthesizer.
What one thing do you feel sets you apart from the rest in this genre?
The vocals maybe? A lot of other Industrial / Doom bands (that we've heard) don't usually have growling, heavy vocals. A little slide guitar goes a long way.
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RELEASES:
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Bad Moon Rise
2008 - LP
Floodlights
2010 - LP
Bulldozer
2010 - Single
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All releases are available here or via email - we might send you a random picture of one of Tobias' victims, I mean, 'friends'. It's also available at Landspeed Records in the ACT, Australia and of course at our shows.
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?
About four months I think. If there's any particular message... maybe. Don't always believe what you hear, until it's with your own ears. Think outside the box. Don't have blinders on, then cry wolf when you find you're in a strange place.
Which label, if any, have you produced this album through? Do you think record companies actually make the recording process any easier?
We self produced this entire thing. We're not against record companies necessarily, it's just the way we've done it. Record companies can make an impact on the music. Whether or not they make it harder, it's not for us to say.
Any plans for a music video? And, if applicable, which is your favourite video thus far?
We have two videos up on Youtube and our Facebook page for 'Bulldozer' from 'Floodlights' and a track called 'Obey The Worm' from an un-yet released LP. I like them both really. We're working on a new one too. It will be finished by the end of the year.
When you go into recording mode, do you find it easy or challenging?
Recording is always fun for us. The challenge is to come up with good songs.
Who’s responsible for the bands artwork?
We just wanted simplicity with the main logo, but our design work for Floodlights was done by SplitCreative and Tobias has come up with a few things for the next release. The overall look / art / theme will evolve, just as the band has, to a point. We won't be donning any latex get-ups or spandex jumpsuits any time soon.
How hard has it been to get to this point?
In Australia, it's hard to get shows for this or any sort of non-mainstream orientated music. It's hard to get radio play too. The general mainstream opinions of anything heavy metal orientated is that "it is bad" full stop. Christian media ownership in this country has gone beyond what should be acceptable. There are laws against playing heavy metal at certain times on the radio. We have had police come and shut down our live shows during our set, for no reason other than they don't like what we're doing. Fucking police have bashed our booking agent and she's a small woman.
We're a band. We don't have anything happen onstage which is in any way illegal, objectionable or morally intrusive on anyone. We don't go door to door selling our take on things. We don't go on TV selling sex, rape, racism and violence to kids. Sorry, got stuck in the moment there.
People come to our shows for which we are grateful and we always want to do more. People have bought our albums and we're happy as fuck they enjoy it. People have downloaded our songs, we're happy with that too. Music is made to be heard.
We work hard on our stuff, but those in the music world who whinge and say it's hard are probably making it hard for themselves. It's hard for people with no legs after stepping on a fucking mine to get up in the morning and get a drink. It's never really hard to do what we're doing, apart from censorship.
Can you recall a favourite venue?
A church in Melbourne. Goulburn's always fun.
What are some of your favourite Australian acts? And have you had the chance to play alongside them?
The Amenta are good, haven't played with them though. Spacebong, Punishment, MzAnnThropik and AngelSpit are all great Australian acts.
After a live performance do you tend to go and hang out with the fans or do you prefer to keep to yourself?
A bit of both. Sort of depends on the place and the evening. Mostly we mingle. It is rare that we'll hide away.
What would be your most memorable gig / performance to date?
We did a show in Goulburn that's memorable, "Fuck the Police". We did a show in a deconsecrated church in Craigieburn, that was really cool with an awesome sound too. People crammed into a church, grinding, dancing away to The Devilzwork is always good. It was in the hands of a group of cyberferals. They ran private shows and gigs there, rented it out to bands to jam or film in.
Have you got a favourite song you like to play? And is there one in particular your fans seem to prefer?
I don't really have a particular song, but all the guys seem to enjoy 'Terrordrone' the most maybe. It's hard to say.
If you created your own metal festival, who would you prefer was playing alongside you and where would that be?
Well, they've mostly stopped or they're dead but Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Type O Negative and the Sex Pistols. At the SCG in Sydney. Fill that shit up with some good people. Maybe Aphex Twin and Deicide too. How's that for a double headliner!
What kind of instruments do you use?
We're not endorsed by anyone, yet... We do use Ibanez 8-string guitars and Moog pretty much everywhere and anytime. In the studio, live, on the goddamn porch. Anywhere. Other than that, we use all sorts of shit; vintage, modern. Whatever sounds good.
What have been some of the more bizarre signings you’ve had?
Some chick asked me to sign her labia with some sort of electro shock device.
Have you ever had any Mystical experiences?
I lived in a haunted house in Melbourne. I saw an old lady about the place where an old stone stove used to be a couple times. The other housemates did too. It was a very positive haunting perhaps. I also lived in a place in Sydney that had fucked, unpleasant vibes all the time. The ceiling had mysterious holes appear in it overnight, like someone knocking it out from the inside. We moved the fuck out of there!
What was the main reason you chose this career path and has it turned out as expected?
It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was inspired by a lot of live shows as a young worm. The worm is still turning I think. We're all having a good time.
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?
Don't bring things you don't need. Try to buy good food, not junk shit. Bring your own toilet paper.
What words of advice can you offer anyone looking to enter the music industry?
Work hard and don't be a jerk off. Be a team player. There's no band without an audience. Find your own sound. Don't get lumped in with the rest to 'fit in'. Don't drink excessively and piss on people’s expectations, if they've come to see you play, pay them the respect of playing a good show.
Anything you'd like to add or say to your fans?
Enjoy the show.
LINKS:
The Devilzwork Myspace
The Devilzwork Reverbnation
Buy The Devilzwork
The Devilzwork YouTube
The Devilzwork Facebook
‘Interview with The Devilzwork’ by Déa di Morté © 07 November 2011
Hails! to Asky and Nailhead for agreeing to participate and taking the time to complete this interview
All pictures courtesy of Adam Bourke Photography, MissManagement Photography and The Devilzwork