| Interview with Valor and Maitri By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: I’m sure the band is very busy now since the recent release of American
Inquisition. Is there a tour in the works?
Inquisition. Is there a tour in the works?
Blissfulviolet: Greetings Valor and
Maitri how are you all? Are you guys in
LA?
Maitri how are you all? Are you guys in
LA?
Maitri: Hello actually we are not in LA
The band is spread out all over America,
Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine.
Valor used to reside in LA.
The band is spread out all over America,
Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine.
Valor used to reside in LA.
Blissfulviolet: During the time period
between ‘Born again Anti-Christian’ and
‘American Inquisition’ what were you up
to?
between ‘Born again Anti-Christian’ and
‘American Inquisition’ what were you up
to?
Valor: Well of coarse a lot of time was spent in search of human victims in order to satisfy our
thirst for blood. But with the help of a good dietician, we curbed our addictions, for a while, and
managed to find the time to record “American Inquisition” amidst a myriad of technical
setbacks, scheduling issues, legal issues and Alien abductions.
thirst for blood. But with the help of a good dietician, we curbed our addictions, for a while, and
managed to find the time to record “American Inquisition” amidst a myriad of technical
setbacks, scheduling issues, legal issues and Alien abductions.
Maitri: Yes, our tour starts in Europe at the end of January, 08 until the end of February,
followed by a spring tour of the USA, then South America, then back to Europe for festivals at
the end of Summer and that as much as we know right now.
followed by a spring tour of the USA, then South America, then back to Europe for festivals at
the end of Summer and that as much as we know right now.
Blissfulviolet: I found the new album to be interesting. It’s very upbeat and has all sorts of
musical elements embedded in with a twisting concept. Please tell us more about American
Inquisition; what inspired this album, concept and sound?
musical elements embedded in with a twisting concept. Please tell us more about American
Inquisition; what inspired this album, concept and sound?
Valor: Ah, Well, obviously current world events have had a tremendous impact on us. In
essence, we are saying what we always have done but now driven by new circumstances and
new fears and that is the key word here, “FEAR.” That is the best selling commodity on the
market. Multi trillions of dollars are being spent on it, even Walmart can not compete. Other hot
items include Jesus, Mohammed and the latest craze to hit the market “Christian Judaism,” this
one promises to rid the world of all diseases, Muslims, gays, junkies and non believers and set
up head quarters in Jerusalem at the site where the sacred Islamic dome of the rock now
stands.
essence, we are saying what we always have done but now driven by new circumstances and
new fears and that is the key word here, “FEAR.” That is the best selling commodity on the
market. Multi trillions of dollars are being spent on it, even Walmart can not compete. Other hot
items include Jesus, Mohammed and the latest craze to hit the market “Christian Judaism,” this
one promises to rid the world of all diseases, Muslims, gays, junkies and non believers and set
up head quarters in Jerusalem at the site where the sacred Islamic dome of the rock now
stands.
Then finally, to our salvation, god’s law will be restored
and once again people will be burnt at the stake for
masturbation or having sex with the woman on top, doggy
style, 3-way sandwiches, cunnilingus, fellatio, tea
bagging, and possession of offensive material or actually
any book, even the bible. Just like in the good ole days of
the Spanish Inquisition, is it not exciting?
and once again people will be burnt at the stake for
masturbation or having sex with the woman on top, doggy
style, 3-way sandwiches, cunnilingus, fellatio, tea
bagging, and possession of offensive material or actually
any book, even the bible. Just like in the good ole days of
the Spanish Inquisition, is it not exciting?
Maitri: Sorry about that, he does get carried away
sometimes. When we were making the music we agreed
to lock ourselves away and not listen to anyone else’s
music. We didn’t buy or listen to CDs, radio or anything.
We wanted to explore our souls and find what we needed
to hear.
sometimes. When we were making the music we agreed
to lock ourselves away and not listen to anyone else’s
music. We didn’t buy or listen to CDs, radio or anything.
We wanted to explore our souls and find what we needed
to hear.
Blissfulviolet: You have a very comical out view on life
so please tell me, what are your thoughts on the Bush
administration and Evangelists?
so please tell me, what are your thoughts on the Bush
administration and Evangelists?
Valor: I think every home should have one, stuffed, on
the mantle piece. They would also look good as shrunken heads in the back window of your
car, like the bobble heads my dad used to have, way more interesting than a stupid bumper
sticker of a fish.
car, like the bobble heads my dad used to have, way more interesting than a stupid bumper
sticker of a fish.
Blissfulviolet: One thing that Christian Death is greatly known for is releasing some bold and
symbolic album covers and t-shirts. Can you tell us about the American Inquisition cover?
symbolic album covers and t-shirts. Can you tell us about the American Inquisition cover?
Valor: I always thought it would be interesting to make someone stand, for hours at a time, on
a very delicate cardboard box, blind folded and dressed in very itchy heavy duty burlap in
soaring 45c degree desert heat with their arms outstretched like Jesus with electrodes
attached to their hands so that every time they flinch or piss themselves, they get a severe
electric shock. But we were never prison guards in an occupied foreign territory, so we just
made an album cover that looks like we were. Yea, I admit it we just faked the whole thing.
a very delicate cardboard box, blind folded and dressed in very itchy heavy duty burlap in
soaring 45c degree desert heat with their arms outstretched like Jesus with electrodes
attached to their hands so that every time they flinch or piss themselves, they get a severe
electric shock. But we were never prison guards in an occupied foreign territory, so we just
made an album cover that looks like we were. Yea, I admit it we just faked the whole thing.
Blissfulviolet: American Inquisition was originally going to be called ‘Ten Excuses for
Suicide,’ what brought about the change of the albums name?
Suicide,’ what brought about the change of the albums name?
Valor: No it wasn’t 9 excuses for what?
Blissfulviolet: It’s been almost 10 years since the death of Rozz. How did your relationship
with him end? I’m sure many Christian Death fans and the media have their misconceptions of
what went on in the past and it may have caused how you and your music are viewed today. Is
there anything you’d like to mention on this subject?
with him end? I’m sure many Christian Death fans and the media have their misconceptions of
what went on in the past and it may have caused how you and your music are viewed today. Is
there anything you’d like to mention on this subject?
Valor: The last time I saw Rozz was mere days before we embarked on our second European
tour, “When he quit the band.” Although I was very upset, our last meeting was very
affectionate and tearful. The only other time we spoke was over the phone. I was at a Christian
Death sound check for a concert that night in Paris, France, he was in Long Beach California
at club were he was ready to go on stage with some people I had never met then or since. The
show was being advertised as Christian Death. I asked him “ What the hell are you doing?” He
said, verbatim “I’m sorry. I needed the money, I’m sick of this Christian Death bullshit, don’t
worry I won’t do it again.” I said “OK, Bye” he said “Good Bye” and those were our last words.
tour, “When he quit the band.” Although I was very upset, our last meeting was very
affectionate and tearful. The only other time we spoke was over the phone. I was at a Christian
Death sound check for a concert that night in Paris, France, he was in Long Beach California
at club were he was ready to go on stage with some people I had never met then or since. The
show was being advertised as Christian Death. I asked him “ What the hell are you doing?” He
said, verbatim “I’m sorry. I needed the money, I’m sick of this Christian Death bullshit, don’t
worry I won’t do it again.” I said “OK, Bye” he said “Good Bye” and those were our last words.
For years I pondered how it would be when we met
again, until I was told he hung himself. It affected
me deeply. It was very distressing to hear and read
rumors that his suicide was my fault. These sort of
vicious and ugly attacks were designed to discredit
me by the very same hangers on and leeches that
had been feeding off of Rozz and his past history
with Christian Death. In order to exploit him fully
they need to get me out of the way.
again, until I was told he hung himself. It affected
me deeply. It was very distressing to hear and read
rumors that his suicide was my fault. These sort of
vicious and ugly attacks were designed to discredit
me by the very same hangers on and leeches that
had been feeding off of Rozz and his past history
with Christian Death. In order to exploit him fully
they need to get me out of the way.
Since the days of that show he did in Long
Beach, which I believe, he was coerced into
unjustly using the name Christian Death, these
scavengers had set upon a smear campaign
against me. Which worked rather well because I
Beach, which I believe, he was coerced into
unjustly using the name Christian Death, these
scavengers had set upon a smear campaign
against me. Which worked rather well because I
am still insulted on a regular basis by people who just haven’t a bloody clue and by the more
sinister whom have only recently made death threats where the FBI were involved. Not to
mention any names, many of you must have an idea. My skin has become leather to the
abuse. However, what I find most disgusting of all, is that these parasites are still exploiting him
and the fans, 10 years after his death.
sinister whom have only recently made death threats where the FBI were involved. Not to
mention any names, many of you must have an idea. My skin has become leather to the
abuse. However, what I find most disgusting of all, is that these parasites are still exploiting him
and the fans, 10 years after his death.
Blissfulviolet: I agree with you on this one. Could you please explain the current vision of
Christian Death? How do you feel this vision has changed or progressed from when Christian
Death first began?
Christian Death? How do you feel this vision has changed or progressed from when Christian
Death first began?
Valor: Your last question has utterly deflated my sense of humor, so Maitri will have to answer
the rest on my behalf. Perhaps we will meet at one of our upcoming concerts, until then, thank
you for your interest in Christian Death.
the rest on my behalf. Perhaps we will meet at one of our upcoming concerts, until then, thank
you for your interest in Christian Death.
Maitri: As I know it, even before the doom of “Catastrophe Ballet,” Valor has been obsessed
with impending doom, religion, history, sex and drugs and rock, rolling only occasionally ha ha.
The music has always been a way to emotionally interpret the meaning behind the words,
whether simple and tame or aggressive and very profound. It is a standard I am happy to work
with. Together we have reached a new level with American Inquisition. I want to see it continue.
with impending doom, religion, history, sex and drugs and rock, rolling only occasionally ha ha.
The music has always been a way to emotionally interpret the meaning behind the words,
whether simple and tame or aggressive and very profound. It is a standard I am happy to work
with. Together we have reached a new level with American Inquisition. I want to see it continue.
Thank you for your very thoughtful questions.
Christian Death
Christian Death
| The story of Christian Death is an interesting one, in fact an entire book could probably be written. Despite all the trials and tribulations that the band has endured over the years, Valor and crew have made it clear that Christian Death is here to stay. The band definitely doesn’t sound the same from when Christian Death originated back in 1979 nor has same vocalist Rozz, but they are indeed fascinating and a gem in death rock history. |