1.Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you.
J.S.: I play bass and do vocals. You should listen to our band to kill the monotonous boredom that is this painful existence.
W.D.: Guitars. You should listen to us so that your ears bleed, you vomit, shit and wake the hell up in this zombied out existence! Ha, haaa!!!
K.F.: Drums and general battery to all!
2.What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like?
J.S.: It depends who I am talking to. Like if someone doesn't know anything about metal, I'll just say that we sound like the cookie monster fronting a rock band played on 45rpm.
W.D.: Death metal of the old school variety. We sound like ourselves but under the influences of some of the older Scandinavian death metal bands of the later 80's to earlier 90's era.
3.With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?
J.S.: Do i have to choose here? Like, is there a gun to my head or will a cute puppy get killed if i don't choose? Honestly I am all for both. The truth is that the vast majority of the planet lives under poverty and cannot afford to buy countless records. Its a first world luxury, so I'm totally for digital. I'm conflicted because i spend every spare penny i have on records. I guess its better than doing crack.
W.D.: I prefer and like physical forms of music (CDs, Vinyl & Tapes) overall and hope it will always be there, however I agree with J.S. and not everyone can afford it and digital is still cool to have on hand or for simply checking out new bands or releases online first to give a listen to or to have on your mp3 player when going out as I do not miss my discman from the older times and carrying all that shit around!
4.What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off?
J.S.: Since i was a teenager, I’ve wanted to be in a band. After years of hard work it did pay off as i got to meet all kinds of wonderful people through zines, trades and touring all over the world. I got to experience other cultures and it helped me keep an open mind.
W.D.: It was an interest and focus for me that I got into in my youth and with listening to different music that I liked, it made me want to play as well and so I ended up buying my first cheap guitar and going from there. Paid off or not? I honestly am not sure how to answer that but I love it, I live for it, it keeps me in better track, focused and probably out of a lot trouble as well!
5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair?
J.S.: I don't see women in music getting so called special attention. The reality of things is that we live in a patriarchy and women are unfortunately under represented in metal. If the metal scene was less misogynistic and more welcoming, think of all the great music we could have when more women would get involved.
W.D.: I don't feel its special attention but I feel it's more of the times because in the longer past, there definitely was not as many women into to metal as there is now and I think its cool! Whether its for bands or labels or promoters or fans, its simply about a person, whomever & wherever that likes metal music and wants to be a part of it, that's all. Its not a political debate or to be threatened by or intimidated by but simply to be and to do what a person likes whether that's a man, woman or whatever and with anything for that matter.
6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all time high and metal being an “ angry” music
Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred?
J.S.: I don;t think metal has much of a global impact on a grand scale as it might have at the height of the 80s with metal bands dominating the charts. I think hard n heavy music serves as a catalyst to express one’s anger, hatred and frustrations at the world and that can often be a positive release. Its too bad that to some in the underground, mainly incel-nsbm-one-man-bands spew misdirected hatred and racism. These people are a farce to me.
W.D.: Perhaps it does with some music out there that is based more on politics and imagery but with our music I think it contributes to raw energy and emotion and in turn is a stress reliever from the everyday bullshit that life can sometimes offer up, however, I would like to think it also creates a sense of awareness too and not to do with any political agenda.
K.F.: I just pound the hell out of the drums because it makes me fuckin happy!
7.Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music?
J.S.: Its pathetic to have extremist political campaigns back bands with a political agenda like the National Front did in the UK with R.A.C. bands in the early 80s or to have big-churches back tours of christian bands (as was popular in the 80's christian metal scene). Personally I don't subscribe to politics or religion. The last thing i need is another set of rules.
W.D.: People can do whatever the fuck they want out there but don't push it on me or involve me in it. Secondly, I am not a man that follows the "bouncing ball" or likes to be told what to do, how to be or how to think in this world as I have my own free-thinking individual mind. So, for the most part and even though it's not my quote but I'll use it anyway..."Fuck religion, Fuck politics & Fuck the lot of you!"
8.We have dived into some pretty deep issues here. do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?
J.S.: There's no fantasy in our lyrics. The true horrors are committed by man; not some fictional demons rising from hell. We write about murder, torture, slavery, exploitation, genocide and all things death.
9.The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in today's scene?
J.S.: Depends what you mean by making it. The real definition of "making it" would be to have a major label deal and have your singles in the top 40. Its funny to see people in the underground that are so delusional, thinking that they can achieve that playing extreme metal. I've never heard of labels charging bands to sign with them. That seems like an oxymoron to me ahha . I think independent labels are crucial to helping a band out. They broaden the scope of advertising, promotion and distribution. We're grateful to have label support.
W.D.: I have never heard of labels charging bands to sign with them myself but nothing is surprising anymore I suppose, however, to me that deceives the point in having a label all together in the first place. I also don't think the "making it" thing really applies, that's mostly for other forms of music that appeal to more mainstream audiences and not underground death metal. In saying that, there are some bands out there of course though, that are long time running and are more known and promoted who have a big audience or fan base which has helped them, thus giving them more opportunities over the years you could say. I don't believe labels are a thing of the past in my opinion, there are still many that do exist who support, distribute and promote and we are happy to be on one of them!
10.Why with the thousands of options including netflix , sporting events everything on demand, Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music?
J.S.: I think that big budget movies, professional sports and pop stars are a form of social sedative. They don't foster an environment for thinking. They are purely entertainment. "Opium of the masses" if you will.
W.D.: Its up to people what they want to do or not do or take an interest in. If the tv or internet is your whole existence then so be it and live your life through it but if you have a life and further interests in the "real world" and like metal then feel free to check us out! We are Expunged and we play death fucking metal!
11.How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?
J.S.: I know too well not to fall for pay-to-play ponzi schemes. Bands that think the way to success is to play battle of the bands where the band that sells the most tickets gets the best time slot are being played for fools. I would rather stick to a do-it-yourself attitude.
W.D.: I am aware of that but truthfully...Fuck that shit!
12.It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explain what you think is the most important key to success?
W.D.: We just are who we are and play what we like and its as simple as that. Success could be or mean many things so its hard to define what that is other than be yourself, do what you wish to do in life, keep pursuing your interests or goals and do it, don't just talk about it.
13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?
J.S.: We have our own song writing formula so i think we're going to stick to it. Cover songs are really fun to do, but so far we haven't done any. I do ghost-write songs for other artists though.
W.D.: We write our own music and don't need anyone to ever do that for us and I think it works out well. Yeah doing a cover song would be cool though, this has been a thought for us to possibly consider sometime in the future.
14.If you are pro female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music?
J.S.: I certainly have nothing against anybody using their body to contribute to their band's image and concept. Just because one uses sexuality, it doesn't mean that their lyrics or personalities are void of any substance.
W.D.: Use what you got I suppose, I get it but I won't be shaking my ass anytime soon to help get people more interested in the band, lol!
15.What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll ?
J.S.: I'm afraid I don't understand your question.
W.D.: Its nothing new, not my problem nor do I care. FTW!
16. Ok lets lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?
J.S.: I would probably pick Iron Maiden because I have consistently listened to them for over 20 years and never get sick of them. There are many great bands out there, but Iron Maiden has a vast catalog of good albums.
W.D.: I honestly can't decide on just one, there different bands that I have really liked out there for different reasons, whether it be for a guitarist’s playing style, the general song writing or how the band plays and presents itself live too.
17.What would you be doing if you were not in a band?
J.S.: I probably would be rotting away in prison.
W.D.: In an asylum, conversing with the voices in my head.
18. Do you have a favorite sports team?
J.S.: No.
W.D.: Never, not available here.
19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
J.S.: probably my friends that have died over the years.
W.D.: For dead it would be Lemmy, for alive it would be Dan Swano.
20.This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz.
J.S.: Bands that think everything is a competition and work against others out of jealousy instead of helping each other out.
W.D.: Sometimes its the condescending shitty or unholier than thou attitudes that sometimes comes about now and then.
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