::Looking through the looking hole::
::You will eat your own soul::Klutching Envy Interview
Conducted with Johnny Sick W!sh*Who is KLUTCHING ENVY? >>>Where are you from? >>>Who plays what?
KLUTCHING ENVY is spawned from the filth infested streets of New York City. It’s really simple. I’m the mastermind behind KLUTCHING ENVY. I basically run the organization…I have a live band I do underground shows with, and I also collaborate with other musicians, from other bands when we are creating in the studio as well. The current line up that I have for KLUTCHING ENVY is:
Sick Wish……………..Vocals, productions, keyboards/programming
Szandor Seven.………..Live guitars, guitars, keyboards
Nickel…………………Live bass
Zen……………………Drums, live drums*How old are the band members?
I am 25, and the rest of the guys range from ages 18-25*How did the band form?
Basically I got tired of being a pawn in other peoples projects, so I decided to form KLUTCHING ENVY. I was involved with different metal/industrial bands before K.E. They were already established bands looking for lead singers. Their material was already written before hand, and my job would be to just add vocals. Half these instrumentals did not fit in with my vision of what I wanted to do. I could see that these bands were not going anywhere. They were very mediocre, and there was nothing special about them. I jumped around from band to band, and I saw the situation was always the same. Everyone wanted to be in charge and control the band, and in my opinion, too many chefs spoil the soup. I realized it was time to take charge, start from scratch, and do this right. Everyone knows if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. I felt that could not be truer. I put ads in the paper, on the internet, and in clubs. I found Seven while hanging around Union Square. He had the same nihilistic religious beliefs, the same industrial/metal influences, he played killer guitar, and didn’t have a problem with me being a control freak. We hit it off great. I guess the two of us are the core of KLUTCHING ENVY. All the other members come and go. That’s why we have them listed as live band members. My live band works for me…they are not really part of the creative process. The creativity comes from me and sometimes Seven. I also work with other musicians from other bands as well in the studio. There are really no rules in the game, except the ones I establish.*How long have you been playing together?
Roughly about a year, or so. Maybe a little more.*How would you describe your music?
Well, our music has a strong heavy industrial/techno/metal sound, vocals that can go from 0-60 in a blink of an eye, some bone dry, neck breaking guitar riffs with goth like atmospheres, with some melodic electronica, over some powerful beats. It doesn’t do any justice describing our music…it’s something you just have to hear for yourself.*What bands have the greatest influence on you?
My biggest influence is The Psychedelic Furs. They really have nothing to do with our sound much but they influence the structure of the band. Something about Richard Butler’s vocals and lyrics mystifies me. They were never afraid to try new styles, new concepts, and new outlooks on things. They had radio success but that was never their intention, like most bands seem to often do. They just loved what they did and that kind of attitude speaks loudly about a band. They have a large following, and all in all, we hope to accomplish the same thing they have…and that’s having a loyal fan base that would stick behind us. There are many more musicians that have influenced me but there is no way I can sit here and name them all. Personally it’s not just about being a musician. Talent alone does not cut it. It depends on what kind of vibe you put out, and how people react to this vibe. It’s also about being an all around artist, and challenging yourself to create masterpieces in everything you touch. I look up to my influences for inspiration, and then see what I can personally bring to the table with what I have inside me. I am looking to feel some sort of gratification from all this, for what that’s worth. I want to share my art and my views with the world so they can enjoy it or be influenced by it, just as the many recording artists have influenced me.*If you could meet any musician, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet and work with Richard Butler from The Psychedelic Furs. I would like to collaborate and do a track with him personally. I feel it would be a great honor. We do a cover of his song “Alice’s House” already, and that’s getting lots of airplay in Industrial/Goth clubs across the U.S. and I would love it if we would be able to do that track together some time in the future.*Any releases or upcoming events people should know about?
Fuck yeah! We are currently spending countless hours in the studio, working on our debut album “Industrial Plastic”. It should be out by early Fall 2000. We are going to release it on our very own label: DRUG MOUTH RECORDS. We are working on a shoe string budget, but again I feel if you want something done right you have to do it your fucking self. I hate the idea of working hard, and then making someone else rich off of your own blood and sweat. Unless we get a killer record deal, we will just keep releasing on our very own label. Hopefully, as we go along, we will be able to sign other bands as well in the near future. As of right now, due to our budget, we are doing everything possible to get KLUTCHING ENVY’S debut album finished in the studio, and then into the hands of as many deserving fans as possible.*How would you persuade someone to go to one of your concerts?
After our release we will start some kind of a tour. We will try and hit local clubs first, and then venture off and hit as many cities as possible. We are really not into begging people to like us. If you can relate, and feel that you’re one of us, you will like us and support us. If you don’t like us, then fuck you……don’t come to our shows, and don’t buy our album. No one is making you listen to us. We do our thing regardless of opinions…everyone is entitled to their own. We love our fans, and we play live shows for them. As far as our live show, we are going all out. I can’t reveal what we have planned right now, but it is something that you have to see for yourself. I am sure the next day you will be talking about our show with all of your friends. We plan on bringing a lot of energy and craziness to each club we play in…that’s all I can say right now.*Any big plans for the future?
Well, like all the shit I’ve mentioned so far….we are taking it one step at a time. We are releasing our debut album “Industrial Plastic” on our own label, Drug Mouth Records, hopefully sometime in early fall. Then we plan to start touring to support this album. From there, we will see what the future holds. We plan on signing other killer underground bands to our label, as well as continuing to give our fans more of what they want. There will be no stopping us. Hate us. Love us. We are here and we won’t go away. We are a hateful organization that’s growing with each passing day. Either you’re one of us, or you’re not. There is no in between…..S!CK W!SH