"Alter Der Ruine was realized in May of
2005 by Mike Jenney. The band quickly emerged into the Arizona scene
after it's high octane debut gig at Club Asylum in Tucson, AZ. Instantly
shows were booked statewide for AZ. Fetish events, various clubs, and
the infamous Sadisco* gathering. A.D.R. has opened for bands such as
Dismantled, Psyclon 9, Snog, Noise Terror, Still Life Decay, 45 Grave
and more. The band released it's debut album, "The Ruine Process" in
August of 2006. Immediate success of the release took them on a small
West Coast tour playing at venues including Das Bunker, Quarantine,
Infirmary & Palladium in TJ Mexico."
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the entirety of Alter Der
Ruine. For more infos check out:
http://www.ruine-process.com/
Introduce
yourself; who are you, what do you do?
Mike J: Programming, live drums, production
Mike T: Programming, live drums/keys
Xian: Musician/Percussionist
Jacob: Keyboards, additional drums
---
What is Alter Der Ruine // Can you provide us
with a brief bio of the project?
Mike T: Well the band was started in 2005 by Mike J. and so it is
a story only he can tell. My version includes a hornless unicorn and is
far superior but alas, it is not my tale to proclaim.
Mike J: ADR was started in 2005 as a quasi political noise band.
It was an outlet from another band created to delve into the more
experimental noise and rhythmic noise genres.
Xian: Alter Der Ruine was created in May 2005 by Mike Jezzy.
After releasing the debut album "The Ruine-Process" Mike Treveloni
joined the band then Xian [R]. We signed to Los Angeles based record
label Sistinas Music and work began on "State of Ruin". On completion of
the album Jacob Rouse joined the band.
---
Why did you choose this name to represent this
project?
Mike J: At the time I was under the impression it was the German
translation for Age of Ruin, which I've since come to learn is not the
case, but regardless it sounds cool and it's been the name for too long
to do anything about.
---
What do you hope to accomplish with Alter Der
Ruine / with music in general?
Mike J: So far it's been a reason to travel and I love playing
music so it works out really well. I really enjoy writing and playing
music and getting people to dance.
Xian: Longevity and have fun doing it!
Jacob: I hope for this to be something that I can do for a long
time, and just make music that people like to listen to and watch live.
Mike T: Well, making some money back would be nice, but we really
chose the wrong genre to profit off of so to say that really makes us
(me) look stupid.. We just love making music. We like traveling and
playing to new crowds and completely being a surprise to whoever catches
us.
---
How did you get into power noise / harsh
industrial music? Why do you choose to create it?
Mike J: My wife tamara (DJ plastic Disease) got me into it. I'd
always liked it but she pushed me to actually make it. I also enjoy
sound design and especially the type of sound that the noise genre can
get away with.
Mike T: For me it started a few years back when my roommate at
the time got me back into industrial music (we had a slight falling out
for a while). Once I had settled into ebm it was only a matter of time
before noise came calling. The first CD I picked up was FFWD>Burnout by
Hypnoskull and from there on I was in love with genre.
Many musicians make music they want to hear and I don't think I'm any
different. There's a certain style and groove I like and want to hear so
I just go make it. The fact it tends to be noisy has little to do with
any deep thought process or subconscious meaning. It stems more from
something like watching a person wearing a business suit with sneakers
fall down, then wondering, "what would the soundtrack to that image be?"
Xian: I got into electronic music in 1984. In the late 80's I was
introduced to EBM by a DJ in New York City and was completely blown
away!
The music was new and different. It was like, what I've been listening
to all this time but amplified 5 times. When I first heard Noize, it had
the same effect. New and different. ...And amplified 5 times!
I enjoy creating and playing this style of music because it's what I'm
feeling, it's very expressive, insanely intense and simply a lot of fun
to play live! It also has extreme potential to become huge.
Jacob: I used to listen to bands like KFMDM and Skinny Puppy a
little bit here and there, but I didn't really start getting into
electronic/industrial music until I met Mike Jezzy about 4 years ago.
Since that time it's become a favorite genre for me. I like creating
this kind of music because of the energy behind it, both through the
music we create and through the people that listen to it.
---
A lot of people seem to think that power noise
is meant to be very straight-forward and repetitive (e.g. boring and
bland). How do you guys keep your music fresh and interesting?
Mike J: I like to dance and like to make music that I'd dance to.
Whether my music is original or not, I make what I like and if it comes
out original than that's great. I don't set out to be groundbreaking,
but I do put a lot of time and effort into the engineering and
programming and hope people can respect that.
Xian: Well, for "State of Ruin" the three of us coming together
with different musical backgrounds, different styles of writing and
ridiculous amounts of creativity, we really worked on combining all of
those elements to come up with something original and complex.
Mike T: Honestly I have no idea. We just jump in the studio and
start working and the finished product comes out and people like it. We
make music we want to hear and because there are four of us we draw from
a lot of influences. Also, being fans of both old and new styles/genres
of music keeps us constantly changing. So maybe we're on the wave and it
sounds new, or we may be ten years behind and sound old which the older
fans like and the younger fans aren't familiar with so it sounds new.
---
According to your website, Alter Der Ruine is
comprised of four members. How do you guys divide up the production
duties between all of you?
Jacob: I came into the band after the new album was finished, but
from just observing them work, and working on other things with them,
it's a very open creative process. Everyone works on their part, giving
feedback on whatever is being worked on, and then bring it all together.
Mike T: It's pretty much a free for all in the writing stages.
Everyone works separately then brings it in like show and tell hour.
From there it gets mashed up and turned into magic. Noise magic, which
is slightly less lame than it sounds.
When everything is done and ready to be mixed down Mike J. steps
forward. He has a lot of engineering skill and can get those really huge
kicks and fill out the songs nicely so that no frequency is too lonely.
Keep an eye out for him as we're all positive he'll be popping up on
records very soon.
Mike J: Yeah, we work independently then bring it together and if
someone has a good idea we see it through. Then I take it and work on
the engineering and design and overall production.
---
Obviously, multiple members should make for a
very interesting live show (from the images on your website the live
shows look quite intense!). Since I, and a ton of other people,
unfortunately don’t live on the west coast, can you describe the Alter
Der Ruine live experience for us? Are you guys planning on doing more
tours in the future?
Jacob: Lots, and lots of energy! At any given time there are at
least two of us playing drums. The more we move and get into the live
show, the more the crowd gets into it as well. We definitely try to make
a lasting impression with our live shows. Someone, who normally wouldn't
listen to our music, might become a fan simply because of the live
experience.
Xian: Tours in the future? OH YES! We're just getting started!
The four of us are all about playing live! Alter Der Ruine live is "A
complete live experience". When the band was revised and regrouped, we
sat down and decided that we're all musician's with experience, so there
is absolutely no reason we shouldn't perform most everything live. In
doing so, each show is a little different than the last and you
definitely get that "Live" sound and energy!
Mike J: We jump around a lot and jam.
---
How do you feel about playing live in general,
and how has it affected you as a musician?
Mike J: The more I play live, the more I like to see movement. So
I create accordingly and like to move with it.
Xian: I love it! It gives me a sense of satisfaction and
wellness. I learn from each show and therefore I feel it has made me a
better musician for sure.
Mike T: I love playing live. We all move around a lot and put out
a lot of energy. The best noise shows I've been to always have a lot of
movement and are very loud. We try to do our part and hope the audience
gets involved too. As for musicianship, it's really opened my eyes to
dissecting live performances and making me aware of what's being played
and what isn't. Not saying it's necessarily a bad thing, just that's
it's very intriguing.
Jacob: Playing live is the greatest feeling. It definitely makes
it all worth it seeing people dancing and really getting into our music.
It pushes me to constantly strive to be a better musician. I want to
make each live show better than the last one.
---
You’re getting ready to release a new album
State of Ruin through Sistinas Records. How was the process of writing
and recording this album different from your previous album The Ruine
Process? What can we expect from the new album?
Mike J: I wrote the first album alone so I only had my point of
view come across. Obviously on the new disc I had insight from my
bandmates and we all created and shaped a new view and sound for the
band.
Mike T: The new album is a lot different than the first. While
The Ruine Process was dark and gritty, the new CD goes to the other end
of the spectrum and is a lot more melodic and cleaner sounding. We took
some chances too and the results have been pretty interesting. There are
songs that stray into hip-hop and electro all while remaining pretty
noisy. Don't get me wrong though, it has its heavy moments too.
Jacob: The first album sucked because I wasn't around for it. The
second one is slightly better because I was on one track and was hanging
out with the guys while it was being written. The one you should really
look out for is album #3. It's gonna be all me baby!! Actually, I have
no idea. I shouldn't have been allowed to answer this one...
---
How have your expectations, goals, and/or
dreams (music related or otherwise) changed since you began this
project?
Mike J: I think it's the greatest thing in the world to be able
to travel and play music with my friends. Everyone's so supportive in
this scene and I'm happy to have met so many awesome friendly people.
Mike T: They've seen fruition. That's more than I had ever
imagined for myself in this area. It's great to be working with such
great people and actually witnessing results from our hard work.
Everyday we're seeing new doors open up and that alone is more than
enough incentive to keep doing what we love.
Xian: For me, having been in and out of so many projects over the
years, it feels great to finally be working with a group of guys that
are all on the same sheet of music. We write and play well together, we
all get along great, and we make shit happen! All I can say is to follow
your dreams, work hard at what you do and NEVER GIVE UP!
Jacob: Being in the band has shown me just how much time, effort,
and hard work really has to go into it if you want your band to be
successful. It's definitely put things in perspective for me, but I'm
working with an awesome group of guys that share the same love for
music, so it makes all the hard work completely worth it.
---
What do you think the future of “industrial”
music is? What about specifically the “noisey” subgenres of industrial?
Mike T: The future pulls from the past and music will more than
likely return to something familiar. There's huge debates over what
industrial is and where it's going and coming from and at this point I
don't really read into it much. I like the music, one thing inspires
another and therein rests the only part I really admire which is the
inspiration and creativity.
I actually get kind of tired of hearing people claiming they're blazing
new trails. While there are a uncharted paths out there, there's a lot
of conquered ground with many different flags in it. People should just
do what they like and leave it at that.
BUT, If I had to list a few artists I'm really enjoying at the moment
I'd have to say Endif, Marching Dynamics, Noisuf-X, The Operative, Ulver
and the newest Melotron.
Mike J: All music is influenced by all music. Having that said,
things are going to morph and change, hopefully for the better. As long
as electronic music stays strong, industrial will always have a scene.
As for the noise subgenres, there are changes going on in it right now
and it's hard to foresee where it's going. People will always like
aggressive music and if it's translated to the electronic genre then
noise will more than likely have a home.
---
What do you foresee in the future of Alter Der
Ruine?
Jacob: Lots of touring, another awesome album, and possibly a
straight-to-home-video movie deal. =)
Xian: ADR - The Rolling Stones of the underground!
I'd like to see us releasing albums and touring when we're 65!
LOL! 8 - )
Mike J: We're going to keep making music and hopefully people
like it. We'll always change so things will probably sound different
from album to album.
---
Any last words?
Xian: I'd like to thank everyone who supports us and the
underground music scene. THANK YOU!
Mike J: Endif, The Operative and Caustic rule!
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview. Wounds of the
Earth wishes Alter Der Ruine much success in the future!
-[.d4n b4rr3tt.]
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