Hi Piers. We'll talk about you for a while and about your next band that you recently put together.
Piers – our new band is Chaos Bleak.
Alan - First of all, imagine where you live, what is your civilian occupation, and in what bands you played and so far you are active + tell the band's focus.
Piers – I live in Nottingham, in the east Midlands of the UK. I'm originally from Oxford. I've been in Nottingham about 20 years. I work with adults with autism and Asperger's for a living. Bands wise, I've been in Arcane Winter, Midnight Configuration, and before that, my solo project Phunna. Before that, deadinblackandwhite and a band covering The Cult and The Doors. We played parties as we were too young to get into pubs! It was hearing Every New Dead Ghost that got me into being in a band.
The idea behind Chaos Bleak is to recreate that classic goth sound, but not follow The Sisters of Mercy template. Personally, I love The Sisters, but too many bands sound like them!
Alan - The last band you put together is Chaos Bleak. Since when did the kapelas exist? And why did you decide to put this group together?
Piers – we started the band in mid 2019, Trev and I had been talking about reforming Arcane Winter, but that didn't pan out, so we decided on a new project. We formed in The Railway Hotel in Hucknall, over some beers. We wanted to have a different bass player, so advertised on Facebook. Justin answered, and he was a shoe-in. We've known him forever, he's a brillaint musicain and a lovely chap. It was a done deal! We started writing and recording straight away.
Alan - How much do you have with Chaos Bleak? And how many of your own songs do you play?
Piers - we've a weath of our own material, we've just released an EP, Transcendental Chaos. There are 4 original songs, and 2 covers. Killing Joke's Requiem and Play Dead's Walk Away. We love both of those bands, it just made sense to cover them. Both songs go down well live. I think our next release will be another EP, but we've had 3 sigles out already. Releasing digitally makes things very easy.
Alan - So far you release everything as a single or EP electronically. Free to listen. Do you have any intention in this?
Piers- yes, digital releases are the easiest to orgainise, press and button and the single is out! I like the idea that our music is easily accessable, music is for the people! The internet makes it simple for music fans to find new bands, or old ones, for that matter, and enjoy music.
You can listen to us at
https://chaosbleak.bandcamp.com/
or look at out prfile on
https://www.facebook.com/chaosbleakband
and watch our videos at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1XvIagyV0ZT6TC3SpSeGLw
Alan - We turn completely. What made you do music for years? And why marginal genres?
Piers - first and foremost, I'm a fan of music, always have been. The next logical step is to start making music. I was in my first band at 15 years old, why stop now? As for “marginal”, I'm more interested in experimental, avant garde, unusal music that pop (although there is nothing wrong with pop), I want to be amazed, have new experiences!
Alan - Chas Bleak sound is built differently than other bands. Which is interesting. Again the question, why are you doing this?
Piers – we write music in a different way, rather than sit around in a rehearsal space jamming away, we write to Trev's sampler and sequencer, I find it very liberating! We build layers of sound, until the whole thing is complete. Like peeling an onion in reverse.
Alan - Do you know the Czech Republic? Have you been here before? Any insights? Or attractions for you?
Piers – I have never been, unfortunately, but I love going to new places and meeting new people. Any promoters, get in touch!
Alan - Thanks for the interview. In conclusion, a message to our listeners? Readers?
Piers – that it's best to think for yourself, have your own experiences and opinions. Get out, meet people and find out more.
https://chaosbleak.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chaosbleakband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1XvIagyV0ZT6TC3SpSeGLw
