GADGET
Remote Control
By: Greg Alexander
As I sit with the GADGET 'Remote' album in my hands, I cannot believe it has been four years since their 'Promo ‘00' came across my desk. Man, it took a long time, but it sure was worth it! You might be asking, "Who or what is GADGET?" My answer would be, "Pure Fucking Grindcore full of anger, hatred and pain, minus all of the 'gore and silliness.'" GADGET isn't just another grindcore band. One listen to 'Remote' and I'm sure you will agree.
For that reason, I jumped at the chance to talk to William Blackmon, the co-guitarist, co-singer, and drummer of GADGET.
RESOUND: When you sent out the 'Promo ‘00' CD, did you ever think for a minute that a label like Relapse would be interested, or were you just trying to get the GADGET name out there?
William Blackmon / GADGET: I think we had a very optimistic spirit in the beginning, even though we did it just because we guessed it would be the right thing to do. Listening to the tape now of course makes you wonder what the hell we where thinking. Ha ha ha.
But sure, we knew it was a long shot. We only sent off seven tapes, and even then, we sent them five months after the release was completed. So, it was really a very un-pretentious act.
GADGET is an interesting band name. Why did you choose that name for the band?
We took the name GADGET mainly because it sounds good, gets people's attention and doesn't say much about the band or the music. In Sweden, we have had a lot of problems with the name, but I guess this also brings it more attention.
You play guitar, drums, and are one of the vocalists on Remote. How does this translate into the live setting?
I think that we have worked it out quite good now, but it does give some problems with a few of the songs that need two guitars. Emil can handle both live, even though we did used to have another mic back by the drums (we stopped doing that because it seemed like it caused more problems than the benefits it provided).
I've heard a few pre-production versions of songs on 'Remote.' How do you go about writing / recording songs?
It used to be Rikard and I in rehearsal, putting riffs together into songs, but over the years it has changed a lot. Since we put a lot more effort into the writing procedure now than before, it feels easier and better for me to work on my own. Also, since I am a drummer, guitarist, vocalist and also a studio engineer, is seems very natural for me to work out the songs on my own, then record pre-production versions of them so I can show the the rest of the band. Some of the songs are still put together in the rehearsal, even though we always have a lot more finished material now, and less "riff-randomizing."
Lyrically, you aren't political, and you're definitely not gore, so where do you get your inspiration from?
What inspires me to write lyrics is mostly pretentious crap about (my) life and all the aspects of being human. It varies a bit from existentialist ideas, to depressing crap about situations I find myself in. There is even some sci-fi inspired stuff. I usually end up with at least one William Gibson inspired lyric on every recording.
I guess the most important thing for me is that the lyrics are, in fact, about something real. Emil and Rikard tend to write in the same depressing frame of mind, so I guess they agree.
The placement of songs on the album seems very deliberate. For example, the first song, "Still" starts with the line, 'New shit has come to light.' And with the placement of slower songs ("Failure" and "Tema: Skit"), it seems like you were setting the album up for a vinyl format. Was there much effort put into this or am I just reading into things?
Ha ha. I guess you are reading into things the wrong way. We did put a lot of effort into making the track-list the best it could be, and to make the album flow in the best way possible, but we never thought about vinyl. "Still" ended up as the first track because we wanted to open up the record as hard as possible, and that track really seems to grind like hell. "Failure" seemed like a perfect mid-record song, so that it breaks up a bit and gives some dynamics to the record. The last track is considered to be like an outro-thing. We used to play it as an intro at live gigs.
I noticed on the split 7" with EXHUMED, as well as on 'Remote,' that you have the burning pentagram incorporated into your artwork. Why did you choose that symbol to represent your band, especially since Grindcore is usually not associated with satanic imagery?
Just as a gimmick I guess. Ha ha. Everybody knows that rock music is the work of the horned one, and grindcore is no exception! You might find something similar if you look closely at 'Remote' and if you play our songs backwards, you can find loads of satanic verses!
Why did you decide to incorporate solos into some of your songs? Again, Grindcore is not known for this!
Never thought much about it. I just really like doing them, and I guess we are a very metal-influenced Grindcore band. I listen to loads of Death Metal and Black Metal, so the solo stuff has always been up my alley. Then again, Michael Amott played in CARCASS and he is the fucking ace of guitar! Ha!
Lastly, what does the immediate future hold for GADGET?
We just had the album release party here in Gävle, which was a great success! Now that that has taken place, we are mostly hoping to go out and do gigs. Hopefully a tour!! Also, I guess it's back to writing new material. I can't wait!
GADGET's 'Remote' is available now!
www.GADGET.cbj.net
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