SP interview on DeathRat Fanzine

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The newest DeathRat issue is featuring a Secular Plague interview. Grab the issue for free here or read it below:

First of all, can you explain the name “Secular Plague”?
Honestly, I chose that name mostly because it sounded good and because there weren’t any other band named Secular Plague. You know, there’s so many bands right now that it’s not so easy to find
an original band name. Apart from the sounding, I like the fact that this name seems to piss off both religious and anti-religious extremists.

How did the band form?
Back in december 2011, I wanted to make some new music… my old band Sleeping Children separated almost 5 years ago and I focused on many other interests of mine during all that time, but felt
that it was the right time to create a new project. As I left Paris and now live in a small Belgian city, I had a hard time finding the right bandmates and finally decided to focus on songwriting and record all instruments myself for now.

What inspired the artwork of the band?
The first album were written and recorded in 4 months, so I didn’t really had lots of time to focus on the artwork. I chose the brick artwork for the album cover because it describes SP music very well: punchy and in your face. Now, SP is working with American artist Robert Inhuman for the second album artwork. I already seen some of the art Robert is doing for the new album and it’s really amazing. It’s visually dark with a strong message and fit very good with the music.

Why did you decide to have the album available for free?
As no one is gonna make money selling punk or deathrock records, why not giving it away for free? People will download it anyways, and we have CDs for those who want to have a real record instead of a few mp3s. But nevermind, when you have real things to say, it’s better to be heard than to be paid.

What does each band member bring to the music?
Well, Secular Plague is mostly myself: I write, compose, play and produce… I had several guys to play guitar and drums with me, but they weren’t the right members for SP. My good friend Lois John Slut (Deadchovsky, Sleeping Children) help me with recording/production, and will maybe join me for shows. I’m also talking with another good friend from Paris and we’re seeing what we can do. It’s not easy to deal with that distance problem, but we’ll see.

Who are some of the band’s main influences?
I listen to many many many different kinds of music, from jazz to metal. But SP influences are definitely punk, hardcore and deathrock. I like to mix the energy of old school hardcore with the gloomy, minor chords which are popular in deathrock. To cite a few bands, let’s say T.S.O.L, Rudimentary Peni, Circle Jerks, Cro Mags, The Exploited…

How is it working with Zorch Factory Records?
It’s very cool. I know Manu Zorch since ten years, and he’s doing a very good job with his label. Releasing the first album on ZFR allowed SP to be discovered by many music lovers who are following Zorch Factory. I think it’s a really interesting opportunity for bands.

What does the future of Secular Plague look like?
Right now, I’m working on a second album, to be released in 2013 on three different labels: Zorch Factory for the free digital release, Realicide Youth Records in the US, and Flehmen Records in Europe. I also hope to do a few shows in 2013, and work on an animal rights benefit punk/deathrock compilation with my label Flehmen Records.

Secular Plague interview on Intervencion Punk webzine

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Secular Plague has recently been interviewed by South American webzine Intervencion Punk. The complete interview, in Spanish and English, can be found here. Below is the English version.

IP: Small bio about the band
SP: Secular Plague was created in January 2012 and the first album was released 4 months later. Right now, SP is writing and recording its second album, to be released in early 2013 on three different labels..

IP: Why the name of the band?
SP: The main reason why I chose this name was because it sounded good and weren’t already taken by another band. And I definitely like this name’s ability to piss off both religious and anti-religious radicals.

IP: Members of the band
SP: Secular Plague mostly consists of myself (Saphire). I write songs and play all instruments on the recordings. I tried various guitarists and drummers but unfortunely none was the right person for the band. Though, I’m in contact with several musicians from Paris, which is my hometown, and we are discussing future SP shows together.

IP: Influences
SP: I listen to lots of differents genres, from Jazz to Metal, but Secular Plague influences are definitely punk, hardcore and deathrock. To name a few bands, let’s say T.S.O.L, Rudimentary Peni, The Exploited, early Nirvana, Circle Jerks…

IP: Favorite movies
SP: I like almost everything about 70′s New York. My favorite movie is definitely Taxi Driver. Every man have a Travis in him.

IP: Discography
SP: We released our first, eponymous album in May 2012. Our second release should be available in early 2013.

IP: Any of you did play in others bands previous Secular Plague?
SP: I was the bass player of Paris deathrock band “Sleeping Children” from 2003 to 2006.

IP: How do you approach the process of writing new material??
SP:Generally, after dinner, I plug my bass or my guitar and play… and if it sounds good, then I record a quick demo. Writing lyrics is a longer process, as I do my best to write lyrics with a strong meaning.

IP: How often do you guys practice?
SP: I play everyday, and I played weekly with other people.

IP: We can see you support animal rights causes, tell us about it
SP:I support animal rights since more than a decade, and I’m a vegetarian. In our so-call modern world, animals are man’s slave and that’s just unfair. Our second album will contain songs about animal rights, most notably “Abolish Bullfighting”.

IP: Any tour??
SP: I’ve toured Europe years ago with Sleeping Children, but not yet with Secular Plague. Maybe soon, who knows..

IP: Worst experience in a show??
SP: When I was so drunk on stage at Wave Gotik Treffen 2005 that I unplugged by bass jack…and didn’t even noticied it. ha!

IP: Future plans?
SP: For now, finish the second album and promote it as best as I can!

IP: How can we support your band?
SP: You can buy a CD or a Tshirt, or if you can’t/don’t want to spend money, talk about Secular Plague on your facebook page to help spread the word!

IP: Final message
SP: Thanks a lot for your time and interest!

Read the interview in Spanish and English on http://intervencionpunk.com/secular-plague/

Album review by Mick Mercer

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Secular Plague had the honor to be reviewed by Mick Mercer, the well-known English writer who discovered lots of goth and punk band in the 80′s. You can read his review below or on Mick’s facebook page.

Ferocious! Well, that’s what I thought initially, somewhat reeling in shock that I was listening to some hardcore punk, from a band started by former Sleeping Children man Saphire, but then my ears started to level out and like a cocky albatross I began gliding around in an analytical manner.

‘Brainwashed By Medias’ actually threw me right back in time to 1982 where clear divisions existed in Punk. The adventurous sounds were coming from America and the scenes were lifestyle-related in the UK, with the Anarcho, UK82 and Oi scenes clearly quite separate. Secular Plague fit into the rumbustious UKL82 ethos. The songs are short and punchy but with enough of a melodic tinge to keep you listening. Grubby guitar lunges out and dominates tense vocals and there is something about the Arrangement which probably appeal to mathematicians. ‘Heal Me’ gnashes politely, similarly taut and briskly repetitive.

‘Gourmet Cruelty’ slows the guitar gait and the drums lope leanly and if SP have a problem it’s the lack of vocal clarity although I wouldn’t have wanted to hear these particular lyrics. ‘Violent World’ is choppier, the guitar carving through the air like unravelling barbed wire, and ‘Paranoia’ could be an extension but for the bassier sounds. Like most UK82 bands Secular Plague start to sound very samey after a few songs, as this is always a basic set-up and attack. What works for them is the stark, linear brevity.

In ‘Can’t Stand The World’ the guitar is a touch jauntier and the vocal sneer like an underfed Ruts. ‘Police Prejudices’ scampers meanly, ‘Based On A Nonsense’ stands and reverberates calmly, but also seems dull because of the more orderly approach. ‘The One To Blame’ is far feistier, the vocals and guitar equally pointed, the guitar lustily propelling the song forward.

‘The Breath Of Eternity’ manages to tease out extra guitar tendrils which fill the sound in a more interesting manner, ‘School Propaganda’ just grumbles along sounded fairly ordinary but we close with a more compelling and sour ‘The Endless Fight.’

The problem, which Saphire may take as a compliment, is that it all sounds like it came from that third wave of Punk, as though I’d just dug out an old record. The vocal delivery is a genuine antique, the clipped narrative stapled to a bulimic rhythmical strategy. As I never liked many of the bands from back then I personally am not impressed by this, but people who revel in that area will surely be interested, and it is still a well-respected vein of Punk’s dappled strata. Overlooked at the time it’s actually something very well served by blogspot treasure hunters.

I think Saphire needs a band to get more juice out of his ideas, as solo Punk ventures can never convey true power, but more importantly if he can replicate an approach so well he should equally be able to work out how to make this approach sound relevant for today with a new shape. There is so little anger in music these days, particularly as Industrial is too self-indulgent to encompass any useful worldview, that a modern Punk voice could be thrilling.