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DOGMEAT
Here we have an
interview with Finnish industrial metaller DOGMEAT. The brain behind this one
man band is cool guy called Mikko. Let's hear what he has to say...
Well,Mikko,what's up
with DOGMEAT at the moment?
Right now there is so much to tell, that I don't know where to start...
Well,though there seems to be quite some time since I released the
"Bite" ep via Suggestion Records, I haven't been lazy at all that
time. Right now I have actually two releases recorded and waiting to come out
(Oh,joy!-HE). First one is mini-cd through italian Purity Records. It's titled
"Beautiful" and it includes three new tunes,"Erratic
Act","Something Beautiful" and "Oh So Beautiful". The
songs are more in the vein of my second demo than the "Bite"
ep,though there should be enough aggression for all maniacs,too. The second
forthcoming release is a cassette-ep through australian Empire Of Fire. That ep
includes four new songs,"Monologue?","Silent
Deep","Bite By Bite" and "Ultimate". These songs are
perhaps a bit more relaxed,in a weird sort of rock'n'rollish way. The sound is
a bit different from "Beautiful",though they are recorded in the same
place (S'hole Studios). I'm very satisfied with both of these releases,I just
can't wait for them to come out (I also can't wait-HE),so that others can check
them out too. They both will hopefully be out before summer. I guess the
"Bite" ep has sold relatively well. I haven't heard from Suggestion
for a long time though. I still have some left,in case anyone is interested.
Onko kauheaa,jos joku
teista mokaa lavall?
Yeah right, I guess I'll just skip this,'cause I don't have anything stupid
enough to say right now. Perhaps it is.
Isn't it hard to play
in a band where you are the only member? I mean in a "normal" band
you've got more members to help out with writing music and lyrics. Now it's just
you.
I don't think it's any harder writing-wise. I always write most of the material
that I'll play wheather it's a "real" band or just me. I do play in
band,we play some sort of twisted '70's influenced semi-proge stuff,and for
that band I've made all of our songs. Of course the arranging process is easier
and faster as you don't have to make every part,e.g. in a band you can tell the
drummer what style he should play,and then he just plays it. No boring
programming needed. But I like to make it all by myself sometimes too,that's
why I do this,it's fun and challenging. But as I have to answer all my mail and
these bloody boring interviews (Hey,watch it!-HE) (ha,only kidding of course
Halldor,my friend) it sometimes gets boring.
Another thing that must
be difficult are gigs. Have you done any yet? If so,how were they. If not,are
there any plans to do so?
No,I don't do gigs as DOGMEAT,with my "real" band we've done one.
DOGMEAT will remain as a studio-project.
What do you do when
you're not playing/writing music?
That should be enough for me, I wouldn't want to do anything else,but I guess I
have to as I need money also. Right now I work as a trainee at a local
newspaper,and in autumn I wish to get to study.
What are your lyrics
about,and are the important to you?
My lyrics are mostly about my feelings. Most of them include quite a lot of
negativity, I guess I just let those bad things out this way. Some of the
lyrics kinda have some kind of message,e.g. I'm pleased how the ending of
"Shrouded Tears" turned out,with some positivity too. The lyrics are
important to me to a certain extent,they will never be as important as the
music, but in times I am very critical in what I choose to sing/growl about. So
sometimes writing the lyrics can be quite hard.
What are your feelings
about the following:
Korsenkorva Vodka? I've never liked it so much like some finnish (And
Icelandic-HE) people seem to,but I've drank it quite a lot anyway.But generally
I don't like alcohol that strong,mainly it's beer or wine. Nowadays I've
decided not to drink any alcohol (What?!?!?-HE), so this stuff belongs to my
past.
Lapin Kulta Beer? One of my favorite beers (Mine too-HE),but I don't
drink beer either nowadays (You're weird-HE).
Miki Berenyi of LUSH? Ha...Halldor,how could you,you naughty boy? Miki
is my wet dream, though some may wonder why... But I've always been weak for a
beautiful clean female singing and exotic looks that this girl certainly has.
And besides being good looking she plays some nice guitar too.
Tracii Lords? This makes me smile a lot,'cause as you probably know
she's decided to be a singer now... A real techno queen,ha... Well,her films
(the porno ones,I guess she's acted in some others lately,too?!) are quite
allright,though she's not my favorite in the field of porno.
Porno movies? I don't really watch these that often,as anyway in my
opinion doing it is always nicer than just watching...
Your deal with
Suggestion Records,is it only for the 7"?
Yeah,the deal with Suggestion was only for that 7",as these newer ones are
also only for that one release. So after those two new releases are out,I'm
free for any labels again (a hint,a hint,ha ha!!!!)
Give three good reasons
why people should order your 7"...
Ehm,these are quite boring,but they're my three:1) Hurry,as it will soon become
a collector's item. (You'll be the lucky one to own my first vinyl and then you
can brag about it to your friends when I'm filthy rich and famous). 2) It's
probably your last chance to hear the real-thrashy and filthy sounding DOGMEAT,as
my new stuff is awful sell-out wimpy shit with all this beautiful singing and
almost all no growl (yeah,right). 3) It's a damn good release,ask Halldor if
you don't believe me! (He's right,it's damn good!-HE)
What do you think of
the Finnish scene? What are the best and what are the worst bands?
I don't actually follow the underground scene that much,which is a damn shame
on me,as there are many good bands. There's no point in telling what I don't
like as it's all a matter of taste. But here's a short list of my
favorites:F,UNHOLY,SOULGRIND, PAKENI,XYSMA etc. And these are not actually that
underground anyway,most of them have an album or more out already...
What do you think about
the EEC?
Don't know what to say... The finnish people voted out country to EC last
fall,so we're there nowadays. It's a shame how little I follow politics and
stuff like that. Being a member of EC surely does some things easier for
Finland,but some not. It's quite hard to tell...
Describe your inner
most sexual fantasy?
Hmh,I'm not that eager to share it with all you perverts,but it includes all
these silly clothes,weird positions,funny places and lots of women... And a
real care for each other is important too,really!
Is alcohol your biggest
influence? If not,what is?
No,definitely not,as I managed to get rid of it and I'm still going strong - in
fact stronger than in ages! Alcohol is just a bad vibe for me,it messes up my
mind totally,so at least temporarily I'm out of it! I guess I just have this
need to play,it's just as simple as that. I like to hear and listen to my own
music,and if there wouldn't be anybody to release it,I'd still do it for my own
pleasure. But surely it is satisfying and inspiring if someone else likes it
too. And I would lie to you if I said that I'd rather listen to a cheesy tape
recorded with a cheesy deck in my cheesy room than a cd recorded in real-rock
star studio.
No oletteko sitten
ansainneet rahaa bandinne avulla?
Hell no,but it's a good hobby,so why not spend some money on it. The money
wouldn't last anyway. And I'd rather spend the money on promoting my band than
buy a new set of hockey gear for myself (ha ha). (I've heard stories of finnish
hockey teams,ha ha-HE)
Last words,what you've got for sale,etc.
There's nothing that much to add,I really really really thanks you Halldor for
letting me spoil your pages (Nothing to it-HE). It's always delightful to do
that you know?!
DOGMEAT stuff availble:
"A Prayer To The Dog" demo for 5 US$ or your own tape+2-3 IRC's from
the bands address only!!!
"Bite" 7"ep for 5 US$ in Europe,6 bucks elsewhere and soon out
also: "Beautiful" mini-cd !!Ask for details and price!!!
"Deep" cassette ep !!!Ask for details and price!!!
You can
contact Mikko at the following address:
DOGMEAT,c/o Mikko Muranen,
Ruskokuja 2 as.,
17200 Vaaksy,
FINLAND
the "Bite"
7"ep is also available from:
SUGGESTION RECORDS,
P.O.Box 1403,
58285 Gevelsberg,
GERMANY
"Beautiful"
mini-cd soon out from:
PURITY RECORDS,
Via Alteni 12,
10046 Poirino (TO),
ITALY
"Deep" (cassette ep) will be out on:
EMPIRE OF FIRE,
P.O.Box 244,
Kedron QLD 4031,
AUSTRALIA