|
Something
good is brewing Down Under. With a couple of releases behind them,
Tourettes Syndrome haven’t exactly caused a stir on these shores,
but this just might change with the new release, ‘Sicksense’
– a blast of an album that oozes of courage and power. Front
woman Michele Madden answers a few questions from
Powermetal.dk’s Thomas Nielsen.
TNI:
With Sicksense I believe you have created something that’ll not
go unnoticed by fans and media alike. It’s a great blend of
styles and moods. How would you describe your music?
Michele:
Thanks man, I never really know how to answer this question!
It’s different, Like Janes Addicton getting fucked on good coke
by slayer? Hahah…its journey music, takes you out of yourself.
Pure sonic fuckcore.
TNI:
Brutality seems to be central in your whole expression – the
video for Stand [bonus video track on Sicksense] is violent on par
with Fight Club. Would you characterise yourself as a violent
person?
Michele:
Yes. Emotionally violent. I keep a grip on the physical side of it
a lot more these days cause I know that people want me to hit them
and I wont give them that. I turn it on myself. I have spent a lot
of my youth around the rougher side of life so I think that I find
it familiar.
That
film clip was my idea.
TNI:
Who writes Tourettes Syndrome’s music? Is it a band effort?
Michele:
Ash writes the music and Mike and Ross get the feel right and I
turn up with the words.
TNI:
Unlike most other female singers in metal bands, you manage to
sound both as gentle as a female soul singer and as grim as a
growler. How did you end up doing this thing? Are you a trained
singer originally?
Michele:
hahahah! Hell no! It’s just got more precise as the years have
gone on. Trained? Hell I didn’t even make it through high school
let alone some kind of vocal training!!!.
TNI:
If you had to single out one track from Sicksense that sums up
what Tourettes Syndrome is all about, which one would it be and
why?
Michele:
For me it’s NOLA. It’s a real “Fuck You” Epic and it still
makes me feel like I could chew rocks and shit out a highway.
TNI:
The reports we Europeans receive of metal events in
Australia are only sporadic. How would you characterise the scene – alive
and thriving?
Michele:
It’s a lot smaller than here but it does alright. Metal for the
brain is the big festival but in its 16th year that
have decided to pull the plug which is sad. We tend to do our own
thing away from any specific scene...
TNI:
You played this year’s Wacken festival in Germany. How did that go down?
Michele:
Like Jenna Jameson baby. Smooth! I had the time of my life and I
can’t wait to do it again after a year of building up the tribe
out here. It was magic.
TNI:
Where do you see Tourettes Syndrome in, say two year’s time?
Commuting back and forth between
Australia
and
Europe
constantly perhaps?
Michele:
Guess that’s the way that it is gonna be. I guess 9 months out
here and 3 back home. It’s where the music leads you you know? I
know that we are gonna break the
US
in that time if I’ve got any say in it!
TNI:
Let’s play a wee association game. Give me your immediate
thoughts on:
Live
performances
Michele:
Better than anything else. I fuckin live for it!
Europe
(the continent, not the Swedish rock band…)
Michele:
Never
boring, Too much meat! Better if I was not broke! Cool fans.
Korn
Michele:
Sweet
guys.
Jonathan is very polite.
Mortal
Sin
Michele:
Fucking
legends! Gentlemen to the core.
Home
Michele:
Too
far away right now….
TNI:
Try to list the five albums that influenced you most (in no
particular order) and tell us why.
Michele:
Arghhhhh!!!!!How about the 500????
Ok
this is right now mind….I will think of all the ones that I
should have put in later!!!
Everything
by The Rollins band…ever…..
It’s the drive that gets me every time. His words and the power
behind them.
The
Real thing. Faith No More.
My first ever boyfriend made a tape of this for me and I listened
to it until it broke. It became a huge influence on me, The
tension, the way I sing…I still listen to it to this day.
Lynard
Skynard.
Round 96 the cat [panteras drum tech] was listening to this non
stop which then got Big Val hooked which in turn got ME hooked.I
dug them before this but I then became a dyed in the wool fan.
Drove to Phoneix that xmas with the Box set blaring. Good times!
Miles
Davis live at Carnigie hall 1958.
This album I listened to every night as a child before I went to
sleep. It made me feel better than I am.
Pod
People - Doom saloon.
These guys are from my hometown and the last 3 years I have
listened to this album on the road non stop. Its like a soundtrack
for me. Definitely worth hunting down. I dunno if it influences me
but I sure as fuck dig it at
3 in
the morning in the back of the van!
TNI:
Thanks a million for answering my questions! Do you have any
comments for the readers?
Michele:
Thanks for asking them! See y’all at a show sometime.
SF4L
Michele.
Interviewed
by Thomas Nielsen |
