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First of all, please introduce your band to the
readers.
Kemao (vocals): We are Code Name, a Spanish band
from the city of Valencia. The band formed in the summer
of 1999 and since then we have suffered constant
evolution: from metal to industrial music. We have
changed our members as we change our underwear every day...
in other words, I am the only founding member that is
still in the band. At the moment, the band consists of
seven people: Kemao (vocalist), Crazy (Vocalist), Betty
(Vocalist and Keyboards), Krow (Keyboards and Samplers),
Mo-Zombie6 (Bass), Fuck-Un (Guitar) and Henry W. (Drums).
How did things get started with Code Name?
Kemao: We started playing in and around our city
and more and more we achieved a certain prestige among
the other Valencian bands. We performed in some music
contests and won two of them. That gave us enough funds
to record our first CD, “Here Comes A New Challenger”.
We sent our work to several record companies without any
outstanding result. In our country you are very lucky if
they don’t ignore you. This first album didn’t convince
us at all, and even made some members of the band
decided to leave the band.
According to your biography, you used to make 'metal
that was fashion in those times' when you first started.
What can we expect by that? And what made you decide to
start walking the industrial path?
Kemao: A part of the band only listened to metal
music, but the rest were more open-minded to new and
experimental music paths. We dreamt about using more
modern sounds. This was one of the reasons of the
partition of the band. In those times we used to listen
to Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, etc.,
while the other members kept listening to Pantera, Korn,
etc. Therefore, they didn’t let us progress and that
caused strain and disappointment in those days.
How would you describe your music of nowadays? And
what are your main influences?
Kemao: Nowadays, we make a fusion of rock, metal,
gothic, industrial and punk trends. We always avoid
imitating other bands, which is a very common practice
in our country. In Spain you can find clones of almost
every band. But obviously we have our influences such as
KMFDM, Misfits, Orgy, Icon of Coil, Type O Negative and
Sisters of Mercy.
Your latest album, 'Bizarre Action Figures', got
excellent ratings from our webzine. But, what do you
think of it yourself?
Kemao: In Spain, metal music is still above
industrial music because of the quantity of followers.
Consequently, people and musical criticizers often
reject the remixes. On “Bizarre Action Figures”, we
added 6 remixes done by bands we are friends with, which
have been criticized. We don’t understand this... they
are at the end of the CD, so if you don’t want to listen
to them, just listen to our own songs. Regarding to the
original tracks, we have tried to find out a retro
sound, as good as modern. The worst part for us
regarding to “Bizarre Action Figures” was the lack of
money we had to record more tracks...
How were the other replies so far on the album?
Kemao: People received it very well and we have
obtained very positive replies from other bands and
music magazines because our CD is very varied and fresh.
The album was mastered at Finnvox Studios, Finland.
Why did you do the mastering at a place this far away?
Kemao: Our producer recommended us to master it
there, because of its prestige. In Spain we couldn’t
find anything better anyways. We are very satisfied with
the results.
What is in your opinion the best song on 'Bizarre
Action Figures' and why?
Kemao: Critters. We already enjoyed it a lot
while we were still creating it. We even recorded a
video clip of it and we really had fun during the video
shoot. I also think that is a track for everyone.
Code Name operates under a certain, recogniseable
image. How important is image for a band like Code Name?
Kemao: Our image is essential. It’s 50% of the
band! Maybe without our image we would never have
reached this point. We love B-Horror movies and that is
why we give expression to them in our songs. But,
although our lyrics have a humorous touch, we also talk
about things that worry us.
Both the music and the image give the suggestion of a
cool live show. What can a stranger expect when he
visits a gig of Code Name?
Kemao: Our show is a bizarre one, where people
have fun and at the same time they enjoy the music.
Forget about watching 7 people cutting heads: we just
dance and we make people dance too, with our particular
sense of humour. People who come to one of our concerts
can not stay indifferent and just drink a beer.
Spain isn't really known for its metalbands (with
some exceptions in the grindcore scene), and even less
known for it's industrial metal bands. How is the
industrial metal scene in Spain? And what kind of people
do you mostly see at your gigs?
Kemao: We admit that we have very good bands,
like Freak XXI, Kulture Kultur or Bad F-Line. They are a
proof of our scarce industrial scene. We also have bands
which are the new generation and are deep influenced by
bands in fashion like Marilyn Manson, A perfect Circle,
Rammstein… The audience at our live shows mostly
consists of dark and gothic people, the same as you can
find on festivals like M’era Luna. The problem is that
those people are quite limited, compared with the metal
crowd.
What can we expect of Code Name in the near future?
Kemao: New movies transformed in songs and a lot
of rage and humour. We are already creating new songs
for a future album!
The interview ends here, thanks a lot for your time.
If you have something to add, the final words are all
yours.
Kemao: Yes. I would like to sum up by adding the
link where you can know more about us:
Our website: www.codename-music.com. Our myspace:
www.myspace.com/codenamemusic. Our Fotolog:
www.fotolog.com/7ro (which we update every day with new
pictures!)
Furthermore, I’d like to give you the link of Eskoria
Films, the film company with who we make short films and
video clips: www.eskoriafilms.com.
Thanks for your support. It has been a pleasure. Regards
from the seven Spanish creatures!
Interview by: Gerardo (January 2007) |
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