Flesh Salad Fanzine Interview [October 23, 2008] Hi JL, how are you now. Well tell us something about yourself and what are you currently doing while answering this interview. Are you aware about "Women on Waves dock in Valencia"? What is you view about that? Hi, Joselito! Right now I'm at home trying to relax myself after a crazy Halloween party in Barcelona. Even I'm listening the last Chris Cornell album (ex-Soundgarden singer), so you can imagine it has been a really hard weekend, ha, ha�About the new you say, I remember I watched it at the TV, and I totally agree in the free abort for women, because they are owners of their decisions and not the fucking politicians and religion. Well for the benefits for non Spanish metal maniacs, could you please introduce to us FLESH SALAD Fanzine and how it was started? Well, I started with FS'Zine in 1998, although from the end of eighties I have been very involved into the most deep extreme underground, tape trading, buying fanzines, writing to bands, etc... So, it was quite easy for me to start my own project. My first three issues were written in English, my third issue had an overwhelming response from the UG with over 600 copies sold around the world�Maybe too many, 'coz it really stressed me and I stopped my activity until last year, when I began with the zine again, but this time writing in Spanish. Obviously that you are a fan of extreme metal gore/grind music coz you named the zine into FLESH SALAD, well besides of that is there any reason about the name. What about horror movies, what is your favorite? Yes, I love all kinds of extreme metal. I was� and I am a fan of noise/grindcore and the name of my fanzine was taken from a mythic old German band called Tumor, who edited a cult ep called Flesh Salad, if you didn't know them try to achieve their amazing demo "Foetus Blaster"�Ah, yeah, I forgot it� some members from Yacopsae also played in Tumor! About movies, yeah, of course, I'm a fan of horror/terror/gore movies; even I have a section in my fanzine focused to the bloody world of celluloid�Favorite films? The classics from the eighties: Texas chainsaw massacre, Phantasm, The Exorcist�and more current films as Old Boy, Martyrs, � L�Int�rieur, The hills have eyes� and one Catalan director called Albert Balaguer� with such killer films as Darkness, Fragile and the more recent Rec! The first issue you have released was written in English, well how many copies have you distributed and in what particular places spread your Fanzine? What is the people response on your debut issue? Yes, my first issue had a quite optimum response. I distributed 150 copies, almost in Europe. In my country it was a bit harder, because the level of English was quite poor in those years, nowadays young people has increased their level of English. And then why on the fourth issue you have switched from English to Spanish version? What is your reader's reaction about the changes of language? Do you have any plan so far to release it again in English version? Last year, when I released my fourth issue, I took the decision to write it in Spanish for 2 reasons: I'm 35 years old and I think I'm more lazy than ever ha, ha� of course, it's more comfortable for me to express in my own language, moreover I try to play with a lot of ironies, so if you don't have a very high degree of English, that's my case, some sentences could sound odd. The second reason is because the Spanish postage costs, in the last eight years they have increased the postal rates 5 times more. If I send an issue to Asia or The American continent, it costs to me around 10$! So, now apart from some trades I make with other fanzines around the world, all my distribution is in Spain. Mostly what genre/kinds of bands you prefer to interview or feature on you fanzine, because extreme bands are wide and broad in terms of music classification. Mostly DeathMetal and GrindCore. I've ever been a deathmetal maniac, but I also love Grind/Gore/Noise/BrutalDeath�even some new sounds such as Slamming or PornGore hehe� I've never featured an intie to a BlackMetal band, that style isn't my cup of tea; all the Blackmetal bands after 1994 are for me just a joke. Do you have any preparation or planning before you start writing questions for the interview? Like listening to their music, reading previous interviews, browsing website, etc. Yes of course, I try to write what I want to read� and what I want to read? Well informed and funny inties� I hate topic and boring questions, if you go in that path you'll get poor answers, yes, we're UG and amateur journalists but I try to do my job as well as I can. I can spend three-four even a week writing the questions for some band� Mostly how many questions do you prefer in a one whole interview? For example if you run out of questions do you ask also some out of topic question like comments about war, sex, drugs, terrorist, bush, bin laden, etc. And usually how long it will takes to finish a one whole interview? It depends on the band, but normally around 14-15 questions are a good number� I don't want to bore anyone, so I always try to feature funny and out of topics questions, for example, at this moment I'm waiting the answers from Meat Shits, I asked to Robert Deathrage (a declared racist) about his new president, Mr. Obama, I'm very looking forward of that intie haha� Moreover I normally add some bloody comments, although that's not funny at all for some bands to read my disgusting comments after their answers haha� Are you also annoy to received an answer in a one line of sentence only that you even tried to be explanatory in asking questions but the response is a simple "yes" or "no". What can you say about that? I hate short answers. I always ask first to the band if they're ready to receive my intie, if so, I work hard trying to make interesting questions. Normally I try to be in touch with the band, by email or by letter, so there's no problem about to receive a poor attitude from the band� I don't remember the name of the band, but I received some years ago an intie with some "yes" and "no" answers, I didn't print it, I don't want to support a lazy bastard haha What about answers/replies that is too long and sometimes it's out of topic already. Which answer do you prefer, short but direct to the point or too long but lots of non sense topics? Neither longer, other shorter, the answers I like to get and read are not very long, with a dose of humor and an interesting information. Although, of course, what I want sometimes is difficult to receive� For Noiseattack I have one common question I always asked (except those questions about band info), and that is "what do you know about Philippines" and this one look interesting question for me to know people knowledge about the Philippines, and so why I keep on asking this question to all people I interview whether a band, fanzine, label, etc. For FS do you have the same question like what I asking also? I don't ask about Spanish scene because I'm from Catalonia! Well, Catalonia is inside Spain and belongs to Spain but people from my region don't feel Spanish at all, like Irish with English you know� moreover I think it's a quite topic question, maybe not with your country �coz your scene is very unknown, at least for me, about Philippines I know that you were a Spanish colonies, I'm sure that your name Joselito comes directly from that epoch, right? (not sure but what I knew is it came from my grandfather name� hehehe - J) Apart from that, I just know a few bands from your country as Human Mastication and Genital Warts, I know that you've a killer but much underrated scene, and I hope to get more in contact with it through your fanzine man! What about attending gigs/festivals to write a report, how often do you attend gigs and what are recently shows have you attended? About Festivals, I was in killer one last month in Madrid called "Trauma Fest", two days with bands as Regurgitate, Demigod, Vomitory, Haemorrhage and Rompeprop! (I did a "nice" intie to them after their concert) Also, last summer I was at German Party San with topnotch Death Metal bands as BoltThrower, Bloodbath, Lividity or Hail of Bullets� Although I prefer to attend to small gigs, for example I saw in Barcelona lately Unleashed, Krisiun, Hail of Bullets, Benediction� Even I've arranged some concerts in my city, the last one, some months ago with Haemorrhage, Gruesome Stuff Relish, Altar of Giallo, Mixomatosis and Pesta Porcina! That was a bloody night and a must for any Gore/Grind fan, me included of corpse!! Do you have also regular contributors who help you or you're just only the one who worked with your Fanzine? Normally I've contributors in all my issues. As you surely know is very hard to make a zine, moreover if you want to release it each 4/5 months you need some help� Also, they bring some new fresh air to my publication, moreover it's funny for me to manage some work to my friends, yes, I'm the fucking boss, you've to work but without getting a salary haha� just joking, we're all very good friends� For Noiseattack I also received some material which is not my taste of bands I looking for and for FS how do you handle people sending material that is not in your cup of tea? Is it mostly that all the bands that you interviewed is your choice or do you have also list of bands that they are the one who offered you to make an interview for them? How do you handle this kind of situation? Yes of course. I always receive request from label or directly from the band about making an intie, but I don't give a fuck, this is not a business� even, I'm a very good friend of some extreme Metal bands from my area, but if I think they don't fit in my publication I don't interview them� Have you tried also to contact unknown/well-known label to support your Fanzine and what kind of approach do you proposed to support you? How do you handle label giving you material for promotional but it's not your cup of tea. Do you send it back or pass it to other local Fanzine fit with their music. I never get in touch with labels; sometimes they get in touch with me� Well, that's not truth at all, I try to be in contact with them just before of a new issue is released to propose them some add space, paying of course haha� About promo-stuff, I normally make the review even if I like it or not. Most of the FS cover are extremely gore and some is fictional I guess, compare to other Fanzine who used as a cover is band photo. Well, who got an idea about this and who design the cover. For me is very important the cover, is a part of the fanzine and the first contact with the reader, also I like to transmit a little message with each one, for example, my 6th issue featured a zombie on the toilet reading my publication� printed paper zines are loyal toilet-partners you know haha� Issue 4 was be drawn by Luisma (Haemorrhage), 5ft by myself with photoshop and 6th and forthcoming 7th are designed by another excellent artist (as Luisma) called Namtaru Creations. My last cover reflects the new generation websites and the old school printed paper real zines, moreover this one will be realized in full color. Do you have also regular artist or you're the only one who design your Fanzine. Mostly how many pages do you prefer in every issue? What application does you used to layout your FS? Apart from the cover which is made by an artist, the design of the zine is made by myself with an old and easy to manage program. I like to see a fanzine well structured and clear, yes, I know it sounds a bit odd, but I hate Fanzines into old cut�n paste with chaotic results, just to look old school. Around 40 or 50 pages is perfect, the most important is to have a regularity, to release a new issue each 4-5 months� What is your view about cut n paste, and hand written layout DIY style Fanzine? Are you a fan on this kind of style or are you much more prefer into Magazine, glossy, clear type of layout. My first issue was made with the prehistoric "cut�n paste"� Computers wasn't so current as they're now, nowadays just a few editors from the middle 90s keep on with that method of design� The final result can be enjoyable, as far as you don't want to be chaotic to look more evil than Satan haha� It's funny to see young kids with their first, and normally last one issue with the infamous cut'n paste just to be true and old school� Besides of FS of course there are some Fanzines nowadays catch your interest or maybe you liked it so much that inspire you to start FS. Give us a list of Fanzines recently that you are currently reading. I don't know why but it seems to be a resurrection into the Fanzine movement again. Just in my city have born two killer zines this year as Hellspawn and Apokatastasis. Lately I've received publications from France, Brasil, Poland, USA, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico� Man, we're the last link to the most true UG, so that's a great new, I hope next generations keep on devouring printed paper zines, if not, well, fuck them all haha.. Which issue of FS does you like so much? In content, layout, quality, etc? And why do you think we/readers like it too? And what issue do you think need a re-issue, re-layout, etc., if you have a chance and why? I'm very happy with each one of my issues, but especially with the last ones. I'm developing a way of writing quite personal which plays fifty-fifty between information and irony/humor, fortunately my readers are also getting into that and FS is getting bigger with every new issue. For almost 10 years in existence you've only released 5 issues and 6th one is coming out soon. What is the strange thing keep you busy to make it too slow in releasing FS? Do you have also band or work, study, etc? I'm not a lazy bastard! Well, just a little bit haha� it has an easy explanation, as I told you, with my third issue I distributed more than 600 copies worldwide, I got exhausted and I decided to stop my publication� until last year. I've released 3 issue in one year (next one will available in December 2008) so I guess I'm keeping feet, right? No, I don't play in any band, I've a 20 years old electric guitar just to decorate my room, I'm a pathetic musician, I prefer to listen and to write about music� Of course I need to work to keep on paying my bills, although I'm very happy with my job as I've a lot of free time so I can write my fanzine and surfing the net. What is your view about NOISE artist/stuff? I mean is into making of noise by the used some scrap material, computer devices, electronic devices, etc. (harsh, industrial, ambient, etc..) Are you a fan of this kind of stuff? I like Noise/grind, but just real bands, bands with real instruments you know� I'm not into electronic shit at all; maybe I'm too old for that, who knows� I still love Anal Cunt, Tumor, 7 MON� The same also with one man band, what is your view about this kind of band which is lots of them can see now in MYSPACE. Are you more prefer on a band with members or do you like also the style of band made by computers and gadgets? Yes, that's very popular into the gayspace, a freak closed in his room trying to make noise with a computer, and every freak has their own project, fuck them all� A band needs members, rehearsals� Yes, I'm an old-fashioned bastard! You also contribute some interview to BRUTALISM and it's written in English. It's a regular or just for that time only. Who got an idea to translate/share some of your interview to BRUTALISM? Is it for the benefit of people who are non Spanish reader? Besides of BRUTALISM is there any other Fanzine you are currently working or supporting right now? What a coincidence, about Brutalism, today I've received an email from them telling me that they've stopped all the activities relation with their web and their radio show� I got in contact with Twan from Brutalism just to publish my inties in the English version through his web page, just to give more propaganda to the bands featured in my publication. Have you been invited already to make a split Fanzine with other fanzine? Well what can you say about this idea to release a split issue? What about local Fanzine convention in your area. Yes, some months the editor from Apokatastasis�zine had the idea to make a Split zine between 4 fanzines from Barcelona and to organize a two days Extreme Metal Festival in our city. The main idea was to promote printed paper zines, giving for free with the ticket of the fest a copy of the Split�zine. Unfortunately, if its difficult to arrive an agree between 2 persons, try to imagine between 4 haha� otherwise, maybe we'll try it again in the future, I keep on thinking it's a good idea� don't you? (Yes.. that's a good idea for me I guess! Let's do it someday�. : ) ) What is your view about webzine? Do you have any plan to start your own webzine? Which do you prefer more, webzine or fanzine (paperzine). There are lots of fanzines (before) who are now switched to webzine. I'm not in touch with webzines, well just Brutalism (rip) and Voices From The dark Side (that one was a cult fanzine some years ago) Maybe that's the reason I've included a section interviewing three Spanish editors of webzines in my next issue. I tried to make questions to them about their opinion towards the Ug, classic zines and so on� and I think is an interesting and curious intie, although I don't like to read in a monitor, it's tired and boring� I respect them always they make their work and support Metal UG honestly. Do you think if internet is not available and others like MYSPACE, Email, etc, and we're all still using the old school snail mail in interviewing bands, sending info and updates etc. Do you have still enthusiasm to continue your Fanzine? I don't know if that will be a good new, the dead of the internet I mean, we're very used to use it nowadays, but of course I'll keep on doing my fanzine in the old way, writing letters, sending flyers� Although, I'm sure without internet the 95% of the current scene will vanish off the face of the earth. Tell us something about your local scene in Barcelona, active bands and most especially active fanzine you could recommend to us. We've a lot of good bands in Barcelona, Grindcore bands as Unabomber, Crani S�ptic� Death Metal bands as Graveyard, Ered� Black Metal, Thrash, Gore bands as Mixomatosis, Pesta Porcina� Moreover we've tons of international gigs every week (maybe too much for my pocket haha) and as I told you four fanzines pretty actives in the UG. I think I ran out of question anymore and I hope I didn't give you headache understanding my questions. Thanks again for you time and support. Anything you would like to add more� Thanks Joselito and good luck with your fanzine brother! Enough said haha� What a long interview, you'll need 6 pages to feature it!! Bands and Metal freaks don't hesitate to contact with me for a sure support in my bloody pages! Stay Metal, silence sucks!! Juan Luis / Flesh Salad zine Myspace: www.myspace.com/fleshsalad
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       Related Review Links - FLESH SALAD Issue no.5 Fanzine |