Deviant
This is definitely one of
the best interviews I've done! Simply because everything flows naturally
and honestly. Zhang Ming Hui could only be compared with a torrent, because
he speaks his mind without being afraid of anything or hiding behind his
finger. Passion and anger are some of the emotions that derive from this
interview. Deviant is a great, mature and very professional band that surley
deserves your attention and is worth your time!
1. CONGRATULATIONS ON “WHAT WE BRING FORTH”
EP. ARE YOU CONTENT WITH THE FINAL RESULT OR IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE
TO CHANGE?
First and foremost, Deviant would like to
give a big shout out to Behind The Veil Ezine for reviewing ‘What We Bring
Forth’ and granting us this interview.
We are pretty stoked and happy with the way
it sounded. From the CD design to the quality of the recording, we are
satisfied and super proud to have beaten the odds to release the EP independently.
Well, it still cannot be compared to the likes of Machine Head and The
Haunted etc, but I believe, with hard work, we can eventually reach a certain
level of achievement. Our main man and sound engineer, K.K Wong a.k.a Ah
Boy is improving all the time and so is the band. We just have to put more
blood and sweat into the next record!
We are always critical of our own songs, be
it songs that are already recorded or still ‘under construction’. ‘What
We Bring Forth’ definitely has its imperfections and we learn from them
and improve. We do like the sense of urgency of the songs in this EP very
much.
2. GIVE US A SHORT BAND BIO AND PRESENT THE CURRENT
LINE UP. WHICH ARE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS TILL NOW?
Deviant started out in 1998 as a 5 piece trying
to play metal not unlike Skinlab, Machine Head, and Alice in Chains. We
downsized to a 4 piece with personnel changes and began gigging on a regular
basis amongst the local circuit. A couple of lineup changes then halted
the band’s progress and it was not until late 2003 that I hooked up with
Saufee (drums), of the now defunct SUCCUMUCUS, then with Isaac (guitars)
coming into the fold mid-2004. The 3 of us form the core of Deviant. And
the release of our debut 5-song EP titled 'What We Bring Forth' bears witness
to our partnership.
Releasing our EP is our most defining moment
to date. Seeing our music becoming reality and the ability to share it
with the masses is definitely the best thing that has happened for Deviant.
We are very excited about our future with this release and cannot wait
to show the metal what Deviant is capable of!
3. WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND Deviant? WHICH IS
THE PATH YOU ARE Deviant FROM?
de•vi•ant (d v - nt) n. One that differs
from a norm, especially a person whose behavior and attitudes differ from
accepted social standards.
Initially, I thought Deviant sounded metal
and cool but it means as above. Deviant has always pride itself on our
ability to compose and buck local trends to perform originals rather than
covers. Cover songs are few and far in between when we gig, I only remember
covering one song each from IRON MAIDEN and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in our recent
history. It is not us to focus on perfecting covers. In Singapore, there
are more than a handful of bands that only play cover songs and no originals.
I really do not know what their agenda is but to me, if you want to progress
as a band, you have to write your own tunes. In this way, we are different,
and a deviant, how apt.
Singapore is a very material conscious society.
People here are too busy making money and trying to attain fame the fast
way which absolutely disgusts me. We have loads of idols singing contests
which many think are THE fast track to musical fame but really, are facades
of temporal success. We prefer to do things the unconventional way, working
our asses off through sheer determination and persistence to get ourselves
heard.
Deviant is an outlet for us to get away from
all that nonsense. I get people asking why I am wasting my time playing
music, saying things like ‘playing music can’t get you any money or fame.’
Such is the mentality of the money generation. Considering all this, the
name Deviant sounds just right for us to go against the grain!
4. LET’S SUPPOSE THAT YOU WERE ASKED TO WRITE
A REVIEW FOR “WHAT WE BRING FORTH”. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TRYING TO BE AS
OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE?
Well, here goes:
“What We Bring Forth” is a commendable effort
from Deviant. Especially so because it is conceived from a tiny country
as Singapore; where good music is rarely recognized or lauded, much less
good metal music. The demo, in its own words, brings forth a good mix of
thrash, hardcore and modern metal influences. Albeit it being a self-financed
release, the production and audio quality is neither short-changed nor
compromised. This is testament to TNT Studios (Singapore) and its main
man, Ah Boy’s immaculate work in engineering the demo. Worthy mentions
are its title track “What We Bring Forth” and “Darkest Days”, both pieces
sum up Deviant’s musical direction and prowess; with its riff-heavy lines
and neck-snapping breakdowns. “What We Bring Forth”, although only 5 tracks
in length, is bound to have you repeating it many times over in the stereo,
and this does not include the multiple neck-aches you’re to suffer.
5. YOU FUSE IN YOUR SOUND MODERN AND CLASSIC METAL
TOUCHES. HOW DO YOU FIND THE GOLDEN BALANCE THAT CONTAINS THE Deviant IDENTITY?
WHAT KIND OF PROCEDURE DO YOU FOLLOW WHILST COMPOSING YOUR SONGS?
We listen to a whole bunch of different stuff
which played a part in molding us as musicians. Isaac and I are typical
metalheads while Saufee’s tastes are an eclectic taste of funk, jazz combined
with loads of Slayer and Judas Priest!
The inclusion of Isaac (lead guitar) has played
a huge part in adding certain aggression to Deviant‘s music. We have 2
completely different playing styles and some of the stuff he brought to
the table is definitely very metal! It’s a good combination which gives
Deviant a certain edge.
Speaking of riffs, they form the basic foundation
in our song writing. Metal is all about the riffs! We usually get the riffs
laid out and structured before lyrics are written. I will come up with
an idea to show them roughly what kind of mood I want the song to be and
the rest of the guys will chip in with different riffs and beats. Generally,
we trust our guts and hearts concerning our music and ironically some of
the heaviest shit we wrote is conceived out of nothing. That is what I
call ‘Musical Faith’!
6. WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHILST INTERPRETING
AND PERFORMING THE SONGS? WHICH ARE THOSE SITUATIONS OR THOUGHTS THAT FILL
YOU WITH ALL THIS ENERGY AND ANGER?
Songs are written for a reason which is to
convey messages which can’t be expressed through conventional means. Personally,
I feel certain messages need to be carried across in a harsher manner.
You do not express the feelings of being oppressed through love songs.
Things we have experienced and encountered
sometimes just flow out of us and into the music we create. It’s that simple
and that’s what music does for us.
7. HAVE YOU GOT ANY NEW SONGS READY? IF YES, PLEASE
GIVE US SOME INFO ON THEM AND POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT SIMILARITIES
AND DIFFERENCES WITH “WHAT WE BRING FORTH”.
We have 3 newly completed songs. One of them
‘Further into Your Grave’ is actually an old song which we have revamped,
complete with lyrics. The other 2 are tentatively titled ‘Perverse’ and
‘Swedish Ghetto’. Swedish Ghetto is a title we came up to poke fun at this
song which has a Euro-metal styled riff paired with hardcore elements (which
is typical of Deviant’s musical style, to draw influences from all metal
angles).
One significant difference between the new
songs and those on the “What We Bring Forth” EP is in the dynamics of the
songs. Fast songs are now faster and vice versa for the ‘slow’ one. Our
hands are now full with more complex and technically challenging riffs
and drumming. In Deviant, we are always trying to outdo ourselves and relishing
the challenges that come out way.
8. HAVE YOU SENT YOUR EP TO ANY LABELS? WHAT MADE
YOU DECIDE TO RELEASE IT AS A SELF FINANCED WORK?
Yes. We have sent the EP to a couple of labels.
Hopefully, we can garner some attention overseas through our persistence.
Financing the EP ourselves is really the only
option. Singapore is not a country to offer grants to artists, much less
metal bands. Really, the country cannot be blamed because, the music market
here is too small and niche. We do not have a musical identity here, much
of our ‘music’ here has been done elsewhere in the world and we are basically
followers of its musical trends and fashion. Hence, hard work, savings
and tons of perseverance are the only rays of light at the end of the musical
tunnel.
9. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA YOU HAVE IN ORDER TO
INK A DEAL WITH A LABEL? WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO OFFER YOU?
Label support is very important for a band’s
morale. Our country is really far away from the metal epicenters of America
and much of Europe. Whichever label that takes an interest in Deviant has
to place absolute faith in our music.
Right now, we are only hoping for a distribution
package, really just taking it one step at a time.
10. WHAT WILL YOU DO IN ORDER TO PROMOTE YOUR
EP? HAVE YOU BOOKED ANY LIVE SHOWS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SINGAPORE?
We released ‘What We Bring Forth’ with the
intention of exposing ourselves overseas. We get zero press support here
and very little interest in other local bands’ ‘works’. What we are currently
doing to promote our EP is to send copies to zines and labels and friends
to help spread the word.
We have yet to receive any offers to gig here
or abroad. We might consider organizing a show ourselves to rightfully
and publicly announce the release.
11. TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE LYRICS OF YOUR
ALBUM. I THINK THEY ARE REALLY THOUGHT PROVOKING AND QUITE RADICAL IN THEIR
CONTENT. WHAT ARE YOUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND
WHILST WRITING THEM?
The lyrics are written based on my life experiences
as we all live in a different world, although we do live in only one, you
get what I mean. Ha! Jokes aside, I constantly see the negative things
that people do to satisfy their greed, selfishness and beliefs. All these
provide meat for poems in my head. They translate themselves to lyrics
and become my way of speaking my mind and relating how I feel to our audience.
12. I REALLY LIKED THE TITLE, “WHAT WE BRING FORTH”.
I THINK IT’S ELOQUENT AND VERY EXPRESSIVE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.
IS THIS WHY YOU CHOSE IT OR IS THERE SOMETHING MORE BEHIND IT?
‘What We Bring Forth’ is pretty straightforward
in meaning. It gives our listeners an idea of what we are putting on their
tables - heavy music with aggressive vocals and thought provoking lyrics.
Even before this EP was released, I was already thinking of the next record,
the direction that this band will take and the kind of songs we are to
write. ‘What We Bring Forth’ is a simple showcase of what Deviant is capable
of, heaviness and bone-crushing metal is guaranteed in future offerings!
13. MOVING ON THE SAME TOPIC, THE COVER ARTWORK
GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE TITLE. WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR IT? DO YOU WANT
TO SHOW, THIS WAY, TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU TAKE YOUR MUSIC SERIOUSLY?
Our long-time ally and collaborator-in-crime,
DJ Fatboy Teo is responsible for the awesome artwork. I wanted him to do
something different from the typical metal artwork (think blackened, dark
covers and squiggly/edgy words). The result is a portrait of a Rising Fist
against a semi-dirtied white background which totally sums up the title
and meaning of the EP. The concept is similar to that of our website (http://deviant.bizhat.com)
which he also manages. We like the way the cover represents our music –
Strong, yet beautiful in the subtlest way.
14. WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED THIS
FAR? WHAT WAS THE MOST FLATTERING AND WHAT THE WORST COMMENT YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Many were taken aback by the fact that this
album was produced, mixed and mastered locally (meaning in Singapore).
Local music critics are generally skeptical, to the point of being cynical
about locally produced music. They do not expect much quality from their
fellow countrymen, turning their attention to only what is mainstream and
easy on the ears. Hence, Deviant hopes to take these people out of their
comfort boxes and do a shoutout, hopefully we will change their viewpoints.
Friends and colleagues have come up to me,
demanding that I prove my vocals as in the EP. They couldn’t believe a
Chinese is capable of such angst and vocal quality.
Having said all these, responses are generally
positive thus far, nothing negative yet… hopefully! The only complaint
is the short playing time, just 5 tracks. We will improve on that with
our next project!
15. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD
IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
As cliché as it sounds (in relations
to metal), hate, anger and frustration are feelings I would use to describe
our music.
The painting will be a swirling madness of
red, white and black with no particular form. The colors represent the
surroundings that constantly affect us as individuals and our music.
16. WHAT WAS THE WEIRDEST OR FUNNIEST QUESTION
YOU’VE BEEN ASKED SO FAR?
There is this really shitty yet popular ‘SuperBand’
contest, similar to American Idol showing on Singapore’s national television.
Because of this crap show, I get asked this same question ‘Why didn’t your
band join the contest?” over and over. Thanks but no thanks, we don’t share
a stage with boybands and teenybopper pop wannabes.
17. WELL, SINGAPORE IS A SMALL COUNTRY, FAR AWAY
FROM THE MAIN METAL SCENE, HOWEVER YOU HAVE A STRONG UNDERGROUND CORE OVER
THERE WITH SOME REALLY GOOD BANDS. WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE?
We do have a metal scene here. However, the
underground is no longer as united as before. Things had a more united
front a few years back when Deviant was gigging regularly. The metal scene
then was really alive and buzzing. Since then, many bands have faded into
oblivion or just staying together for the sake of being around if you get
my drift. I suppose the lack of support and passion has got the better
of them. Also, the majority of the musicians here hold regular day jobs.
Thus, commitment has become a big issue when it comes to splitting your
time between playing in a band, family and work. I have seen some really
good bands that did not even make it to recording their music. It’s really
sad but such is the fate of many bands in Singapore.
We constantly remind ourselves to excel and
not tread on the same paths as them. We know the time and effort put into
this band is well worth when our music is appreciated. This is the most
gratifying reward, which provides us the strength to create heavier music.
18. COULD YOU POINT OUT ANY BANDS FROM SINGAPORE
THAT YOU THINK DESERVE OUR ATTENTION?
Raspatul is a worthy mention. The guys in
the band go way back with Deviant. We have been sharing the same stage
since 2000 and I have session-ed as their second guitarist on various occasions.
Their guitarist Calvin used to be part of Deviant. He, however, left to
pursue his death metal ambitions with Raspatul and that, consequently,
catapulted the band to greater heights among death metal circles locally
and abroad. However, their vocalist passed away tragically about a year
ago in a motorcycle accident and that effectively halted the band’s future.
“What We Bring Forth” also dedicates itself to this talented individual,
as mentioned in the CD’s sleeve.
19. WHAT’S THE IDEAL TITLE TO SUM UP THE WHOLE
Deviant ESSENCE?
A colossal mix of reality and raw emotions
expressed through metal.
20. THANK YOU! IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE
TO MENTION AND I FORGOT TO ASK YOU? LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE…
Christine Parastatidou
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