Bite Me, Issue #9 - Interview By Nikki Neil
Type O Negative is a band who need no introduction. A band whose hard work and perseverance has finally begun to pay off.
With the success of their Goth classic Bloody Kisses, Peter Steele's debut in Playgirl, their latest and impressive release
October Rust, the Ozz Fest tour, one might say that the members of Type O are workaholics.
Currently you are playing Ozz Fest.
Correct. Ozz Fest for the next month, then two weeks of festivals, Europe after that and possibly suicide or a vacation.
Well suicide is out, you just got engaged so you can't do that.
You're right, I guess I can't.
To many people Ozzy is an icon, is it exciting for you to be a part of all this?
I think Black Sabbath is something all four members of Type O have grown up listening to. Ozzy as an individual solo artist as well. So if you're going to be forced to listen to somebody's music every night it may as well be their's, can't be any better.
Your next video is scheduled to be "Cinnamon Girl" using footage from the Dynamo festival, is that correct?
That is correct. The footage has been done. We haven't seen what they did with it yet, so your guess is as good as mine, but it's supposedly in the works.
"Cinnamon Girl" is also the next single to be released along with "Love you to death" on the b-side, is that a remix?
It's not a remix, it's an edited version, a little more radio friendly from 8 minutes down to 5. There will be a "Cinnamon Girl" remix for which I have nothing to do with, Charlie Clouser (NIN) did that one.
Up to date Peter Steele and yourself have been involved with producing all of Type O's albums. If the band were to call it quits would you pursue work as a producer or would you look for another band?
I think at 34 I'd probably just settle for production at this point. We've been on the road for many years and it's a little wearing on everything actually. I would like to produce one day, whether I get the opportunity is a different story. I made a lot of enemies so there's a line of people waiting to behead me.
Have you produced any albums by other artists?
There really isn't a lot of spare time. I've done three records. I did an EP for Sheer Terror, I did Life of Agony's first record, and a band called Pist-on.
In addition to being label mates with Life of Agony, there seems to be a friendship as well.
Yeah, we've grown up together, I've known them for quite a few years.
I caught the show last year where they opened up for you, two great bands for the price of one.
It's always fun to play with friends, especially them. They always make us look so tall.
Keith makes anyone look tall, even me.
He is cute anyway.
Cute little guy and very nice. The song "Haunted" is featured on the video game "Descent II", how did that all come about?
I don't know, there's a few of them in the works actually. I think the "Love you to death" video is coming out in a video game called "Blood" which should be released soon. I think the people that make the video games are fans and feel the music is appropriate for the game so they ask our permission and we have no reason to say no.
Have you played "Descent II" yet?
No, we don't have the patience for it unfortunately. We went through "Doom" for a couple of months and since then I don't think I've touched a video game.
On "Bloody Kisses" you extend special thanks to Dr. Kervorkian, is he a friend?
He will be one day, he's not a friend yet. That was more of a political statement. Dr. Kervorkian stands for freedom to die and end your suffering which absolutely everybody should have that option. But in America you are forced to suffer and live for absolutely no reason what so ever.
Many bands tend to record each album at a different studio, yet all the Type O albums have been recorded at Systems Two, why so?
I don't think the sound really comes from the studio, each album has it's own sound. The people at Systems Two have integrity and really care about what they do. They treat us nice and we don't need a big name place just people who give a shit and really know what they are doing and that's what we got over there, so if it works don't f*ck with it.
Did Kenny really hire a blues musician off the street to open up for Type O Negative?
Yes he did, he hired him right off the street corner. They loved him because he was a neighborhood hero kind of guy. It was blues with filthy lyrics, big 300 lb guy. I missed it but I'm sure it was very interesting.
Do you find that you are a different person on stage vs. off?
No, I find that off stage I live in depression and on stage I live in anger which are basically the same thing. I think the band was built around the personalities of the people rather than taking the people and adapting them to a particular role.
Tell me about your tattoo.
It's three feet long. It was just a lot of childhood rebellion that turned into a very big mess and a lot of cover up work, a lot of things I already regret and I'm sure will later regret in life even more.
What is your preference in keyboards?
Old ones that can sustain being thrown across the stage. That's the only requirement I have.
With the bands busy schedule there's not much time for anything else, but do you have any outside hobbies?
No. Personally, music is pretty much all encompassing for me, but we do have a web site called "Unsuccessfully coping", you can see some of Kenny's illiterature. He writes illiterature. Other people in the band do have hobbies, Johnny is a cross dresser, Peter is a muscle man, and me I'm just waiting to die.
Sorry, I already told you that you can't do that yet. You'll just have to suffer right a long with the rest of us.
You're absolutely right, it's just a bad joke. I'm sorry. It's the only thing left.
It's the only thing left once you've done all that you've set out to accomplish.
It's got to be a mix, and you're right I do have an obligation to live and I spit on you for reminding me. I'm joking *laughs*
Hold on, let me wipe it off. What is the web site address?
*he gives dave burger's web address, see my links page* Dave Burger is the guy that runs our web site and does a damn good job, so it's not an official web site but it's an unofficial, official web site. It's far better than the official one let me tell you.
So what's on the agenda for tonight, do you have a show?
Yep. I plan on drinking a half a bottle of vodka, get a meal afterwards and try to do my best.
What's your preference in vodka?
Anything that's 80 proof or more.
And before we sing "Happy Trails" any parting words?
I'm terribly sorry.
