As Pitchshifter were on yet another UK tour, we caught up with JS Clayden to ask him about the timely re-release of the formidable "Infotainment".

Following the ecstatic reception of the fabulous "www.pitchshifter.com", the band's previous label Earache have re-released "Infotainment" under the new title of "Exploitainment", enclosing a special CD ROM featuring videos, info and remixes by the band of featured tracks.  Many of these songs were included in the recent performances, and we spoke to a distinctly flu-ridden vocalist to ask about this new release.

1)  How much input did you have in the updated "Infotainment"   package?

None whatsoever.  I designed the original cover and accessories in  conjunction with a company in Birmingham and the new cover is taken from  that.  It actually looks pretty good, but like I said it's taken from the  original so they couldn't really get it wrong.

2)  How happy are you with the finished product?  Is there anything   you wanted to put on the CD ROM that didn't end up on it?

I think for any pitchshifter fan who doesn't already own that album then it  is  definitely worth the money.  I think the finished product is pretty cool.  It  would have been nice to see the CD ROM or any of the stuff before it was  finished.  It might have been nice to have a link to the band's website on there . . .

3)  What do you think of David Bowie setting up his own internet service provider, (see www.davidbowie.com) and if pitchshifter did the  same, what else would you add?
 
Too much hassle, we never wanted to be 'landlords'.  It's more fun for us to do our own website and surf the Net.  We don't really want to make something we like into a business.  We'll leave ISP to Bowie and his bonds.

4)  On "Infotainment", your name is spelt "pitch shifter", and on   "www.pitchshifter.com", it's "pitchshifter".  Why?

It means the same thing both ways.  We changed it because people have been  saying it as one word for so long it just seemed natural to make it one word.  What's in a name anyway?  I admire bands who make fun of names, like No Use For A Name and Tribute To Nothing.
 
5)  The differences between the previous and last albums is dramatic.  How will the next album differ?

The songs we already have written for the next album are a progression from  the last.  More along the lines of "Civilised" and "Microwaved" and "Please  sir".  The tunes are 'groovier' and with more guitar work.  It makes sense  to  use the talents of Jim now that he is a fully fledged member of  pitchshifter.  I think with songs like "Disposable" we hit on something  that  we like and we are extending that idea.  We haven't shyed away from melody or harmony or even acoustics, but of course the tunes still carry that
pitchshifter 'heavyness'.

6)  When we last spoke to you, you were very enthusiastic about Geffen and your relationship with the company.  How is the honeymoon  going?

Well, we have had a good time on Geffen so far.  I think they've had some promotional difficulty in understanding a band like us but in general they  have treated us well. What with this crazy merger going on right now we could stay or go depending on what's better for us.  But I promise there will be at least one more pitchshifter album.

7)  What will you be doing on December 31?  Are you going to watch the eclipse this autumn?

Ignoring the damn millenium.  Time began a long time before 2000 years ago.  For the Incas this will be a tiny little dot on the calendar, not the big deal everyone is making out of it.  There will be a million rip off nights  at clubs and a lot of unhappy people.  I think i'll just enjoy some time with my friends and forget all that bollocks.

8)  What do you think will be the "new punk" of the next millennium?

Well if we let insipid brain dead corpses like Waterman continue to pump  crap like Steps into the charts then not bloody much!  I think breakbeats and guitars are meshing better these days and it will obviously take a new form.  Everyone's dabbling in sampling with guitars more and more and I think it will create something new.

9)  What is the most exciting band/record you are listening to at the moment?

I'm really digging Kane from the UK right now.  They were produced by Machine (who worked on the "www.pitchshifter.com" album with us) and their latest 3-track CD is pretty blasting.  There is also a dark hip hop band  called Dalek who are pretty interesting.  And of course anything by Luke Vibert' or Squarepusher is a must.

10)  What is your Thought of the Day?

I wish I could get over this fucking 'flu so I can sing to 2,000 people at our sold out show at the Astoria tomorrow.