Interview with Eric Chaeh - Label Director of

PSYCHIC SCREAM ENTERTAIMENT

PSE is the best label from Malaysia a new reduct of powerful bands like: MANDATORY and HERRIOT. The label realese another great bands coming from Europe, like PAGANIZER, MIND SNARE and MURDER CORPORATION. Krepuskulum interviwed Eric Chaeh the man behind this marvelous releases.

murdercorp4.jpg (6455 bytes) Krepuskulum: We would like that you told us the history of the label PSYCHIC SCREAM, from its appearance to the current days.

Psychic Scream started in the year of 1997 as a record label, but previously it was known as a.k. Broken Wall and during that time (which is 1993 - 1995) we were just organising gigs in the Northern part of Malaysia. I started Psychic Scream when i moved to Kuala Lumpur, which is the capital of Malaysia and the central of local music industries center. Till now, we have more than 50 releases (including licensing titles from Century Media, Blackend, Massacre, Season Of Mist etc). Besides, we also distribute titles from Nuclear Blast, Century Media, Avantgarde etc.

The metallic scene in Malaysia has been growing a lot presenting great bands like MANDATORY andstormofim4.jpg (5411 bytes) HERRIOT. Talk us about the metal in Malaysia.

Metal scene in Malaysia aren't very big, but still there are many great metal bands. We have metal gigs in the western region almost once a month. The best place for metal fans is still Northern Malaysia. Most of the shows in the Northern Malaysia (Penang Island, which is also my hometown) reach more than 1,000 people. We have difficulties to organise gigs due to lack of venue. Besides, the government don't like it very much. The funniest thing is long hair freaks (if our hair is over our shoulders) are not allow to appear on TV and any open air live  performances.

The usual problem that always happens to most of the local bands is couldn't last for a long time. Most the bands split or broke up after 01 album and even some of them without any album. I'm trying my best to keep the local metal scene growing. But still those stupid motherfucking major labels are taking advantages on what i've doen to the scene. They use the word 'metal' to sell their products, although those bands aren't playing metal music. They just the bastards that trying to play guitar with heavy distortion. What ever it is, i hope those bands that singed to Psychic Scream will last forever. I hope i didn't sign the wrong
bands.

In conclusion, life is difficult for metal bands in Malaysia. But still we'll try our best to keep the metal steel in our heart ALIVE!!!

PSYCHIC SCREAM release bands of the MALAYSIA's scene but it also possesses several bands from Europe in its cast as MINDSNARY and MURDER CORPORATION. How do you make the selection of themindsnare4.jpg (6436 bytes) bands that will produce?

Well, first of all i approach the bands if i like their music. And then i'll decided to sign them if they are honest, committed and dedicated to the their bands. For me, the most important thing is 'trust'. We,
the band and me has to trust each others. And it doesn't matter to me whether the band can sell or not. What matter to me is their music.

How should a band proceed to send material for analysis?

Any bands that are interested to approach us should send us sample of  their songs (on CD-R, Cass or DAT), biography and group photos. Of course don't forget to enclosed your contacts.

pirouet4.jpg (4688 bytes) How has been the reception of the world underground to PSYCHIC SCREAM releases?

I think many labels from overseas started to believe in my products and what i've been doing. But we still need a very proper distributor to spread my releases abroad. Salute and thanks to Nordic Metal for  believing us. I've been trying to find distributors but they just keep on giving me the same answer...'my releases not quality enough', 'my releases can't sell here' etc. I hope this will get better soon. But response from the media such as magazines, e-zine, radios are extremely good. They like my releases alot.

Talk us a little about your personal musical tastes, What are the bands that more you likes?

Well, i listen to all kind of musics, from blues to jazz, hardcore to metal etc. But of course my favourite is still metal, which was built in my heart when i was born. Music is universal, we can't just listen to one kind of musics. We should absorb and transform other kind of music to our kin dof music. That's is the only way to improvise our talent and build originalities and varieties. I like RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER, THERION and DEATH very much. They're the best from my list.

mandatory4.jpg (4985 bytes) How is the circuit of shows in Malaysia? Many important bands play at your country?

As i mentioned just now, we have like 01 metal show each month. But in different states. Not many important bands played here. I think the biggest non-metal act was FUGAZI (which performed in K.L. 04 years ago) and metal act SIGH from Japan played here April last month. This show
was brought by Psyhic Scream. It is very difficult to bring foreign band (especially underground bands) to perform in Malaysia cause our government dislike it. But, we have our own ways to organise the shows and now more and more bands are interested to come here and play.

Whitch will be the next releases of PSYCHIC SCREAM ENTERTAINMENT?

Our next releases are new albums from Murder Corporation, Mind Snare and Paganizer. All to be released on Sept/Oct 2000.

Regards
Eric for PSE.

Contacts: pscream@pd.jaring.my