Lockweld is a an extreme electronic combo that has been terrorizing Cleveland with their power-tool assault for a couple years now. The group features Makita (ex-Apt. 213), Karen and Dwid (Psywarfare/Integrity). They recently released their debut full length All The Power on Vinyl Communications. Their live shows are infamous displays of destruction via power tool. The CD kinda took me by surprise - it was full of harsh vocals, machine noise and other eerie sounds and I felt that it was the closest they had come to getting their live experience recorded (see record reviews this issue for a full review). I sent Makita and Karen some questions, and they were glad to answer. The interview was done right before the release of their new CDEP Blueprint Theories also on Vinyl Communications (also see record reviews)

2324: It seems like quite a drastic change to go from Apartment 213 to Lockweld, even though 213 dealt with power tools a lot, was this a drastic change for you or just a gradual change in interest?

Makita: I would say it really wasn't a change 213 was a hardcore band, and Lockweld is a power electronics band. Two seperate entities.

2324: If I'm not mistaken, Lockweld and A213 existed at the same time for a while - what led you to leave 213 and concentrate on Lockweld?

Makita: Yeah they both existed at the same time for awhile. I basically left 213 because, it just got boring to me. And what I wanted to do with the music, wasn't what the rest of the band wanted to do. I've always concentrated more on Lockweld related projects because they are closer to what I want to do creatively.

2324: Any thoughts on the new Apt. 213 lineup? They seem to be pretty inactive right now at least.

Makita: Yeah I guess they're a new band now, so they're probably practicing and keeping busy that way. I really don't know or care what they are doing. It doens't effect Lockweld or me in anyway.

2324: Could you try to describe the Lockweld sound for the uninitated? Keep in mind a lot of people reading this probably are not familiar with any type of "noise/power electronics" stuff.

Karen: Lockweld is different than most noise bands. We don't just concentrate on a signal (sound), we use all sorts of material to create our soundscapes. We basically use machine sounds, power tools, and reconstructed electronic devices. We try to create dark, and prolific works. A lot of noise artists don't use vocals, but to us that is one of the more important functions.

2324: The original Lockweld lineup was simply Makita and Karen, but Dwid has been involved in recent live performances and releases, is he now a full-time member as well?

Karen: Dwid always has been a key part of Lockweld. He either produces, perfoms live, or performs with us in the studio. Most of our recordings except for Blue Print Theories, have been recorded at SinnyMaxx Pussycat studios, and produced by Dwid. He's been around since day one.

2324: You guys have also always been involved with Dwid's Psywarfare, with Dwid now collobarating with you guys, what is the difference between Lockweld and Psywarfare?

Makita: The difference between Psywarfare and Lockweld is Psywarfare uses beats, more synths, and usually the material is of Dwids conception. Visa versa for Lockweld.

2324: What kind of equipment do you guys use to create this nighmarish sound?

Makita: Makita power tools. Industrial machines ie cnc lathe, bridgeports, compressors, and equipment from my work at Xpress tools. Karen is the electronics person of Lockweld. She uses Roland JP-8000, reconstructed electronics. We would tell you every item that we use, but then we would have to kill you. We need to have some secrets.

2324: Who in Lockweld does what?

Karen: As stated before, Makita is in charge of machines, and power tools. I do the electronics. Dwid uses synths. And we all do vocals. But this is not set in stone, we do sometimes switch around.

2324: I've always wondered how certain noise groups compose their tracks - do you guys structure your songs beforehand, or is it mostly improvasational type stuff?

Karen: Improv, baby.

2324: Have other noise/power electronics/experimental groups influenced the Lockweld sound? If so, who?

Makita: Yes. There is a ton. Such as Whitehouse, Throbbing Gristle, Bastard Noise, and Merzbow, to name a few. We also get inspired by things around us, not just bands.

2324: You guys already have several releases as Lockweld in a relatively short time, what releases were you most happy with? I must admit to being partial to the "All The Power" CD, though the packaging on the first 7" was great.

Karen: We are happy with all of the material we have put out. It's hard to pinpoint the one thing that we like the most. They all mean something different to us.

2324: Another person that has colloborated with Lockweld is Eric Wood (Man is the Bastard/Bastard Noise). How did you hook up with him?

Karen: We've known Eric Wood for awhile. We went out to California in the summer of 97, and we did some shows with him in our line up, and we recorded with him. He is a great guy, he is a major part of the Lockweld family.

2324: I also understand that in addition to Eric doing some vocals on "All The Power", there is a full-fledged Lockweld/Bastard Noise colloboration in the works, any info on that yet?

Makita: Yeah, we're doing a collaborative record with Lockweld and Bastard Noise on Vinyl Communications. We are about finished with our source material. We will send it out to Eric Wood and Bastard Noise will complete their part. It should be a pretty interesting release.

2324: How did you guys end up hooking up with Vinyl Communications?

Makita: Basically we just sent him some of our releases to Bob at VC, and he decided to sign us to his label. (No paper work was involved.)

2324: Obviously, it seems that many people that have been involved in the hardcore and power violence scenes are turning their attention to noise - how have fans of Apt. 213 and Integrity reacted to this new direction?

Makita: I really don't know. 213 had about 2 legit fans and those 2 don't like Lockweld.

2324: On a note related to the last question, do you find that most people that enjoy Lockweld are pretty much unaware/uninterested in your previous musical projects?

Makita: About 50-50. Cleveland doesn't really like anything myself, Dwid, and now Karen does. If a band from another state comes and plays here, and is in the same genre they will be liked, and we will still be hated. And that's fine with us because we send it back 50 times worse. F the US Rocker, at least before Tony Erba began to write for them..

2324: I know Lockweld did a few shows on the west coast opening for Integrity, what was the crowd reaction to that?

Karen: Not good. Those vegans were scared out of there backpacks. A lot of comments were made. Such as "it sounds like an atari getting raped by a chainsaw." They were fun shows though. The kids had looks on their faces that showed fear.

2324: I understand that the upcoming CDEP on Vinyl Communications is a release of remixes, who did the remixing for this project and what do you think of the addition of beats to Lockweld?

Makita: Our cd ep Blueprint Theories consists of three Lockweld tracks recorded at Neighborhood Recording (By Bob VC) in Chula Vista, CA. And two remixes by VC stars Titwrench, and Kid 606.

2324: Another upcoming project with Lockweld involvement is the Psywarfare "Circle Gets the Square" CD. Any thoughts on that?

Karen: It is Psywarfares latest release. Dwid involved a lot of people in this recording. We did a track with him. Boyd Rice sings a song. Snakedick makes his debut appearance. Plus a lot of other people contributed to this cd. It is a very interesting mix of sounds. It's one of our favorite releases.

2324: Has Lockweld done any live performances outside of Cleveland besides the Integrity tour?

Makita: Yeah. We've played Southern California twice after the Integrity tour. We've played in Boston. We played Chicago as part of Psywarfare at the Expo of The Extreme last Halloween. We are tentatively going to Japan with Bastard Noise in the spring. It will be a Lockweld/Bastard Noise tour. If that doesn't work out, maybe a US tour with Bastard Noise. And maybe going to England next year as well.

2324: Most (if not all) of your local shows have been at Speak In Tongues. Any thoughts on the noise/experimental shows that often take place there?

Karen: When they have them, they are pretty good.

2324: Any other projects in the works?

Makita: Just the Bastard Noise colab. I'm sure something will come our way.

2324: Finally, any other thoughts you guys would like to share with the readers?

Makita: Keep in mind noise is noise it's not music. It's violence and pure brutality, and should be observed as such. Thanks for the interview Russ.

Lockweld discography

Corner Radius Theory 7" - Holy Terror
V/A - Track on Industry CD - Dog Collar
Machines Of War 7" - Tee Pee
Split CD w/ Japanese Torture Comedy Hour - Heartplug
Split 7" w/ Integrity - Victory
All The Power CD - VInyl Communications
V/A - lock groove on RRR-500 Lock Groove LP - RRR
Blue Print Theories CDEP - Vinyl Communications

For more Lockweld information, including a bunch of live pictures and audio clips, be sure to check out the Holy Terror website at www.holyterror.com - you'll also find a lot of information on other Cleveland projects including Psywarfare and Integrity 2000.

More Apt. 2324 E-zine #3

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