Interview with Killjo Zapata of Only Theatre of Pain, The Deep Eynde and The Sacred Spiders

Photo taken by Norma Alvazaz.

Update: Killjo Zapata is currently active in Only Theatre of Pain and will be touring Europe with "The Deep Eynde" early next year. There are possible dates for a US tour. A video link of "Hoodoo" off of the album, "City Lights" is at the end of the article. The "Only Theatre of Pain" line-up has changed to: Rikk Agnew, Gitane Demone, Steve Skeletal, Killjo Zapata, Deb Venom, and the newest addition - drummer Grimm.

Killjo Zapata, who was the creator and promoter of this year’s concert event “Burnt Offerings” a tribute to Rozz Williams, is an established guitarist and music artist of the Goth/Post Punk scene since the late 80’s. He has co- founded bands such as Wreckage and The Deep Eynde as well as joining In-Extremis (one of the pioneering Goth/Death Rock bands from the early Helter Skelter era). From there he formed a super group with members of the three bands who also performed and made a release under the same name “The Killjo Compilation”. He also joined forces with William Faith (Wreckage, Mephisto Waltz, Shadow Project, Conflict, Faith and The Muse, now in The Bellwether Syndicate) and Stevyn Grey (45 Grave, Mephisto Waltz, Faith and The Muse, Shadow Project) to form a solo project by Andi Sex Gang of The Sex Gang Children. He was also in the original line-up of Desmo Donte.

The “Burnt Offerings” concert featured Killjo’s current band The Sacred Spiders who opened for another one of Killjo’s creations at the debut performance of “Only Theater of Pain” a tribute band to Christian Death featuring founding member Rikk Agnew. OTOP also consists of Dave ”Zambo” Zambetti (Wreckage, The Sacred Spiders) on drums, Deb Venom (The Sacred Spiders, Aunty Trust) on keyboards, infamous club kid Steve Skeletal (Horror Show) and Killjo on bass. I was there to see the show and I thought everybody’s performance was outstanding, but Killjo had a different opinion of the events that transpired. I did notice he was a bit uneasy that night and the reason became clear when I asked him to submit something to me regarding “Only Theatre of Pain”. The following statement explains his thoughts regarding what went on for Only Theatre of Pain’s performance at the “Burnt Offerings” event.  

Photo taken by Norma Alvazaz.

Killjo Zapata: “Why do I think that the Sanctum Santorum OTOP show on June 28^th will be better than the debut OTOP show at the “Burnt Offerings” event?  There are 3 reasons… First, let me say that I’m a music artist and on occasion I would have to wear different hats in order to make a show happen (promoter/staff/second band). I believe my determination and commitment made the “Burnt Offerings” show a success, but if I had a choice, I would only wear one hat: music artist! Second, due to the mounds of rehearsals I had for “Burnt Offerings” split between The Sacred Spiders and OTOP, along with the constant switching between my seven string guitar and a bass with strings of a thicker gage than what I’m used to, I developed a sprain in my left wrist. By the time OTOP came on stage I was playing in pain! Third, in order for Rikk Agnew to conjure up his rocking deathly signature sound like on the “Only Theater of Pain” album, he had created his own series of special effects alongside his original playing technique. On the night of “Burnt Offerings” his original effects settings stopped working and his back up effect settings were slightly different from the original, so it didn't really command the illustrious cut throat noise he's known for.  However; on that night, true talent conquered technicalities. So now with only one hat, smaller gage of bass strings, and Rikk’s original effect settings the Sanctum Santorum show will be one for the Gothic Deathrock history books. I should know; I’ve lived it since day one!"

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Only Theatre of Pain Videos

"Only Theatre of Pain" in Tijuana, Mexico, 04/25/2015

Only Theatre Of Pain - Spiritual Cramp at the Vex on 3/29/14


Only Theatre Of Pain - Romeo's Distress at the Vex on 3/29/14

The Deep Eynde Videos

Hoodoo by The Deep Eynde

The Sacred Spiders Videos

Entrevista con Killjo Zapata (Only Theatre of Pain, The Sacred Spiders)

Foto tomada por Norma Alvazaz.

Killjo Zapata, quién este año fue el creador y promotor del concierto homenaje a Rozz Williams "Burnt Offerings", es un guitarrista y artista musical del género Gótico/Post-Punk desde finales de la década de 1980. Él cofundó grupos tales como Wreckage y The Deep Eynde también participó con la banda In-Extremis (una de las bandas de rock gótico y deathrock pioneras en los inicios de la era del Helter Skelter). Desde allí formó un súper grupo con miembros de las tres bandas e hicieron y se presentaron con un nuevo álbum que lleva el mismo nombre: "The Killjo Compilation". Además unió fuerzas con William Faith (Wreckage, Mephisto Waltz, Shadow Project, Conflict, Faith and The Muse, actualmente en The Bellwether Syndicate) y con Stevyn Grey (45 Grave, Mephisto Waltz, Faith and The Muse, Shadow Project) para trabajar en un proyecto como solista de Andi Sex Gang, vocalista de The Sex Gang Children.

La banda actual de Killjo llamada The Sacred Spiders actuó en el concierto "Burnt Offerings” abriendo con otra de las creaciones de Killjo en la presentación debut de “Only Theatre of Pain”, una banda tributo a Christian Death donde actuó su miembro fundador Rikk Agnew. En Only Theatre of Pain también participan Dave ”Zambo” Zambetti (Wreckage, The Sacred Spiders) en la batería; Deb Venom (The Sacred Spiders, Aunty Trust) en los teclados; el chico tristemente célebre Steve Skeletal (Horror Show) y Killjo en el bajo. Yo estaba allí para ver el show y me pareció que las presentaciones de todas las bandas fueron excepcionales, pero Killjo tenía una opinión diferente de los eventos y lo transpiraba. Noté que él estaba un poco inquieto esa noche y la razón quedó clara cuando le pedí que me enviara algo referente a “Only Theatre of Pain”. En la siguiente declaración explica su opinión con respecto a lo ocurrió durante la actuación de Only Theatre of Pain en el evento de “Burnt Offerings”.

Foto tomada por Norma Alvazaz.

Killjo Zapata: “¿Por qué pienso que el espectáculo de Sanctum Santorum y Only Theatre of Pain el 28 de Junio será mejor que la presentación debut de la banda en el evento “Burnt Offerings"? Hay tres razones… Primero, permítanme decir que soy un artista de la música y en ocasiones tengo que ponerme diferentes sombreros para poder hacer que un espectáculo se realice (promotor, personal de apoyo, segunda banda). Creo que mi determinación y compromiso hicieron de “Burnt Offerings” un éxito. ¡Pero si yo pudiera elegir cumplir solamente una función sería la de músico! En segundo lugar, yo había desarrollado un esguince en la muñeca izquierda debido a los a los muchos ensayos que tuve para “Burnt Offerings” dividido entre The Sacred Spiders y Only Theatre of Pain junto con la constante alternancia entre mi guitarra de siete cuerdas y un bajo con las cuerdas más gruesas de lo que estoy acostumbrado. ¡Cuando Only Theatre of Pain entró en el escenario yo estaba tocando con dolor! En tercer lugar, en para que Rikk Agnew conjurara su sonido característico como en el álbum “Only Theatre of Pain” él había creado su propia serie de efectos especiales al lado de su original técnica para tocar la guitarra. La noche de "Burnt Offerings" los ajustes para sus efectos originales dejaron de funcionar y la copia de seguridad de la configuración de los efectos fue ligeramente diferente de la original, por lo que el grandioso sonido de garganta cortada por el que es reconocido no se realizó. Sin embargo, en esa noche, el verdadero talento conquistó los problemas técnicos. Así que ahora con sólo un sombrero, un calibre de cuerdas de bajo más pequeño y ajustes en los efectos originales de Rikk, el espectáculo de Sanctum Santorum formará parte de los libros de historia del Deathrock Gótico. ¡Lo sé, lo he vivido desde el primer día!"
Like Only Theatre Of Pain's Facebook page
Subscribe to Only Theatre Of Pain's Youtube Channel

Only Theatre of Pain Videos

"Only Theatre of Pain" in Tijuana, Mexico, 04/25/2015
Only Theatre Of Pain - Spiritual Cramp at the Vex on 3/29/14


Only Theatre Of Pain - Romeo's Distress at the Vex on 3/29/14

The Deep Eynde Videos

Hoodoo by The Deep Eynde

The Sacred Spiders Videos

Mark Allen of BloodPenny/Hyena Motorcade/Former Humans

  March 2014:

  When I was writing for my old classmate's website I got to interview several musicians, including the fabulous Mark Allen. Now that I'm with Gloomy Tuesday (wee!), I decided to check up with him and the other groups and see what they've been up to!
He always has a million things going on, but thankfully he made time for a chat with me. Check it out:

ANN: Hey Mark! I think the last time I spoke with you, Hyena Motorcade was about to open for Modern English. What’s going on with them, and with your other projects now? I have been hearing all kinds of stuff so I want to get it from the source.

MARK: Hmm... let's see....Hyena Motorcade... opened for Modern English at the Viper Room and then played with Bow Wow Wow (again) and Gene Loves Jezebel just a couple of weeks back. We are in the mode of trying to secure TV and movie soundtrack placements at the moment. I have been sending out CDs and band info to music supervisors at movie studios.I have also run into so many "stars" lately...I always have CDs with me, luckily....just ran into Blondie's guitarist at the Satellite...gave him a CD....ran into Kyle Gass (Tenacious D), gave him a CD...ran into Henry Rollins in a CVS parking lot......uhm, didn't give him a CD…

ANN: *giggles

MARK: That's where I am at with Hyena at the moment, but I am keeping an eye out for good shows to jump on the bill with. (They also just won Radioflag's Best Artist Award for the Western U.S!)

I considered slipping Hyena Motorcade in on the three open shows that I had booked for Former Humans, but, I just recently I'd started working with BloodPenny again, so I asked their bass player Stephen if we could move those pre-booked gigs over to BloodPenny...and he and the other guys said "Great!"

 So now we are playing some really cool shows together for the first time since 2011 and it's just been a wonderful experience. 


Hyena Motorcade, a band that singer Rick Kaley and I started in 2009 had been sitting on the sidelines, inactive for the most part, so we started writing again and decided to take another run at it. We had some initial success a year or so earlier with our debut single "Shadows," when it was included in a cable show's soundtrack in 2010, and we played some epic shows, but then we both got busy with other shit and it kind of went cold. 

  In 2011, I decided to leave BloodPenny (amicably I might add) and focus on Hyena Motorcade. We started writing again, and went back into the studio to work with Paul Roessler (Nina Hagen, 45 Grave, Germs, etc) at the boards to get our new CD out. We released it just this past June/July.  

 Back to BloodPenny...they had gone on hiatus and I knew the bass player wanted to play so I called him and said I would jump back on as guitarist if he wanted to play some shows...he said yes and now we are back at it. The two shows i had booked for Former Humans are now BloodPenny shows. I am really looking forward to playing with those guys again after not having played in that band since our CD Release party at Bar Sinister in May 2011.

   I have some long-term friends in BloodPenny who are like brothers to me. We get into it, but we never hold onto anything negative and we always keep moving forward and remain friends.....sheesh...I've known Stephen and Sean since 1987....so we will probably be friends till death...the first EP had the songs Motion, Spiral Staircase and Transparent Town...Rick Kaley, Hyena Motorcade vocalist was the original vocalist with BloodPenny and was on that CD, then he left in 2008 and he and I kept in touch, forming Hyena Motorcade together in 2009.

The second CD has Eric Schreeck (also sings with steampunk band Unextraordinary Gentlemen) on vocals the songs are: Secret Spell, Killing Time, Moto Fucko, and a live track of us playing Sisters of Mercy's Adrenochrome live at the Deathrock Dive Bar in Oakland, CA

     So, as of today, that's where I and the bands I am involved with are at......it's really a good place to be in...to be in more than one project which enables you to have options....for example, when Former Humans singer quit, I didn't have to give those show dates up, etc....

ANN: Aww that's so cool you guys are so close! And you always have somewhere to play!

I always need to be doing something musically or I go fucking batshit crazy! So I usually make sure to get a band started if one of my other ones looks like it's going to slow down...

FORMER HUMANS!

     Now that Former Humans is just recording in the foreseeable future (shame, too because it's such a great band) and Hyena Motorcade is not playing live, I am starting to put a new band together as I write this. Already have a great drummer on board.....need bass and singer and I am off and running with another band…should be soon.

ANN: Ohhh Weee! I'm excited!

MARK: There....that should give you something to write about...

ANN: Yes thank you so much!

MARK: You're the coolest ever, yanno that?

ANN: Nooo you are!!. I love hearing what you're up to. Craziness and such! 

MARK: My friend asked me where i get all my energy today....I said simply....VODKA!!

LISTEN:

Former Humans

Hyena Motorcade
BloodPenny

VIDEO

BloodPenny "Secret Spell" (from  BloodPenny's EP)


Heresy presents De-Tached and Bloodpenny - 3/8/14. Video by James Tiede 


Former Humans "Bolted Down"/"Heaven's Gate"



Hyena Motorcade "Shadows" 

Spontaneous Combustion with I Still Have Nightmares!

Dark tribal rock phenomenon I Still Have Nightmares released a new video! Watch it, and read my "fiery" interview with vocalist Christina Garcia below.

Visit: I Still Have Nightmares on Facebook and get your download at Bandcamp. Check out Evile Annie too! 

Ann: Christina! I am convinced spontaneous combustion is caused by an accumulation of cat hair on one's clothing! The electrostatic properties¹ of the fur could be the catalysts of some, if not most of these incidents. 

What are your thoughts?

Christina: ...I shall get a cat and find out!
Ann: Oh, but we need you for this interview! 
Christina:  Dang,... fine.
Ann:  I picture scientists rubbing people with cats...
Christina: That'd be pretty kinky! 
Ann:  Speaking of combustion, did you have anyone in mind when you wrote "Fire Escape?" Or any place? 
Christina: The song was written in our lockout. There was a flyer on the wall there that said: "There will be no fire escape from Hell". When Dave (guitarist) started to play a riff, we all jumped in... just went with it. It’s about when people get too big for their britches.
Ann: I'm glad someone's not afraid to call people out on it! Dave is an awesome guitarist! Whoa!
Christina: Oh heck yea! Dave's been playing for 30 yrs. Ann: And you are a busy lady from what I hear. One band is not enough?