Interview- Filament 38

Band: Filament 38 Interviewer: Kyle Kucate & Julie Johnson Date: 10/12/04

Filament 38 is an industrial project drawing from multiple influences that include noise, ambient, techno and harsh industrial. Using synthetic sounds and samples behind strong vocals, F38 produces its own unique brand of dark electronic music.

Filament 38 is one man: Ash, who began this project early 2000 out of his need for an outlet. Using keyboards to produce the mood Ash began to compose the material for Fractured. Mid 2002 Filament 38 singed to Chicago based Negative Gain Productions.

Fractured is the debut release on NGP and is a moody energetic CD wrapped up in sonic landscapes. Described as dark, gritty, heavy, and mysterious, the CD is a stand alone effort and gives Filament 38 it's own notch in the digital world.

GC: How long has Filament 38 been around?

F38: Almost 4 years now, I started working on it late 2000 early 2001. It moved pretty slow at first, I was just laying out ideas at the time.

GC: How is the Cleveland music scene like?

F38: Cleveland has a very strong metal scene and has been a good breeding ground for underground music .

GC:Is there much support in Cleveland for any type of industrial/goth clubs?

F38: Yes, Cleveland has the chamber which spins goth/industrial every friday and saturday.

GC: Filament38 was nominated for a 2004 Cleveland Scene Award, what was your reaction to this?

F38:I was kinda shocked, in a city dominated by Metal its nice to see some of the underground being recognized.

GC: How are the live shows like for Filament38 and do you enjoy performing live?

F38: Filament 38 live is raw energy. The show keeps getting better thanks to the creep. He handles sound, lights and everything in between. I have to play live, I need the release.

GC: You are signed to Negative Gain Productions, you first signed to them in 2002, how has your experience been with NGP?

F38:NGP has been a good experience, they have helped allot and continue to grow.

Fractured in the debut release for Filament38, what can listeners of industrial/harsh electro expect on this CD?

F38: Fractured is a moody electro industrial CD. Listeners can expect a solid listen from start to finish.

GC: Before making music, what were you doing prior to Filament38?

F38: I've been in various bands since high school so I guess the answer would be skateboarding.

GC: I heard a Filament38 track that was featured on Industrial Nation magazine compilation, the song was "dissect", how were you able to appear on that CD?

F38 Industrial Nation contacted NGP asking that some of their bands submit. I submitted shortly after and was accepted.

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Have you seen any difference with being on this compilation or any compilation in your popularity?

Compilations are great in getting the music to people who may not normally be exposed to it.

GC: What are your thoughts in todays current industrial/electro music, do you think it will ever get boring?

F38:As long as bands keep experimenting I don't think it will get boring.

GC: Are you working on any new music?

F38: Right now Creep and I finishing the next album. The new album "Unstable" will be out January on NGP.

GC: What type of direction would you like your next release go in?

F38:The new release has more diversity to it, more aggression, darker songs and themes, a variety of styles but still staying very hard electro.

GC: Will be see any remixes or will you be working with anyone either having others work with you or people working on your songs?

F38: Unstable has 2 guest musicians, Justin Cameron from Lexincrypt co-wrote the music with me for two tracks and Pete from Delien provides additional engineering and torture to a track. Tod Hulse (F38 live keys and backing vocals) has synths and backing vocals on a track as well.

GC: What is the funny thing that has happened to you during your journey with Filament 38?

F38: Cruciform Injection kidnapping my soundman in Detroit, firewerks out hotel windows, passed out in alley in NY, I better stop.....

GC: Do you have any pressures to think about being an artist in this genre?

F38: Only the pressure I put on myself.

GC: Any final words for our Grave Concern Readers?

F38: Pick up Fractured while you can, its almost out of print. Unstable will be out in January! Thanks and see you on the road.