Person Interviewed: Chris Pervelis from Internal Bleeding
Interviewer: Matt Blackwood, Diabolical Corruption Fanzine
Date: June 26, 1999
CP - Chris Pervelis
MB - Matt Blackwood (Diabolical Corruption Fanzine)
MB - The new album kicks ass. How long did it take to write
it?
CP - It took us about a full year or so to write the album. It
usually takes about a month
or so to write a song, once its written we jam on it, change it a bit, jam again and
hammer
out all the details after about 2 months it is actually complete, but the basic structure
takes
about a month per song.
MB - What was it like working with Brian Griffin?
CP - Working with BG was fucking killer! The man not only knew how
to
capture a great sound, but he had some suggestions, comments and ideas that
we threw into the mix, and it turned out great. He's a cool guy, very demanding
of perfection and a relentless workaholic. Just like us, so we all got along real well.
MB - What made you guys decide to write riffs that are more groove driven?
CP - Thats difficult. I think we prefer the "driving
hooks/grooves" as opposed to the oft overused speeding
double bass riffs or typically mindless blasting. Blast and speeding double bass riffs
have their place, and we
use em, but not as main points of the song, more like tension builders for the hooks that
will inevitably come.
MB - How does the metal scene differ now than from when you first started?
CP - There's far more variety in the music. It used to be all
deathmetal, a little blackmetal and thats it.
Now, we have lots of doom/avant garde/sinphonic/etc. I think thats cool that there is a
lot of variety.
Another big difference is email. When we first started there was no email, barely any AOL
or the web.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
MB - How was touring with Six Feet Under and Immolation?
CP - We had a hell of a time on that tour! It was a load of fun! We
got
the chance to crush people in a different town every night! Six Feet and Immo
were also really cool to hang with.
MB - On your website you link to Fleshtized's website. Do you know
Fleshtized? I ask because Fleshtized are from here where I live.
CP - Well yeah, I talk to garth occasionally, and I love their music
most importantly.
They are a hell of a freaking band. So is Spinecast. They are from that area too.
I just designed their new LP.
MB - How do you think the several different lineup changes have affected
Internal Bleeding?
CP - Its changed things for the better. Its like a "shedding of
skin" - getting rid of the bad and bringing
in the new. People thought we'd never recover loosing Frank, but we did one better - Ray
kills frank vocally.
And we should have gotten rid of Anthony years ago. I am glad we did when we did tho. All
these changes
are destiny, they were meant to be part of the band's progression.
MB - Tell me a lilttle about your graphic design business.
CP - Well recently, I opened my own Graphic Design company called
The Pervelis Design Studios.
Its what I do full time. i have many clients, ranging from Korg, Marshall, Vox, The New
York Auto Show,
Roslyn Savings Bank and others. i also design CD's for bands. I have done many album
covers as
well as CD layouts. Any bands interested, please get in touch and we can work out a nice
price.
MB - Of all the locations you have played which has had the best crowds?
CP - All over really. You've got to appreciate each area and its
people ya know.
I would say the most enthusiastic fans are the ones in Southern California or Texas
or even Northern Quebec province in Canada. But the fans in NY, OH, MO, etc also rule.
Like i said you have to appreciate all the regions, because the people come to see you,
and thats enough for me!
MB - What other bands are you listening to these days?
CP - I am listening to a lot of older hardcore/punk lately. Circle
Jerks,
Crass, Bad Posture, Crucifix, etc. I dont know why. Other than that, I have
been grooving on the new Immolation "Failures for Gods" CD and the Disfigured
"Prelude to Dimentia" CD - both are amazing feats of musical aggression.
MB - Where do you guys get your inspiration?
CP - Thats hard. I am inspired by so many differen things. Its
usually
just the world around me, and whats going on in that world. If its not that,
its World War Two and Vietnam - two subjects I study voraciously.
MB - Have you guys ever made any videos and if so where can a fan get them?
CP - We've tried, but its always failed. There's lots of bootlegs
out there that you can get a hold of though.
MB - You seem to be really good at self-promoting the band and doing PR type
stuff.
Is this something that you are obligated to do or do you just enjoy it?'
CP - I am proud of my band and what we do, so I promote the living
hell out of it all the time 24 hours a day!
Its what I want to do ya know. I also enjoy it immensely.
MB - Any final comments, messages, or statements?
CP - Thanks for the interview-we appreciate it! Thanks to all the
people
who have supported us in the past, present and future! Check out Driven to
Conquer-it'll smoke your motherfucking ass! Everyone get in touch: PO BOX
1402, LAKE GROVE, NY 11755, http://home.earthlink.net/~ibldng,
or email
ibldng@aol.com.