There was many many great releases in 2012 and in my opinion very few came close, in terms of sheer heaviness. The record in question? The debut release by french sludge brutalists Love Sex Machine on the excellent and appropriately named Throatruiner records.
I was so impressed by Love Sex Machine's debut, it featured in my Top 25 releases of 2012, as well as Teabag's too. I went on to buy the record on the limited edition CD and also on vinyl too.
Such is the ferocity of the record, the band gained much acclaim not only from this blog but many others too.
It is for that reason, I invited the guys to talk to us about the band and fire 20 Questions at them. As usual thanks for reading and enjoy the interview! Here is what Yves (Guitar & Vocals) from Love Sex Machine had to say.
(Due to the bands work commitments etc, it took a bit of time to organise the interview, so the interview is very much reflective of questions I sent to the band in 2012.)
Bonjour/Hello Yves, How are you? I appreciate you taking the time to talk to talk to us.
Q) Where are you guys at the moment and what are you doing in terms of the band at the present?
A) We are working on new stuff for a future release. We also continue to drink beer, play the “old” songs and wait for the world to finally end.
Q). I think I can speak for everyone here at the Sludgelord and anyone else for that matter, your self titled record is possibly the heaviest I have heard this year (2012). It is superb.
For those people who are not familiar with your music, could you tell us a little about the history of the band and some of the bands you've played with? Where you’re from? When LSM first formed? Current band members?
A) We started Love Sex Machine in late 2008 (or maybe 2009, not sure). After a few changes of line up we are now 3 and we are not using bass guitar anymore. We played with Conan, Verdun
Q). Is LSM a full time project?
A) If you mean the only band in which we play, yes.
Q) What made you start the band? Did you all know each other before you formed?
A) Yes we all knew each other. We all played in “In The Final Analysis” before. (free download here http://inthefinalanalysis.bandcamp.com
After a few years we stopped to play without reasons. None of us said “it’s over”, it was the natural death of ITFA. A few months later, we put the volume on 10 on amps and played again with a new virgin spirit. Love Sex Machine was born.
Q) Probably a stupid question, but are you or would you like to be full time musicians?
A) No, we are not and will probably never be.
Q) Are you big fans of rock/metal, if so what are you listening too at the moment? Any recommendations?
A) I’m personally a big fan of rock/metal and I’m always looking for new stuff to listen to on Internet and very often on blog like yours. Lately i’ve listened a lot to the new Author and Punisher record and also the last Meshuggah and Deftones album.
Q) When you started LSM, what were your hopes for the band?
A) We just wanted to make noise, try to release some stuff and play shows.
Q) If someone was unfamiliar with your band, how would you describe your sound? Has it evolved?
A) It evolved a lot through the years from grindcore when we started to play in high school to the slowest kind of sludge to what we’re doing now. Our songs are more straight forward than they used to be. We don’t embarrass ourselves anymore with 5 minutes long introductions. We just kick in directly to rip faces.
Q) Who would you say are your influences both musically and artistically in terms of the bands sound?
A) I’d say our main influences for LSM are Buried at Sea, Meshuggah, Will Haven, 90s grindcore (discordance axis, as the sun sets,...) and Cannibal Corpse for the song titles.
Q) Why did you choose the name, LSM? You were previously known as In The Final Analysis, is that correct? If so, why the change in name?
A) We changed the name because the line up changed and we wanted a fresh start. The name Love Sex Machine was mostly a joke at the beginning, but we kept it.
Q) What is the scene like in your hometown?
A) It’s made of wood most of the time.
Q) At the moment, there is an outstanding underground metal scene coming out of France at moment, including Cowards, Hangman’s Chair, Abrahma and perhaps most notably General Lee to name but a few. What are your thoughts? Where do you think LSM fits within that? Any bands we should be keeping an eye out for?
A) I’ve seen Hangman’s chair and General lee a few times and both were awesome. I can’t say anything about the other ones, never saw them. I don’t think we fit within that, we’re not trying to and we don’t care.
Q) You recently shared the stage with Conan (one of our personal favourites here at the sludgelord), how was that?
A) Crushing! I almost shit my pants. The venue was pretty big but no PA is needed for Conan.
Q) What are your views of blogs such as the Sludgelord reviewing your records, as opposed to mainstream music magazines? Has your music reached the mainstream mags, at home or around the world?
A) I think blogs like yours are more efficient to promote underground bands like ours than mainstream magazines. I’m not sure anyone buying mainstream magazines would have any interest in LSM anyway.
Q) Does it surprise you when people buy your music and merch?
A) It doesn’t happen a lot but, yes.
Q) Following the release of your debut record LSM back in January, what have been some of your highlights so far? Are you pleased with the response? What are your aspirations for the future?
A) It was great to know that some people listened our record and that some of them even liked it. We also had some good reviews on webzine and it’s always nice to read.
Q) Do you have any interesting stories from your tours, favourite places you’ve toured and bands you’ve toured with?
A) We don’t have much touring experience. We’re are mostly playing week ends show and we’re too drunk to remember anything.
Q) Did you have an agenda or a game plan in terms of what you wanted to write for your debut? Does everyone contribute song ideas? Your song titles are particularly provocative, was that deliberate and what are the songs about?
A) The songs on the LP don’t have any specific meaning. That’s just pointless insanity. We played the songs and then we recorded them.
Q) You recorded LSM yourselves and you seem very hands on, in terms of the production. Is that because you that no one knows what you want better than yourselves? Any thoughts?
A) There are many reasons for a band like us why self production is much better than going in a studio. First we had no time limit. It took us more than six months from the beginning of the recording to the mastering. It would have been impossible for us to do that in a real studio. It also allows us to be totally independent. The whole process was quite cheap and we don’t owe any money to anyone. And it’s clearly more fun and interesting than relying on someone else. Production is in my opinion a big part of the process and especially for a band like ours.
Q) You’re currently signed to Throatruiner, who are a great label. They offer a download of your record as ‘pay as much as you like’ and also offer a vinyl release. Which is the best of both worlds. What are your thoughts about free legal downloads and the difference between buying a physical copy? Is your hope that people will dig the free download enough that they’ll buy your record?
A) We’re really happy about having actual physical stuff with our music on it. There are also people who purchased the record on bandcamp even though it was free and we thank them for that. But actually we’re not hoping to sell anything. Downloading or streaming music should be free.
Q) You also released a CD version of the record via Never Dead Label, (which I actually bought, LTD 100 copies), how did that come about it and is there plans to make more available, if they sell out?
A) Yes it was the plan to be able to repress some when they’re sold out.
Q) What are your plans for the rest of the year and any chance you're coming to the UK
A) We would love to come to the UK
Q) Thanks for answering my questions, but one final question, you got anything you like to say to your fans?
A) Thanks!!!
I'd like to express my great appreciation to Yves from LSM for answering the questions. LSM are a phenomenal band and Matthias @ Throatruiner is doing great things for the underground music scene offering his music for free but also putting out great vinyl and a great distro for sale too. So show your support to this great band and great label. You can buy LSM's record from Throatruiner here or the CD version from Never Dead here. Check out the links below for more info about this Brilliant band. You wont be sorry!
I'd like to express my great appreciation to Yves from LSM for answering the questions. LSM are a phenomenal band and Matthias @ Throatruiner is doing great things for the underground music scene offering his music for free but also putting out great vinyl and a great distro for sale too. So show your support to this great band and great label. You can buy LSM's record from Throatruiner here or the CD version from Never Dead here. Check out the links below for more info about this Brilliant band. You wont be sorry!
