Interview with ZKIZOID CHILDREN
We had a conversation with Skooro. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about ZKIZOID CHILDREN (Members, Starting Year etc).
Zkizoid Children is one of my "solo projects" and I started it in 2019 just after my departure from Crime & Sins of The Damned. I left the city of Santiago (Chile) and moved to the city of Osorno. which is ranked as "one of the most boring cities in Chile" for real. So I started to build my own "mini studio," and by the end of 2019, I had already recorded nine songs of which I only released 3 as an EP. At first, I wanted to call it Schizo Child, "Schizo" due to the Venom's song, and "Child" because I wanted this to be a new "beginning" for me.
You have recently released your album ''Mysteries for Those Who Dare''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Well, Zkizoid Children is an unknown name in the "scene", because I'm not part of that "scene." A few weeks ago, I released "Mysteries for Those Who Dare" only via Bandcamp.and even though I don't charge for my music (when it`s digital) some dollars have arrived on my PayPal account.The album was already recorded a year ago, and a small local label showed interest in it, but we didn't reach any agreement.
Label or DIY and why?
Both seem like valid options to me. There are some small labels releasing great stuff out there. DIY... I used to spend a lot of money on releasing my own stuff which ended up being distributed among my friends or acquaintances. now I rather make "digital releases" for now.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Well, I haven`t played live shows since 2018, and at this point, I doubt I'll join a band to start doing it all again, I'm a person who really enjoys being alone, and I like to do everything by my own.The place where I live and do my "records" now used to be my grandfather`s house; he took his own life here in 1970. Sometimes weird things happen. I don`t fear ghosts, but I can`t deny It gives shivers to my spine when I see shadows, things moving, or when I hear weird noises (I don`t know if that is funny, but it's weird).
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
When I was a teenager, I used to buy vinyl, cassettes, and CDs because they were "cheap as chips", You could buy classic albums by great bands for 2 or 5 bucks. Now I only collect CDs because they require less space.
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Well, I grew up with great music thanks to my parents and some relatives. I enjoyed a lot of bands and artists (not only in metal), and I couldn't cite them as an influence on what I do. But in one way or another they have. such as Alice Cooper, Venom, Blue Oyster Cult, Gang Green, Van Halen,the early Misfits, Samhain & Danzig, King Diamond & Mercyful Fate, the early Death,Vulcano, Poison Idea, Hallows Eve, Coroner, and many, many more real underground stuff. By the way, Supertramp, The Alan Parsons Project, Crack the Sky, Barclay James Harvest, E.L.O.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Well, it all depends on what you mean by "succeed" Personally, I`ve never had that "ambition" , but I`ve always wanted to make music just for me because I wanted to make "something". An ex-girlfriend used to say, "You only care about recording demos that no one will listen to".She was right,but I enjoy what I do, and that`s all. By the way, I`ve seen many bands try so hard to stand out, but it all culminates in an album that people buy and then put on their shelves to collect dust, and then everyone forgets about that band.It`s sad because every band wants "recognition".
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Well, I`ve never experienced something like this, but I would like to play a live show outdoors beside a forest in the middle of the night with torchlights and naked contortionist girls dancin` around (ha ha ha!).
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
If you don't put something that is intimately yours in what you do, it will hardly have its own identity. There are a lot of bands talking about the same things, but they never delve into what they really think or feel. Personally, I am interested in the lyrics when I buy an album. I really want to know what`s on the minds of the people who make the music I enjoy. But if you are going to make a record only to tell me, for example "All politicians are corrupt pigs" ok, there is no mistake, but that`s like saying "the grass is green".
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Of course, if they weren't, maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation. I used to make my own "productions" at home, but with luck, a friend was interested or pretended to be. Now, with digital platforms, more people have access to your music. I have also discovered great bands thanks to these platforms (and I also think there are niche bands for all tastes).
Do you see any differences between the Chilean Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Mmm, that`s a hard question. In terms of fans, labels, and zines, the bands where I used to play had more "recognition" (so to speak) in the USA. I mean, a label from the States trusted in us at that time and released the stuff of both bands (Crime and Sins of the Damned). Even though the sales were good. here in our "homeland" nobody gave a damn for us, or our stuff.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Chile (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
According to Encyclopedia Metallum, "Chile is the country with the most metal bands in South America." There are very talented young musicians; there are always small and big shows in the capital. also in the most remote regions of the country; small labels for every kind of stuff; webzines and zines, a lot of clubs. there are a lot of things going on in Chile related to metal sighs, but it hurts me to say it. There is an old sociopolitical issue that has divided this country (especially the young ones); everything is polarized. There are also people who are too resentful and musicians who act like divas when they start to gain popularity, so (I hate this term) the Chilean metal scene is kind of "toxic".
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Of course, how can you not know the great bands of the late 80s and early 90s that are classics here? such as Varathron, Rotting Christ, Thou Art Lord, and Necromantia with "Crossing the Fiery Path." What a gem! Also 70s stuff like Axis,Socrates Drank the Conium, Aphrodite`s Child, and Akritas... great bands.
The last 3 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
Sighs. some of the reasons that made me leave, Santiago became more dangerous and violent, also the unemployment, and problems with massive illegal inmigration. Then came October 18, It was a protest like "black lives matter", but it was because the government raised the subway fare... I knew something like this would happen, so I decided to leave 4 months earlier. I was leaving nothing behind, I had no friends and nothing to lose. When the "sickness" came, I was already in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by silence, walking through paths, slopes, and trees,drinking lots of wine and beers, reading Paracelso (among others), and digging a lot of music.
What are your future plans?
Well, I have no plans; I live from day to day, but I want to continue making music and improve if possible. Maybe I'll form a band; I don't know.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
I am very grateful. Best wishes to all at FILTHY DOGS OF METAL. Thanks to all the people who give real support, not just in kind words but also in actions, and stay tuned because I'll be releasing new stuff, maybe next month.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
ZKIZOID CHILDREN CONTACT:
https://zkizoidchildren.bandcamp.com/