WORMWOODWormwood moved to Seattle from Lawrence Kansas in the early 2000' sBringing with them one of the most intense and mind-blowing music the scene has ever seen. Their first album is a MUST have for anyone that loves down tempo. They are like no one else. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM to understand. With their much-anticipated second release Starvation, Wormwood brings
a new level of misanthropic splendor and proves that they are evolving into something truly amazing.
GO BUY IT you will not regret it.
Originally from the Midwest WORMWOOD relocated to Washington to endure futhure obscurity pounding out decibels of madness for only the most obscure sonic worshipers. Their songs consist of pained madness and sorrow that can be felt right through the speakers. We had a chance to talk about their latest release 1. Are you happy with the product? How long did it take you can you talk about the process?
We're very happy with the new album... It was a long process. We spent years to complete some of the songs!
Recording with Billy Anderson was a great experience. We feel he did an excellent job capturing our sound on tape - he pretty much became part of the band during the recording process.

2. can you talk about the art. the layout the choices made. influences cuz i see svankemajer a bit
Lara did the art - the lyrical themes on the album influenced the ideas behind both the paintings and the lyrics collage.
I like the idea of incorporating words into the artwork - the lyrics, the images, and the music are all part of the album.
The lyric fonts were all etched by hand on scratchboard.

3. what other releases do you have?  
Circus/Seven 7" 1997
Outcold/Soundtrack (Behemoth) 7" 1998
Zeen 7" 1999
Requiscat CD/LP 2000
7" split w/ Teen Cthulhu (ltd 500) 2003
7" split w/ The Esoteric (ltd 500) 2003
7" Split w/ Fall of the Bastards (Ltd 500) 2003

4.any tours coming up in support of the record. going to Lawrence? coming to LA?
We have some shows scheduled in the Northwest, but no plans for tour at the moment. We would like to take
a trip down the West Coast some time soon, though. It's hard for us to tour, as our best roadie moved to LA; she was so awesome...

5. you've had some changes drummerwise. how has that effected the new album? (just asking pretty much how petejay has influenced the band, what he brought to the table etc.)
We've been through more than our share of drummers over the years! Pete Jay is definitely a member of the Wormwood family, and has been a great addition to the band. Pete's a multi-talented musician - not just a drummer, but a bassist/guitarist and vocalist too. He contributes a lot toward writing the music as well as a general sense of enthusiasm about the band.

6. on one of the songs there is a backword sample of someone talking. what is that?
rering messages...

7. you brought Lara voice in more. it's very ethereal. can you talk about that. what you were going for.  
Lara started adding vocals in 2003 - some of the newer songs includes gentler, more orchestral musical influences, and female vox
adds an appropriate ethereal dimension to the sound.

8. If the first album was the soundtrack to the apocolypse... then what is this the soundtrack for?
This is the soundtrack to the post-apocalypse

9. on the 1st record on side B that song i think it's of as you bind so are you bound. and if not talk about both. can you talk a little behind the meaning of that song. and the 1st song side a 2nd record.
"As you bind, so are you bound" is the first song on side B of Starvation. The title is a warning from the Druidic tradition regarding binding spells - if you spell to bind someone to you, you also cast the spell on yourself. This metaphor can extend in reference to all facets of human behavior. Our actions, our descisions, even desires, have consequences that ultimately come back around to affect us, and we must take responsibility for what we do. We need to be aware of our role in the cycle.
"No True Altruism" is the first song on the second record. Admittedly this song is a very depressing view of human nature - it examines the idea that there is no such thing as a good deed without self-interest at its core.

Do you feel that the art and soundscapes as a whole represent a wider more communal feeling that mankind is a the autumn of its existence?
Winter has begun.
But it should be interesting to see what spring will bring

WORMWOOD
Interview by Diana