Terminatryx was founded in 2002 and you’ve prevailed and remained consistent as a dark force to be reckoned with in the local alternative music scene for thirteen years.
Do you think there was significant growth in the local, alternative music scene and; looking at this barrage of local and foreign commercial radio pop and American hip hop imitations flooding the South African music scene, do you think there is a chance that one day maybe, South Africa will have its own alternative radio station? A-Fm instead of K-Fm, if you get my drift?
SONJA: Not to sound too pessimistic, but I really don’t think so. The very thing that makes alternative, alternative is the fact that it is not mainstream.
In my opinion to get a radio station or a publication or a festival to work, you need revenue, to create revenue you need sponsorship and while this might be possible for an alternative scene in a different country it will not be a sustainable venture in South Africa.
The market is simply too small, there are too few of us. Most companies do not want to touch us with a ten foot pole…right or wrong, the alternative scene is simply not something most brands want to be affiliated with in South Africa. But is that not what makes us “underground” and “alternative”?
The onus will be on the alternative community to make it work, we need to support one another’s endeavours, and if we are in the lucky position to have funds and clout, we need to utilise it for our scene.
Witchfest is a great example of how this is possible. We need to build on this.
PAUL: Yes, we have been at it for a while - myself even longer with bands like Voice of Destruction since the mid-'80s!
For me personally it is a natural compulsion and I'll do it regardless of a growing or dying scene, press support or any other factors.
This is Sonja and my baby and we do it to the best of our ability (and time availability), while not having overblown expectations of the pay-off. We approach it with an honesty and let our souls speak for us.
The sad fact that South African media piggy-backs on what happens outside our borders is no secret, but the sadder fact is when it comes to the promotion of home-grown music (and other arts), they far too often hone in on those commercial offerings that try to imitate the imports.
Our music naturally doesn't get mainstream radio airplay even though it is far less heavy than some other bands.
The ever growing on-line radio station phenomenon however has been much friendlier towards us and those on the more extreme end of the spectrum, with local incarnations like The Grind, Zone Radio, Mix FM, as well as campus stations like UCT.
We have however been more successful in having our music heard regularly beyond these borders via stations like Metal 365, Iron Waves and Midwest Broadcasting to name a few.
Sadly the days of having someone like Barney Simon wave the Alternative flag on an FM station are gone.
A downside of on-line stations is the fact that it's becoming a case of too many to choose from with bands clamouring to get their music heard and competing with the bigger, more established names - and in the process maybe tweaking their music to appeal to a certain demographic…
So, things being as they are: media that focus on perceived commercial content that will guarantee no loss in ad revenue; a public that has been brainwashed into what they should and shouldn't like and a natural aversion to something that is different, I don't see alternative culture getting wider coverage in the future.
Part of its excitement for people who are really into it is searching and finding cool new stuff that no-one knows about - the catch-22 downside is that the artists creating the music cannot do so to the full extent if there aren’t enough people to support the funding of these creations via album sales or live show attendance. Not many alternative artists can do what they do full time or as their primary sustainable "career".
And if these alternative genres get integrated into regular media, then technically it will no longer be "alternative" - but who gives a shit - music is music, why do we need to cling to a label to seem more hardcore or separate from the pack?
I'd rather have my music heard by everyone and then let them decide for themselves whether they like it or not, instead of some snotty programme director deciding for them by excluding it from the get-go.
It's not like I'll be adapting, changing or watering my music down to fit that bill…
PATRICK: It actually seems to me that we're drifting further from such a scenario unfolding.
This is not to suggest that there has been no growth, because there definitely has been some resurgence since the implosion of alternative culture at the turn of the century.
However, it seems that what we have today is a lot more polarised than what existed before, with sub-genres clumping more and more into niches than a broader alternative collective.
In this regards, it is hard to imagine an A-FM scenario where one umbrella station takes care of all of the sub-genres. Rather, the growth we've seen will probably result in dozens - or already has, to an extent - of independent online stations and projects with low overheads, requiring minimal resource and catering to very niche audiences.
That's the way it looks to me at any rate.
RONNIE: I am a big supporter of independent, non-commercial endeavours, so a dedicated platform to showcase this would certainly help. >>>
Question Two:
Pardon the pun, but Terminatryx does have a very impressive track record. Amongst a myriad of local alternative acts and rock/metal festivals, you’ve supported international alternative bands like Diary Of Dreams and most recently, Ministry. In doing so, you obviously must’ve had more intimate contact with the members of those bands than most of their fans. Did Terminatryx get any feedback from the members of Diary Of Dreams and Ministry; and what did they tell you? I must also ask, in terms of growth of your popularity, what is it like to be associated with such great alternative bands? And we’ll be damned, for the positive feedback on the Witchfest was phenomenal... how was it, and did you meat... I mean... meet up with some of the international acts involved, like Cannibal Corpse for instance?
Sonja: We had great feedback way back from Diary of Dreams and we are still in contact with Adrian. We have a great relationship with Ashton Nyte (The Awakening) and are also still in contact with the boys from Sigue Sigue Sputnik. We were not lucky enough to meet Al from Ministry as their management did not allow this. We also did not receive feedback from them, not even sure if they were on the premises while we were performing. LOL! This is really of no importance to me, and although I was VERY honoured to share a stage with Al, I was equally excited about playing for a Johannesburg crowd and meeting all the lovely new people and old loyal fans. The entire experience was incredible. Witchfest was also fantastic and although we did not get to meet any of the international acts it was so great to catch up and hangout with our metal brethren; Agro, Mind Assault, Summer Underground, Junkyard Lipstick etc. and the fans!
Paul: Most of the international bands we've performed with have kept to themselves - I can imagine uncle Al of Ministry is a bit tired of meeting the thousands of support acts across three decades! So, that's cool. Just like they are there to give their best performance and not be distracted by fanboys, for me it is a platform to access an audience that may enjoy our music but have no idea we exist, and aim to make it our most memorable show. There isn't a star-struck factor for me, I'm there for Terminatryx and the people who want to see us, and those who haven't before. With each of these shows we get audience members coming up to us saying they loved it and are so glad they got exposed to it. Not knowing bands like us existed in their own backyard, they buy merch and become fans on the spot and that's brilliant!
Witchfest was pretty much hit and run for most of us, flying in the morning of our show and back again the next morning - besides passing members of Fleshgod Apocalypse backstage during change-over with acknowledging nods, we didn't get to consort with any of the imports. I did catch up with old friends from local bands.
Ronnie: I personally don't recollect any direct feedback from international bands that we have had the privilege to share the stage with. For me, just being involved in such prestigious events has had its own fulfilment and once again confirms that Terminatryx is a world-class act.
Question Three:
Quite a lengthy classification coming but bare with me for the sake of our readers: Terminatryx, as an anarchic entity in the South African music scene, is the creator of a harder and dark-edged type of electric-rock, a mixture of gothic EBM and industrial metal, charged with sexual danger as well as aspects of horror and sci-fi that encapsulates the symbiotic and paradoxical element of conflict between mankind and technology. In terms of this and beings a consistent entity in the South African alternative music scene, who supports you most, the Goths or the metalheads and please say why?
Sonja: Wow, that was an incredibly accurate description, you truly get us, Barend! I think that while we appeal to both camps we do get a lot of support from metalheads. But there is a very specific reason: Goth events are very, very few, and while we do have support from the Goths, it is difficult to get to them as there is a limited platform. As a self-confessed Goth, I must admit that I prefer the DJ at a party to a band playing, but we have always received a warm welcome at Goth events and always LOVE doing them. Goth is something that is very close to my heart and our song "Midnight" was written exclusively for the Goths.
Paul: Metalheads, mainly because these are more frequent shows and a larger fan base, and closest affiliate bands we can slot into on a live bill. South Africa hardly has any Industrial or Goth bands. The Gothic culture has waned to a trickle here in Cape Town. We recently played a free show to support friends of ours with their Gothic Resurrection nights, and a lot of the people there were faces you see at the metal shows as well…
For us we find ourselves in the position where we stand out more from the other bands, not only in having a female vocalist, but also our sound and stage wardrobe - it adds a different aspect and mood to the evening. At Witchfest it was predominantly a blast-beat Deathfest, which is fine, but when we came on it was almost a breath of fresh air, as many people told us afterwards.
Personally I love an all-encompassing alternative dome where Metal, Punk, Goth, Industrial, Grunge, SKA, Rockabilly etc. can co-exist, but we all have our own tastes and cliques are a fact in all sectors. My range of music taste is extremely wide and while I may see this unification of these genres as a logical matter of fact, others feel insulted if for instance it is not strictly Black Metal - and only Norwegian for that matter, none of these diluted imitations from the States or Greece!
If music speaks to you, who cares what its classification is?
Ronnie: According to my experience there is only a fine line between these two sub-cultures in SA and I know that we appeal to both, in one way or another.
Question 4:
I can’t think of the name of the song now, but I think it’s a song by Laibach, where they state in the lyrics: “... we’re no humble pop-musicians...”. Now, I don’t want to come across as being judgmental on behalf of the whole alternative music scene, but the few experiences I’ve had with these so-called humble pop-musicians, wasn’t so pleasant. Correct me if I’m wrong, but a lot of them seem to be aloof and snooty towards their fans. It’s as if they deem themselves as more important than, and above their fans in ways that would piss off even Medusa. I haven’t experienced this in the alternative music scene, and especially not with you guys (and gal) of Terminatryx. You’re always willing to mix and mingle and chat with your fans, almost as if they’re family. Obviously your fans are very important to you, but how does one stay humble as a celebrity, and why do you think that musicians in the alternative music scene appear to be more in touch with and caring towards their fans?
Paul: Firstly I think it's because we don't consider ourselves celebrities and don't have our heads up our own asses. We treat people the way we want to be treated, simple as that. I don't believe in burning bridges and to be an aloof dickhead doesn't do you any favours. Even if you're tired, pissed-off or suffering from bronchitis (like Sonja at Witchfest), you can still be polite and give people the time of day. You are your band's brand and you can easily damage it by being an asshole - those people go off and tell all their friends what an moron you were if you treated them like shit or ignored them unnecessarily (because you felt you're above them).
Sonja: The general alternative fan is the polar opposite of the general Beyoncé and Bieber fan. You need to gain their respect and when you have it, it is solid. I have always maintained that Terminatryx is first and foremost and artistic expression. I view it as an art project, it has a life of its own and for me it is like another person in our house. If people really like the music we make, it is the ultimate compliment and a bonus for us, and we truly value the people that like Terminatryx, because they are OUR people. I have so much respect for our fans and I absolutely LOVE interacting with them. Perhaps it is easy for me to say this because we don’t have stadiums filled with fans (yet), but even if we had, I would like to meet each and every one of them. LOL! If your fans are an annoyance for you, you might be in the wrong business…
Ronnie: We're all here to support the same thing, I just happen to be on stage doing it.
Question 5:
I’ve read one day that to be in a band is like being part of a dysfunctional family. Is this true and do you as the Terminatryx family sometimes become dysfunctional? Explain or be tortured...
Sonja: Yes, it really is like being in a family. We do get on very well though and perhaps it is because we are older and sober, but we have respect for one another and value the input each member gives. We are all in other bands as well, Paul and I are both in the Makabra Ensemble with Sean Ou Tim, Simon Ratcliffe and Matthijs Van Dijk and Ron are in The Flaming De Villes. Pat also has his other family in Mind Assault and I am doing my A Murder project with my evil twin, Nerine Dorman. These bonds are strong and we are all cut out of the same alternative cloth.
Paul: It may sound boring, but we're old enough and have been in various bands long enough to have a mutual respect for each other - and it also helps that our personalities gel and we get along as friends. We do this for the music, not to party or act the fool.
The dynamic of Sonja and I is naturally different due to our relationship - I'm the lucky fucker going home with her after every show! Also with this being our main musical project in addition to our movie soundtrack group, The Makabra Ensemble, we can get very precious about technicalities or details. For instance, Sonja can get frustrated when I record her vocals and try to drive her towards a certain goal - it's not an attack or insult, but rather a drive towards getting the best out of the moment. Most of the time we have a synced and unified vision of the music, videos, photographs but don't always agree or feel comfortable with certain things - like not everyone are keen on dressing up and getting made-up for shoots, but we know it is part of the whole package and final product, so we take the bullet.
My song-writing is a bit different to "proper" musicians, and that can sometimes confuse Patrick when learning a new song - I don't let that frustrate me, as I can't force it down someone's throat - they'll click with it when they do, so we go round and round until it does.
So, overall we run a pretty smooth engine and humour has a lot to do with keeping it fun. We can joke about the dumbest shit off-stage, but as soon as we perform, we click into it and we're as serious as a fucking heart attack!
Ronnie: It takes a special kind of madness to do what we do, but it has to be balanced by the flip-side of the same coin - we are certainly a family, each with our own strengths and weaknesses.
Question 6:
My deepest sympathy to those who think that being in a band is all moonshine and roses, because it’s not. Rehearsing, recording, touring, setting up, performing, and keeping your fans happy can all be gruelling work. Over and above this, you’re all in some way or another involved in other creative projects, your nine to five jobs; as well as your own social and family commitments/responsibilities. How in Valhalla’s name do you manage not to burn out and stay sane? Having asked that, what have you got lined up for the immediate future and, is there perhaps a ‘secret’ long term project or goal you want to share with us?
Sonja: Apart from Terminatryx and A Murder, I work full time and am busy studying for my degree at UNISA. These last couple of months have been incredibly difficult as I have been sick. Burning the candle at both ends can seriously take its toll and I have now learnt that it is important to step on the brakes every now and again. I basically did Witchfest with one lung and am now paying the price with what seems to be a long recovery from serious bronchitis and an intercostal rib sprain. We are all a bit tired but believe me it is only a lull! We have plans for some very cool music videos and I must admit I am feeling the urge to get my hands dirty with some new material.
Ronnie: What has to be done, has to be done. I immerse myself in creativity to create something that will last.
Paul: Yes, I also write movie and music related reviews and articles, when we don't make our own movies and music videos, I edit freelance, run our websites, and for the last decade we've created and overseen various indie film festivals like the HorrorFest, X Fest, Celludroid and Sound On Screen. Patrick keeps busy with graphic design and runs Fiend Arts, which also includes the Metal4Africa portal and its two annual live music festivals.
Ironically bands like ours very much create what we do in our spare time! That's why I'm always very proud when our local colleagues can hold their own next to international acts who do this on a daily basis as their exclusive careers. I overheard a girl at Carfax saying after the show that she preferred Terminatryx to Ministry!
We have to keep the shark moving and never stall. I try to keep a constant flow of new info and features via the press and on our social media and website - that's a full time job in itself! It is costly to release an album a year, but we don't want to have as long a gap between the next album as our previous ones.
We'll be producing more music videos for the "Shadow" album. We'll release an exclusive digital Terminatryx anthology from across our catalogue on Fangoria Musick, the imprint of the legendary American horror magazine. A release date is pending on a special tribute album for tragic Afrikaans poet Ingrid Jonker - we adapted her poem "Ontvlugting". The collection will feature loads of local artists taking on her poems and there's talk of a vinyl release.
Mid-year we'll be taking on something we've wanted to do for a while;play some under-18 shows! There are too many youngsters who may like our music but due to alcohol age restrictions can't get into clubs, and end up becoming prefab pop drones, because there was no alternative available to them...
Terminatryx links:
http://www.terminatryx.com
http://www.facebook.com/Terminatryx
http://www.terminatryx.bandcamp.com
http://www.twitter.com/Terminatryx
http://www.youtube.com/Terminatryx