Sept 09 2002 Over The Edge Page 9 Imperative Reaction: Electronic By Kathleen De Vere Imperative Reaction have a reputation of being underdogs and trendsetters in the indus- trial music scene. Imperative Reaction formed in 1996 as a strictly electronic and synth oriented industrial band, just as Nine Inch Nails’ guitar ori- ented approach to music was the popular thing to do in the Los Angeles Industrial scene. Imperative Reaction built up their careers and fan base slowly, starting out the old fashioned way by playing plen- ty of shows around Los Angles, recording a demo, and by building up a reputation for a making a different kind of industrial music. In 1999 Imperative Reaction released their first CD, Eulogy for The Sick Child, which spawned a number of club hits worldwide. So, of course, with their lat- est release, Ruined, Imperative Reaction are once again trying to set themselves out from the pack by creating their own sound, a more inti- mate and stripped down kind of music, turning away from the popular trend of dance beats in favor of a deeper, more involved kinds of music. Over The Edge had the opportunity to pick the brain of Ted Pheips, founding member and vocalist for Imperative Reaction as they transversed the country on their North American tour to support Ruined. Over the Edge: So, when did you decide you wanted to be a musician? Ted Phelps: “It’s been a life- long goal, | started playing keyboard when | was fourteen, and got serious when | was 16.” OTE: Was it had to do what you wanted? Was there much of an industrial scene when you were just starting out? TP: “It wasn’t easy to find other musicians when | was 16, since | couldn't go into clubs, but there was is a size- able scene, it’s been growing over the last five years, basi- Cally.” OTE: Imperative Reaction’s music is different from what you might hear from other electronic industrial bands, so how would you describe your sound and genre? TP: “We're almost like old electronic music, but without the guitars. We’re moving away from making dance ori- ented music towards writing songs, but with synthesizers, not guitars. The new stuff is more stripped-down, more inti- mate, more raw, less effects.” OTE: Can we compare you to similar bands? How would you compare yourselves to VNV Nation or Apoptygma Berzerk? TP: “They're not really our style, were setting ourselves apart, moving towards our own sound because we have so We are an aggressive elec- tronic band, without falling into the cliché of heavily distorted vocals and tons of samples. much variety to our music. We are an aggressive electronic band, without falling into the cliché of heavily distorted vocals and tons of samples.” OTE: Ah, so how do you write your music and lyrics then? Since you’re moving towards a more stripped down sound, are your lyrics going to reflect your state of mind more? TP: “(I write from] mostly personal experience, there’s no politics, because so many others have done it so well.” OTE: What are some of your influences? Do you have any favourite bands? TP: “Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Babyland are some of my favorites and our biggest influences.” OTE: Since you’re on a tour, - how do you put on your live shows? TP: “Our live shows are more like a rock band’s live shows.” OTE: So you don’t just stand behind a bunch of computers and keyboards then? Many electronic bands fall into that trap. TP: “NO. For the last two years we've had a keyboardist, a drummer and myself singing [when we play live], so there is tons of energy when we play, our show has moved up several notches. We have a lot more interaction, [the shows are] more impro- vised, they sound like a remix.” OTE: So it’s worth going to a show then? TP: ‘It's a totally different experience, we've worked hard on that.” OTE: Finally, do you have any fun tour antidotes? Anything blow up? TP: “Not yet, but we had to sleep in an underground park- ing garage in Seattle this morning for about 4 hours. We overestimated how long it would take us to drive to there!” Imperative Reaction’s latest CD, Ruined, is in stores now. Photo: Dana De L ar Gourges Area 2 Review: Blue Man Group, David Bowie, and Moby play the Gorge in bisa llt| State By Tara Rogers. On August 16th, Moby’s Area: 2 came to The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington State for the festival’s final date. On the line-up were Ash (whose bus over-heated ‘somewhere in Oregon, so did- n't show up), the Blue Man Group (yes, the same wacky guys who do the IBM commer- cials), Busta Rhymes of Shaft fame, David Bowie, music god and cultural icon (and the only reason your writer attended), and, of course, techno guru Moby. We (being my cousin and myself) arrived about an hour late, so the Blue Man Group was already making a racket on-stage. After buying the mandatory drinks and concert gear, we made our way down the steep hill to see how the Blue Men were faring in heat. Not too shabby, we decided. After the Blue Man Group fin- ished their set, hip-hop star turned actor took the stage so he could rap about “feelin’ the love” and “open mindedness” — in other words: “Everyone light up their fattie.” He con- verted a few hard-core rock and rollers with his lust for life, I’m sure. After a lengthy, impatient wait, David Bowie walked on stage dressed in a black busi- ness suit with an unknotted electric blue tie hanging from his collar. He opened with Life on Mars?, Bowie’s baritone sounding like it had never inhaled a cigarette. He played a few older songs from the album Ziggy Stardust and The Thin White Duke ear, then broke into tunes from the new album Heathen. Bowie stuck mostly to familiar hits, like “China Girl?” ‘’'m Afraid of Americans,” and “Heroes,” to keep the all ages crowd happy however. But he could have shown up wearing a clown suit, strumming a banjo and his fans would have been ecstatic. The crowd would have followed him into the depths of hell, had he asked... During pauses between songs, Bowie had an easy banter with the crowd. From trying to sell stylophones to sharing the tale about where he was the day Elvis died (in West Nairobi drinking milk and blood with a tribe that kicked him out and back to his hotel), to blocking the British lan- guage (do you say ‘innit’ at the end of your sentences, too?), Bowie was relaxed and oozing charm. The crowd would have followed him into the depths of hell, had he asked. Bowie ended his two hour set with perhaps his biggest hit of all “Ziggy Stardust.” As he took a bow, Bowie told the audience it was “maybe the last time you'll see me.” There were a few boos, but Bowie flashed an all-knowing toothy grin, and left the stage. Here’s hoping to another tour where, just * maybe, he will put on a clown suit, strum a banjo, and ask to crowd io follow him into the depths of hell. We didn’t stick around for Moby. Sadly. ~ Sean Ruth Sales Consultant Honda North j Sales: (250) 562-9391 105 Brunswick Street Parts & Service: (250) 562-4744 Prince George, B.C. 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