From the legendary minds behind some of the most well known acts across the EBM, industrial and electronics spectrum comes the new project Black Line. A constantly evolving collective of mostly Los Angeles based collaborators, Black Line is led by Nitzer Ebb founding member and iconic frontman Douglas J. McCarthy and well regarded producer/engineer Cyrus Rex. A continuation of the duo's previous project DJM|REX, Black Line has access to some of the most advanced technology and creative minds which results in a distinctive sound. Current collaborators include:
DOUGLAS J MCCARTHY- Vocals / Production
founding member of NITZER EBB
BON HARRIS- Synthesis / Production
founding member of NITZER EBB
CYRUSREX
PAUL BARKER - Bass Guitar
Ministry, REVOLTING COCKS and Pigface.
CHRISTIAN EIGNER - Drums
JON BATES - Guest Vocals / Production / Instrumentation
MARK WALK - Vocal Production
Producer behind Skinny Puppy and OhGr.
ZACK MEYERS
KEN ‘Hiwatt’ MARSHALL
BRAD APODACA
MICHAEL ‘prophei’ DIETEL
ANTHONY BALDINO
MARIA LUI
DERRICK BASEK
The collective is staging their debut live performance this Friday (7/7) at the Terragram Ballroom in Los Angeles and we were able to speak with contributing member Brad Apodaca about the project and what we can expect from the show. (Q&A below)
The Brvtalist: So I have to ask you to talk about how this whole thing came about and what is the idea behind it.
Brad Apodaca: The band is a bit free-flowing. People can come and go and return when they please. I would say it's centered around the studio that Cyrusrex has built and branches out from there as we have friends all over that have helped in some way. The record began with the preproduction on what would have been the next DJM/Rex album. Cyrus, Douglas, and Ken had started working on a follow up to their EP's 1 & 2 & 3 (3 being unreleased). . . . and as friends and collaborators started to help out, it soon became much more than the duo that started it. Once you open the door to working with people and nurture a creative environment you will either get a massive pile of egos that nothing good will come of, or you luck out like we did and have a lot of fun and make something original, with no singular voice that we can all be proud of.
TB: With two founding members of Nitzer Ebb, the bassist from Ministry and one of the most well known names in the electronics world just to START, what can we expect in terms of sound?
BA: I suggest listening in headphones. There is a lot of ear candy on this record. Zack, Douglas, Cyrus, and Ken did a really great job of reeling some of us in. It's easy to get in there and just make so many cool sounds, but sculpting it into listenable "music" can be a chore. We wanted the record to be challenging but not unlistenable. We want people to hear it and feel that we've done something different and that it was worth every bit of work we put into it.
TB: Tells us about the live show on Friday at Terragram. Who will be performing that night and what did you guys want to do with the live show?
BA: I can't say everyone that will be there as we might have some special guests that want to join. . . . but at any given minute most of the collaborators will be there, at least for this show. We will also be joined by Nitzer Ebb drummer, Jason Payne. It's going to be a lot of fun. We have our friends Surachai and Bana Hafar as supporting acts and SSLEEPERHOLD, who've not met. Expect a lot of cables and wires everywhere!
TB: What's coming up next for the project?
BA: Up next will be a remix EP with some new tracks. We already have a few new artists that want to work on the new material. More female voices which will be a lovely addition. A few of the people in the band have some projects that are near completion that we can hopefully share before the end of the year. Tour? Maybe. As a production group, we'd like to do another soundtrack. Cyrus, Ken, and Douglas did a soundtrack for Hazel's documentary Bight Of The Twin (Hazel was also instrumental in creating our visuals for the show) that is making it's way through the gallery scene. . . . and I think we owe a few people remixes.
