Department Of Correction Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Hi you, thanks for reading. And thanks for that interview. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION is a Grindcore band from Paris France. We are 3 in the band, and play since 2008.

2014 will be a busy year for us... like 2013, 2012 and 2011 were... We have a split with AGATHOCLES that is about to be released by Dooweet Records and Give Praise records (CD and LP), a split with TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION + 4 French bands released soon by Kaotoxin Records and Give Praise records (CD and LP), a split with SENDER/RECEIVER our brothers from Detroit and a split with PROLETAR from Indonesia coming later in 2014.

We are also on the go for 2 more splits, that will be recorded in may.

We will tour Europe with the friends MOTHER BRAIN (Grind/USA) in March, and tour the whole USA for 3 weeks in August with the friends of BUDD DWYER.

As you can see, it's pretty busy.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and also how does it differ from previous releases?

The split DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION/STRONG INTENTION is very powerfull, violent and booty shaking at the same time. For our part of the split, we worked with Francis Caste as ingeneer. He made a very brutal and sensitive sound. Very "in your face".

The previous releases were done 100% DIY in cheap studios. The compositions have evolved, of course. And the sound is just not the same. Every record we do, we are proud of it. It sounds like a time of our lives. 

On each record, we have different kind of songs, some are more punk, some are more metal, some are more black, some are more melodic... but we chain all that influences with a Grindcore basis. We play an open Grindcore, that is interesting to dig deeply, as much as having just some Grindcore shot wih one or two songs like before going to work or before going to a party.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

I'm sorry, there is no lyricks hahaha ! The subjects of DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION is music. Fun. Energy. Kick out anger. As persons, we dont deal with hate, religion, sexism, food considerations etc....

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Department Of Correction'?

We choose that name, because it was kind of fun. It sounds like "spank brigade", or "house of butt kicking", or something... It's also the name os prisons for violent teenager, as far as we know, in USA. So we thought that this name fits perfectly.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Best shows, well lots of our shows were good, it depends on what your attempting for. Some were amazing with big sound, big crowd, like in Obscene Extreme, SWR Barroselas Metal Fest... Some were in small basement with small audience but big energy... 

We had some bad shows... like, no audience, shit sound, bad welcoming from organiser, but it has happen maybe 3 or 4 times on 200 shows...

So, 98% of our shows are good time, with tones of speed blasts, amounts of growls and screams, earthquake of guitar chords, it breaks necks and nerves, and in the end everybody has been spanked, including us ! 

So after a show, it's allways time to have fun with the fans, share some beers, talk and laugh.... good time !

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

As mentionned, we tour Europe and USA this year, plus some shows around. We'll do 6 weeks or more touring in 2014. We don't know for 2015, but we would like to explore South Africa, Cuba, maybe Russia again... or Indonesia ? Let's do 2014 first haha !

7.Recently you have put out a split album with Strong Intention, what are your thoughts on the other band that participated on the album?

We toured with STRONG INTENTION in USA and Europe in 2013. There music is very direct HxC with a touch of grind and power violence. We like there sound.

Yohann and Florian played Drums and Bass in STRONG INTENTION on the European tour, as the original members where not abble to move for some good reasons.

It's a good band, that started in 1994, back in the days. It has the taste of Old-School with a pinch of modernity. Very good band and nice guys.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of grindcore?

It seems that we are appreciated. We sell a lot of records at the shows, we have no problem for booking shows... We have plenty of radio air plays... Lots of very positive reviews of records... Probably, fans of Grindcore likes what we do ! 

9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Actually, we play what comes in our inspiration. There is no plan. The only plan is to do quality things. We have no borders with our influences. If something new comes, then we explore it. If it sounds good in the end, we keep it. If it's shitty... sometimes we keep it too hahaha. If it's really bad tasting, we let down and go to something else. 

The band members come from the HxC and Metal scene of the 90's and 2000's, and from Classical and Jazz... so there is a lot of possibility. 

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

In fact, we don't know. The only band we talked about was when we formed the band. We all discovered the first demo of MUMAKIL, and it was a blast ! We wanted to do something like that. Very brutal and fun sounding, rock n roll fast grind ! In the end, we never composed songs like them, but their first record was what make us decide to play Grindcore. 

We listened to Grindcore for years and years, personally i started around 1992, when i was 12. So, you know, influences.... 

11.Do you have any non musical interests?

Yes of course ! 

Greg (singer) likes simple life, he likes fishing, cut trees, climb mountains... 

Florian (guitarist) is physiotherapist and coach for musicians, at La Clinique du Musicien (Paris/FRANCE), it's all about biomechanics applied to musicians that want to increase there technics, abilities and feelings...

Yohann is a house builder, and he likes the culture of the 80's... and cooking !

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Yeah we want to thank you that is reading, thank you John again for that interview. Let's meet on tour and share some good time guys. This is the most important in life ;)