Human Cull interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

Since we released the LP ‘Stillborn Nation’ we’ve been on the road with Oblivionized around northern and eastern Europe. We also just played Obscene Extreme Festival in the Czech Republic and Temples Festival in Bristol in May.

2.In March you had released your new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction the band has taken with the newer music and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

There isn’t a huge leap between the ‘This Septic Isle’ split we did with Oblivionized in 2013 and ‘Stillborn Nation’. Compared to our first EP ‘Split Second Extinction’ I think you can see a large amount of difference.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

Collapse, disaster, tragedy, abyss... We write about what is happening around us. We are influenced by sci-fi and horror as well, but this tends to be used to flavour observations about the state of things.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Human Cull'?

I like people to interpret that in their own way. It is an observation not a command though, it is not meant to be taken as an endorsement.

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?

Subvert fest 2012, Prague in April, Obscene Extreme 2014, those are definitely some of my top gigs. Not really sure how to describe our live performance, better to leave it to people on the other side of the stage I think.

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

We’ve done a European tour in support of it already. Nothing solid planned for a few months now other than odd shows in the UK here and there.

7.Over the years you have been a part of few splits with Homolka and Oblivionized, what are your thoughts on the bands that have participated on those recordings?

Homolka are great and should do more stuff! Oblivionized on the other side of the coin have kept themselves very busy lately. I would very much like to play at least once with Homolka, as we have with Oblivionized, but with them being situated on the other side of the Atlantic it is unlikely that will happen soon.

8.With the new album you have worked with a variety of many different labels, can you tell us a little bit more about the labels that have decided to put your album?

WOOAAARGH was the chief label with the LP version of the album and they collaborated closely with EveryDayHate for the CD version (EDH were also involved in the LP release). There was a total of 9 different labels involved in the CD, LP and cassette versions of the album, with some taking on copies of each version and some focusing more on one particular format. We were the first release for a new label/distro called Spela Snabbare from Sweden (run by members of Infanticide and Livet Som Insats) and I am very honoured to have that position. We were also the first (and so far only I think...) release for Welsh label FHED. Also, London labels Anarcotic and Made in the Meth Lab helped us out, and they, along with WOOAAARGH also were involved in the release of ‘This Septic Isle’.

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

Well our record has been illegally downloaded many, many times, which I guess must mean a bunch of people like it? The reception seems to have been pretty good I think.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We won’t continuously re-tread the same path, but we won’t change drastically. Most likely we will try and experiment as much as we can, but we will still continue to play fast and hard music.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Crust punk, grindcore, death metal and hardcore are the primary touch stones for us in terms of genres, and sludge to a lesser degree.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

I am doing a masters in medieval studies. Anyone who has read the lyrics to the free EP ‘The Persecuting Society’ that we put out at the beginning of this year may see the connection there. Sam works as an engineer and Luke works in the music department of a school. The three of us are all fans of table top war-games as well as going to gigs (which should be obvious if you’re in a band – one thing I cannot fucking stand is bands who are too lazy/uninterested to go to gigs or have decided they are too good to go to gigs now that they have chosen to spend their Sundays or whatever holding an instrument in a dank room. Exeter metal and punk scenes I’m fucking looking at you - the number of assholes who bug people about supporting their shitty fucking band who do not bother to attend gigs they are not playing is ludicrous).

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

Don’t be a self-obsessed band-guy arsehole if you are doing a band. Remember it’s fun and not a career and you’ll have a good time (probably). Keep yourself educated about what is happening in the world around you and question all your assumptions. Most importantly – enjoy yourself.