Transcending Bizarre - Where Lays Doubt There Lays Freedom
Interview with Akis and !-?
29-01-2004

 
Through the history of recorded music, every now and then, appears a certain type of bands and musicians that challenge the musical barriers of their time. These kind of bands have a common characteristic: they mix up with many different styles and sub-genres to the point that it is quite impossible to categorise them under a single style. Also, trying to describe a situation as such to a third person can easily end up confusing him! However, usually, we make sense of such stylings by referring to the term “Avant – Garde”. The Webster’s Dictionary gives the following explanation: “Avant-Garde: an intelligentsia that develops new or experimental concepts especially in the arts”. Yet, it remains difficult to illustrate adequately what is going on inside the spirit of bands such as Transcending Bizarre. As with many other artists in the past (and in the future to come) such music is a ‘love it or hate it’ situation. You have to listen carefully in order to understand it. If you do, you will either let yourself trip out in labyrinths of tunes and ‘melodies’ and get the weirdest musical pleasure, or you will face the most torturous aural hell and probably want to forget everything about it. But lets see what Akis and the mysterious person who signs as “!-?” says about this.

Transcending Bizarre? What does this name means to you and how exactly connects with your music?
Akis: The name of the band reflects our emotions and feelings about the music we create. Listening to it makes someone transcend the barriers of the “politically correct” way of thought and point of view. All that in a bizarre manner though and not simple enough to comprehend. But is it the same for all? Does everyone transcend in similar bizarre ways? Is that right? Here comes the question mark. We constantly question ourselves in order to evolve. UBI DUBIUM IBI LIBERTAS (where lays doubt there lays freedom)

How you would describe your music to someone who doesn't know how you sound like?
Akis: In terms of iconolatry: post modern electro symphonic innovative extreme metal with controversial attitude.

Where do you tune your sensors for inspiration?
!-?: I can't say from what exact situations my inspiration comes from. Maybe its something someone else decides for me. I have composed music in my bad mood and in my good mood as well, I don't understand why, for some others, sadness is the inspiration. There are many ways to create music: When you are a composer you know the music laws, the composition's ''tips'' and by the use of maths and psychology you compose music. This can be one. Other can be more unexplainable: you sit in your home and a tune comes from nowhere. But, if you search it, this is the result of the struggle of a composer's mind for inspiration-you squeeze your mind and the result comes in an unexpected time! In generally, I believe that if you want to compose excellent pieces you must be of a higher nature, a man full of senses, thoughts, ideas, images, curiosity, and philosophy-they are all put in a mixer when you touch your guitar or your synthesiser.

Who is !-? and why he signs as such?
!-?: is the main composer and guitarist of the group, me. I think that I have chosen this name because I like in my life to be an anonymous person (I am not as social as someone could be).

What is the connection between your album title ('The Four Scissors') and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons?
!-?: You guessed right! You are the first that realised this connection. The title combines this classical masterpiece with scissors- something that can kill, its metallic- and offers a subconscious touch of Tim Burton's Scissorhands.

Listening to your album, one could think that partly it is the product of drug driven emotions. Do you take any drugs? Do you think that certain drugs can help an artist, in general, to create otherwise unthinkable masterpieces?
!-?: I and Akis don’t take any drugs. Other members from T.B.? use some pills just to enjoy progressive Dance music and not for helping them to compose music. Maybe, when I can no longer think of any good ideas, I will experiment with some drugs because they could help my mind float with ideas, images, and feelings. You can be inspired by drugs but for the final product you must use your mind tranquillity as well. Otherwise, you will compose only psychedelic music, perfect for drug addicted persons. But...regarding reality...which one is the true one? Reality of drugs (when emotions float) or the reality of a tranquil mind?
Akis: Personally I don’t do drugs for two reasons. First of all the really good stuff is expensive and I prefer to buy a new set of microphones or something similar! Second, because drugs have become a trend and I despise trends. I would like to experiment though at some point with LSD in a controlled environment in order to experience extended consciousness and loss of self. Altered state of mind. Who knows, I may meet with VALIS! Phillip K. Dick knew...

Your cover artwork reminds me some works of Gigger. Would you say that Gigger is an influence to you? Do you think that he might like your music?
Akis: You’re right it does so. The cover and the photo manipulation were done by Andonis Draggasias (www.eyeseered.com) using ideas and inspirations of our own. He is very talented and morbid in his work. Gigger‘s work influences us with it’s aura of a futuristic parallel world that “could be”. He’s aesthetically sick but I don’t think he‘d like our music. That’s because of his age and his experiences in life. Another view of things, by far.

Do you have any songs? What shall we expect from you in the future?
!-?: Yes there are already some songs written for the next album which will be in the same sick and bizarre style. We have already recorded some tracks in our home studio and the final work will be ready for labels in 7-8 months time. Our purpose is to cooperate with studios outside Greece. I also write songs for my second band, in the style of Bjork, Radiohead, and M.Hatzidakis etc. Also we will give some gigs after February.

Interview by Elias - forever transcending - Ritsios