Saturday, June 16th ~ 6 great live shows!

Incantation ~ Saturday Goth night Spectacular ~

NYC’s Goth-Festival style event!

Starts Early !
Doors open from 8:30PM to 4AM

Only $10 cover

57 Murray Street, Tribeca, Manhattan

subway trains:

• 1,2 & 3 trains going to Chambers street
• A & C to Chambers street
• N & R to City Hall
• E to The World Trade Center
• 4, 5, 6 & 6x at the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall
• J & Z at Chambers Street

Saturday, June 2nd ~ 6 great live shows!

Incantation ~ Saturday Goth night Spectacular with the legendary 80′s goth band, LESTAT! ~

NYC’s Goth-Festival style event!

Starts very Early !
Doors open from 8:30PM to 4AM

Only $10 cover

57 Murray Street, Tribeca, Manhattan

subway trains:

• 1,2 & 3 trains going to Chambers street
• A & C to Chambers street
• N & R to City Hall
• E to The World Trade Center
• 4, 5, 6 & 6x at the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall
• J & Z at Chambers Street

Saturday May 19th at TAMMANY HALL

INCANTATION and ABSOLUTION join together for

Absolution’s 14 Year Anniversary !

featuring live shows by

• STAR INDUSTRY ~ Gothic Rock Legends from Belgium, known for their world-wide club hit, “Nineties” ~ this will be their first and only US show!
• Whispers of the Sparrows ~ Original Goth from NYC
  plus,  just added 
• Bitter Grace ~ NYC goth rock 
  

Bands on stage at 8pm!

Both upstairs and ground level open until 4am with the Anniversary celebration!

• DJ Ash (Re:Mission, QXTs)
• DJ Jason (Alchemy, Albion, Sundown, Long Black Veil, Wasteland, Communion… etc.)
• DJ Satori (Stigmata, Communion, Belfry)
• DJ Storm (Click & Drag, Long Black Veil, Fang Club)
• DJ Argus (QXTs)
• DJ Xtine (Lust, Flesh Theatre, Silhouette, Shadowlands, Atlantis)
• DJ Arsenal (Ward 6)
• DJ phe0bus (Sanctuary)
• DJ Nefarious (The Court of Lazarus)
• DJ Grendel (Duck, Veritas, Albion)
• DJ Paradox (Dark Water)

Ages 21 and up.
Doors open at 8pm.  Early Live Show on the main floor.
Dancing until 4am!

350 person capacity venue, so get your tickets while you can!

Purchase Advance Tickets $18.

Tammany Hall, 152 Orchard Street, Manhattan, NYC.

Incantation ~ Saturday Goth night Spectacular! ~

Saturday, May 12th ~ 7 great live shows.

NYC’s Goth-Festival style event!

Starts very Early !
Doors open from 7:30PM to 4AM

Only $10 cover

57 Murray Street, Tribeca, Manhattan

subway trains:

• 1,2 & 3 trains going to Chambers street
• A & C to Chambers street
• N & R to City Hall
• E to The World Trade Center
• 4, 5, 6 & 6x at the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall
• J & Z at Chambers Street

Interview with Gopal Metro and Andy Deane of the band Brighter Fires by goth DJ Jason for AbsolutionNYC

• Hi Gopal, Hi Andy, Thank you for agreeing to this interview.  It’s been a long time coming and I am sure your friends and fans will love hearing your words.  

• Can you tell us about the how you came to be Brighter Fires?

Gopal:  Simply put, Andy and I realized how much we enjoy writing and playing music together.

•  What made you choose your name? Is there a story behind it’s choice?

Gopal: We wanted a name that represented hope in times of darkness. The inspiration was three-fold.

First, in Gwynne Dyer‘s book, “War,” a member of the RAF aircrew gave a poignant firsthand account of the WWII firestorm started during the Allied bombing of Hamburg. He said, “I saw no streets, no outlines of buildings, only brighter fires which flared like yellow torches against a background of bright red ash.” We found this imagery haunting, tragic and beautifully powerful.

Second, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, in Henry David Thoreau‘s 1858 journal entry, “October Reflections on the Assabet,” this line caught our eye: “…Our mental reflections are more distinct in this season of the year, when the evenings grow cool and lengthen and our winter evenings with their brighter fires may be said to begin.”

So, we now have the raging of war on one side and the serenity of peaceful reflection on the other. Last, we have the core of Brighter Fires.

There is a spark inside of all of us… When you are alone on a dimly lit dance floor, with the kick drum pounding and the music taking over, there is a point where the world disappears. There is a feeling of rightness within you, of strength, freedom and the self-aware knowledge that you can truly be anything, do anything, achieve anything! The inner spark flares into a fire brighter than the sun, and the feeling is incredible!

We believe that this potential, this brighter fire in all of us, is how we are all supposed to feel all the time. That the only limits we have in the world are the limits we place on ourselves. That all we have to do to improve the quality of our life is learn how to laugh and smile more, and to let the brighter fire shine forth. If we, and all of our friends, fans and family, think about this idea, experiment with it, adopt it; then, it becomes plural. We, all of us, become Brighter Fires.

There is a musical history behind this name as well, and we certainly are not the first artists to champion this cause. We honor our compatriots and predecessors, and recognize our place as simply the latest in a long line of musicians, artists, and people in general who have shared this vision.

• Who or are your main musical influences?

Gopal:  It would be very difficult and time consuming to list even our main influences, they are broad and vast. But here is a small sampling: modern compatriots like AFI, She Wants Revenge, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Die Antwoord and Crystal Castles, to classic icons like The Cure, NIN, Depeche Mode, The Chameleons, and Joy Division… plus, many other classic and modern Gothic, Industrial, Post-Punk, Death Rock, Hip-Hop, Metal, Rock, Experimental, Indie and Electronica acts… Midnight Oil, Jethro Tull, Yellowman, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Iron Maiden, Kitaro, H.U.V.A. Network, Skrillex, Garmarna, Brilliant… The list goes on. And these are just some my influences. While we mutually enjoy many of these artists, Andy also has a whole unique list of his own!
Basically anything we enjoy and appreciate on any level becomes an active influence in our writing, synthesized and shaped by our unique and individual experiences and outlook.

• Do you have a favorite band or singer? Who is it?

Gopal:  I’ve always loved Midnight Oil‘s Peter Garrett. I’m also a big fan of Lauren Hoffman, Shawn Decker (Synthetic Division). And, of course, Andy Deane. *grins*

• How would you describe Brighter Fires to a music enthusiast?

Gopal:  Umm… Awesome? Does that count?

Joking aside, here’s a line from our bio that sums it up: “Influenced by the best dark music of the 80s, 90s and 00s, Brighter Fires are the vanguard of the modern dark rock scene.” You can quote me on that. 

• Are you working on new material or concentrating on touring right now?

Gopal:  My primary focus is business school, but we are writing and playing shows as often as possible!  After I graduate in June of 2013, I will be able to shift much more attention to Brighter Fires growth and service.

Andy is hugely active across the board. He has a new novel coming out, a new Bella Morte record in the works, the second The Rain Within album is almost finished, his photography is taking off, and he is working on a couple of film soundtracks as well.

Even for everything else, we are both very passionate about and dedicated to Brighter Fires and all that it represents, and we are looking forward to creating and performing for our friends and fans as much as possible!

• How is the new album being received by your die-hard Bella Morte fans?

Gopal:  So far, they seem to be really embracing it.  It is definitely reminiscent of the early Andy-Gopal and Andy-Gopal-Bn days of Bella Morte, and I think a lot of fans have missed that sound. I know we did. 

• Is there a message or ideology behind your songs? If so, what is it? 

Gopal:  As outlined earlier, there is definitely an ideology behind the band, if not behind each individual song. To sum it up again, we feel that life is worth living, that self-expression and happiness (in whatever form they may take) are your right, and that every person has the ability to achieve their highest potential; all they have to do is try and not give up. Perseverance with a smile!

• What does it feel like to be onstage performing?

Gopal:  Fucking awesome! It’s nearly as good as being in the crowd and rocking out to a band you adore!

• Do you have any outside interests that influence your writing (or are influenced by your writing)?

Gopal:  Pretty much everything, both ways. Our art is a reflection of our life, and our life is a reflection of our art. As I mentioned above, most of my current creative expression is on the business and administrative side of things. Andy, on the other hand, is a massively talented and productive artist; visit AndyDeane.net or follow him on Facebook to stay up to date with all his creative endeavors. His posts and threads are hugely entertaining!

• I’ve known you since you first came to NYC and played in Bella Morte at Alchemy in the mid 90s. I’ve been impressed with your tough “road warrior” abilities as a touring act. What keeps you going?

Gopal:  Friends like you. True story.

Plus, we are completely addicted to creating and performing. When I left Bella Morte, I tried to stop, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I’m hooked for life. And also that I really missed getting to hang out with everyone! 

•  What are you most proud of throughout your musical history?

Gopal:  We are proud, honored and humbled by the reports from so many people that our music has helped them get through hard times, picked them up when their down, and has improved their quality of life in any way.

It is an absolute pleasure and joy to be able to serve our fans in that way.

• What are you looking forward to?

Gopal:  The NYC show at Uncle Mike’s on May 12th, the Charlottesville, VA show on May 24th, the continued success of Brighter Fires first album (check it out at BrighterFires.com), the growth of our Facebook fanbase, launching a YouTube channel, meeting new friends, and hanging out with old friends.

Life is awesome, right now. And it is only getting better!

• Any final words?

Gopal:   Jason, huge thanks to you for all of your friendship and support over years. And huge thanks to the support and dedication of all of our friends and fans. Without all of you, we would not exist!

If anyone reading this would like to contact us, please hit us up on Facebook: http://facebook.com/brighterfires. We’d love to hear from you!

We wish you all the best!

• • Brighter Fires

    Gopal Metro Andy Deane

    

An Interview with Ingrid and the Defectors by Goth DJ Jason

Ingrid and the Defectors performing live at Incantation on New Year’s Eve 
(photo by Joel Fate Fatal of The Deep Eynde)

• Hi Ingrid, Hi Yv,
  Your current band lineup for Ingrid and the Defectors is really great and your members seem to have a strong bond.  Would you like to tell us about these new Defectors?

Yv: On bass we have Steven Fallon formerly of Beauty School Dropouts. Steven brings a lot of enthusiasm to the band. On Farfisa Organ we have Gary Link a childhood friend of mine and former member of Skrap.  He played bass on ‘anywhere but here’. We got our first record deal together.  Gary is a very talented musician and chill guy.  On Drums we have the one and only Jeanne Carno. Jeanne is the baddest drummer around and so cool. We could not have a better bunch of musicians and friends in this band. It really feels like home… in a dis-functional kind of way.

• What made you choose your current name? Does it have any particular meaning for you or a story behind it’s choice?

Ingrid: The name came about when we wanted to do a new type of band more pseudo political and a bit darker than our previous band. Ingrid is my actual birth name and the defectors part came from being sick and tired of having to kiss ass to the people in “charge” of the rock ‘n’ roll scene. They really know how to suck out the spirit and individuality from people who just want to make their art.

• How did you get interested in playing music?

Yv: I always gravitated to rock music and it gave a me sense of comfort and belonging. I also enjoyed the artist types and people who like to live by their own sense of freedom. Plus, it sure is better than sitting home on facebook LOL!!
Ingrid: Freedom of expression… but, it is limited by the establishment.

• Who or are your main musical influences?

Yv: Blues, 50’ rock and roll, garage, 70’s punk and beyond. I really like The Cramps.
Ingrid: Ramones, Black Sabbath, new wave, and all the cool rock and roll women who changed everything.

• Do you have a favorite band or singer? Who is it?

Both: Ingrid and the Defectors.

• How would you describe your music?

Ingrid: A Mod-Retro Revolution Dance Party for the masses.

• Can you give us a brief history of your work as Skrap, Charm School and your transition to today?

Yv: We grew up playing in the vibrant scene of the mid 1990’s in the lower east side. We had the honor of playing alongside our musical heroes and learned a lot from them. People like Joey Ramone were extremely supportive and that was a real cool thing to have. We loved to watch D Generation as they were really reigniting the spirit of NYC rock’n’roll and there were so many great original bands in those days. The clubs like CBGBs, The Continental and Coney Island High really gave just the exposure we craved and needed.
We were fortunate enough to get a small record deal as Skrap and ecstatic to get development money from Atlantic records as Charm School.
We grew as artists and felt we had a lot more fire and desire in us to create a new band with a new sound. I don’t think we could ever stop being creative and ever stop the need to get our music out there.

• One of your past members, a close friend of mine, Steve Mach, passed away. Has Steve’s passing moved any of the band to artistic writing about him? How has this terrible loss affected the band (that he loved)?

Ingrid: I have not been able to bring myself to even address or comprehend the senseless death of my dear friend and band mate. Losing Steve was like losing a family member. He was special and everyone that knew him knew it. He was a vital part of Charm School and helped propel the band to the next level. His experience schooled us in ways of the rock’n’roll lifestyle. His memorial tribute show really closed a chapter in our lives that is
irreplaceable.
Yv: I could have not said it better.

• Is there a message or ideology behind your songs? If so, what is it?

Ingrid: The ideology of our music is the same as the one we live by……..Do your art without any apologies or pretensions. In other words don’t follow the herd. Even rock ‘n’ roll can be so cliché. We don’t label our own music, we leave that to you.

• What does it feel like to be onstage performing?

Yv: I don’t remember because I am always too drunk, kidding. It feels good. I get off on it!!

• What are you most proud throughout your musical history?

Yv: That we never gave up. And that we will always be freaks in some people’s eyes. Also all the great bands and legendary musicians we shared a stage with. I remember buying those records as a kid and there we were playing or hanging out with them. That means a lot.
Ingrid: Playing alongside Steve Mach, one of the most genuine people you could ever know.

• What are you looking forward to?

Yv: To not having a straight job.
Ingrid: To the next gig… meeting new and interesting people… and killing them.

http://www.reverbnation.com/ingridandthedefectors

An Interview with The Drowning Season by DJ Jason

Photo of The Drowning Season performing at Absolution
(Matt on Vocals, leftside.   Chewka on Guitar, rightside.) 

• What made you choose your band name? Does it have any particular meaning for you or a story behind it?

Matt: Back in the late ’80s, I was in a death metal band called “Wreckage.” We constantly listened to The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission and Fields of the Nephilim, but we played thrash metal. When we finally decided to play the type of music we loved, we knew we needed to change our name as well. At first we were “Garden of Faith,” but that name only lasted for one show. Our keyboard player, Kevin, suggested “The Drowning Season,” the title of a book by Alice Hoffman. I’ve always liked the name because it evokes dark imagery and themes of sadness, perfect for gloomy goth music.

Chewka: I am the new guy. Kind of. I joined the band right after “Hollow” was released. Maybe 10 years ago? So I had nothing to do with the name.

• How did you get interested in music?

Matt: I’ve always loved music, and I was a huge KISS fan when I was young. I started taking guitar lessons at age 5 and quit at 5 and a half when my guitar teacher moved. Since then I’ve tried to learn how to play guitar and bass, but I was always terrible at it and gave up trying. At some point, I decided that since I wanted to be in a band and I couldn’t play an instrument, I’d better learn how to scream like Rob Halford. Later I learned how to sing like Wayne Hussey. My current style of singing is somewhere between Halford and Hussey.

Chewka: As a kid my parents always had the radio on. My father listened to a lot of radio and got me into bands like Led Zeppelin, etc… I grew up liking Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC/DC. Than there was MTV. I remember the first week it was on cable TV. They played a Motorhead Video. I was like “Fuck”. Who are they? I need to get some of that. And I progressed into more heavier music. More obscure. Punk, Goth, etc.. So yea. Blame it on MTV.

• Who or are your main musical influences?

Matt: That’s easy: The Sisters, The Mission and The Nephilim. Of course I’ve loved many of the “Second Wave of Gothic Rock” bands too, like Rosetta Stone, Children on Stun and such, and I continue to listen to the current wave of goth bands like NFD, Merciful Nuns and Angels of Liberty.

Chewka: Not trying to kump on Matt’s train. But Sisters have a huge influence on me. But I don’t think you would hear it in my writing or playing. That’s where my Jimmy Page influences come in. I think it was Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple who really made me want to play guitar. Ritchie dressed in all black was too damn cool. I wanted to be just like him. Now I’m more of a study of Jimmy Page. I would do anything to hang with him.

• Do you have a favorite band or singer? Who is it?

Matt: My all time favorite goth band is The Sisters of Mercy. I believe that they laid the blueprint for many of the guitar goth bands that followed. As for singers, that’s a tough one, because Andrew Eldritch, Wayne Hussey and Carl McCoy have all been major influences on me and my style of vocals at different times. I really can’t pick just one.

Chewka: That’s a hard question to answer. As you can see I like lots of music. Right now I have been listening to lot’s of Cheap Trick. When that’s over I’ll listen to The Wake. Then maybe some death metal. And back to The Sisters. It all comes full circle. One thing is for sure. I admire bands with talent and can actually play their instruments… and teach me something at the same time. Not too many new bands can do that for me nowadays.

• Outside of music what are your interests?

Matt: Both Michael and I are family guys, so our families come first in everything. Personally I love playing video games on the PS3, especially Call of Duty: MW3 and House of the Dead: Overkill.

Chewka: My beautiful wife Alisha and our awesome son Ashton are number one in my life. After that I like to study recording technology. I have a pretty bad ass studio in my house so that takes a lot of time. I’m also hard core into mountain biking. And when there’s time I play in my gardens.

• Is there a message or ideology behind your songs? If so, what is it?

Matt: I’ve always tried to make our lyrics meaningful, and often times songs will tie together from various albums. Here’s an example: on our first CD, “Hollow,” the last song is entitled “Grace.” It’s about a man asking his love for forgiveness after he’s cheated on her. On our second EP, “New Disease,” she responds in the song “Believe,” in which she tells him she can never trust him again. We’re currently working on a new song, entitled “Turn to Grey,” in which he returns to lament his lost love. This series of songs has spanned over 12 years. It was never intended to be this way, it just happened. As for subject matter, most songs tend to be about drugs, or religion, or lost love, or lost drugs. Those are the saddest songs of all.

Chewka: Not for me. I just want to make music and hope I can inspire someone. No messages. Except maybe to be yourself and don’t rip off your favorite bands. (did I just stick my foot in my mouth)?

• How would you describe your music?

Matt: “Old school influenced, guitar-oriented goth rock.”

Chewka: What he said. But with more emphasis on the “rock” for me.

• What does it feel like to be onstage performing?

Matt: It’s amazing. I truly love goth rock. It moves me in ways that other music can not. When we’re on stage, with the fog and lights, with the drums pounding and guitar slashing and slithering to the beat, it’s just fucking awesome. Each performance is unique, each one has special moments that set it apart from the others. Performing live is like a high that you never want to end, and when it does, you immediately look forward to your next fix.

Chewka: It’s a drug. I can never get enough of it. Being up there with all eyes on you. When your onstage it’s like your the king of the world. Sounds corny but it’s true.
It’s also very hot.

• What are you most proud of as a band member?

Matt: Honestly, it’s that this band is still alive and very active. It’s a testament to Michael’s and my stubbornness that we refuse to quit until we’re rock stars. Our abilities to write and perform music have only increased over the years. We’re a million times better at writing songs and playing live than we were when we started out. We’re just waiting for our shot at the spotlight on American Bandstand or Solid Gold and that’s it baby. We’re going to Hollywood!

Chewka: Still making music and still selling cd’s. The both of us have been doing this a very long time. It’s amazing we still get along. We watch so many bands come and go. And we’re still going at it 100 percent. Every once in awhile I’ll have to tell Matt I need a few months to clear my head. I usually go bike riding non stop during those times. But we are always still talking and shooting ideas back and forth. I’m also extremely proud to have recorded all of the last cd at my Studio. That was quite the accomplishment. A huge learning experience. Can’t wait for the next cd. I know your going to love it.

• What are you looking forward to?

Matt: We are currently working on our next EP, “Tomorrow’s Gone.” We plan on working with a new label as well, and there will be more on that after the disc is finished. We have several live shows planned that we’re also looking forward to as well. We’ll be in Chicago on May 19th, Milwaukee on May 20th, New York City on June 2nd (performing with Lestat at Incantation) and in Jacksonville, FL, at the Age of Decay Festival this fall. We’re always looking for new cities to visit, so if you would like to see us perform at your local goth club (wedding, bar mitzvah, etc.), please contact us.

Chewka: Recording our new cd. Getting it out to the masses. PLaying live. Meeting new friends. And hanging out with my favorite DJ in New York June 2nd! Thank you Jason!

http://www.thedrowningseason.net/

Noted Photographer, Aaron C. Sylvan took these pictures at Incantation on Saturday, April 28th

Whispers of the Sparrows ↑

DJ Jason ↑

Greenveil ↑

Nate from Imbolg ↑

Jøb ↑

Incantation ~ Saturday Goth night Spectacular! ~ Saturday, April 28th
5 great live shows!

• DJ JASON of Alchemy spinning pure GOTH

Starts Early !
Doors open from 8:30PM to 4AM

Only $10 cover

57 Murray Street, Tribeca, Manhattan

subway trains:

• 1,2 & 3 trains going to Chambers street
• A & C to Chambers street
• N & R to City Hall
• E to The World Trade Center
• 4, 5, 6 & 6x at the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall
• J & Z at Chambers Street

NYC’s Original & Best Multi DJ Gothic Industrial & Wave Event  ~  Absolution  ~  at Madame X

Saturday, April 21st

• DJ Xtine (Shadowlands, Signal @ The Bank, Signal @ The Pyramid, Flesh Theatre, Lust, Cat o’ Nine, Avalon …etc.)
• DJ Christ (A Night of Banshees)
• DJ Jason (Alchemy, Albion, The Bank, Albion/Batcave, Wasteland, Long Black Veil, Sundown, Communion, Ward 6, The Court of Lazarus, Incantation…etc.)
• DJ Grendel (Albion, Veritas, Duck)
• DJ BlackWidow (DefCon, Assimilate *PA*)
• DJ Paradox (Dark Water)
• DJ Dyztort (Asylum Guild, Assault)
• DJ Argus (QXTs)
• DJ Freddie Katz (The Gift)
• DJ Chuby 242 (Paralisis NYC)
• DJ Lou dEKAY (Anomaly)spinning the best GOTH, new wave, punk, 80′s, electro, industrial and death rock!

• FREE ENTRY with a pass & dressed up before 11pm