SMNnews Forums - Mike's very informative interview about/Suffo,Cerrito,...etc.

Courtesy of the Indonesian's zine http://www.rottrevore.tk/

Suffocation is name who make these days scenes burning, breeding tons of new brutaldeath bands come up to the ground. So how do you feel about this ? how do you feel to be called as GODS ?

I love the fact bands look up to what we have done it’s a compliment. To be considered Gods Is kind of weird though because we are trying to still make a living out of deatmetal.We haven’t reached that point yet.

What were you do after you part away from Suffo few years ago ? and could you give me some reason why you leave the band ?

I Bought a house, got married , built a studio, recorded my solo rock/rap project “demise of the clone” under the name Grimm Real, and rode a lot of moto-cross.

Grim Real...did you played drum too on the band ? have release full lenght or no ?

I played all instruments . some live some digitally . I made a full lenghth 18 songs but I didn’t release it . I lost interest after sony gave me the run around. Maybe ill consider selling at the shows on tour.

Tell me about Maryland DeathFest !

The Maryland Deathfest was completely sick , the fans were insane. WE had time to set up and hit the stage comfortably unlike the New England fest so we played great .The whole night really made it worth wild returning to the scene.

It seems like you were not too pleased with New England Fest...what happened ? and tell me about this Germany's With Full Force Open Air !

Im not a fan of festivals at all .They’re too cluttered and rushed.dont get me wrong the fans were the greatest that night and ill never forget it . The promoter knew it was our debut back to the scene . We did it for pennies compared to the other shows we are doing . Our ryder was disregarded and I thought it was kind of funny how they waited until we got on to decide they were going to stick to strict time limits and cut us off . They should of considered doing that 10 bands earlier. We did him a favor giving him our debut show and he did us none . The fans let em’ know it too.

I know that Suffo have a biggest crowd on the fest, once again..how do you feel saw that phenomenon ? what bands are have good performance ?

It felt really good to see the support we got. The fans have always been the best part of this. All the bands were good for what they do., but Dying fetus ,skinless and pyrexia are ones that I can definitely remember.

On the fest...di you played some songs on 'Pierced...' and 'Despise..' ? which one is harder ?

Yeah we play 4or 5 songs off of pierced. Despise we didn’t play any off of mainly because those are most of Cerritos creation so those are last on the list for us as a band to concentrate on. Between just getting a set together and working on a new album, time was limited prior to the New England fest. As soon as we finish these immediate shows we will get back to learning the old and writing the new. Despise the sun is harder to learn for the fact that Guy has to know how to play the old stuff before jumping to the newest which will ensure his overall understanding of how Suffocation writes , Its just overall more frantic to learn when you have an immediate deadline of shows. Either way It wont be a problem once we decide to work on it.

Speaking about those 2 masterpiece albums, both Doug Bohn and Dave Culross are great drummers,but I think Dave has more all skill than Doug ...do you agree ?

Yeah doug is a great drummer as well but dave has always played in this form of music hes more seasoned . Doug didn’t originate from this form of playing he was more of a hardcore style when we were growing up. Either way I think he pulled it off nicely though.

I'm curious to ask this ...how do you compose your music ?

We all create rhythms on our own time which just gets stored until the moment arises that they fit with the vibe we’re looking for. Or sometimes terrance or myself submit full songs that we may have had kcikin around in broken form for years . Guy writes as well but he is still trying to grow to suffocation standards and Josh throws rhythms in as well when he gets a surge.

I bet you that Relapse Recs will sign you for new amazing release right ? do you have any new songs right now ?

Relapse has approached us for future dealings but so has a few other labels we haven’t decided who will hopefully take us and the scene to the next level .As for now we are doing it all ourselves , unsigned. We have one fully completed called “ Deceit “ and a few others close to completion we just need a clear schedule to concentrate on just that .

Who give the idea to reform Suffocation ? and where is Doug Cerrito?

It was Franks’ idea to reunite he proposed the offer and those who were interested accepted . it turned out to be a good decision. Doug is running his own business and doing his own side project.

If Doug make a side project which is in my opinion similar to Suffocation like several his songs on Hate Eternal 'Conquer the Throne', does this things will bother you or no ?

Dougs’ side project isn’t in the deathmetal genre at all .Its more like alternative rock from what I remember. I think “conquer the throne” is an excellent album It doesn’t bother me at all .Doug wrote a lot of suffocation so if his new writing style shows hints of that , its expected.

At the same time, 2 most influential NY band get reform which are Suffocation and Pyrexia...looks like back to few years ago. Comment ?

No no comment really . Pyrexia was always around they just needed to work out their lineup that worked, I guess now they have it. It definitely wasn’t a joint decision between us and pyrexia.

Please tell me about Suffocation's gear set for recording and gigs ?

I use a tama Grandstar set , Terrance uses Ampeg heads with whatever cabinet sounds right at the time . Guy uses Mesa boogie (triple rectifier head) and line6 cabinets ,josh uses A tech 21 Head with ampeg 8/10 cabinets

what are you listen beside death metal stuff ?

Classical and old motown it’s the only music form that actually uses any skill. The rest is garbage . in my opinion.

Ok, when we expect your new cds...?

Hopefully by the new year it should be complete , if we stay on schedule with our plans . Shows keep pooping up which throws our writing schedule off.

Well, thank you very much for this memorable chance and time, I really appreciated that...spread your words of mass obliteration here...

We’ll weve never been to Indonesia but when we get there we intend to destroy the spot so be prepared . To all the fans we wouldn’t be here without you thanks for the support.