Interview with Bon Harris about his past and current work and of course Nitzer Ebb!
Many Thanks to Stefan from the swedish Zero Music magzine in Göteborg.
Zero Music Magazine
Box 2002
40311 Göteborg
Sweden
Phone: +4631-195 777 (Office) Cell: +46709-269 734
http://www.zeromagazine.nu
ZERO:
You have been working with many big acts, like
Manson and Smashing Pumpkins, tell us more about it. How was it to
work with Manson and how did you get in touch with him? Will you
work with him in the future again?
BON:
I've been lucky enough to come into contact with some great artists
who like my work and wanted me to be part of their own projects. I
met Manson when he was a journalist in Florida, and he came to
interview the Ebb. Later when when I moved to LA, I bumped into him
at a party, and we talked for a while. Later they wanted somebody to
work with in the studio, and I got the call. Manson and I get along
well. We have similar artistic tastes, although I don't wear as much
makeup or have as much hair as he does. It's possible that we'll
work together again, but nothing is planned as yet. Nothing is ever
planned, now that I think about it, it just seems to happen. Right
now I am in the studio with Billy Corgan, working with him on his
first solo record. Billy is an amazing talent and very smart and
insightful individual. He always pushes himself to keep improving
and break new ground. He's also a lot of fun to work with. So, I'm
really enjoying myself in Chicago with a huge modular synthesiszer
that Billy recently obtained.
ZERO:
Tells more about Maven, who are involved and when will we see the
debut album?
BON:
Maven will be released on a new label in the US called Long Live
Crime. I'm not sure about Europe yet.
ZERO:
Will Maven have the same intence as Nitzer Ebb? You were very angry
at some things at beginning with Nitzer. Will Maven bring up things
that you disslike with the american society as Nitzer Ebb did in the
beginning with England?
BON:
Maven is similar in some respects to the Ebb. It still has a very
strong synth foundation. There is still a lot of edge, and quite a
lot of aggression. Music has to be a very frank expression of my
observations. Obviously I observe things that piss me off, so there
will always be in there somewhere. My relocation to the States had a
major impact on my outlook, so it is an inseperable part of the
album.
ZERO:
You have worked a lot with Flood in the old days. Will you work with
him with Maven as well?
BON:
I spoke to Flood, and sent him the Maven songs as they progressed,
and he offered me advice and encouragement, but he's doing his thing
and we didn't get together this time. I'm always up for working with
Flood, as are most people who have ever worked with him. It's a real
life experience thing. He's an amazing person. The Greatest.
ZERO:
You have been in touch with Alan Wider for a mixing of “The
Candidate”, are you planning to work togheter in the future?
BON:
I asked Alan Wilder about doing something, but he was busy, so it
didn't happen. Maybe we'll do something again one day.
ZERO:
Will we see Maven live in europe in the nearest future?
BON:
If the circumstances present themselves Maven will certainly play in
Europe. I'm very keen to get out and tour again, and I'm up for
going anywhere and everywhere. depends on the demand.
ZERO:
What was the main reason for you to move to USA? How often are you
visiting Chelmsford nowdays? Are you missing England?
BON:
I moved to the USA because I didn't care for the social and politcal
conditions in England at the time. The US seemed to afford more
opportunity to acheive my goals and live comfortably. I miss my
Family and friends, but do not miss England a great deal. I very
much enjoy living in Silverlake, Los Angeles, California at the
moment. It's sunny and I can ride my bicycle a lot.
ZERO:
What is the biggest difference between USA and England?
BON:
The biggest obvious difference between the US and UK is size. I
think that is reflected a lot in the attitude and imagination of
both places. I'm not saying one is better than the other, it's an
observation on the sate of mind your environment brings.
ZERO:
When i was was searching for your name, i found out that you got
credits for a videogame, tell us more about it.
BON:
I scored some music for Activision. It's a strange business. You are
paid for sounding as unlike yourself as possible. It's an exercise
in losing your musical identity, the opposite from making records.
It can be fun though, and it made me consider music, and musical
questions that I never would have otherwise thought about. I mean,
who ever thinks about Space-Age Country and Western without having
to? I certainly don't.
ZERO:
The rumours about the Nitzer Ebb break up has been many, what was
the exact reason?
BON:
Evolution , in a word, is why the Ebb broke up. The chances of two
people evolving in the same way at the same pace over an extended
period are pratically nil. We were creative and productive for a
good while, and then we started to develop different tastes and
interests. It's part of nature. Birth, Life and Death. So we went
our seperate ways.
ZERO:
Why are you choosing to release the Nitzer Ebb greatest hits right
now? And who´s the idea to release it?
BON:
The release is all down to Mute. I don't even know what's going to
be on it, or when it's coming out.
ZERO:
Do you have any contact with Douglas or David Gooday nowdays?
BON:
I spoke to Douglas on the telephone last year. First time in many
years. It was good, we had a good talk. I see David almost every
time I go back to England. Douglas and David are still very good
friends.
ZERO:
Have you heard Douglas new project with Terence Fixmer? If yes, do
you like it?
BON:
I have not heard Douglas' new project as yet.
ZERO:
Is there any chance that we will see Nitzer Ebb on stage again?
BON:
Never is a very strong word. It is highly, highly improbable that
the Ebb will ever be on stage again. At least not with me as part of
it.
ZERO:
Can you tell us more what you feel about the Nizer Ebb albums today,
starting with “That Total Age”.....
BON:
I feel good about the albums now. I think they have aged reasonably
well. There's lots of good ideas and forward thinking. We attempted
to do new things and not fall into cliches or repeat ourselves
because it was safe.
ZERO:
What is you favorit Nitzer Ebb album?
BON:
My favourite Ebb album changes depending on how I feel. Right now
I'm very fond of Beleif because it's funky.
ZERO:
What do you think about the electric scene right now?
BON:
I don't really know much about the Electric scene right now. Every
now and again I hear something that sounds good. Simon Granger sends
me stuff from time to time, I like some of that. For the most part,
what I hear in clubs and around sounds pretty tired. Perhaps it's
all become too easy. You don't look for it because you can't get
away from it.
ZERO:
One of you raw models was DAF, they have recently made an comeback,
what do you think about that? And have you heard it?
BON:
I have not heard the new DAF. That is something I would be
interested in. I think they were/are the greatest electronic band of
all time. Certainly my biggest musical influence. Whenever I listen
to their stuff it still blows me away.
ZERO:
Are you following the football premier ship in England, and what
team are you supporting?
BON:
I do not follow soccer. I rarely have time for that.
ZERO:
Do you have any good concert memories from Sweden that you can tells
about? I saw you live at the Hultsfred festival 1988, the year after,
could you read about you in the festival program, that you had a
wild party night at the camping area. Can you tell us about that?
BON:
All of my memories of playing in Sweden are good, because we were so
well recieved. The shows always had a super charged energy, it makes
you play well. After absorbing all that super charged energy, you
have to release a lot, so all I'm going to say about wild party
nights is that I've had my share. If you want to know more you can
read the festival program.
End