Scorpio: Please tell us the history of SCORNGRAIN.
Eniac: About 2 years ago, Dr. Mike and I were at the same school in Joensuu, and we were both interested in playing metal music. I'd had this idea before, but nobody took it as seriously as Dr. Mike. So we put our two heads together and started coming up with ideas and riffs.
Scorpio: How did the idea to mix computer samples with thrash metal and growl vocals come about?
Eniac: The idea evolved along the way. The first concept was to mix techno music and thrash, but it came out too clean and didn't sound as good as we wanted. So we started mixing in just samples rather than actual beats. The vocals came into play just before we recorded our demo. Dr. Mike told me he had a friend who'd be just right for this kind of music. The first time I heard our vocalist, twentynineA, was in the studio. He did an excellent job, and after that we were all convinced that this was the future line-up for SCORNGRAIN.
Scorpio: What bands influence your music?
Eniac: I can only speak about my own influences because I don't actually know or care what my other band members listen to for inspiration. That's not important. My musical influences are Entombed (they're so honest, humble, and true to their music), Faith No More (it's just so good), Primus (weird and well played), then there's Slayer, Sodom, and from newer bands, The Haunted. The other guys may disagree with me.
Scorpio: Your Demo 2002 was recorded in a studio and has good quality. Many young bands record at home. They figure they'll send it to labels, and after signing a deal, they'll go to a proper studio. Do you think it's necessary for a young band to record a demo in a studio?
Eniac: I don't think it's necessary, because nowadays home equipment is such good quality and so easy to use that anyone can make a demo at home. That's why so many manufacturers have made home or portastudios. We went to a studio because our friend was studying to become a studio engineer and wanted us to come in as his practice band. And it came out pretty good.
Scorpio: How did Dynamic Arts Records find you?
Eniac: I don't actually know the story word for word. But Dr. Mike called me last spring and said that Dynamic Arts Records was interested. Mike told me they'd been browsing the internet, found our info site, and were sold on our music. They didn't send us an email or anything like that. Instead, they called Dr. Mike directly and said, "We want to sign you to our label."
Scorpio: What does the label do for you besides releasing albums?
Eniac: Everything related to the album release.
Scorpio: What's your latest news?
Eniac: We're entering MediaWorks studios on November 21st to mix our debut album "Cyberwarmachine." We'll be spending 10 days underground listening to our songs over and over again until we're ready to kill each other. We recorded the album last month, so there are nearly 4 weeks between recording and mixing, which is good because you can think through all the details.
Scorpio: What software do you use?
Eniac: We use Reason. Easy to use and it works.
Scorpio: And what instruments and equipment?
Eniac: My drum kit has a 20" kick, 14" snare, 12" rack tom, and 16" floor tom. Cymbals are 15" and 16" crashes, 20" ride, and 14" hi-hat. Dr. Mike uses a 6-string guitar, an amplifier, and an effects board. TwentynineA uses his voice and a microphone. I won't name specific brands because we're not sponsored and our equipment is changing soon.
Scorpio: Can we call SCORNGRAIN just a studio project, or do you also perform live?
Eniac: We're not a studio project. When the time comes, we will perform live. We have session musicians for live situations.
Scorpio: Do you use a mini CD with all those samples for live performances, or do you use a real PC?
Eniac: At first we use minidisc.
Scorpio: Does anybody in the band have a musical education?
Eniac: I took a few drumming lessons. I learned basic drum notation and technique, but that's all in the past because when I moved to Joensuu, I didn't have a rehearsal space. I went nearly two years without practicing. Dr. Mike is self-taught, I think, and twentynineA is too.
Scorpio: Black metal is popular right now. What style of metal will be popular in 10 to 20 years?
Eniac: I think metal music is like rock 'n' roll nowadays — it refuses to die. But on the other hand, I'm afraid that metal music is becoming more disposable like other music styles. I wonder when the first metal boy band will appear? The record label will show the boys how to mosh, spit blood, speak correctly about darkness and evil things, and dress them in leather and chains.
Scorpio: I think you're "computer guys," am I right?
Eniac: I'm not a "computer guy" as you put it. I read my emails, browse the internet, but that's really it — oh, and do some music, of course. If something happens to my computer, I don't have a clue how to fix it. Mike knows more about PCs, and twentynineA is in the same boat as me, I think.
Scorpio: Do you browse the internet often?
Eniac: I browse daily, and so do the other guys, I think.
Scorpio: What sites do you visit?
Eniac: I read daily news sites. Then I visit some band pages. Then I like to browse sites related to my occupation. I'm a live sound engineer — or a "roadie" — and I like to keep up with the latest news in the industry. Dr. Mike visits all sorts of questionable sites.
Scorpio: Do you think your songs could be used as movie soundtracks?
Eniac: I don't see why not.
Scorpio: What kind of movie should it be?
Eniac: Rocky 12: Fist Is Stiff and So Is Rocky — no, just kidding. Some kind of futuristic movie where machines win and humankind goes extinct.
Scorpio: Do you have problems with your neighbors because of metal music? Or do you use headphones when listening?
Eniac: I don't use headphones when I listen to music. The only problem with my neighbors is that they fight almost every night. Young couple, go figure. I always thought only old couples who've been together for 60 years fight like that, but no — a couple in their early 20s, going at it.
Scorpio: How do you spend your free time?
Eniac: I like to sleep more now that I've quit smoking, so I have to find something to do. When I'm awake, I watch TV, cook meals for me and my girlfriend, visit the library, or practice drumming. Boring, isn't it? So I'm a boring person. Sometimes I go to work — I consider that more of a hobby than a job. I have one regular band whose live sound I mix. After the gig, you drink as much alcohol as you can without throwing up. It's a living.
Scorpio: What's your favorite beer?
Eniac: Free or cheap.
Scorpio: Tell a joke.
Eniac: I'm a terrible joke teller, but visit this site: http://www.rockschool.com and maybe those jokes will make you laugh. I laughed because they were true.
Scorpio: Top 5 most beautiful women worldwide.
Eniac: All women are beautiful except the ugly ones.
Scorpio: What do you think will be your last words in life?
Eniac: My brain hurts.
Scorpio: And now, last words for your fans and our readers.
Eniac: "One time to die, a hundred ways to get killed."