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Dutch goregrinders Cliteater recently released a split CD together with Suppository via Australia's No Escape Records. This was pretty much my first exposure to their music, but definitely not the last. The band is currently working on new material and with the recent split release in mind I decided to send the band some questions to learn a little more about this Dutch outfit and guitarist Ivan Cuijpers wasn't late to answer.
You recently put out a split CD with Suppository. How has the reactions been so far?
The reactions have been quite good so far. The reviews from the magazines everywhere are very positive and we are trying to do our best to make a better record the next time [laughs]! No Escape Records have done a very good job with promotion and distribution so we are very happy how things worked out for the split.
Who came up with the idea of you doing a split CD with Suppository?
After we had released two full-length albums we were looking for a band who wanted to join us to do a split CD. I guess it was Maurice who asked Suppository and they agreed. We know each other from the underground scene here and are good friends. The split CD is also good promotion for the underground scene in Holland.
Is the material on the split CD a guideline to how the next material will sound?
I don't know! At the moment we are working on new material and I must say it sounds similar to me, but it's difficult for me to say since I'm a band member so please wait and check it out later! I think the new songs sound the best we've ever made so you have been warned!
I understand that the songs on the Suppository split were recorded by your drummer Maurice. Is this something you'll be doing from now on?
I don't know. Maurice bought a lot of studio-equipment and we were the first band who he recorded. It worked out very well. He also recorded the Hymen Holocaust CD's so we know what kind of sound he could create. He had to experiment a lot so we did some of the instrument parts again and again and again. But when I listen to the sound we have on that split CD I think we do not have to complain about it. Maurice did a great job and hopefully he will do the next releases as well.
Recording and mixing the music yourselves does this make the whole process more relaxed and easy?
Too relaxed I think. The problem was that we had a feeling like: 'Okay Maurice will record it all, so we have time enough". In the end it costs us a year to record eight tracks! It was the worst period in the band's four year history because there was no progression at all. In the future we will work with time schedules to avoid this problem.
Musically which bands have had a huge impact on you?
I think that musically and lyrically Mortician, Gut and Impetigo had the biggest influence on the band.
Which albums do you think is essential in any goregrind or grindcore collection?
[Laugh] uhmm, damn difficult question. There's too much to mention, but definitely all albums from the next bands in no particular order: Carcass, Impetigo, CBT, Mortician, Haemorrhage, Inhume, Skullhog, Rompeprop, Suppository, Dead Infection, Repulsion, Last Days of Humanity, Blood Duster, The Day Everything Became Nothing, Splitter, Nasum, Napalm Death, F.U.B.A.R., Hymen Holocaust and Stoma.
I read that one of your guitarists recently got hit by a car and broke his leg. How's his recovery coming along these days?
Yeah that's true! It's a miracle that he's still with us! It wasn't even his fault. He was hit by a car when he walked through the green light and the car hit him with a speed of 80 kilometres an hour! He had a severe leg injury, but he can probably join the band again in October 2006.
With a band-name like Cliteater and sexist lyrics some people are bound to take offence. Do you often get complaints?
Yes, but most of the time it's from people who are not into the grindcore/metal scene and doesn't understand it's all fiction and horror we sing about. They seriously think that we every weekend ejaculate on a baked foetus [laughs]. Come on, we are not insane. It's just a way of positive shocking.
You blend humour into the music. Do you think it's important to maintain a bit of distance to all the gory and repulsive stuff by doing so?
The most important thing is that we like it! Humour is healthy. There's enough shit going on around this fucking planet. When you put humour into gory lyrics you get some very cool songs and we all like it, so there's no reason to change that.
Since humour obviously being an important part of your music the logical question would then be if you take yourself seriously?
As a band, yes, but the lyrics we can not take serious - can you? Joost is responsible for the lyrics, but they are just a way of expression. It's like a horror movie only it's done through music. As a band we are serious and continuously busy with it, both in and outside the rehearsal room.
You have another split release coming out with The Day Everything Became Nothing. Could you say something about that?
We have to disappoint you. We haven't heard anything about this in a long time so we'll just wait and see if it happens.
Do you have any other releases in the works?
We are now busy writing new songs for the upcoming third full-length. 10 songs are already finished and we plan to record it in the end of 2006 or in the beginning of 2007. The title of the next album is Scream Bloody Clit and Luisma Haemorrage is still busy with the cover art.
Death metal, goregrind, grindcore and extreme metal in general have always seemed to have had a solid foundation in Holland. How supportive is the native scene these days?
It happens when you play that the crowd is like a statue, but overall the support here is great. In Holland there are a lot of places where you can play and everybody knows everybody here. We try to help each other as much as possible and that is what makes the scene here so strong!
Will Restrain Records be putting out your next full-length or are you seeking new grounds?
No, Restrain Records will not release the next full-length. Ido of Restrain Records told us that we had to look for a better label because he thought he was too small for us. We were very happy with Restrain Records and had never troubles with Ido. He's a good guy. At the moment we are talking with one of Europe's best label for grind and death metal music and hopefully we can sign a new contract within a week. Check our website for the latest news about that.
How does the remainder of the year look for Cliteater?
First of all we hope that Analex can join the band as soon as possible! Further we hope to sign the contact with the new label as I just told you. On October 27th we are going to record a professional video clip with Lowelifemedia. That's going to be the most horrific video ever shot on tape. Hopefully we can record and release the new album at the end of this year. Moreover we hope to do a tour again and try to play as many places as possible. We are confirmed on Obscene Extreme Fest 2007 so this year is looking good!
Anything you wish to add to conclude this interview?
First of all I would like to thank you for showing interest in our band. We appreciate that! For more information feel free to visit www.cliteater.com or join us at www.myspace.com/cliteater. Eat clit or die!
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