Clouds Taste Satanic Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

 

Clouds Taste Satanic (CTS) is a doom metal band from Brooklyn, New York made up of Steve Scavuzzo (Guitar), Christy Davis (Drums), David Weintraub (Guitar) and Sean Bay (Bass).  We’ve been together for about two years as CTS but the band members played together in different configurations for many years.  We have always been into metal but really started getting into doom and stoner seriously about 4 years ago, then made the conscious decision that musically, that is what we wanted to do exclusively and put CTS together.

 

2.Recently you have released you first album, how would you describe your musical sound?

 

Straight doom metal.  Slow, heavy riffs and long songs.  We have some quieter interludes for the sake of dynamics but try to keep them on the ominous side.  We are an instrumental band so there are no lyrics to convey any themes but that just drives us to make the music as intense as possible and to convey a sense of evil in the songs we write and perform.

 

3.What are some of the concepts and images you bring out with your musical sound?

 

The satanic elements are the more obvious but in general we try to convey the concept of darkness as something that should be embraced rather than avoided.  The world in general is dark and rather than seek to avoid that side of life, one should welcome it and explore it.

 

4.The album had no vocals and it consisted of one track, are you planning on using vocals or writing shorter songs in the future or do you choose to remain instrumental?

 

We have no plans to add vocals to our music but we would never say never to anything. In general, we are very picky about the vocals we hear in other people’s music and an annoying vocalist and/or the lyrics they put forth can ruin an otherwise amazing song.  If we found someone whose voice complemented our music and his or her lyrics were compelling and had something profound to say, we would consider it.   As for shorter songs, we have been writing several for the next record but we find the entire concept of song lengths to be utterly irrelevant.   Song lengths only matter to people who have short attention spans or seek to maximize the profit potential of a song.  We have no interest in either.  Our only constraints song length wise are the physical limitations of a side of vinyl.

 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Clouds taste Satanic'?

 

To us, Clouds Taste Satanic means that Satan and evil can be found everywhere and any one of your senses can access the concept of Satan.  The name was inspired by a Flaming Lips record called Clouds Taste Metallic, which is one of our favorites.  We wanted a name that conveyed the concept of Satan and accurately reflected the music without being obvious or clichéd.  When we found the cover art that depicted Satan in a cloud, everything came together. 

 

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

 

Our best show took place several months ago in New York City.  There are so many elements that need to come together in order to make a show special.  The right venue, the right crowd, the right night, the right sound system, how everyone is playing on that particular night.  It doesn’t always come together the way you hope or expect but on that night everything worked.  As for the show itself, we are not show people.  We are musicians.  We prefer to use lights and movie projections on a screen behind the band (and sometimes on the band) to visualize the musical mood we are trying to convey on stage.  You can see some of our visuals on YouTube.  I believe Electric Wizard does this as well.

 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

 

We are focused on playing out locally for the moment because we are working on new material and would like to start recording the next record in the coming months.  There is a strong metal community in Brooklyn and clubs that welcome the music.  After the next record comes out, we plan on touring.

 

8.The album came out on Kinda Like Music, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

 

Kinda Like Music is a local Brooklyn label that has somewhat eclectic tastes and releases music from various genres.  This is their first doom record.

 

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?

 

Overwhelmingly positive.  We have been contacted by people all over the world who have downloaded the album and just this week CD’s were purchased by fans from Australia, France, Italy and Romania.  We have been blown away by the support of the doom and metal community.

 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 

Slowly evolving but with roots firmly planted in doom.

 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

 

The two major influences for CTS were Sleep and Earth, hence the title of the record.  I don’t know if you would consider either of those bands doom but they are without a doubt the foundation of CTS.  We have a broad interest in music but when you get fixated on something, it’s hard to let go so lately we’ve been listening to High On Fire, Kyuss, Sunn O))), Pelican, Off!, Yob, Boris, Ufomammut and White Hills along with classics like Slayer, The Stooges, AC/DC and of course Black Sabbath.

 

12.How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?

 

It’s fair to say that we have more than a passing interest in Satanism and Occultism but speaking for myself, I have a real problem with any organized religion.  I find the concept of Satan and the mythology that surrounds the occult fascinating and thoroughly entertaining but would probably stop short of actually practicing the dark arts.

 

13.What are some of your non-musical interests?

 

Aside from the usual drinking and recreational drug use, we all tend to be somewhat exercise orientated (those two can go together, despite what some might think) with members who are into kickboxing, rock climbing, various martial arts and swimming. 

 

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

The record should be out on vinyl in the coming months.  We say that not as a sales pitch but because we take the art form seriously and believe that the resurgence in vinyl has come about because the average person can now see what the metal community has known all along.  That a vinyl record and the sleeve it comes in are works of art that should be appreciated and valued along with the music they hold.  We are not Luddites and appreciate the convenience of CD’s and Downloads.  We just really love vinyl.