Interview done by - LEGION - / BLASPHEMY TRIBUTE SITE, 7/2008
Since this is the BLASPHEMY Tribute Site, I figured that I might as well try to get in contact with former member "Ace Gustapo Necrosleezer & Vaginal Commands" to see what he's been up to. This interview deals with his time in BLASPHEMY, NECROSLEEZER & his new band GRIMBANE [ in which he goes by the name "Barbarous" ]. So, here it is...
Greetings! Thanks for the interview. How have you been lately?
Good, life as a musician is as they told me it would be when I was younger... a life of shit.
Have you had a chance to check out the BLASPHEMY Tribute Site? What are your thoughts on it?
Yeah, U got my props for doing a good site and keeping the spirit of the band alive and well I see.
Let's start at the beginning, were you in any bands prior to joining BLASPHEMY? If yes, what bands? Perhaps you could give a time line of the bands you've been in?
At the beginning? I was in a band called PROCREATION, the start of that band too. We had a few songs, but things were good, but I wanted to try another band. After that I helped start TUMULT with "Bestial Saviour", then left him, went to PROCREATION and soon after that played in both BLASPHEMY and PROCREATION. I then got kicked out of PROCREATION and stayed with BLASPHEMY for 4-5 years. Started NECROSLEEZER after that and the band stopped. I got a call from a friend that GODLESS NORTH was forming and was invited to try so I did. GODLESS NORTH and I were OK but I left them to go to college. Then here we are now and in 2005 I started GRIMBANE.
How often did you hang out, practice with the members of BLASPHEMY before you were asked to join?
Me and "Black Hearts" were living close to each other. I asked to be in TUMULT. I sat and watched some of the sessions in the studio for the "Fallen Angel Of Doom", so I got hooked lets say and I seen something very special in the band.
What was your reaction when they asked?
I was eager when "Black Winds" told me he liked my voice in TUMULT and wanted me to join, but I was stressed out trying to figure the bass parts.
You were given the name "Ace Gustapo Necrosleezer & Vaginal Commands", were you satisfied with that name? Do you still get called by that name sometimes?
Yeah its a good name, "Ace" has stuck. People call me "Ace" all the time.
In the early part of 1993, BLASPHEMY toured Europe with GORGUTS. No spikes, bullet belts, etc... People have said that you were in charge of handling that stuff, but, you forgot them. "Black Winds" did only a few shows & then left. Do you think that if the spikes, bullet belts, etc... were not forgotten, the tour could've been better?
That tour was a lot of death metal fans there. I don't see at that time black metal really catching on. Then it was not a trend, yet so you have to go way, way back. And the spikes and bullets were left behind because of security reasons. I was not about to get into it with German police about how they are for a band. I just didn't want to deal with all that.
At that time, how was the interaction between you & the other members of the band?
Great!
Later that year, BLASPHEMY [ you, "Caller Of The Storms", "3 Black Hearts Of Damnation & Impurity" & a session guitarist ] played the "Fuck Christ Tour" with IMMORTAL & ROTTING CHRIST. How did that go? Any fond memories / stories from that tour that you could share?
Touring is hell. We seen black metal become into its own.
Who was the session guitarist that you guys used for this tour? Did he play in any other bands?
Yeah, Aaron from ANTICHRIST. Great guy and good guitarist too.
Do you think it would've been better with "Black Winds" on the tour?
Yes! "Black Winds" is BLASPHEMY! To see him play is special and the man has black metal in his veins 24/7.
It's now been many years since you were a member of BLASPHEMY, looking back, how do you feel about your time with the band? How do you feel about the band members nowadays?
Special times, great guys, and a moment in music history.
Do you ever see any of the band members? When was the last time you talked to any of them?
Yeah, we talk all the time.
Around the mid 1990s, you formed NECROSLEEZER & released the demo "Recruit For Conflict" [ sometimes called "Popekill" by tape traders ]. Who else took part in the recording of this demo? How was the underground response to it? Is there any unreleased NECROSLEEZER songs at all? Were there any live shows at all? What caused the band to end?
Me and "Black Hearts" did that stuff. We did a demo. It was not to be released to the public. It leaked out and we had another 11 songs that will never be heard. The band ended as I left to do other things. We really weren't feeling up to it.
During or around that time, weren't you part of the band TUMULT with "Bestial Saviour Of The Undead Legions" [ or am I mixing you up with someone else ]?
No, I was in TUMULT, but I was there in 1990. Check em out, great band.
When was GRIMBANE formed? Who are the other members & do they play in any other bands? Did you guys release a demo at all or no?
2005. GRIMBANE was started me, The Anti-Christ / ODIN's LAW drummer, the bassist from PROCREATION and a new guy and no, the other guys don't play in other bands. The demo we did just sent to labels and it ended up being remixed and songs were put on "Let The Empires Fall" album.
In 2008, GRIMBANE released "Let The Empires Fall" via Moribund Records. How has the reaction been to for release?
We got great reviews, very mixed as I was expecting, so its not going to please everyone, but the new album sounds more Canadian.
In GRIMBANE, you go by the name "Barbarous". Why did you choose that name? Why not just stick with "Ace Gustapo..." or go with your real name? Or did you go with a new name because you didn't want GRIMBANE to be associated with BLASPHEMY [ meaning you didn't want people to check out GRIMBANE simply because you're an ex member of BLASPHEMY & didn't want them to compare this band with them ]?
That's a fair question, I really did want to do something that was different. I am used to playing different instruments and I wanted to try another way of doing black metal, so I switched.
What do you think of Moribund leaking the info that you were a member of BLASPHEMY? Do you think it was just a way for them to try to sell more copies of the release? Are you satisfied with the work they've done for you thus far?
I was hoping to work with them from the start, so I am happy, the way they do things and I was honest about who I was from the start, so I know I read news and see things that they did this for money. Do you really think Moribund is in it for the money?
Has GRIMBANE played live? If yes, where & how has the crowd response been? If no, do you plan to play live?
No, we didn't played live yet, well, just a few small shows to 85 people, but that's not a show. They were really great 200 freaks and no good places to play live here, so I hope to go to Europe again in 2009, 2010.
Do you plan on doing another release? How many songs do you have already? Any titles? Will it again be released via MORIBUND?
Yeah, I can't give away titles, that would be foolish. Yes, we have new songs on the go now.
Well, I think that's all for now. Thanks very much for the interview.
Interview done by - LEGION - / BLASPHEMY TRIBUTE SITE, 7/2008
Since this is the BLASPHEMY Tribute Site, & since I was already in contact with him, I figured that I'd ask Marco of TYRANTS BLOOD [ also known as the "Traditional Sodomizer Of The Goddess Of Perversity" during his time in BLASPHEMY ] for an interview for the site. So, I contacted him & asked if he would like to do an interview & he was cool with it. The interview obviously deals with his time in BLASPHEMY, his day with THOR, THE CHARGERS & his present band, TYRANTS BLOOD. So, here it is...
Greetings! Thanks for the interview. How have you been lately?
I have been fine, but very busy.
Have you had a chance to check out the BLASPHEMY Tribute Site? What are your thoughts on it?
Yes I have, it is very thorough.
Starting at the beginning, could give a time line of ALL the bands you've been in? [ I'm aware of: BLASPHEMY, ODDS CRYPT, THE CHARGERS, THOR, TYRANTS BLOOD & WITCHES HAMMER ]
That is all of them, except for the bands I had filled in on guitar or vocals to help out or as studio musician. I never really played for THOR except for 1 day, somehow it was rumored that I actually was a member, but this is not so.
How often did you hang out, practice with the members of BLASPHEMY before you were asked to join? What was your reaction when they asked?
I had known all of them for years.
You were given the name "Traditional Sodomizer Of The Goddess Of Perversity". How does it feel knowing that people still call you by this name & still associate you with BLASPHEMY [ even though you haven't been in the band since what, 1992? ]?
My time with BLASPHEMY was very pivotal in my life, so I am proud of all I did with BLASPHEMY.
Who is the "Goddess Of Perversity"? I'm assuming that you & her were a "couple" at the time. Do you still talk to her? What has become of her now?
She was my woman and still a very close friend. She is quite successful with her business now.
At the time you joined BLASPHEMY, you were replacing "Black Priest". What was your opinion of him? Did you know him well? Did you get along with him?
I had known him fairly well, he told me a few months after I had joined up that he was happy it was me.
During the time that you were part of the band, how many shows do you think you guys performed? Any particular show [ or shows ] that stand out in your mind?
I think maybe 15 at the most, all were very good.
When you left the band, you were replaced by "Ace Gustapo". What was your opinion of him? Did you know him well? Did you get along with him?
I was a good friend of his as were all of us, but he stole from the band and lied about others, so we are not friends of his anymore.
What are your thoughts on the "Blood Upon The Altar" demo, the "Fallen Angel Of Doom" CD & the "Gods Of War" CD?
I like "Blood Upon The Altar" the best of all and "FAOD" second.
What is your favorite BLASPHEMY track [ or tracks ]?
"Demoniac", "Ritual", "Fallen Angel Of Doom", "Hording Of Evil Vengeance" and "Victory ( Son Of The Damned )".
You were in the band THOR... for one day?!? What happened? Is there any story behind that?
As I had stated before I only played for one day to help shoot his video when he made his comeback in the early 90's.
You formed THE CHARGERS [ along with ex PROCREATION & ex WITCHES HAMMER members ] & you released "Drinkin', Druggin' & Whorin". How did that come about?
That was something we did spontaneously over at Steve Withrow of WITCHES HAMMER's house, myself and Tom Komizarski of PROCREATION just had some drinks and jammed out the songs over a few weeks and recorded them, nothing special.
You then formed TYRANTS BLOOD & have done 3 releases. How has the reaction been so far?
So far pretty good. We stand on our own well in this city and as the music gets out the reviews have been satisfactory.
I know TYRANTS BLOOD has played a few shows in Canada , how were they? How has the crowd response / turnout been?
A few sold out and all very well received
Any plans to tour at all [ USA, Europe ]? Any bands in particular that you would like to share the stage with?
Apparently in 09 we will be in Europe with DIOCLETIAN and ARES KINGDOM. Any bands that play aggressive style well are welcome to us. We only play with hi caliber bands and do not subject ourselves to lowly showcases with 5 bands on the bill, most of which can barely write a song or play yet.
Do you have songs ready for the next TYRANTS BLOOD release? Any release date?
We are almost ready, perhaps 8 more weeks. We have all music written, we are just putting final touches on them now.
Okay, looking back at your musical career, what are your thoughts / feelings about each of the bands that you've been part of?
All are important to me, all of them integral to who and what I am. No greater or less important, all have claim.
Gotta ask, when did you start working out / lifting weights? Roughly, how long do you work out for each day? Besides lifting, what other exercises do you do?
About 20 years ago after I found I had no more time for team sports, I needed to make up the time and burn the energy. I only train approximately 30 min. a day. I also ride bike and swim a lot.
Well, I think that's all for now. Thanks very much for the interview. If you have anything else to add, feel free...
Only men who will risk going too far will discover how far they can go. Follow no path, but instead create your own.