FLEISCH - Full Send Zine

On the monolithic heels of their industrial metal hits, Fuel and FIREFLY, the UK’s most dynamically intense trio, FLEISH, alchemised their latest single, ‘Workout’. The iron-pumping, pulse-pounding explosion of adrenalizing beats and caustic synth lines unravels as a cybernetic rampage, capable of devouring any goth-littered dancefloor. Their frenzied yet melodic hooks pull you right into the centre of the cultivated fervour that synthesises the electrified aggression of Combichrist and Rammstein with the dance-worthy electricity of Cubante and Front 242 and puts Fleisch at the vanguard of the industrial metal revolution.

In short, they fucking kick arse! Off we go for an advent of the flesh…

How are you guys?

We are all great thanks. Thank you for doing this with us!

Although originating from Northampton, you’ve definitely developed (to these ears) a more European sound…who would describe as your formative influences as a band?

Jonny: The band started with a very heavy Rammstein influence and over time we have taken more influence from other bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Gothminister as well as developing our own sound and finding the music we want to play.

Who did you listen to growing up that first got you into the rock scene and inspired you to pick up guitars?

Connal: My dad used to play the album Bat Out of Hell all the time. That was my first introduction to rock music. As I got older, I fell in love with bands like HIM, Nightwish and Rammstein.

Jonny: The first bands that got me into rock and metal were Slipknot and Korn.

The German word ‘fleisch’ translates to ‘meat’ in English, is this what we all are, simply pieces of meat to be bought and sold?

Jonny: Hahaha. It came from Weisses Fleisch by Rammstein. We really liked the way it sounded. It’s also funny because none of us eat meat.

How would you say your sound has developed from ‘Mine’ through to ‘I knew you were trouble’ and ‘Workout’?

Connal: We have become better musicians and also the song writing is more polished.

Jonny: The song writing has developed. We initially sounded like a Wish bought Rammstein.

Martin: We also are more comfortable on stage so far more energetic in our performances.

What didn’t you like about the ‘Strange feelings’ album that made you pull it from streaming?

Connal: It sounded rubbish. It’s as simple as that. Someone may have seen us on social media, found us on streaming and if their first impression was from one of those songs, they would not have carried on listening.

What are some of the recurring lyrical themes that emerge in your music?

Jonny: The flaws in humanity like destruction of our planet and wars. It’s not always serious though, we love a bit of innuendo.

Do you go into the studio with a concept in mind when recording an album or are their other creative juices at play?

Jonny: We write the songs quite organically as ideas come, the lyrics will then come later. We all have full time jobs, so we don’t really have dedicated studio time, that’s why our albums can take so long to write and perfect.

Industrial rock bands (like Rammstein) are known for the ‘visual’ elements how do you approach this in your artwork and stage designs?

Connal: We have a great person we go to regularly for artwork, and we give him a rough idea and he brings it to life. Jonny is a lighting technician and has designed a light show for each of our songs. We used to occasionally use pyro, however we decided that there was too much risk involved.

Do you find it difficult translating your studio work onto the live stage?

Martin: No. The songs are pretty energetic and we are very passionate about our music and we use everything at our disposal, including technology to put it all together onstage.

What was the reasoning behind submitting a track for consideration for the Eurovision competition? What was the experience like?

Connal: I have always loved Eurovision, and it was always on my mind for us to put ourselves forward. Over the last couple of years, I have felt that we are finally ready. We will keep fighting to get the attention of The BBC as that is the only route to Eurovision for the UK. Last year we had amazing support from BBC Introducing and BBC Three Counties Radio. The song we want to be considered for next year, comes out on 6^th September. The hope is to continue building on the campaign from last year.

Northamptonshire has a tradition of producing some dark, gothic bands such as Bauhaus and Love and Rockets plus it spawned the prodigious talents of Thom Yorke and half a Communard (Richard Coles), what, If anything, do you draw from the region?

Jonny: Me and Connal met through a Saturday music school in Northamptonshire as kids. I’m originally from Oxfordshire. We are both from small towns. That has probably had a bigger influence on our music. When we first started playing in Northampton, we were the only industrial band on the scene, so we were very much on the outside. Everyone was very good to us though.

What’s been the most memorable experience from your journey into the musical universe so far?

Martin: Not one memory, but all the amazing places I have been able to travel to and all the people I have met along the way.

Jonny: Hours of traveling 100s of miles in a tiny vehicle to get to a show and it all being worth it once we get on stage.

Connal: The first time we got to play in Germany. We travelled all the way from the UK to Guben which is on the Polish border in order to open for Ost+Front. It was the most amazing experience. We sold out of merch before we even got on stage. Oh and I also met the Wife at a gig!

What would be the dream venue to play and who would be on the line-up?

Jonny: Wembley Arena opening for Ghost would be amazing!

Martin: I don’t really have a dream venue, I will play anywhere as I just love to gig. I have too many bands that I love to be able to pick a line up.

Connal: I would love to play at The Royal Albert Hall. It’s such a beautiful venue. I would love variety on the line-up. It would be cool to play alongside Wardruna and Electric Callboy Callboy.

Is the reaction to your music different in Europe (say Germany) than it is in the UK?

Connal: No, from my experience, more people go out to check out bands playing locally in Europe than they do in the UK. I think the response from those that see us, is pretty much the same. The live music scene at grassroots level seems to be a lot healthier in Germany.

If you could possess the body of one person (alive or dead) for 24 hours, who would it be and what would you do with the power?

Martin: I would have Jonny’s, just so I could see what it’s like to be a sexy Mofo.

Jonny: Keith Richards. I just want to find out what it’s like to be immortal.

Connal: Neil Peart. Just so I could absorb some of that drumming power,

Are you angry young men? What are you railing against?

Connal: No, I’m a cuddly teddy bear. The songs we write are from a place of disbelief and empathy. Sometimes, if you have something to say, it’s worth saying it loud!

Martin: Did you say angry or hungry? Im always hungry.

Jonny: Im generally a happy person, but get lost sometimes, especially with the state of the world at the moment. The songs are my outlet.

Would you describe the UK music industry as being in a healthy state at the moment or has it become mind-numbingly lame?

Connal: Grassroots venues are closing everywhere. Young people don’t seem to be going to gigs. Overall, the industry seems to be cut off at its knees.

Martin: There is room to thrive as a band/artist, but you need to be ready for an uphill battle.

Jonny: It is dying, but not dead. Being in a band is particularly hard, because there is so little money and you are sharing it around. For a solo artist writing songs in their bedroom, it’s still not great, but at least a little easier. There is also not enough variety in the charts anymore.

How do musicians get their just desserts for their music? Spotify if crippling creativism right?

Connal: People complain about streaming all the time. Although, the money isn’t great, we can now reach a global audience through streaming and YouTube with very little financial outlay. It also means we are generating revenue constantly, even when we have a break from gigs. It may not be a perfect system, but there are more avenues for independent bands to generate money than ever before in my opinion.

Any plans to add additional members to expand your live sound or is the magical number three?

Jonny: Maybe add a keyboard player, but it would have to be the right person.

Martin: It would definitely need to be the right person who shared the same energy and passion.

Martin, was it an easy transition when replacing Ruby (Alexia) on bass, what do you feel you bring to the role that was (maybe) missing before? (Do you bring a creative synergy perhaps?)

It was an easy transition. I am not arrogant, but I am confident in my abilities and the energy I bring to the stage. I am very dynamic on stage and I think it also pushes Connal and Jonny to keep up.

Your video’s certainly herald a band at the height of their powers, how much longer before you achieve your desire to dominate the worldwide industrial/gothic/electronic scenes?

Connal: Aren’t we already doing that?

Martin: World domination is scheduled for 2027

Jonny: We will keep doing what we do, and let others judge us. We are just enjoying the ride at the moment.

How much fun was it making the ‘Workout’ video – something of a shift for you?

Jonny: It bought out our feelings for each other. We can now take naked showers together, and I know it won’t be weird.

Martin: It was just another day for me.

Connal: The song was so much fun to write and we wanted a fun video. Too often, we appear very serious. I hope we showed another side of our personalities.

Are you embracing the power of AI into your productions or do you see it as a threat?

Jonny: In the future it may help us to find new sounds, but currently we are not using it. Don’t’ see it as a threat, just another tool.

(Hands FLEISCH a crystal ball) What’s the future of rock music look like?

Connal: Exciting. Genres seem to be merging and there is lots of exciting music out there. I just hope the next generation embraces it, and starts getting out to gigs and festivals.

Jonny: The future of rock and metal is likely to be more dance and pop inspired for the next few years in my opinion. It will once again, return to the dark side when this phase is over.

Martin: I think it’s unpredictable, but with unlimited sources of inspiration and a constantly changing industry, it’s going to be interesting.

What’s the driving force behind the band?

Jonny: Candy Kittens

Martin: Candy Kittens

Connal: Candy Kittens

What’s the rest of the year look like for FLEISCH? (Tour dates, new music etc)

Jonny: We have our next single out on 6^th September and the plan is for the album to drop in December. We have a number of live shows including in, Wellingborough, Northampton, Coalville, Whitby and Whitchurch. Keep an eye on our socials for announcements.

What future direction do you see the band travelling in?

Jonny: Heavier songs, but in such a way that you can still dance to them.

Martin: Keep on the ride and see where it takes us!

Connal: Older and fatter

FLEISCH are an iron-pumping, pulse-pounding explosion of adrenalizing beats and caustic synth lines that unravels as a cybernetic rampage, capable of devouring any goth-littered dancefloor. BOOM!