What's in a Name?
by: T. DePalma
Emergent New York-based grindsters Biolich are finally on the map with the release of _The Space Between Home and Today_, redrawing the genre's landscape ("Where's our porn!?") into more abstract territories at once capable of soothing pop meditations and warped deconstructions of brutality. Bassist and reported "Today's Special" fanatic, Dan helps us to see...

CoC: What is best in life?

Dan: CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES, SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, AND TO HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS OF DARE WOMEN!!

CoC: Are you happy with how the EP turned out?

D: Definitely! For how quickly it came together I think it turned out great!

CoC: Biolich has been around for about eight years now. How did the idea originally come together and when did the complete band first begin?

D: Biolich originally started as a two man project. Tom wrote the music and played all the instruments and Will supplied the vocals, lyrics and concepts. It began as a sort of Demilich worship band on the very first demo, but quickly expanded beyond that. Andrew and I joined around 2002 and we shortly started writing tunes as a full band. We've grown into a very different animal than what was born in 1997.

CoC: It's sort of a given that people will fix in on the band's name and make the connection to Demilich. Do you think the association ultimately benefits you, or that sometimes it might give a false impression as to what you're doing?

D: It's a bit of both, I think. For some people it may start off as a false impression, but I think most Demilich fans tend to be very open minded people. Sure, some will be upset that we don't sound like them, but what better tribute to such a different band then to try doing something original ourselves?

CoC: Your music today is much more diverse than the early demos. Talk about some of your musical influences and how the sound has changed over time.

D: We have an array of influences and a broad spectrum of artists that affect us equally. On any given day we could be listening to anything from Björk to Impetigo. We're very different people with very different backrounds, so with that comes a large amount of influence that goes into everything we do. Our sound is ever-changing. We never really have a particular direction that we plan on going in, musically. It's important to us to have an organic element when it comes to writing songs.

CoC: Who actually writes the electronic pieces?

D: Tom composes all of the electronic pieces for Biolich. He also has an electronica side project called Hills West that is definitely worth checking out.

CoC: Visuals are another important aspect of the band. There's a constant reshaping and re-association of images and materials. Do you handle all of the graphics yourself or is there input from the group?

D: I do most of the art for Biolich and Tom also contributes pieces and designs from time to time as well. The art is meant to be a counterpart to the music, but is of course open to interpretation.

CoC: What other types of art and artists inspire these?

D: Personally, my influence comes from a variety of sources. It's common for direct surroundings, namely nature and technology, to be of influence, especially living in this city, but I get a lot of inspiration from artists like Max Ernst and Henry Darger. I don't like the majority of digital artwork I see and usually prefer looking at photographs, paintings and illustrations, with exceptions of course. Most of the art I do begins with illustration before being put into the computer and reshaped digitally.

CoC: Your live sets always manage a very physical performance. The local venues sort of accommodate your antics but ideally, would you rather actually play on stage or either closer to or in the crowd?

D: Definitely close to or in the crowd. I think there is an energy from being close to the crowd that no stage can replicate. Our singer also tends to be very... interactive with the audience.

CoC: Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you all perform without shoes?

D: Once in a while; it isn't something we plan or meant to be some kind of shtick or anything. Coincidentally, all the members of Biolich have freakishly large feet that need air frequently.

CoC: What's the worst thing about living in New York?

D: I'd have to say dealing with all the C.H.U.D.s. The worst thing about being a band in New York however, is the inconsistent turnouts at shows.

CoC: Are there any plans yet regarding new releases, live shows?

D: We're gearing up to record a new promo for this year and hopefully soon after we will record our first full length! We plan on playing a lot of shows in '06 and there is a tour in the works!

CoC: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, and good luck into the New Year! I've got one last question before we're through and I'll leave you with the last word... Will Rahmer: innocent or guilty?

D: Will Rahmer is and will always be singularly personified as Brutal... maybe Sick. No, Brutal, definitely Brutal. Thanks for the interview!

(article submitted 29/1/2006)


ALBUMS
12/22/2005 T DePalma 6.5 Biolich - The Space Between Home and Today
DEMOS
12/6/2004 T DePalma 5 Biolich - Promo 2004
GIGS
6/20/2006 T DePalma Demilich / Averse Sefira / Biolich / Funebrarum / Sothis / Abythos / Mucupurient A Tale of Two Cities
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