by Nevin Martell
In ten years one won't have to leave the privacy of his or her
computer terminal in order to interact with the rest of the world. All
mail will be e-mailed, classes will be conducted via simultaneous
conference programs, homework assignments will be zipped across the net
in mere seconds and computer dating will be the first steps towards an
electronically enhanced marriage. Well, maybe that's a little
over-expectant, but it could happen.
I have often wondered how I could interview all of the artists I'd
like to, when the closest they come to Poughkeepsie is New York City. I
could do phone interviews, but I hate transcribing everything off my tape
recorder. So, now e-mail interviews are coming into the fore. When
Mammoth offered an e-mail interview with Mike Fisher of Machines of
Loving Grace, I jumped at the chance.
Misc: Who do you count amongst your influences?
Fisher: Edgard Varese, SPK, The Beatles, Modest Mussorgsky,
Einsturzende Neubatten, to name only a few.
Misc: What would you compare Gilt to (Whether it be a mood, piece of
fruit or another artist)?
Fisher: Tough one. To me certain parts of Gilt are standing on the
parapet of a tall building and realizing that existence is a choice and
not a foregone conclusion.
Misc: What do you think of the O.J. decision?
Fisher: Miscarriage of justice, sell-out, difficult to believe,
unfortunate.
Misc: How do you feel about the Time-Warner censorship debate, since
you do fall under the larger Time-Warner family structure?
Fisher: I think it's akin to a schizophrenic giant flogging itself for
being naughty. Many of the bands that Time-Warner might potentially
censor are breadwinners. I'm no great defender of misogyny or hate, but I
find it ironic that many rap artists sell millions of records without
widespread radio play or promotion --the perfect money generator for
Time-Warner.
Misc: Touring plans? Anything near Poughkeepsie, NY?
Fisher: Did Jim Rose. Doing a week of dates with Korn in the south
(Florida, Georgia, etc.) followed by a couple of weeks headlining.
Misc: What stereotype do you hate the most?
Fisher: That musicians don't think about issues other than where their
next gig or fix is coming from.
Misc: Who is the typical Machines of Loving Grace fan? Describe as
intimately as possible.
Fisher: I wish I could, but it still mystifies me. I suppose the
common thread would be that it's often someone who expects to listen to a
song more than once before hearing or understanding all of it.
Misc: If you don't mind me asking, what is the pleasure (drug or
other pursuit) that you enjoy the most?
Fisher: At the moment, two things: sleep and Bruichaladdich 23-year
old (both are rare).
Misc: Who would win a fight between Green Day and the Rolling
Stones?
Fisher: The Rolling Stones, primarily because they can afford better
bodyguards.
Misc: How bout between Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey?
Fisher: Janet, hands down. Let's not forget that she came from a
violent family. Mariah's been pampered.
Misc: Does road life live up to the decadent stories that are built
around it?
Fisher: From time to time, yes. In general, though: dream on.
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