Fear Factory - Burton C Bell
Questions: Stuart Millen
Forming in 1990, Fear Factory quickly became one of the leaders in the industrial metal genre. Through their sometimes turbulent career, the band have released eight studio albums and toured the world countless times. 2009 saw original guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C Bell reunite and release two albums together. They're currently in the process of recording their new album, to be released early 2015.
Burton C Bell phoned in from hot n sunny Los Angeles and spoke to Caught in the Mosh about the band's recent signing to Nuclear Blast, their new album and the current state of the music industry...
You’ve recently signed to Nuclear Blast Entertainment. After previous label dramas, you must be looking forward to this new relationship?
Yeah! You know, Monte Conner was the one made that happen. Monte was the one who signed us to Roadrunner Records years ago and it’s good to have a working relationship with him again. He‘s a really good man and he really wants to help Fear Factory become the band it should be, to help build it back up. We’re sure that Nuclear Blast is the label to do it, so we’re excited.
You’re about to start work on your new album, tentatively scheduled for an early 2015 release. What stage are you at at the moment and what’s the next step?
Well, we have nine new tracks. I started doing vocals on the songs and we’re just rockin n rollin really. The songs are really good. We’re moving right along and everything’s great. We’re ready to get the album out there.
You’ve said in the past that you felt that the industrial feel was missing from previous recordings, so reintroduced that element to the Industrialist. Will that be a part of the sound on the new album?
Definitely. But not the main focus. Fear factory has always been metal-industrial, industrial-metal. We’ve always had elements of both and we really want to keep that in there, because that’s one of the things that really sets us apart. So that’s always going to be part of us. So yeah, that’ll definitely be part of the new album.
You used programming/drum machine for the Industrialist. Will you go down this road again or use real live drums?
Well, we’re writing using programming, just to expedite the process. However, when it comes to the recording, we’ll have Mike (Heller) record a few of the tracks with live drums so it has a live feel because some of the songs do have a more live feel. But not all the tracks will have a live drummer. Some of them will have programming. It’ll be like half and half.
Burton C Bell phoned in from hot n sunny Los Angeles and spoke to Caught in the Mosh about the band's recent signing to Nuclear Blast, their new album and the current state of the music industry...
You’ve recently signed to Nuclear Blast Entertainment. After previous label dramas, you must be looking forward to this new relationship?
Yeah! You know, Monte Conner was the one made that happen. Monte was the one who signed us to Roadrunner Records years ago and it’s good to have a working relationship with him again. He‘s a really good man and he really wants to help Fear Factory become the band it should be, to help build it back up. We’re sure that Nuclear Blast is the label to do it, so we’re excited.
You’re about to start work on your new album, tentatively scheduled for an early 2015 release. What stage are you at at the moment and what’s the next step?
Well, we have nine new tracks. I started doing vocals on the songs and we’re just rockin n rollin really. The songs are really good. We’re moving right along and everything’s great. We’re ready to get the album out there.
You’ve said in the past that you felt that the industrial feel was missing from previous recordings, so reintroduced that element to the Industrialist. Will that be a part of the sound on the new album?
Definitely. But not the main focus. Fear factory has always been metal-industrial, industrial-metal. We’ve always had elements of both and we really want to keep that in there, because that’s one of the things that really sets us apart. So that’s always going to be part of us. So yeah, that’ll definitely be part of the new album.
You used programming/drum machine for the Industrialist. Will you go down this road again or use real live drums?
Well, we’re writing using programming, just to expedite the process. However, when it comes to the recording, we’ll have Mike (Heller) record a few of the tracks with live drums so it has a live feel because some of the songs do have a more live feel. But not all the tracks will have a live drummer. Some of them will have programming. It’ll be like half and half.
You’re heading to Australia for Soundwave 2015. You've often expressed your love of our country and you tour here regularly. You must be looking forward to returning?
Absolutely man. It’s always a good time to get back there. It’s a lovely place, in all sorts of ways. We’re really looking forward to returning. We’re always had a great response. Our very first tour there was back in 1993 and for some reason, Australian audiences really took Fear Factory in. And we’re all about that. We’ve never wanted to ignore your country, and we’ve always made sure we make it back. We’ve aways been treated fantastically down there.
What’re the chances of hearing some new Fear Factory tracks at Soundwave?
You’ll hear at least one! (laughs)
You have a particular fondness for Perth. Back in 2004 you held your world exclusive listening party for Archetype at the Indi Bar in Scarborough and you filmed the Cyberwaste video the abandoned power station in Fremantle. Seeing as Soundwave isn’t coming to Perth in 2015, is there any chance you might get over here for a show while you’re in the country? Maybe a Perth Burt-day party gig on the 19th Feb?
Hahaha! Heeey... that’d be really spectacular, wouldn’t it??? You never know! We’re talking to our agent about touring to a couple of places that Soundwave isn’t. And Perth is one of those places. If we could make it there, that would be awesome. It’d be a great birthday present for me.
Great news!
If we did play Perth, it would be a club show and it would be completely different to what we will be playing at the Soundwave festival shows.
When in Australia last, you played Demanufacture in full. It must’ve been both challenging and enjoyable to revisit some of the lesser played (or indeed never played) tracks?
Yeah, it was fantastic. It’s the classic record to play. As we were playing the album in its entirety, everybody in the audience is singing along. Everyone knows the songs, everyone loves the songs. It was just a great feeling. It was a lot of fun.
Could you see yourselves doing the same with, say, Obsolete?
I won’t say no (laughs).
Aha! Maybe that special Burt-day show you play in Perth could be Obsolete in full?
Ahh, no. It won’t be that early. Maybe another four years for that. (laughs)
Absolutely man. It’s always a good time to get back there. It’s a lovely place, in all sorts of ways. We’re really looking forward to returning. We’re always had a great response. Our very first tour there was back in 1993 and for some reason, Australian audiences really took Fear Factory in. And we’re all about that. We’ve never wanted to ignore your country, and we’ve always made sure we make it back. We’ve aways been treated fantastically down there.
What’re the chances of hearing some new Fear Factory tracks at Soundwave?
You’ll hear at least one! (laughs)
You have a particular fondness for Perth. Back in 2004 you held your world exclusive listening party for Archetype at the Indi Bar in Scarborough and you filmed the Cyberwaste video the abandoned power station in Fremantle. Seeing as Soundwave isn’t coming to Perth in 2015, is there any chance you might get over here for a show while you’re in the country? Maybe a Perth Burt-day party gig on the 19th Feb?
Hahaha! Heeey... that’d be really spectacular, wouldn’t it??? You never know! We’re talking to our agent about touring to a couple of places that Soundwave isn’t. And Perth is one of those places. If we could make it there, that would be awesome. It’d be a great birthday present for me.
Great news!
If we did play Perth, it would be a club show and it would be completely different to what we will be playing at the Soundwave festival shows.
When in Australia last, you played Demanufacture in full. It must’ve been both challenging and enjoyable to revisit some of the lesser played (or indeed never played) tracks?
Yeah, it was fantastic. It’s the classic record to play. As we were playing the album in its entirety, everybody in the audience is singing along. Everyone knows the songs, everyone loves the songs. It was just a great feeling. It was a lot of fun.
Could you see yourselves doing the same with, say, Obsolete?
I won’t say no (laughs).
Aha! Maybe that special Burt-day show you play in Perth could be Obsolete in full?
Ahh, no. It won’t be that early. Maybe another four years for that. (laughs)
Archetype, in my opinion at least, is a great album. Despite its rather harsh lyrics, you’ve been playing the title track live recently. I thought you’d never play it with Dino back in the band. What changed?
We realised that the fans like that record. A lot of people like that album. We’d be playing on stage and every night, someone would be calling out for two or three songs from that album. I was like dude, lets play that song. It’s a fucking good song and it’s easy. The fans will love it. And it’s true. The fans know the lyrics, they sing along. It’s a good crowd pleaser.
You spoke with us early last year and mentioned the Industrialist graphic novel, illustrated by Noel Guard. How’s that coming along?
Well, there was a time where I built a production team and the manager of the production team found a colourist to colour all the artwork, digitally, not the actual pieces themselves. They made it look amazing. Noel did a cover for it and we’re now just looking for a home for it. so hopefully that will happen very soon. But man, it looks amazing!
So it’s still coming then?
Yes, it’s still coming. It took me a lot of time. I’ve never done a graphic novel before and I’m learning all sorts of new things. But it’s really happening and it looks amazing.
As well as Fear Factory and the Industrialist graphic novel, you’re also in Ascension of the Watchers with John Bechdel. Is there any news on that front?
I’ve written nine new songs for the Watchers and I’m looking for a home for that as well. I want to be able to record it properly, so I want to find a home to help record it properly. But the songs are really good and it’s something that will be out next year as well.
I’ve just started the Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgesen. From what I can tell, it’s going to be a wild read! You contributed vocals to Ministry’s the Last Sucker in 2007 as well as playing some live shows in 2008. That must’ve been an amazing experience!
It was incredible. You know, it was one of those dreams come true moments. I’m a huge fan of Ministry, a huge fan of Al Jourgensen in general. So to be able to be a part of that history of Ministry was... wow... A dream come true. You know (laughs) I have so many good memories of that. And Al is a truly unique individual. There’s no one else like him in the world and there never will be again.
You’ve recorded a number of covers including tracks by Nirvana, the Killing Joke and of course, Gary Numan. Do you have any others you enjoy playing live or would like to record?
Yeah, there’s a couple of covers I’d like to play. I’d really like to pay homage to Ministry.
We realised that the fans like that record. A lot of people like that album. We’d be playing on stage and every night, someone would be calling out for two or three songs from that album. I was like dude, lets play that song. It’s a fucking good song and it’s easy. The fans will love it. And it’s true. The fans know the lyrics, they sing along. It’s a good crowd pleaser.
You spoke with us early last year and mentioned the Industrialist graphic novel, illustrated by Noel Guard. How’s that coming along?
Well, there was a time where I built a production team and the manager of the production team found a colourist to colour all the artwork, digitally, not the actual pieces themselves. They made it look amazing. Noel did a cover for it and we’re now just looking for a home for it. so hopefully that will happen very soon. But man, it looks amazing!
So it’s still coming then?
Yes, it’s still coming. It took me a lot of time. I’ve never done a graphic novel before and I’m learning all sorts of new things. But it’s really happening and it looks amazing.
As well as Fear Factory and the Industrialist graphic novel, you’re also in Ascension of the Watchers with John Bechdel. Is there any news on that front?
I’ve written nine new songs for the Watchers and I’m looking for a home for that as well. I want to be able to record it properly, so I want to find a home to help record it properly. But the songs are really good and it’s something that will be out next year as well.
I’ve just started the Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgesen. From what I can tell, it’s going to be a wild read! You contributed vocals to Ministry’s the Last Sucker in 2007 as well as playing some live shows in 2008. That must’ve been an amazing experience!
It was incredible. You know, it was one of those dreams come true moments. I’m a huge fan of Ministry, a huge fan of Al Jourgensen in general. So to be able to be a part of that history of Ministry was... wow... A dream come true. You know (laughs) I have so many good memories of that. And Al is a truly unique individual. There’s no one else like him in the world and there never will be again.
You’ve recorded a number of covers including tracks by Nirvana, the Killing Joke and of course, Gary Numan. Do you have any others you enjoy playing live or would like to record?
Yeah, there’s a couple of covers I’d like to play. I’d really like to pay homage to Ministry.
You’ve been signed to a number of record labels over the years. Do you have any problems keeping track of who owns the rights to your various works?
(laughs) No, we know who owns them. All the records that were recorded for Roadrunner, Roadrunner still own. Archetype, I own, along with Raymond and Christian. The same with Transgression. Actually, we don’t know where Transgression is. That record company went down. Went bankrupt. They got sold off, so we don’t even know who owns that record. But Mechanize and the Industrialist, Dino and I own those two records. But you know, there’s a lot going on. The industry’s changed a lot over the years.
Yeah, you must’ve seen a stack of changes in your time as a musician? What’re your thoughts on the music industry at the moment? Is the Internet a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s been a terrible blow to the music industry. And the labels are the ones who neglected the problem from the very beginning and just let it happen. You know, I’ve just been discussing this with some friends these last few days. I was actually talking to Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour drummer) today and he mentioned Noel Gallagher. In an interview a few years ago, Noel Gallagher said “the time to start shitting it is when U2 start giving records away.” And that day came last week. It’s the beginning of the end for the music industry.
You’ve always looked to the future with Fear Factory’s Man v Machine album concepts. Do you have any personal thoughts on the future, given the rapid development of robotics and so much automation?
The future that Fear Factory talk about is a lot different to what’s happening now. Machine have been replacing humans for a long time... But the advancement of technology... there are quantum computers coming out, the fastest computers in the universe. We have nano-machines being injected into human bloodstream that are programmed to kill viruses, while multiplying at the same time, to enhance your blood. It’s all theory, but it’s in development. So, systematically, humanity is driving itself extinct. It’s not going to happen in the next 25 years, but perhaps the next 200 years will look a lot different.
From nano-bots to huge ships... You played the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise twice, in 2011 and 2014. That must’ve been a fun trip!
It was a massive holiday! It was fantastic. You’re on a ship with a bunch of different bands, a lot of bands you know, that you’re frinds with, that you’ve seen at other shows all around the world. It’s basically one huge backstage where everyone’s just hanging out. Everyone’s cool, no one’s freaking out, no one’s rude, no one’s an arsehole. Everyone’s on the ship, drinking, having a good time listening to music. Both times were exactly like that it was such a blast. I would love to do it again.
Other than on the cruise and through your own touring, do you get much of a chance to get out and see live music? Have you seen anyone recently that’s impressed you?
Yeah! I do get a few opportunities to get out and see live music. Over the past couple of years there’s been three or four concerts that I really remember, that‘ve really struck me. I went to see Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with their latest album release. That was amazing! It was completely amazing. I saw them in New York City. I saw Swans on their latest release. Amazing! I’ve been a huge fan of that band since I was 16 years old. I went to see Loop in NYC on their return. That show was just... God-like! They’re the first three that come to mind.
Nice! Well, good luck with the new album. Looking forward to seeing you at Soundwave.
Thank you. Come say hi if you see us around.
(laughs) No, we know who owns them. All the records that were recorded for Roadrunner, Roadrunner still own. Archetype, I own, along with Raymond and Christian. The same with Transgression. Actually, we don’t know where Transgression is. That record company went down. Went bankrupt. They got sold off, so we don’t even know who owns that record. But Mechanize and the Industrialist, Dino and I own those two records. But you know, there’s a lot going on. The industry’s changed a lot over the years.
Yeah, you must’ve seen a stack of changes in your time as a musician? What’re your thoughts on the music industry at the moment? Is the Internet a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s been a terrible blow to the music industry. And the labels are the ones who neglected the problem from the very beginning and just let it happen. You know, I’ve just been discussing this with some friends these last few days. I was actually talking to Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour drummer) today and he mentioned Noel Gallagher. In an interview a few years ago, Noel Gallagher said “the time to start shitting it is when U2 start giving records away.” And that day came last week. It’s the beginning of the end for the music industry.
You’ve always looked to the future with Fear Factory’s Man v Machine album concepts. Do you have any personal thoughts on the future, given the rapid development of robotics and so much automation?
The future that Fear Factory talk about is a lot different to what’s happening now. Machine have been replacing humans for a long time... But the advancement of technology... there are quantum computers coming out, the fastest computers in the universe. We have nano-machines being injected into human bloodstream that are programmed to kill viruses, while multiplying at the same time, to enhance your blood. It’s all theory, but it’s in development. So, systematically, humanity is driving itself extinct. It’s not going to happen in the next 25 years, but perhaps the next 200 years will look a lot different.
From nano-bots to huge ships... You played the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise twice, in 2011 and 2014. That must’ve been a fun trip!
It was a massive holiday! It was fantastic. You’re on a ship with a bunch of different bands, a lot of bands you know, that you’re frinds with, that you’ve seen at other shows all around the world. It’s basically one huge backstage where everyone’s just hanging out. Everyone’s cool, no one’s freaking out, no one’s rude, no one’s an arsehole. Everyone’s on the ship, drinking, having a good time listening to music. Both times were exactly like that it was such a blast. I would love to do it again.
Other than on the cruise and through your own touring, do you get much of a chance to get out and see live music? Have you seen anyone recently that’s impressed you?
Yeah! I do get a few opportunities to get out and see live music. Over the past couple of years there’s been three or four concerts that I really remember, that‘ve really struck me. I went to see Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with their latest album release. That was amazing! It was completely amazing. I saw them in New York City. I saw Swans on their latest release. Amazing! I’ve been a huge fan of that band since I was 16 years old. I went to see Loop in NYC on their return. That show was just... God-like! They’re the first three that come to mind.
Nice! Well, good luck with the new album. Looking forward to seeing you at Soundwave.
Thank you. Come say hi if you see us around.
Fear Factory play the huge 2-day Soundwave festival in 2015 and will release their as-yet untitled album on Nuclear Blast some time in early 2015
Sat 21st and Sun 22nd Feb - Adelaide, Bonython Park
Sat 21st and Sun 22nd Feb - Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st March - Sydney, Olympic Park
Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st March - Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Weekend and Single Day tickets are available now from Soundwave
Sat 21st and Sun 22nd Feb - Adelaide, Bonython Park
Sat 21st and Sun 22nd Feb - Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st March - Sydney, Olympic Park
Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st March - Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Weekend and Single Day tickets are available now from Soundwave
