Fear Factory - Burton C Bell
Questions: Jo Taylor
Since forming in 1989, American metal band Fear Factory have released nine studio albums, had multiple member changes and toured endlessly. Now they are returning to Australia, less than a year since they were last here. They will be playing their 1995 album Demanufacture, which catapulted them into the spotlight and made them into one of the biggest industrial metal bands, in its entirety.
Caught In the Mosh spoke to lead singer and founding member, Burton C. Bell, about the Demanufacture tour, future plans, the Industrialist album’s graphic novel and how his kids feel about Fear Factory’s music.
I believe you have only just finished up a 34 date tour of North America! How did that go?
We’re actually still on tour. We just finished our 34th show and we’ve got eight more to go. But yeah, it’s been good. Some shows have been better than others. We’ve been playing some places we’ve never been to before, so it’s been interesting. Times have been tough here in the United States, as we all know, and tours are sidelined. But we’re managing to do all right.
Any stand out moments?
Yeah, we were on a ferry on our way to Victoria Island from Vancouver and we saw a group of killer whales. You don’t see that every day. There were like six killer whales just swimming in and out of the water and it was like “oh my god, they’re massive!” (laughs). That was definitely a stand out moment for me.
You were here in Australia in September last year to support your 2012 album the industrialist, and now returning to play your 1995 album Demanufacture in its entirety, for the first time. How did this come about?
It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while. Other bands have done it, like Metallica playing the whole Black album and Slayer playing Reign in Blood. We thought, “We should do something like that too”. We chose Australia because Australia welcomed Fear Factory whole-heartedly when we first went there and really embraced us. Because of that we got our first silver album ever for Demanufacture, so we figured this would be the perfect place to start.
Caught In the Mosh spoke to lead singer and founding member, Burton C. Bell, about the Demanufacture tour, future plans, the Industrialist album’s graphic novel and how his kids feel about Fear Factory’s music.
I believe you have only just finished up a 34 date tour of North America! How did that go?
We’re actually still on tour. We just finished our 34th show and we’ve got eight more to go. But yeah, it’s been good. Some shows have been better than others. We’ve been playing some places we’ve never been to before, so it’s been interesting. Times have been tough here in the United States, as we all know, and tours are sidelined. But we’re managing to do all right.
Any stand out moments?
Yeah, we were on a ferry on our way to Victoria Island from Vancouver and we saw a group of killer whales. You don’t see that every day. There were like six killer whales just swimming in and out of the water and it was like “oh my god, they’re massive!” (laughs). That was definitely a stand out moment for me.
You were here in Australia in September last year to support your 2012 album the industrialist, and now returning to play your 1995 album Demanufacture in its entirety, for the first time. How did this come about?
It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while. Other bands have done it, like Metallica playing the whole Black album and Slayer playing Reign in Blood. We thought, “We should do something like that too”. We chose Australia because Australia welcomed Fear Factory whole-heartedly when we first went there and really embraced us. Because of that we got our first silver album ever for Demanufacture, so we figured this would be the perfect place to start.
What do you think makes the album Demanufacture so special for you and for the fans?
Well, for us, it was a time when things were real exciting, yet there was a lot going on in the world around us and a lot happening with the band. There was a lot of energy. We were in LA during the LA riots. Our studio was down in South Central, we were driving through the area when it all started. So this really created a sighting that stayed with us. So for me, it reflects on a moment of time when things were really interesting and I was glad to experience it. For the fans, it created a record that really made Fear Factory stand out and create its own genre.
In preparation for this tour, what was it like revisiting these songs and the album in full, especially with Dino? Did it bring back some memories for
you guys?
(laughs) Hell yeah. There are songs on that album we’ve never played live, like Therapy For Pain, which should turn out interesting. I’m excited to play that and Body Hammer, New Breed and H-K. So yeah, there are some exciting moments there.
You guys have been working really hard and seem to be regaining momentum as a band. Is this going to keep going into another new album?
Yeah, we plan on putting out a new album next year.
Is this going to be another concept album?
Umm, probably. You know, I enjoy doing it and our fans seem to enjoy it as well.
You have been recording music since 1991. Since that first recording, how has the process changed and does it get easier as time goes?
The recording process is easier but the writing process is never easy. That’s the most difficult part... The writing process. Creating and putting it together and moving forward with the sound, while retaining your identity. With technology always progressing and the development of recording technology, it has made things easier. It has simplified it to where it makes sense for Fear Factory because you can basically be remixing it as you’re writing it. That a vibe we really wanted to created.
Well, for us, it was a time when things were real exciting, yet there was a lot going on in the world around us and a lot happening with the band. There was a lot of energy. We were in LA during the LA riots. Our studio was down in South Central, we were driving through the area when it all started. So this really created a sighting that stayed with us. So for me, it reflects on a moment of time when things were really interesting and I was glad to experience it. For the fans, it created a record that really made Fear Factory stand out and create its own genre.
In preparation for this tour, what was it like revisiting these songs and the album in full, especially with Dino? Did it bring back some memories for
you guys?
(laughs) Hell yeah. There are songs on that album we’ve never played live, like Therapy For Pain, which should turn out interesting. I’m excited to play that and Body Hammer, New Breed and H-K. So yeah, there are some exciting moments there.
You guys have been working really hard and seem to be regaining momentum as a band. Is this going to keep going into another new album?
Yeah, we plan on putting out a new album next year.
Is this going to be another concept album?
Umm, probably. You know, I enjoy doing it and our fans seem to enjoy it as well.
You have been recording music since 1991. Since that first recording, how has the process changed and does it get easier as time goes?
The recording process is easier but the writing process is never easy. That’s the most difficult part... The writing process. Creating and putting it together and moving forward with the sound, while retaining your identity. With technology always progressing and the development of recording technology, it has made things easier. It has simplified it to where it makes sense for Fear Factory because you can basically be remixing it as you’re writing it. That a vibe we really wanted to created.
I know outside of Fear Factory, you are into writing and photography. Do you have anything on the go right now?
Yeah! I’m currently working with a London based artist named Noel Guard and he’s creating the images for the graphic novel to go with the story that was created for The Industrialist album. He’s almost done! We planned to be finished with it June 8th but we had to find a publisher for it so hopefully it’ll be out by the end of the year. My photography website is now almost finished, and when it’s done you’ll be able to go on there and buy a book of my photography that I’m making myself. You’ll be able to buy prints as well.
You have 3 kids, what do they think of Fear Factory?
(laughs) Oh my gosh. They’ve never seen a show, but they’ve heard the music or the CD in the car or whatever. My youngest daughter is like “why do you sing so angry?” (laughs) and my son’s like “You seem mad, why are you so mad?” (laughs)
Have they influenced your writing?
It’s changed my work ethic... I work harder. But when it comes to my creativity, that hasn’t really changed. I still have my Fear Factory mentality. But I have been writing songs for them in my other project so they definitely do inspire me in ways and for that I’m thankful.
Do they have musical ability as well?
They actually do! My eldest daughter is 7-years-old and she has been taking piano lessons for three years and violin for one year. My son who is five and a half just started taking piano and he’s doing really well already. And my youngest will be four in July and she loves picking up my guitars.
Someone once said; write what you would want to perform over and over. With that in mind, which song do you love to perform the most?
I really love playing performing Self Bias Resister. To me, that’s one of the best songs we’ve ever written. Actually, probably THE best song we’ve ever written. It’s fun to play, it’s fun to sing and it’s just got a great vibe to it and it’s a crowd pleaser.
We look forward to seeing you here again. Your shows in September last year were awesome!
Well thank you! They should actually be better, because I’ve had some vocal coaching now to help me withstand the touring lifestyle and to make my voice last a lot longer. So I think it’s better now. Better than its ever been. It’s made a tremendous difference.
Do you wish you’d done it a little bit earlier?
Yes! (laughs) It might have saved me some grief and some heartache. I was such a skeptic but yeah... Vocal coaching helps! I’m glad I finally did it.
Fear Factory play Demanufacture in full, for the first time ever, this July. Tickets on sale now!
Thursday 4th July - Brisbane, the Tivoli - tickets from Ticketek
Friday 5th July - Sydney, UNSW Roundhouse - tickets from Ticketek
Sunday 7th July - Melbourne, the Palace - tickets from Oztix & Ticketek
Tuesday 9th July - Adelaide, HQ - tickets from Oztix & Venuetix
Thursday 11th July - Perth, Metro City - tickets from Oztix
Yeah! I’m currently working with a London based artist named Noel Guard and he’s creating the images for the graphic novel to go with the story that was created for The Industrialist album. He’s almost done! We planned to be finished with it June 8th but we had to find a publisher for it so hopefully it’ll be out by the end of the year. My photography website is now almost finished, and when it’s done you’ll be able to go on there and buy a book of my photography that I’m making myself. You’ll be able to buy prints as well.
You have 3 kids, what do they think of Fear Factory?
(laughs) Oh my gosh. They’ve never seen a show, but they’ve heard the music or the CD in the car or whatever. My youngest daughter is like “why do you sing so angry?” (laughs) and my son’s like “You seem mad, why are you so mad?” (laughs)
Have they influenced your writing?
It’s changed my work ethic... I work harder. But when it comes to my creativity, that hasn’t really changed. I still have my Fear Factory mentality. But I have been writing songs for them in my other project so they definitely do inspire me in ways and for that I’m thankful.
Do they have musical ability as well?
They actually do! My eldest daughter is 7-years-old and she has been taking piano lessons for three years and violin for one year. My son who is five and a half just started taking piano and he’s doing really well already. And my youngest will be four in July and she loves picking up my guitars.
Someone once said; write what you would want to perform over and over. With that in mind, which song do you love to perform the most?
I really love playing performing Self Bias Resister. To me, that’s one of the best songs we’ve ever written. Actually, probably THE best song we’ve ever written. It’s fun to play, it’s fun to sing and it’s just got a great vibe to it and it’s a crowd pleaser.
We look forward to seeing you here again. Your shows in September last year were awesome!
Well thank you! They should actually be better, because I’ve had some vocal coaching now to help me withstand the touring lifestyle and to make my voice last a lot longer. So I think it’s better now. Better than its ever been. It’s made a tremendous difference.
Do you wish you’d done it a little bit earlier?
Yes! (laughs) It might have saved me some grief and some heartache. I was such a skeptic but yeah... Vocal coaching helps! I’m glad I finally did it.
Fear Factory play Demanufacture in full, for the first time ever, this July. Tickets on sale now!
Thursday 4th July - Brisbane, the Tivoli - tickets from Ticketek
Friday 5th July - Sydney, UNSW Roundhouse - tickets from Ticketek
Sunday 7th July - Melbourne, the Palace - tickets from Oztix & Ticketek
Tuesday 9th July - Adelaide, HQ - tickets from Oztix & Venuetix
Thursday 11th July - Perth, Metro City - tickets from Oztix
