Cattle Decapitation

Cattle Decapitation are a great band who hate the human race, and use their brand of technical grind metal to let the world know that they hate it (or just the people in it). Some may see this as a schtick, but their music is so damn brutal that it speaks for itself. These guys can slay like few others, and their new album, Karma.Bloody.Karma. proves that (as does their other records). This interview was conducted with Troy Oftedal during the Steers and Beers Tour back on June 13, 2006 in Revere, MA.

PL: State something interesting about yourself.
CD: Shit, I got nothing. I'm a shitty, pathetic human. Does that work?
PL: Yeah, thats fine.
CD: I like that one.

PL: Do you think its possible for bands to steer clear of the mainstream in this day and age with the internet?
CD: Of course its possible; it just depends on the band itself. Its what is is. It all depends on the style of music.
PL: I was also thinking about this question because of the Claire's ad that your shirt was in.
CD: I guess it might help. That kind of stuff would probably help. You get a few more kids out. We see a little bit of it here and there. We're still all underground. Everything in the mainstream is very image oriented and pop. It can still be extreme, but it all goes back to image and pop. Thats what it is, and unless you've got that, then you've got nothing. We can have all these ads, like Claire's who, for some god damn reason, is putting our shirt on some chick, and thats awesome. Its weird; I don't understand why, but its great and all and some more kids might come out and check us out. They'll hate us, but thats alright.

PL: How do you decide how many new songs to play on tour and which ones you play?
CD: For this tour, the record has not come out yet, so we decided to do our three or four favorite songs from the record, and the rest we'll fill it in from records before. When the new record does come out, we'll be playing many more new songs. We try and promote it, but not too much because we don't want to give too much away, but we like to see what people think. When it does come out we'll play a little more.

PL: Why do you think people like animals so much more than other people?
CD: Because they're not fucking shitty assholes. Thats what it is. They're not fucking anything up. They live their lives and do what they want to do. Peoople do the same thing, but they're douche bags about it, so fuck 'um.

PL: How do new members change the dynamics of the band?
CD: You get extra influences. You grow more and create more on someone else's material or thoughts on how it should be. Having a new member thats outside the box from what you're used to is great. You get to learn from each other and make things new, while still keeping what was going on before. I think its always a good thing. You don't want to go too overboard, but its nice. Its a good change of pace, and its nice to have that outside influence because you figure out what really isn't right.

PL: Whats one book everyone should read?
CD: The Acid House. I like that book. It has many stories in one. Its a good book.

PL: Whats a little known fact about Metal Blade Records?
CD: They released some Goo Goo Dolls stuff. They were the first label to put them out. Maybe its not little known, but everyone forgot about it. They were great. They used to be a punk band, but then they went all poppy. Whatever.
PL: Mainstream.
CD: They wanted to make some money. Its all good.

PL: Name one album, besides your own, that you think all kids should have in their collection.
CD: In my opinion...I've got to think about this for a moment. Well, right now, I've got to say anything by Justin Broadrick, Jesu. What he's doing right now is incredible.
PL: I just bought Silver.
CD: Its awesome.
PL: I like that better than the full length.
CD: Yeah? Its great, man. Its got a little more upbeat songs. That second song is great.
PL: Its a little more accessible.
CD: Everyone should have it. Its great stuff. The guy is incredible and knows how to write a song.

PL: Do you think beards make people more intimidating?
CD: No. I don't know what it does. I think it just makes us look uglier. Unless its a red beard, then you've got some special red beard power.

Interviewed by: RF
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