CARVED IN FLESH

interview with Josh of Carved In Flesh by Jill

How long has Carved In Flesh been around? How did the band form? Is "As Seen Through Tears" your first release? If not, what other releases do you have out? 

We've been around since early 96. The band began to take form in 94, when I met Joe at a party. Him and a couple of other dudes were jammin, but all I heard was Joe. He had the speed I was looking for and he was playing some of the baddest riffs I had ever heard. When they finally decided to take a break, I immediately introduced myself to Joe and asked him if he'd like to get together and jam. He agreed. We killed cover songs for about six months and then one day Joe rips out "Hell I've Made", I'm like, WOW!!! We worked on that forever before writing "Reduced To Nothing". So then we decided that we needed some bass. I gave long time friend, guitar player, and former band mate Ronnie Boyer a call. He played bass for us for about a month, then quit. So, Joe and I start on "Into Depression". I eventually call up old friend and former jam partner Dave Dunlap, whom I hadn't seen in years. I explained our situation, what we were doing, and asked if he was interested. He was and so the three of us began work on "When The Wicked Dream". With things starting to come together we needed a name. Solemn was chosen and we started playing shows. Eventually we decided that two guitars are better than one, for us. Many come and go, and much time is wasted, before Ronnie comes back to settle in as the other guitarist. We change our name to Carved In Flesh and begin to take over the local scene. In April of 96 we record a three song self-titled demo tape, which lands us shows all over Ohio. The demo sold over 200 copies and is no longer available. We promoted the demo very poorly and it showed, as very little exposure was obtained throughout the world. We continue to play out and eventually write "Tears For The Wasted", then "Gone", and finally "Sick" before we hit the studio again to record the "As Seen Through Tears" CD, in April of 97. We also wrote "Life Is Done" and "Threads Of Agony" some where in there, but they were never recorded. Before the CD was released Ronnie quit, and I went to jail, which caused my departure from the band until November of 99. This is why As Seen Through Tears" is just now getting the promotion and recognition it deserves. I have returned and Ronnie has been replaced by new guitar player Alex Honcell.

There's quite a buzz about you guys in the Underground lately. What is your opinion on self-promotion? How many promos have you sent to 'zines? Have you sent to any labels? What are you looking for in a label?

Well since we're not signed, I don't see any other way to go. If you take the time to do it and stick with it, I think self-promotion is the thing to do, as long as it works for ya and you like the results. But I can't see us spending a bunch of money on professional glossy promos, 'zine ads, and fliers when the bottom line is music. You can be professional all day long on paper, but if the music sucks, no one will listen. I've sent about 100 promos out to zines all over the world and I've hit a few labels as well. Right now I'm corresponding and just kinda feelin people out. We're extremely picky with our music and will be no different when it comes down to settling down with a label. The #1 priority here is honesty! We can't stand fake people or liars, who try to manipulate, cheat and steal. We've already had a falling out with one label, whom I choose not to acknowledge cause bad press is still press. No need for anybody to worry, cause I don't know of any underground bands that are working with these people. Once you get to work with them, you quickly find out why. Anyhow, our time is valuable and we take what we do seriously, therefore shady characters will not be tolerated. Other labels qualities are to include promotion; I feel the perfect label for C.I.F. will give us the attention/promotion we need, expect, and deserve. Professionalism/coolness; the all around attitude of the people we're working with. Our efforts should combine to elevate one another. I will promote the label to the same extreme that I promote C.I.F. Distribution is also a must; outta sight, outta mind!!! When I send promos to 'zines, half of them never write back to tell me they got the CDs. I have to hound them just to get a response-sometimes I never do. Have you had that problem with your CD? If so, has it made you more selective about what 'zines you'll send promos to in the future? HA HA!! Shit, I thought it was just us. No, Really, when I first started promoting I thought, what the fuck? For whatever reason people don't respond, I don't know. Now I just avoid the wasting of my time and money, by first establishing solid contact with people and sometimes asking for proof of existence, before sending out anything. I still write every new address that crosses my eyes, just not every one receives material.

Ohio has a massive Death Metal scene. Any unknown bands you'd recommend from your area? Have you played many shows? Any out of state? Any plans to play Milwaukee Metal Fest or any others this year?

There are two really cool bands in this area that I dig. The Reefer Hut, which I would say are groove oriented metal and Shredded, who classify themselves as death, but sound very black to me. Very fast and technical band. Both are fucking killer. We've played shows all over Ohio, but have never played a single show out of state. We'd love to play any and all the US fests this year and I'll do my best to see that that happens. Unfortunately though, the final decision is not up to us.

 Tell us something about the members of C.I.F. -  What are your fave movies, hobbies, ect.? Have any of the members been in other bands?

We're all crazy fuckers filled with hate, depression, and unworth for ones own self, each warped and twisted in our own individual way. Joes hobbies are jerking off, feeling old, and hating life. He watches, owns, and collects shit like: Last House On The Left, The Exorcist, I Spit On Your Grave, Desperate Living, Polyester, Pink Flamingo's, and all XXX-TREMELY SICK, DISGUSTING PORNOS. Alex likes to play guitar, video games, and get fucked up. He digs movies like The Matrix, The Wizard Of Oz, The Un-Nameable 1 and 2, Evil Dead 1,2,3, horror movies ect. and pornos. Personally, I don't watch many movies and I really can't stand the TV. I'm not the type of person to be awake and be immobile. Can't stand lazy people, especially the couch potato. There's so much more to life than the corruption that plagues peoples minds and bodies, as it bleeds from the manipulation set! It's just boring to me to sit idle. I pretty much hate every aspect of life, but ya wouldn't know it from an occasional acquaintance. I do enjoy high levels of competition and the adrenaline rush. I like to skydive, ride the biggest baddest roller coasters, jet ski, ride 4-wheelers, jam and of course GET FUCKING HAMMERED!!! We've all been in previous bands, jammin around the local scene, but none worth mentioning.

What merchandise do you have for sale, and how can one obtain it?

We have our first and only CD, "As Seen Through Tears", and T-shirts are available as well. The GIVE UP shirts are white or black with the solid logo on the front/ puddle of blood and a razor blade on the back. The back says GIVE UP. Both sides are in red. The SICK shirt, in white or black, with the pin striped logo on the front/ I'M FUCKING SICK is brutally written on the back. Both sides in red. We're almost done with our newest shirt. Black, three color, long sleeve. Says "As Seen Through Tears" in blue on one sleeve, the other has Carved In Flesh bleeding up your arm from your sliced wrist, a razor blade lies at the wrist. The back has a grave stone with the logo on it and says Welcome To The Funeral/ C.I.F. A silhouette of a depressed, strung out individual makes up the front. With a calligraphy pen he writes in his own blood "I CAN LIVE NO MORE", backwards. Merchandise can be obtained by contacting me at the address at the end of this interview. 

Do you have many new songs done? When do you hope to record again?

If everything goes well we should be in the studio this winter, like around November or December of 2000. We really don't consider any song done till it hits the studio. We're constantly trying to improve them, in our ears, until that very moment.  We are playing new songs "Eve To Wither", "I Feel Dead (There Is No Use In Going On)", and "Waste Of Creation". At this point they are just basic song structures to us. We'll be playing new song "Flowers In The Graveyard (Dying Still)", real soon. Ill-forsaken/ Un-forgiving is also in the making.

Last words?

Only what you'll read on our epitaph.....C.I.F.                         

CARVED IN FLESH

P.O. Box 55

Uniopolis, OH 45888