Electronic-rock innovators INFECTED MUSHROOM recently returned to Hollywood with their intense live show in support of their latest album, LEGEND OF THE BLACK SHAWARMA and the recently released the Killing Time Remix EP.
Infected Mushroom performs with a full band, including live drums, two guitars, keys and seven albums’ worth of material. Newestra had a chance to catch up with the band during their stop through Los Angeles last week. The show at the Henry Fonda Theatre was brilliant, never have we seen so much intensity from an electro band. Insane indeed!
N :: Let’s kick this off by introducing yourselves, you’ve seem to have grown over the years…
IM :: Well, I’m Amit (Duvdev) and my partner’s name is Erez (Eisen)… well I don’t know if we have grown over the years, but my hair has become shorter and his hair has gotten longer…
Q :: For those readers new to Infected Mushroom; What’s the wittiest way you can describe your band & sound in 1-3 words?
IM :: Absolute pandemonium…
Q :: I read that you were classically trained musicians as children. From classical to crazy electronic dance hard-rock madness, how did this transformation come about?
IM :: Well, music is music – you hear the complex structures and melodies in our tracks. We have both been into rock & punk for longer than we have been performing electronic music, so from classical training – bands – production – performance, time flew by, and before we knew it here we are!
[audio:http://newestra.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Infected-Mushroom-Symphonatic.mp3]
Infected Mushroom :: Symphonatic
Q :: What sparked the transformation from the original 2 to incorporating a full out electro dance rock band over the years?
IM ::We’ve always loved DJing, but I have the attention span of Homer Simpson so after almost ten years in a DJ booth we decided to try to incorporate new elements to our set. It started out with a guitarist (famed Israeli guitarist, Erez Netz) and then eventually we decided to also add a drummer (Rogerio Jardim). Now we also have another guitarist (Thomas Cunningham) who has been with us already for about five years – he does North & South America… all of us are like a bunch of brothers on the road… We do play just DJ sets too sometimes, which is just me and Erez, but for the most part we are playing live sets….
Q :: Who were your biggest music influences growing up, and how did they influence your sound or direction when creating the band and transforming the sounds?
IM :: Depeche Mode was a big one – and you can hear the similarities, we are like a heavier version. (laughs)
Q :: What is the most challenging aspect of creating your music, throughout its evolution. What’s the thought process? Life experiences, or creative writing/ stroytelling?
IM :: There isn’t really a thought process, we sit down and try to think of music that will make people dance. Writing lyrics can be tough, but that’s why I have my tour manager – to correct my grammar ha ha! You mention some words & phrases that ring a bell. Life experiences: “Pink Nightmares” is a new track we are playing now, which was influenced by a dream of one of Eisen’s daughters; Also in the experiences category – sometimes we sample sounds on the road, such as jumping on a hallow stage in a big room to capture its sound qualities. And as far as storytelling – I am captain storyteller. Maybe from my Goa days, I don’t know, but yes I have a twisted mind…I guess it’s how I thought of the legend behind the Legend of the Black Shawarma. So in that sense, sure, our process is influenced by experiences and storytelling…
Q :: Does the intensity of your music play a factor in the naming process of your tracks? I’m seeing a trend in the most intense songs have the most creative names. What goes into naming IM tracks and albums?
IM :: It’s random. “I am the Supervisor” is named after an experience we had in a taxi cab. I already told you what “Pink Nightmares” is named after. “Poquito Mas” is named after our favorite Mexican food place here in Los Angeles. We all know what “Converting Vegetarians” is about…Funny story, actually, we wanted to have our last album full of tracks named after our favorite foods but we ended up tainting it with tracks like “Can’t Stop” and “Project 100”, ha!
Q :: What is the most challenging aspect of creating your music?
IM ::Finding the time… with families and traveling it’s difficult.
Q :: Our readers are very music, tech, and gadget savvy… What sort of arsenal set up do you guys have in the studio? Programs, effects, acoustic or pure electronic sound in the drum set-up, etc.?
IM ::Cubase 5 – we work on PC, we write all the drum and guitar parts on the computer actually – I know, it’s crazy awesome!
Q :: What is your current favorite piece of machinery to use throughout the IM sound?
IM :: Erez made a special Infected synth – it is unique to our sound.
Q :: How has it been collaborating Infected Mushroom with the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Jonathan Davis, Perry Farrell?
IM :: It was an amazing experience because these are all people we have looked up to for a very long time. They have paved the way for some great music, so to be able to work with them was fantastic. We are happy to have had the chance to bring them in to our studio.
[audio:http://newestra.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/infected-mushroom-Smashing-the-Opponent-ft-Jonathan-Davies-TIMO-MAAS-Remix.mp3]
Infected Mushroom :: Smashing the Opponent ft. Jonathan Davis (TiMo MaaS Remix)
Q :: Outside of home soil, where are your favorite places to play? Is there a specific region that you guys have a huge following, a place you least expected?
IM :: Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. and the UK have all been really good to us… Our first time to Quito, Ecuador was absolute madness – didn’t expect that.
Q :: Can you guys walk down the streets of Israel anymore undetected?
IM :: Not really, unless I’m hanging in Gaza… (laughs)
Q :: What would you say is your favorite track to play live? And why?
IM ::It depends on where I am. In Mexico people go crazy for “Becoming Insane” due to the Spanish lyrics by Gil from Kinky, so that would be my favorite in a place like that…It changes from location to location…
Q :: Any final words about your music, shout outs to your fans, wisdom you can bestow on us young aspiring artists who read interviews like these for inspiration and encouragement to keep on battling?
IM ::Thank you for the support over the years, as for aspiring artists – work hard and don’t give up. -Infected Mushroom
We like to thank Randy Seidman, Duvdev, and the rest of the members of Infected Mushroom for ridiculous night @ The Music Box, and great interview!
