Band Interview: Gnostic Gorilla
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with industrial/dark-wave project, Gnostic Gorilla.
1. How did Gnostic Gorilla begin?
Before there was a project called “Gnostic Gorilla” there was another project called “The Lonely Ghost Project”. Yet even before that, as a teenager I recorded a single with some dudes from my area, most of which were from my school. The single was “Dark Hallway/Golgotha”. It was simply released as my own solo project “Dean Mason” and the indie ‘makeshift’ label was called “Lonely Ghost Productions”.
Later in 2012 I began recording more electronic music of a ‘Gothic/industrial/Dark Wave’ bent and I used the project name “The Lonely Ghost Project”. Actually, now that I think of it, I released some singles back in 2013 as “Dean Mason” and then “Dean Mason of the Lonely Ghost Project”. But eventually, I changed the project name to “Gnostic Gorilla” because I found out that there was an American band with the name “The Lonely Ghost Parade” and I wanted to avoid any confusion.
I refer to what I do as a “project” because someday I’d like to see someone else, a band, take it on and run with it using the same project name and doing similar music but in their own way. It’s an idea only.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Hide under the sheets man. It’s insane. Hahahahahaha. No but, more or less, Gnostic Gorilla is an industrial/Dark Wave/Gothic act. Now, most of my albums are quite different, one form the other. For example, “Psalm for the Lost” is quite retro electronic/Goth while “Freak’s Mind” is more abrasive and bizarre industrial. But I have to say, I prefer doing more industrial type music.
3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?
In the early days, I’d say Gary Numan was a major inspiration for me. He’s probably an inspiration to most electronic artists of all genres. But I would have to say that more direct influence would be bands like Ministry, Type O Negative, Skinny Puppy, Rammstein and even to some extent, Korn, even though I’m not a massive fan. I have a deep respect and a special place in my heart for The Doors.
4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?
Both. It helps but it also makes it difficult for struggling artists, like myself, to truly make a significant amount of money today with streaming and even digital sales. Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga and Metallica (to name a few big acts) probably get thousands upon thousands of plays and digital downloads plus the sale of CDs and even vinyl again and merchandise.
An artist like myself would barely make enough to buy a package of new socks a month on the kind of income that is generated purely by streaming and digital music. BUT, it’s the way it is. You can be negative about it or just find different ways of being creative. I prefer being negative. It’s more fun that way. hahahahahaha
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
I enjoy knitting sweaters for the neighbourhood squirrels. Hahahahahahaha. No but, seriously, I haven’t done it in a long time, but one of the things I have enjoyed in the past is fishing and getting lost on a lake or in a forest (not for hunting though). Otherwise I just like spray painting graffiti on train cars. Hahahahahaha (just kidding man on that last one)
6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?
Lots of stuff going on. There are several compilations that Gnostic Gorilla is already a part of or will be. There is another release slated with Cleopatra Records, hopefully in early or late summer, titled “Shaman Rave”. There are two releases expected soon by KL-Dark Records (Chasing Phantoms) and also Nowhere Now Records. Both of these releases are more or less ‘best of’ type deals. See? I’m already doing ‘best of’ stuff. Not bad eh? Hahahahaha.
But anyway… I’m also a guest on two tracks from a forthcoming EP by CRIX IIIX (Australia) which will be released before the monsoon season. Hahahahaha (ok…soon I mean) I wrote the lyrics and guest vocal on both tracks. As for touring? Unfortunately the Fluffy Bat tour bus (a mini van) is in disrepair so I had to cancel the entire North American tour. Hahahahaha. (Just Kidding) At this time, Gnostic Gorilla is not planning on doing any live shows.
