BLACKHOUSE interviews

[Josh D Pyle]

BLACKHOUSE IN PRINT
submitted by Josh Pyle
jdp...@david.wheaton.edu
28 March 1994

Decide for yourself how you feel about Blackhouse.
_____________________________________________________________________

The following is a reprint from the Summer 1986 issue Vortexx magazine.
(Vortexx was a short-lived fanzine covering the Christian
underground. It now is kind of like the Christian version of
Goldmine magazine.)
An Interview with Blackhouse

"Blackhouse" is a different kind of band. Some may say that they play noise;
their "industrial music," like heavy metal, is not
for everyone. Formed in 1983, they played a few gigs in Salt Lake
City but they were met with open hostility by Neo-Nazi youth and
hardcore Christians. Eventually they went underground and
concentrated on recording only. Following is an interview with
this unusual band - the first Christian Industrial band in existence!

Jamie Rake: What inspired you to form this kind of band to minister
to people in Christ?
Blackhouse: Our goal is to destroy tired myths and
political/religious dogma in an effort to get the individual to
think more freely. Society tends to view the contemporary Christian
in a certain stereotypical way. Industrial music is thought of as
being a sort of negative reaction to the world as we know it. Both
are lies which need to be disposed of.
J.R.: How would you describe yourselves musically?
B: Musically, we are open.
J.R.: Do you see any irony in the lack of "beauty" in your music
and the notions that many Christians have about how "pop" music
should sound?
B: First, we are not a "pop" group - we don't make "pop" music.
Second, we feel there is a great wealth of "beauty" in our music.
Just because it's not pop doesn't mean that it's ugly. Again we are
confronted with a powerful myth which needs to be abolished.
J.R.: Who do you think your audience consists of?
B: Open-minded individuals - Christians and non-Christians alike.
They are those who seek a higher understanding for themselves. We
have no expectations of becoming a pop music band. It is not
important to be popular!
J.R.: What instruments do each of you use?
B: We play instruments like electric and acoustic percussion, media
devices, and, very infrequently, synthesizer. We don't need a
synthesizer!
J.R.: What part do you think Christians should have in developing
the secular culture?
B: This question does not interest us.
J.R.: I found your tapes to be some of the most disturbing music
I've heard. Do you believe art should be confrontational and is your
music particularly so?
B: Thank you very much! That which disturbs is that which makes us
think! Industrial music, as a whole, is pretty disturbing stuff;
and we're right up there with the best of 'em.
Art can be passive, and art can be demanding. Neither one is better
than the other, but we prefer "demanding." Yes, our art is
particularly confrontational because our topics are of great
controversy and conflict.
J.R.: What Christian musicians do you listen to? What secular
musicians? Should distinctions be made if either makes a positive
statement about faith?
B: We don't listen to other Christian musicians actively. If we had
to pick out a favorite Christian group, beside ourselves, we'd
choose Stryper because they are coming from - and at - a much
different audience than would be considered "appropriate." It's too
easy to make a "certain type" of music for a "certain type" of
audience. You see...the challenge is to gain an audience that's
considered "inappropriate." The goal is to reach NEW minds!
I think that no distinctions should be made whatsoever - regarding
religion - if the music is positive.
J.R.: What's the rationale behind the symbology of the skull in
your logo?
B: There is no skull in our logo! However, there is a smiling
skull on some of our buttons. The rationale is to promote our
release "Five Minutes After I Die." Death is not the ultimate end to
everything.
J.R.: Any concluding remarks?
B: We are not out to save the world; we don't have the power. We
are not out to change people's minds; we are out to OPEN people's
minds. We are not a pop group; we are ourselves...we are Blackhouse.
__________________________________________________________________________

The following is a review of the album "Hope". It also appeared in
the Summer 1986 issue of Vortexx magazine, and is written by Jeani
Bond of Key Records. Reprinted without permission.

This Salt Lake City trio is the first Christian industrial noise
(they prefer "power electronics") band. Imagine a factory set to an
African rhythms with radio feedback coming through the intercom
system. That's Blackhouse.
Blackhouse IS NOT pop music. Blackhouse IS Sterling Cross, Ivo
Cutler, and Roger Farrell. They sing(?) talk, scream, and play
acoustic and electric percussion. Blackhouse is out to open people's
minds with their perfect blend of electronic feedback and the New
Testament. Hope is a limited edition of 500 numbered copies. Mine
came in a yellow jacket with a picture of the Pope pasted on the
front.
Side one is the best with these song titles: "Hope Like a Candle"
(my favorite), "#11", and "What Do You Know About Me?" The lyrics of
the first song are quite interesting: "Hope like a candle / cancels
the darkness / flickering fragile frame. Hope like a lantern /
outlives the darkness / always remains the same. Christ is the
candle / Christ is the lantern / Christ the eternal flame." Side two
starts off with "Mercy Seat" and "The Two Classes of People"
(believers and unbelievers), but slowly slides downhill with radio
feedback dominating the latter half. Turn on your shortwave and
you'll hear the same thing.
Overall, I was fascinated by this unusual album. Turn out the
lights, light a candle, and put Blackhouse on your turntable for a
very different audio experience.
_____________________________________________________________________

The following is a review of "Holy War," reprinted from the Summer
1988 issue of Vortexx, written by Martin Stillion.

I found this album difficult to review because I've never heard
anything like it. As far as I know, Blackhouse is still Christian
music's only entry into industrial music.
Blackhouse's Ivo Cutler and Sterling Cross forge a very interesting
electronic sound that is somewhat like RUN/DMC broadcasting distress
signals from a silicon chip factory! Most of the vocals are
deliberately obscured by static and require some repeated listening.
The album's best musical moment comes early, with producer Brian
Ladd playing guitar on "Make A Choice." But the whole album is an
intriguing example of what can be done with percussion, electronic
feedback, and a little imagination.
"Holy War" also containts three instrumentals that might be
palatable to fans of recent minimalist movements in 20th century
music. If you're looking for something different, you can't miss
with this band!
_____________________________________________________________________

The following is a reprint from White Noise fanzine, Issue #26,
dated from early 1991. The interview itself was reprinted from "some
unknown European secular fanzine." The magazine was probably "Hello
Happy Taxpayers" number 8, a French Fanzine.
(note: responses from Blackhouse and Ladd-Frith often choose
all-caps in their responses.-jp)

Q: First of all, can you give me brief historical of your band
since your debut in 1983? Except for the departure of ROGER FARRELL,
has your band undergone other changes?
B:BLACKHOUSE was formed by IVO CUTLER, STERLING CROSS, & ROGER
FARRELL in the Summer of 1983 in Salt Lake City - - the Religious
capital of America. All of were very heavily into or saviour JESUS
CHRIST in one way or another. we were all musicians of some sort,
and we all held a belief that better music-better CHRISTIAN music
was in dire need across the globe. We set out to create that music.
We created some noise, and decided to unleash it on the world. We
did. Cassettes. WE gained a bit of cult following at first among the
"Industrial set," and later among Christian and "pop" sects alike.
We did a few albums, gained a bit more noteriety, and moved to
California - San Francisco to be exact. Here we are!

Q: Can you tell me about BLACKHOUSE and Christianity? You are
considered by somepeople like the anti-WHITEHOUSE (William Bennett
hated this religion!) Have you created the band in reaction against
WHITEHOUSE?
B: BLACKHOUSE is a CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL noise group. We were
inspired by the industrial music movement in the early-mid 80's and
enjoyed the music of groups like WHITEHOUSE, TG (Throbbing Gristle),
PTV (Psychic TV), SPK, and the rest, but the NEGATIVE attitude of
these groups spelled disaster with our thinking processes. We do not
believe that the world is a haven for Satanic behavior or that
nothing is sacred. Quite the contrary!! The name BLACKHOUSE is the
antithesis of the name WHITEHOUSE. Industrial music with a POSITIVE
edge! We were out to prove the world that Industrial music is not
always negative, and also that CHRISTIAN music was not always sweet,
wholesome little melodies. We wanted to destroy ALL stereotypes!!
Let me say that we are not AGAINST Whitehouse or William Bennet
(leader of the power-electronics band Whitehouse, known for fiercely
anti-Christian and sexist lyrics-jp), In fact, we respect William's
music, and he has stated that he respects ours. We just disagree on
content and morality issues.

Q: Does BLACKHOUSE possess its own and special view on the subject
of Christianity? Can you develop some of your ideas here?
B: BLACKHOUSE does posses its own views on Christianity! Certainly,
we are very progressive Christians, and we are of the new school of
religious thought. We believe that our savior JESUS CHRIST dies for
ALL of our sins, and we worship his existence with heart and soul.
However, we do not support the views of the Religious "Right" or
tired old myths regarding religion. We believe that the old school
of thought is DANGEROUS, and is not what was originally intended by
the Chosen One. The goal of religion should be to bring people
together, not drag them apart & separate into opposing sides. We are
very tolerant. We are very loving. We are very forgiving.

Q: Can you tell me about your last LP, "We Will Fight Back!"? This
title seems a little bit vindictive and have a notion of warning?!
Why have you used this crucified rabbit to illustrate the sleeve of
the record? Don't you think it's blasphemous towards Christ and the
religion? By the way, what do you think about vivisection and
expeiments on animals?
B: WWFB! is the most progressive and conceptional of all our
albums. It deals with the destruction of our environment. We've
raped the EARTH, and have nothing to show for it but CORPORATE
PROFITS! We have endangered all life on this planet through our
greedy depletion of important natural resources. The pollution of
our water and air, the stripmining and depletion of our
rainforests...the greenhouse effect. It's sad....and scary to think
that Armageddon is taking place in the name and form of POLLUTION.
Will we create our own HELL on earth? The world is ROCKING to the
APOCALYPSE CLOCK, the GRANITE GRIND is taking place. Friends and
neighbors are dead-TOTALLY GONE. CRACK is to blame for crime and
sorrow. All of these problems....and all the kids want to do is
ROCK! It's a sad state of affairs. And with all of this, we have
betrayed our animal friends the same way that CHRIST was betrayed by
his friends. We might as well crucify the animals! Our hate knows
no bounds. WE ARE AGAINST ALL ANIMAL TORTURE, DEATH & EXPLOITATION!!!
ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS TOO!!
As far as the title goes, it IS a warning-a warning that we will
FIGHT to save the world, and we will win, because we are BLACKHOUSE.
The photo on the cover was NOT created by BLACKHOUSE, but by
STAALPLAAT RECORDS in Amsterdam. We had absolutely no knowledge of
the cover art until it was printed. Of course, we were shocked upon
seeing it, but it truly illustrates the point that our existence is
indeed very fragile, and we must not overlook our own mortality &
consequences of our actions.The cover has stirred quite a
controversy-actually, causing BLACKHOUSE to be rejected from a
record offer at WAX TRAX! and ENIGMA records. People do not
understand our methods, and when informed of them they seem to
almost disbelieve our intentions!

Q: I've read...that you met problems at the beginning of your
career, with neo-nazis and the Christian hardcore scene. Has this
situation changed now after these few years? How do your audience
now percieve your music?
B: Yes, we performed live in the early days, and Christian and
neo-nazi hostility was very high. We had death threats, power
outages, open hatred directed at us. That's what happens when you
challenge the "norm." Nowadays, we are respected for our unique
viewpoints. It's a complete turnaround!!!

Q: how does your work unfold with STERLING CROSS in the bosom of
BLACKHOUSE? Your compositions are less aggresive than the music on
your (early) tapes! Does your new LP represent a new way of work for
you?
B: Basically, the first tapes of BLACKHOUSE were done on low budget
equipment and we worked hard at getting the "perfect" sound out of
our cheap equipment. That's why it's loud, noisy, and full of
feedback. It was a raw reaction to the world as we knew it. NOW,
it's more complex - the machines are sophisticated and complicated,
and it takes just as much work to get the sounds we desire. In fact,
it takes longer than before. We did the first tapes in one day each.
The next one took 2 days. Now it takes months of putting together
little pieces of soundto create one BIG sound. It takes 2 days just
to mix the music for release! It's ok, though, because our music is
refined, dignified, and more respected because of the QUALITY of our
recordings and sounds. We strive for the perfect balance between
noise and silence!! WE WILL FIGHT BACK is our second journey into
the world of digital effects and sampling sounds (our first was HOLY
WAR), and we must partake in the new evolution of music and
sound...otherwise we will be lost in the future. We are ALWAYS
looking for new ideas, sounds, and concepts, as well as the new
technologies, of course!

Q: Can you give me details on your next releases? Are you going to
record now only on vinyl or will you work again on tapes?
B: We create the music first, THEN we look for suitable outlets, be
it cassette, record, CD or flexi-disc, an idea we are toying around
with right now. The goal is to reach more and more people, and it
seems that records or CD's are the way to accomplish that. We are
open to offers from independent and major labels alike. We need a
STRONG U.S. label to publish our next work. That's why we were
excited at the prospect of signing to WAX TRAX!, but even though
most people at the label were into signing us, the head boss of WAX
TRAX! was frightened of the cover for the STAALPLAAT LP. and he was
so scared, he dropped us like a hot potato! Now we are looking
again for a suitable record/CD contract.

Q: Your "HOPE" LP had been pressed at 500 copies with all different
sleeves! What sort of thing do these covers show and is this LP
still available (through your address, for example?)
B: "HOPE..." was 500 copies limited edition with each having an
individual cover. These pictures were religious in nature, and each
was a work of art. It is sold out now, with only one copy left to
sell (through Ladd Frith) at a price of $150.00. We know that's
expensive, but it IS worth it. It's hand-decorated by the group
(most were decorated by the label-RRR), and it's autographed too.

Q: BLACKHOUSE is well known for avoiding to inscribe personal
citations on their sleeves or not to send photos of their members!
If I ask you to tell me what are your bedside book, film, or record,
are you going to answer me? And if I ask you to give me some photos
of the band to illustrate this interview, are you going to send me
them?!
B: We are not interested to answer this question. What our favorite
book, film, or record might be is inconsequential. It makes NO
difference!!! these are just personsal items, and have no validity
persides trivia knowledge. If I answered with THE BIBLE, LAST
TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, and WE WILL FIGHT BACK!, would you run out to
see these things? Would you automatically enjoy these items because
of my endorsement? Doesn't that seem silly to you? Isn't what's MORE
important, is that YOU go out and experienceall that you can and
then develop your OWN opinions about these matters?

Q: Have you any other things to add about BLACKHOUSE?
B: What else can I say about BLACKHOUSE except that people should
hear what we're talking about. Like I stated in the last answer,
everyone should try to experience as much as possible, and look for
the most in LIFE. The most you experience, the more knowledge you
have. And when you hear the birds, water, and sounds, and experience
the joy of KNOWING, you'll be much better for it.
___________________________________________________________________

The following is an interview with Brian Ladd From Ladd-Frith,
representing Blackhouse. Also taken from issue #26 of White Noise
fanzine.

Q: concerning the controversial cover art of the vinyl version of
"We Will Fight Back!"?
L-F: BLACKHOUSE had ABSOLUTELY NO SAY in the choice of album covers
for "WE WILL FIGHT BACK" on STAALPLAAT (NL)!! The cover arrived
finished upon initial pressing. There has been a lot of 'flack', and
the group has opted to pass on a contract with STAALPLAAT for the
rights to previous works. The label has not responded adequately
regarding the obscene cover art, and even insinuated that there was
a whole group of crucifixion photos for the series of tapes!! This
caused the group to re-think their plans, and cancel the contract
with STAALPLAAT. It should also be noted that the pressing is sold
out, and no further pressings will be made with that cover.

Q: How do the releases of WWFB! and HOLY WAR differ...
L-F: I know that they are very similar in nature, and I also know
that it's a big progression. WWFB! is a cleaner, sparse-er, more
refined version of HOLY WAR. It's much more simple too. The basic
idea of WWFB! was almost that of KRAFTWERK's 'ELECTRIC CAFE' disc.
Mechanized. Machine-like. Computerized. Very cold. I also think
WWFB! has more experimentation on it. . . for example. . . the cut
"FROM DEEP WITHIN THE CRUST" which is a side of BLACKHOUSE that you
don't often see. Except maybe on STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, which is the
original out-takes from the WWFB! sessions. Very atmospheric stuff!
The next releases: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE MEN IN BLACK is a
split LP on the MINUS HABENS label of ITALY - one continuous piece
of music/art/noise on MAN, MACHINE, & GOD. MATERIAL WORLD will be a
new CD on LADD-FRITH and it'll be BIG BEAT SAMPLER SONGS, PURE
NOISE, and NATURE recordings.

Q: Why Industrial? Why Jesus?
L-F: Industrial is their preference, but I think POWER ELECTRONICS
is better. You should hear them play acoustic stuff! Excellent! Why
Jesus? They want to promote love & understanding!

Q: How to remember BLACKHOUSE?
L-F: I think IVO wants people to know BLACKHOUSE is the ORIGINAL
SOUND OF CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL. THEY WERE THE FIRST, AND THEY'LL BE
THE LAST!
_____________________________________________________________________

At this point, I do not know of any other information about
Blackhouse (interviews or articles). If you have anything you'd like
to submit, please contact me.

Be seeing you,

Josh Pyle
jdp...@david.wheaton.edu