Interview with: Andy LaPlegua
By: Nina Mende
We got asked to do an interview with Combichrist shortly before we headed out to see them in Utrecht/Netherlands where we also interviewed Mortiis. Of course would we do the interview with Combichrist. After all the Combichrist shows it was about time to “step up”. Since there was not much time to prepare a proper interview, I had to come up with some questions on the go. And since there are a lot of questions that people ask Combichrist over and over again at every interview, I tried to avoid these which narrowed the list of questions down to a minimum. Somehow we pulled it off though. The beginning was a little slow but then the interview got quite interesting. And I am sure, if we and only have more time it would have gotten long and even more interesting! Oh well, maybe next time. …. Until then, enjoy this one!
The interview itself happened in Cologne at Pluswelt festival – so the day after Utrecht – where Andy LaPlegua took some time for us to answer our questions and tell us a bit about the tour life, the music and some other interesting stuff.
Combichrist is currently touring Europe along with Mortiis before they head back to the States to tour there with their newest album “Making Monsters”. The tour has been great so far. Several shows were sold out and others quite close to being sold out.
 In the past almost two years Combichrist had been supporting Rammstein quite many times. About 64 shows the two bands did together. Combichrist and Rammstein are not really two bands one would expect to be playing together, so I of course wanted to know how that happened and if it will happen again. Combichrist knew Christoph already before they were touring together. Surprisingly Rammstein asked Combichrist if they would join them on tour. Naturally they said yes. After playing 64 shows together it felt strange to now tour without Rammstein. They have become close friends, almost like a family, and they had a lot of fun together. Andy hopes that they will play shows together again, even if it’d just be small shows. Just for the sake of seeing good friends again.Combichrist has also gained quite some new fans through the shows with Rammstein. Touring with Rammstein and playing in front of their fans was a very interesting experience. Especially because Andy refuses to change his music style to reach new fans because he is seeing his music not as doing business but more as something he likes to do. He said that the music Combichrist does is influenced by rock and punk rock even though they don’t have guitars in it. Metal or rock people would not come out to a Combichrist show, but since they were there anyway they liked Combichrist and enjoyed the show. Doing what Combichrist normally does and win the Rammstein fans over is definitely priceless. Combichrist did not add anything or change anything in order to convince the audience, they just did what they usually do and won them over. |
| Another thing I was curious about was the thing with the make-up. Sometimes they wear face paint, sometimes they don’t. Andy explained that he doesn’t want it to become a uniform sort of thing. So as soon as he feels like it becomes a routine he is changing something. He wants the show to be as energetic and thriving as it is intentionally meant to be and not a predictable showcase where everyone knows what to expect. Not only because then the pressure of people expecting something that you won’t be able to fulfill that night, no matter for what reason. It is hard enough to play the same songs every night and try to make it feel like it is something new. So Combichrist is trying to keep it as diverse as possible. Sometimes they feel like doing make up sometimes they don’t. Either way it always has a positive effect on the show. When they haven’t been doing make up for a while and then do it again they feel somehow empowered and fresh, full of energy that they want to share with the audience and same the other way around without make up. The show is no routine one got used to but with the little changes you keep the energy and the excitement going and shows will never get boring. Also the audience will never know what to expect and love the show even more afterwards. Especially when going to more than one Combichrist show during a tour the constant changes are keeping it exciting. Also with the songs Combichrist are playing. Sometimes people expect them to play certain songs. But that’s part of keeping it exciting. There is nothing thrilling about a show when you know exactly what is going to happen next, whether it is song or action. |
 The thing with the drums being thrown around in the end of the show was another thing I was curious about. How did I ever start? Andy had no idea how that happened. They never planned on doing it. And they don’t do it at every show either. Also they shouldn’t be doing it because due to that they go through so many drums, a very expensive show highlight! However it kind of became a Combichrist “tradition” and fans are even a little disappointed when the band doesn’t do it these days. Andy explained that basically how rock bands smash their guitars after the show they do it with drums, since they don’t have guitars. It’s the switch in your head that turns on when performing on stage: with the adrenaline pumping through your veins you just want to destroy something. Unable to think you just grab the things closest to you and smash them and since there is a lot of drums on stage… Another theory we came across while thinking about how it all started was the drunk moments. They all quit drinking now but back in the day they still drank. So maybe this throwing around the drums started as Andy fell into the drums on stage, Joe threw one after him since Andy wrecked it and it was on! Andy would take his microphone stand and stick it through the drums… and so on. However it started it is NOT to be taken as a tradition on stage.A touring schedule is always busy and there is little time for anything. Especially this tour is extremely busy due to a lot of PR dates, interviews and so on. After parties are rare because of the lack of time and when there are after parties the band will be exhausted and on the go. Also do the after parties usually turn into a meet and greet since the band doesn’t have time to meet their fans at any other time or place. So, as said before, while being on tour there is not a lot time for hanging out with fans (and not even with friends). To still give the fans a special treat Combichrist came up with the VIMF passes fans can purchase. This one includes a meet and greet before the show, early entry to the show to get into the front row without much trouble, and special treats such as the VIMF laminate, signed posters, an exclusive t-shirt and other rad stuff. A wonderful treat for fans that never get the chance to get a hold of the band and get to hang out with them a little. Hanging out with people and getting to know them is obviously different from the connection audience and band has during the show. The money of the VIMF is used for the exclusive stuff they get. And for those who are not satisfied with the band only, the sound guy as well as the drum tech might be auctioned off on ebay, so you can draw on them with sharpies or do whatever to them |
| Since “Making Monsters” is out now, we just had to talk about that too. Andy said that it is funny how people, every time a new album is released, tend to say “well, this is not what Combichrist is like”. Well, then please tell us what Combichrist is like, since every album is different. But in the end each album was received better than the previous. Which is probably because of the constant changes. Just like people are changing and growing with the experiences they go through, the music they make should change likewise… And because Andy does the music he wants to do and not the music people expect him to do. He doesn’t care whether people like it or not. This makes it even more special when people actually like it. Andy never wants to end up in a position where he does music for other people to like it instead of him liking it in the first place. People like “Making Monsters” big time though which is a big relieve. Especially when people understand your music and the fact that you do it for the sake of music and not for the sake of business!Combichrist also shot a new video for “Throat Full Of Glass” in October in Los Angeles with a lot of people: Fans, artists and a lot more. It is being released on Valentines Day, so make sure to check youtube right away because this is a very fun and interesting video. The band came up with an ideas along with the director and created something big altogether. Combichrist is actually acting it that video so it was more like making a short movie than doing a music video. |
As closing I had to ask a question that probably has been asked a million times before, but since I am an Icon Of Coil fan I of course wanted to know if there is any chance of them coming back. There is no such plan as of now. The guys are still in touch though. Being spread out and busy with different projects makes . The reunion shows are because they are all having time and are at the same festivals or whatever anyways. But more for the good old times’ sake rather than actually starting anew. They don’t have time to actually write new music and they don’t really want to either. Icon Of Coil is more a thing of the past. After each show they sit around and talk about doing something new, but that’s about as far as it gets. So I guess us Icon Of Coil fans have to enjoy the reunion shows as long as they are happening instead of hoping for something new coming out of it. Fair enough.
Speaking of it I was wondering how Andy is handling all the projects anyway. He said it is pretty easy because basically there is only two main projects: Combichrist and Scandinavian Cock with Scandinavian Cock being a punk rock band he has back home. Everything else is the so called “third project” that happens when and if Andy has time. With having said that we had to end the interview. Despite the lack of time for preparation I actually think it was quite interesting after all. I hope you all feel the same way. Many thanks to Andy for his time.
Happy Valentines Day and make sure to check out their new video “Throat Full Of Glass”. Out Now!
Links:
Combichrist Official
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