Neo-Form; The Meat Socket; Village Voice; Cultural Asylum; Industrial Nation; Exoteric; Inferno; Black; Denshi Zatsuon; Mindspell; Hellfrost; Ritual, Horror High; Wormgear.

Before founding Slogun, you were involved in a project called Intrinsic Action. It has been existing since 1984. In which period of time was it exactly? What were you personally able to gain from that time?

Well, in 1994 Mark from Intrinsic action and I worked together in New York City, and we were (and still are) close friends. He needed someone to perform with him for a few live I.A. shows and asked me to do it. I ended up performing live for about four shows, and doing some very minor recording with him.
I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from all of that, as I had no experience whatsoever before that with the whole process of recording any type of music/noise. From there I learned how to start my own project and what was necessary to get a release out.

How is the relation to Mark Solotroff (Intrinsic Action, BloodLust!, AWB Recordings) today?

As I stated before, Mark is to this day one of my best friends, and even though he moved back to Chicago in 1997, we do a good job of seeing each other a couple times a year. And as evidenced by the re-release series, "History of Violnce", we also continue to work together as well.

What made you found Slogun?

It was really all Mark and his encouragement actually. I really didn't plan on starting my own project. Back then I was a collector, not someone who recorded his own material. He just kept telling me to start my own project, suggesting what equipment to buy, and it all fell into place from there.

The name of your procject, Slogun, refers to the song of the same title by SPK (which can be found on the album "Auto Da Fe"). Was there any further influence by SPK?

Not really as far as what I wanted to do with my project. However, that track made an impression on me that almost no other piece of work ever did! To this day it still rings true. One of the greatest tracks ever! And to think that it was created back in the 70's! Unbelievable!

Talking about HipHop: what was the reason for HipHop influencing your work?

Well, as much as any other stuff I listened to growing up, early Hip Hop was a major influence on everything I did, and still do, performance wise. Growing up where I did, and being involved in the graffiti scene in New York in the early 80's, Hip Hop was there for me just as much as the New York Hardcore scene, the goth stuff I listened to, and the industrial material as well. I guess Hip Hop most influenced the "attitude" I brought into the "Slogun" project, especially live.

Violence is a subject you refer to very often in your music. What do you find so fascinating about it and how does it influence your music?

I come from a very violent background. Violence has always been a part of my life, whether it was me personally or my friends going to jail, committing crimes, fighting, etc.
I've always been fascinated with how people react to violence of any kind. Too much to get into here, but especially with America getting "weaker" and "weaker" every year, and the male population becoming more and more emasculated, I enjoy the fact that the more violent people in this culture, me included, are looked down upon NOT because of us being brutes, or monsters (which is what our detractors may say), but because they fear us. People in general fear others who feel free enough to put them in their place instead of crying about it, like THEY do. I HATE the weak. I HATE men who like to talk shit but yet shy away from REAL confrontation.

Serial killers are another subject you seem to be very interested in. What's the exciting and thrilling thing about it? Is there a serial killer you have special interest in?

Serial killers are just an amazing reflection on the culture they lived in. A sociological speciman of the times so to speak. Look at any killer and you'll see specific problems, reflections on culture from when they "operated". It's also always amazing how society reacts to them and their victims. I've said it before: I absolutely LOVE the hypocrisy when people feel some sort of false sorrow for some dumb crack-whore victim, even though these same people NEVER cared about the whores, junkies, etc when they were alive. It always takes a death to make someone care. Ridiculous. Why do people even waste their time lying like that? You know? It's ok to just admit you don't care.
I've always had a special interest in certain killers: Son of Sam, Green River, Zodiac, Panzram, Glattman, Cleveland Torso killer, Karla Homolka, among others.

Let's call them serial killers performing a classical craft. Besides them, there are mass murderers who kill for political reasons. Where do you see the difference between, for example, Stalin and Ed Gein? Which kind of murder would you sentence first?

Oh I don't know. Here we'd get into the whole debate about mental disease and the differences between political or random serial killing. Sure, they may be killing because of the same mental disease, or psychological problems. I do see that. However, the idea of a serial killer, somewhat powerless, becoming powerful through his actions is far more intriguing to me than some political despot who kills for his own paranoid, yet goal oriented purposes. I do find them interesting, like Amin, Pot, even religious zealots like Jim Jones, etc. But for me, serial killers are the most interesting.

As for another subject the people in Europe have many different opinions: how do you judge the governmental work of George W. Bush?

American government, as is America itself, is quickly falling into a hole from which it will struggle to escape in the future. This country is fucked. In every way imaginable: Culturally, Socially, Economically, etc etc etc. The Bush administration is just one glaring example of how screwed up this American population really is. It is a country of "victims", people who refuse responsibility for anything they do. Americans like to blame everyone else for their own problems. American youth are dumber and dumber and it's getting worse. The public school system is in ruins. And the rich get richer, while the divide from rich to even middle class is growing wider and wider. I'm disgusted with this country. And what terrifies me is that the rest of the world seems to be drawn to American culture and it's results. As I travel around the world I see the American influence everyday. Scares me to death. No hope for the world, and George Bush is a perfect example of all this.

On April 20, 1999 two students were rushing into Colombine High School and killed 12 other students. These two belonged to the so called "trenchcoat mafia" which listened to Gothic music. In combination with murder at schools, Gothic music and "bad" computer games tend to be referred to by the media pretty often. What's your opinion about that?

Oh that's all bullshit. Those were two kids in a culture that easily provides guns and other weapons that were bullied, made fun of, and finally took action. I say good for them. It was totally obvious that they were mercilessly picked on, made fun of, etc by the "cool kids", the popular kids, and they got back. I love it. Sure, this happens everyday and there is a much more "responsible" way to deal with it. But hey, every once in a while the people acting poorly have to pay. And in this case they did. Fuck them. I'd rather die knowing I got my revenge than live and knowing I never did a thing. But like I said before, in America, it' never "my fault". It's always someone else's fault. No one wants to admit that they created these two monsters that shot up a school, they just want to blame someone else, or something else like music, tv, etc. Fucking joke. Luckily for me I was taught to take responsibility for everything I do. My parents taught us that whatever happens is up to us and what we make of it.

You once said in an interview you supported death penalty. In another interview, however, you said you adored serial killers. How is it possible to combine these two statements?

First off, I NEVER said I "adored" serial killers. I've always had an interest in what they do, how they function in society, etc. Basically I always felt that serial killers were weak, pathetic individuals as well. I hate the actual person they are, because they are so weak they NEED to feel powerful over someone else. They need to confirm to themselves so much of what they are NOT. In other words, they lie to themselves as much as they lie to others.
With this, yes indeed, I am very in favor of the death penalty. Problem is, the idea is good, but the way they try and carry it out is all wrong. The death penalty should ONLY be used in indisputable, clear cut cases. When they try and use the death penalty in a case because it was a "Murder 1" case, you leave too much room for error. Then, when it happens that someone was in fact innocent (because they tried using the death sentence in a case that was NOT clear cut), all the liberal bleeding hearts use it to try and abolish capitol punishment.
Besides, another argument I HATE is that the death sentence does not deter future crime. Who cares?!? I don't believe in sentences for deterring crime! I believe in PUNISHMENT!

When thinking of "self-administered justice", what does spontaneously come to your mind?

"TRUE JUSTICE". That's what. I was brought up to be someone who does NOT believe in calling the police or looking for help outside my family and friends. When something happens to me or someone I care about, I call my family, my friends, NOT the law. Fuck the law. Someone fucks with me or mine, and I will take care of them myself. Life is too short to rely on strangers who don't really care about you. Think about it. Police are only there to collect a paycheck, and do their job as basically as possible. They have their own life, their own family to worry about. I don't expect them to sacrifice everything for a stranger like me.

In the beginning of your career, you refused to perform live. Then, however, you played at the Deadly Actions Festival. So far you have performed live pretty often. In your opinion, how has your attitude towards live performances changed? Have the performances changed as well?

I guess I never thought that I would be able to perform exactly the way I wanted. Later on I was proven wrong. The only reason I even did the Deadly Actions festival was a free trip to France. How could I pass that up? So I went, and then realized that I could indeed do some of the things I wanted, and decided to perform more.
There was a dramatic change in the "slogun" live shows. Around 2002 (at the God Blast America festival), it became a much more violent, "interactive" show with the audience. Since then it has basically stayed the same. The crowd being part of the performance, the yelling, berating, etc that everyone has grown to expect.

Since already talking about performances: did you enjoy your shows in Germany?

Oh absolutely! The first, in Mombris, which was set up by my good friends at White Rabbit, was incredible!!! A night I will never forget. Being able to perform with Dagda Mor was awesome. Fun time with a lot of friends and a lot of drink! Then in Berlin in 2005, one of the best planned shows I've ever been a part of. The guys at L.White were incredible. Fun time as well, and Berlin is one of my favorite cities! Love that place

Which event in your musical career do you especially keep in memory?

The event that will never be topped was my show in Chicago with Brighter Death Now in June, 2003. The most chaotic, insane, over the top show I have ever done. If you were there, you would know what I mean. It was just the perfect show. Girls fighting, people trying to choke me, bottles thrown. It just never ended. So violent and chaotic. Insane. I had ten people doing vocals with me, while two people controlled the sounds on stage. Pure noise terror!

With three re-releases this year you're pretty active again on your label Circle of Shit / BloodLust. How come?

I had the re-releases planned for over five years already, originally as a box set. When that fell through, I always wanted to release it all as a series of CD's. Finally, last year Mark from Bloodlust! And I decided it was time. Along with that I finally got interested again in recording new material. It was quite some time that I recorded any new stuff. So right before the Japanese tour in November of last year, I began recording again, and it felt great! Now this year I have a few new releases planned, while also finishing the last few re-release CD's in the "History of Violence" series.

Now let's talk about your releases. A 5 CD box with your first recordings should have been released. Have you knocked this idea on the head again?

No, this is the re-release series that I mentioned earlier. Instead of a box all together, I decided to release it as a series. Six CD's with a bonus seventh disc later on of early 7" tracks.

The albums "Will To Kill" and "Written In Blood" have been designed with blood amongst other things. Was it your blood? What did you want to express by that?

I just wanted the design to be "complete". And blood was an essential element to the design for the subject matter involved with each release. On Will to Kill it was my blood. On Written in Blood, I don't know who's blood it was.

Were you in touch with Koji Tano (MSBR)? Is there a special reason why you did not contribute to the Tribute Compilation? You did so in 2004 as regards the "Denzatsu" Compilation.

Koji Tano was a friend of mine. He's actually the one who brought me to Japan the first time. I just felt that I wanted to deal with his death my own way. Nothing personal to they guys that put that tribute together, but Chris (Sickness) and I released the Japanese '06 tour items in memory of him. The Denzatsu comp was something Koji put together before he died. I worked with him directly on that.

What may we expect from Slogun in the future? Will there be any new releases?

I have a few new releases planned. Soon there will be a two-track business card cd releases called "Every Cut a Little Deeper". After that I plan the next Slogun full-length release, as well as a split LP release with Control. Then there should be a split 12" as "Self" (my side project) with Omei (Sickness side project). I also plan on finishing the second "Self" full length sometime this year as well.

How would you judge the development of the Industrial scene in the USA? In comparison with Europe, are there any differences?

Well, the most obvious difference to me would be that the European scene is definitely much more political, whereas the American scene is much more "art" driven, or more on the violent side. As for development in America, I don't know. It does seem to have grown very much on the "art" side. But as for the violent stuff, it seems like it has gotten smaller.

How do you judge the position of Power Electronics and the Noise scene in general? Do you think there's a change, and if so, why?

Well, both the noise and power electronic scenes kept the small "scene" mystique about it, although the P.E. scene of course remained a lot smaller over the years. I just don't feel that "noise" in general will ever get as big as it is now. That's about it with bands like Wolf Eyes, Prurient, etc. As for Power Electronics, I could never imagine it getting any bigger than the small scene that it it now, which I prefer!

Is there any artist you would like to collaborate with some day?

Over the years I have had the best luck performing and collaborating with all my favorite bands/friends, but there is ONE glaring omission, PROPERGOL! Jerome is a good friend of mine and I hate that we haven't had an opportunity to perform live yet. But we do have plans for a collaborative release, so that will have to do for now. I really have been lucky with everyone else.

Which other artist have influenced you? Are there any works you'd describe as "absolute must haves"?

I guess the artists that influenced me in one form or another would have to be the following: SPK, Sutcliffe Jugend, Intrinsic Action/Bloodyminded, Iugula Thor, Ramleh, Soldnergeist, Brighter Death Now in the "noise" scene so to speak. However, I have been equally influenced by bands such as Virgin Prunes, Princess Tinymeat, Crass, Minor Threat, Rudimentary Peni, Swans, Joy Divisionthe list goes on and on.

What do you think of EGO shooters? Do you play yourself?

I like them a bit, but never really got into them. I'm older (38 years old), so I always gravitated towards older arcade style video games and such.
But I did play on a Paintball team for a few years. We were actually called the "Porn Lords", which we took from Bloodyminded/Intrinsic Action. That was a lot of fun.

On your web site there's information about a graffiti book in which you deal with graffiti art from the 70s. What brought you to this subject? Could you tell us more about the essence of that book?

Besides Baseball, my other big passion is original, old (pre-1977) New York City graffiti. I myself wrote for years in the early '80's and the interest only got more intense as the years went by. I am friends with a lot of the original masters from the late 60's, early 70's, and these guys are great. They started a completely new art form out of the streets on NY and it still has not been appreciated enough, although the corporate world likes to exploit it for their own personal gains. Yet it is still viewed upon as just an eyesore created by a bunch of street thugs.
The book is about all the very eary guys that have long been forgotten, many of them who got caught up in the drug crisis in NY in the late 70's and died years ago. I just really feel that there should be some sort of documentation of this before the history gets even more blurred.

On the web site www.sickathome.com you present some of your works. Could you tell us more about that?

Just some stuff I do to calm me down from time to time. A few friends suggested I make a web site for all of it so I did. Just some drawings I do while watching television, after work. One of my many obsessions in life: "The American Dream" of a house, backyard, white picket fence. A nice example of a simpler, less complicated time that is long gone.

Now some closing words to our readers! Thanks a lot. J

Nothing much else to say. Hope to travel more, perform in places I've never been to, meet new folks, and get drunk more!
Fuck the world! Bensonhurst, Brooklyn style. Thanks, take care. johnb

Slogun is a power electronics act that delves into true crime and specifically serial killers. Do you feel that you are idolizing these people?

I guess to anyone that doesn't know me, sure, it seems that way. But my angle with all of this is to throw America's (and slowly the rest of the world's) obsession with crime and violence back at them. I love the hypocrisy. Don't get me wrong, I come from a violent background and I have no problem with it. But it seems more and more people get their rocks off on the stuff and then if something happens to them, or they feel threatened in any way, they go "crying home to momma". Pathetic and weak if you ask me. It's not just the serial killer that we turn into celebrity. Look at the Mafia (Soprano's, Gooodfellas, Godfather) They are like God's the way we portray them. Ridiculous. Take it from someone who grew up with all these mobsters in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn: "It ain't pretty".

When you read about particular killers do you look for anything in particular? Does their crime (be it involving children, men or women) dictate whether they will be included in your music?

Not at all. I just find certain individual cases more interesting than others, like still unsolved cases (BTK or Clevelands Butcher in the 30's), or guys that never regret what they did right up to their execution (Panzram, Wesley Dodd)...certain things pop up that catch my eye, but it can be anything at any time...I don't look for anything in particular though...

It is unsolved cases that fascinate me most. People often ask me (as if I'm some fucking expert) 'who is the greatest serial killer ever?' Greatest can mean many things; it is an enigmatic word that is far too relative. However, my response is usually a gruff: 'the one who has never been caught'. Bundy, Toole et al failed by being captured. Comment?

Sure, I agree. What I like to imagine, almost a kind of "ultimate serial killer", are the ones who killed a string of people somewhere in time and the authorities never even made a connection. Even though there would be no "fame" in a case like this (even the cleveland butcher and such gain fame even though they are never caught), can you imagine how many serial killers there have been who killed a string of people and there were never any connections made? That's just an incredible thought.

Do you respect serial killers?

Hell no, that's ridiculous...I think they're fucking pathetic weak shits who can't "deal" so they do what they do...It does amaze me though, again, how they are written up or reported on like they're so "crazy" or "monsters". PLEASE! these are guys we'd all kick the shit out of for fun when they were in the schoolyard when we were kids. I have no respect for them, I have no sympathy for them, like I have no sympathy for a $5 crack whore or scum-junkie...why should I care? They're pathetic victims like the people they are killing.

My favorite part of serial killing is not the actual event, but the aftershock; family and friends crying about their loss. How about you?

That's funny, because my interests really focus on people like you that say shit like that, and what you would do if someone came along and raped and murdered your mom, or sister, etc...how would you react? Interesting...don't get me wrong, I love it when a "parent" is crying over the slaughter of their "princess", who just happened to be selling her pock-marked ass on the street for her next fix at the age of 17...hilarious! where were these parents when their little girl was doing all this? Responsibility people!
Now, even though I read up on all this shit and have this interest in the phenomena of serial killing, I don't sit around and get psyched at seeing some person's pain when they lose a loved one to the hands of a killer...
My favorite part would have to be society's reaction when a serial killer is caught. The fact that they are still surprised and say dumb shit like, "We would have never guessed", or "he was the nicest guy", give me a fucking break already!!! I'm sure every "monster" recorded has SOMEONE that can say "he was a nice guy"...stupid...

I find that type of logic somewhat flawed. The chances are miniscule You could replace that with the following analogy: Let's say I loved hockey (which I don't). Now my mom could be hit by a puck and die (it has happened - just not to my mom) or gangraped and killed by the Toronto Maple Leafs (she's still crying in the shower over that one) and I am certain that I would still love hockey (which I don't). Comment?

Yeah, I see what you're saying, but in my experience people who thought one way always seem to react the opposite way when something hits close to home. You may be totally comfortable with it, as I am actually, but most out there talk a good game, then cry like a baby when suddenly it's them on the other side. An analogy can be made with the recent tsunami near india. Sure, it was a terrible thing (blah blah blah), but when all this incredible "donate money, help the victims", etc started, the local TV crews were hitting neighborhoods that had large Indian or Sri Lankan populations, and everyone was like, "Help the relief efforts! Please!". Now, I couldn't help but wonder how many of these people donated money to any other relief efforts, or even helped on 9/11...you know what I mean? Everyone is out for themselves and then they cry when it blows up in their face. But I ask you. Are you comfortable with the fact that if something terrible happened to one of your loved ones, and some dude comes up to you and has genuine glee at your pain, would you be like, "fair enough"? Or would you rip his head off?

Many more people die from fighting (or simply getting beaten on) each year than from serial killers.How do you condone one kind of violence as fun, but another as weak and pathetic?

Hold on a second. I don't condone any violence, or consider it "fun". But I'm not going to lie, I sure fucked up a lot in my past, getting into fights and all that. I don't look back at it all and think, "cool." It's just one of those things we did growing up: bully and be bullied. These days, on the other hand, I'm not going to just go up to someone and "pop" them for nothing, but shit, if someone fucks with me or someone I care about, I don't know about you, but I NEED to do something! I can't live with myself if I just let it slide. Fuck that! I just meant that the image that is usually created regarding these serial killers is amazing considering that if you really just take a step back and look at them, you'd realize that they're these weak, usually timid shits who were trying to get back at the world the only way they knew how. There are exceptions of course. Guys like Panzram, Kraft, Berdella and even Dahmer to some extent.

In my opinion humans are born true to our nature and as we age we are innundated wiith rules and laws and morals. Do you believe that people who kill randomly and for no other motive than the pleasure of taking a life are more human than most people who live within the laws of man?

That's silly! to be "human" is to be a law abiding citizen with social interaction and an appreciation for others! The way you describe it, that's just another animal, and I feel that IS INDEED the way we are born, but we learn to be civilized...Not that there's anything wrong with getting in touch with our "wilder" side, but remember this, make sure you can cover that check! I'm not the toughest guy in the world, and I always know there's someone stronger and crazier than me: that makes me HUMAN! if you're cool with being the way you describe, expect to get "knocked off" by the first guy who has the ballls to do what has to be done when you indulge in that "primal" side...there are always consequences! civility is necessary on some level or else every weakling and "pussy" out there is fair game...

I disagree. First off I will agree that civility is necessary, but it is not our instinct that drives us to compassion. It is nurturing. At birth all you know is pain, but you are taught manners, mores, norms, laws etc. Many studies show that man is not only savage, but egocentric (the Stanford Prison Experiment where men were chosen to 'play' either guards or prisoners. The 14 day study had to be halted at the 6th day because the guards abused the pathology of power, or the southern University study where 100 sophomores were asked if they could get away with raping any woman they wanted - with no chance of being caught, would they? 100% said - fuck ya!) Man gravitates towards violence and is not stymied by right and wrong, but fear of reprisal. Comment?

I agree, but to be more "human" would mean to kill for survival, not just for hell of it, or sexual gratification. Wouldn't you agree? I wouldn't necessarily agree with the last statement you made about "right and wrong" and "reprisal"...There are many people who are indeed stymied by right and wrong (me included)...And by the way, any study with college sophomores doesn't fly by me in THIS culture! MTV is GOD and the whole "bitches and ho's" scene rules. That's more a reflection on the times we live in. I'll bet you that the result would have been different 30, 50 100 years ago.

In Culture Asylum magazine you are quoted as saying: "Power Electronics is definitely a developed scene. It's gotten as big as it's ever going to get. It can't get any bigger." With Whitehouse sounding almost melodious with their "Birdseed" album, do you still believe that Power Electronics cannot find a wider audience?

Absolutely not! This pathetic "music culture" we live in now heavily relies upon MTV to force feed them what is "supposed" to be "good"...and the nice folks at MTV or VH1 would never, ever accept the lyrics and subject matter that PE focuses on. Political Correctness still reigns, and it expands beyond Racial issues...Imagine me doing "You were asking for it" somewhere where the masses can see it...never happen....

Perhaps not in the truest essence of power electronics, but Wolf Eyes recently signed with Sub Pop Records. Comment?

It's funny, in my original interview (which I lost, so I re-did it here), I mention Wolf Eyes and their success. But, although I consider them friends and enjoy what they do, it is not anything close to Power Electronics. There is NEVER any fear or tension during one of their shows, and the material covered is not what I consider PE. Guys like Bloodyminded, Taint, Deathpile, Suttcliffe Jugend, etc, that's PE!

And on the topic of whitehouse: I have noticed a disgust towards vagrants and especially prostitutes in your work. It makes me think of Sotos' Pure #1. Do you feel a kinship with his older style of writing?

Not really. I don't identify that much because that was HIS outlook on what was surrounding him. I can't ever say that we have "similar" views. We're different people with different ideas. I CAN say that I have no pity for whores or any other person who uses excuses for where they are in life. We are what we are, and we have no one else to blame in the end. Sure we all get shafted by many in the course of our lives. Some much more than others. But the fact remains that it is up to us to get out of whatever situation we are in. we have become a "victim" society in the last 30 years or so (thanks to the bullshit, hippy-loving, left wing ideas born out of the lame-ass 60's), no one seems to take responsibility for their actions anymore. I was brought up in a hard-core sicilian household where YOU took responsibility for your actions. Fuck that weak, "it's not my fault" way of thought!

Circle of Shit is a reference to Sade's 120 Days of Sodom. Do you read much literature and/or fiction as opposed to true crime?

Not really. I really enjoy reading history books or social/cultural history books. I'm not a great fan of fiction, although I'll get interested from time to time.

If I kill enough people - will you write a song about me? You could tell everyone how I was such a nice guy!

Well, if you killed enough people I'd like to think you'd never be caught, and I'd never even know what you were up to. You know, the "ultimate serial killer"!

I am dying (pun fully intended) to get my hands on your box set: History of Violence. How is that project progressing?

Actually, I have some really big news for the new year. I have already begun working on a series of re-releases of each of the cd's that was supposed to be in the box set. I have decided that because of various problems, I will release these cd's under my own label over the course of a year, but NOT in box set form. One re-release every two months. I still have not finalized all the exact plans, but rest assured, I have decided that to mark my 10 year anniversary of Slogun, I will begin re-releasing these in '05 into '06 (the anniversary year)...Just keep an eye out on my web site for that!

Anything else upcoming?

Besides the re-releases, there will also be a re-release of my "Written in Blood" cd (with the "I Travel" cd as a bonus add-on) by the french label Force Majeure, and I have a project with Jerome from Propergol in the works as well. There are some other things here and there, but the best way to keep up is the "Upcoming" section on my web site.

First can i have name, age, role/position in scene, brief history/genesis narrative:

My name is John Balistreri and I started Slogun about 10 years ago (when I was 26) here in New York City, or more specifically, the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn which is where I was born and raised. The Slogun project is really just me. However, when I perform live I have my core live members in Sasha and Shane (from Noizguild) and Chris (from Sickness), along with any other friends who want to be a part of that particular show.
I wouldn't consider myself really part of the new york "noise scene", as I find that scene a lot tamer and accessible than what I do, and it's evident by the fact that I'm not really invited to participate in any of these "noise" get togethers like the "No-Fun Fest". Even though Whitehouse is playing, it seems that everyone stays away from the real violent, aggressive end of the spectrum. I'm sure there will be many who disagree, but it's expected.

Why do you think there's been a spotlight placed on certain noisier aspects of the NYC music scene? I've gone to "noise" shows for more than a decade and am used to audiences of 5-10 people (even at post-MTV-mention Harry Pussy gigs!), so the fairly huge response to something like last year's No Fun blew me away. I mean, why noise now? (And speaking of No Fun, any bands not playing this year you'd like to see up there next year? More power electronics?)

Well, I'm not surprised at the growing interest in noise, or the noise scene that is accepted right now. I don't want to sound like a punk-ass, but it's all harmless, "safe", yet everyone can feel like they're part of some "cool underground" scene that "NO ONE REALLY KNOWS ABOUT"...PLEASE! People are always looking for something that they can call their own. The progression of underground music is naturally leading to this. It's just pathetic because people are only willing to go so far. Then they stop dead in their tracks when they're peering over the the real UNDERGROUND end of the "scene", or whatever you want to call it. Thank God for that though, as it allows those of us who are really interested to have some space at the shows WE want to go to (like the early Swans shows, or Missing Foundation, or Power Electronics shows today). As for the No Fun Fest. Well, it would be nice to get some of the more violent, aggressive bands like Control, Grunt, or Taint in. Or maybe some of the local acts like Navicon Torture Technologies or Viodre, or Sickness even, which I could not believe were not asked to play. Interesting.

Do you think a scene exists? If so/or if no, who are your kindred spirits/bands?

A scene here in New York? Well, again, there sure is SOME "noise" scene going on as far as the "artier" noise stuff (knitting factory shows, Thurston Moore and his entourage, etc). But for me, there is no scene here whatsoever! Hell, we have better reception at any of the shows we do around the world than here! Reaction to the real violent aggressive material is always poorly accepted here. Very interesting considering NY has always had this "Hard Core" image. It "ain't" in the noise scene, that's for sure! As for me and "kindred spirits", well, the list would be bands like: Control, Bloodyminded, Deathpile, Sickness, Taint, Propergol, Grunt, Skm-Etr, NTT, Con-Dom, Grey Wolves. Just to name a few.

Can you trace any sort of lineage? There's that recent Kill Your Idols documentary by Scott Crary, which ties DNA and other No Wave acts to Black Dice and less raucous groups like Liars, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc while also taking some critical these-new-cats-are-media-whores jabs. Living in NYC, do you ever think back to the early Swans and company downtown history?

Absolutely! And thank you for mentioning them! I think in New York it all goes back to the unbelievable work bands like the Swans, Missing Foundation, Of Cabbages and Kings, and early Cop Shoot Cop. I also think there was always this connection to violent stuff like the Hardcore scene (Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags), and the earlier bands like Suicide (pure genius!). It's hard to try and construct a thread to today's "noise scene" in New York. It was put together by so many influences that were amazing in their time and place.

How do you define noise? (Here, I'm looking for vague and crazed or super specific subjective riffing....or whatever)

Well, let's be honest, "Noise" is exactly what it is- "noisy" sounds put together and presented as "music". You know what I mean. But naturally, people have always had the need to break anything down to create smaller groups and exclude others, so there's Japanoise, Art-Noise, Power Electronics, etc. I don't care for any of that actually. It's useless and pathetic. But before anyone criticizes me for using the "power electronics" tag all the time, I just LOVE the fact that so many little "noise-boys" hate it so much and cannot deal with being confronted and yelled at. And the "Power Electronics" term has so many hated connotations. The reactions I get are priceless.
Hell, what is Noise? It could be some experimental Pink Floyd, it could be any of the japanese stuff, it could be early Current 93 or even Psychic TV et al. Now bands like Wolf Eyes are considered noise. "Noise" is material that does not follow the traditional structure of "music", which can still be such a general definition it's not worth getting into. Forget specifics, forget scenes and sub-genres. It's "noise" for god's sake! But for me noise HAS TO be violent. It has to make people feel uncomfortable. There has to be confrontation and NO IMAGINARY FOURTH WALL WHATSOEVER!!! If it's not traditional music it shouldn't be performed that way either!

What prompted you to get into the field of Power Electronics?

I got into it when i was working with Mark Solotroff from Bloodyminded/ Intrinsic Action about 10 years ago. At the time i was pretty much losing my mind trying to figure out how i wanted to get all this "shit" inside me out (art, music, writing), and it all pretty much came together when i started mapping out the "Slogun" idea. Power Electronics was perfect for what i wanted to do, which was mix in my interests (True Crime, Graphic Design, Noise) and my background (gangs, graffiti, Brooklyn, etc).

Since the name SLOGUN is taken from an SPK Song how does that define your music?

Simply put, in one sentence, "Therapy through Violence." just perfect. It's sad that nowadays we are trying harder and harder to convince everyone that the "physical" side of man is terrible. It seems that everyone has forgotten that "Man" is both equal parts physical and mental. Actually quite pathetic and weak. Leave it to the weak to try and put forward this idea of social advancement through the elimination of "bullying". Just like the weak, no?

What was the incident that inspired you to take the topic of true crime as opposed to other issues?

Well, as far as my interest in serial killers, it was when the final "Son of Sam" attack happened in my neighborhood when i was eight years old. The victim who survived the attack (the girl died) still lives around the block from my folks. I saw the media in front of the house, his parents crying. It was incredible. Then having my mom telling me what happened. Damn. It was the best type of horror story for an eight year old who loved horror stories. From then on i was following any type of serial killer story, and what a time it was: Bundy, Suttcliffe, Ramirez, Hillside Stranglers, Gacy, Rolling, Green River, etc.

How did you get involved in working with BLOODY MINDED and how does that differ from your work with SLOGUN?

Like i said before, i worked with Mark in Intrinsic Action right before he ended that project in 1994/95. Then he switched gears and started Bloodyminded/ Bloodlust! Recrodings, and that was when i began Slogun. Mark is one of my best friends, has been for a long time. We worked at the same record store in NYC. I can't really say what the differences are between Slogun and Bloodyminded because i don't want to speak on Mark's behalf as far as what his projects mean to him. For me, the one big difference between Mark and I is our backgrounds. I am very very influenced by all the "Hood" gang stuff i did growing up. Lot's of stupid things that filter their way into all my writing, no matter what the topic of that particular track. That's why I'm always mentioning "Bensonhurst, Brooklyn" and all that mob-mentality stuff. We were all just these angry sicilian thugs who bullied and got bullied. A constant "back and forth" of "tougher-than-you" bullshit.

What other projects are you working on other than your music and art?

Well, besides the Slogun stuff there's the "Self" project, which had it's first LP released recently by Self Abuse. It's dark ambient material based on some other interests of mine. I also have my collaborative project with Henrik from Folkstorm/ MZ412 called "Incinerator Intl". Our CD "Head On" will be released in March on Old Europa Cafe in Italy. Then there's a big surprise release (which i am mentioning for the very first time here) called "circle of shit", which is "cut-up" work i did back in 1992/3, way before Slogun. Basically splices of a lot of my favorite artists material. It was originally a tape i did for friends, but Mouth Records convinced me to re-release it. Should be out in April.
As for the art and writing. I'm starting to put together a "slogun-book" of lyrics, other writing that didn't end up in song-tracks, etc. Then there's the "Sick at home" art stuff i do. Just recently got back into the flow of things with that. That's about it. Trying to calm down a bit and get the fuck out of dodge, travel more this year without the music tie-in.

Do you see the power electronic movement as a new scene or as a well developed scene?

Power Electronics is definetely a developed scene. It's gotten as big as it's ever going to get. It can't get any bigger. How? What people like Grunt, Taint, Bloodyminded and I do will never be accepted by a bigger audience. Especially the live shows. Way too over the top. Again, the weak and full of shit. They all want to be "down", but when called on it, they all run away and call me names. whimps.

What do you live shows consist of and do they vary show to show?

My live shows basically consist of me and a bunch of friends (sickness, skm-etr, bloodyminded, noizguild, deathpile, NTT; whoever is with me) "throwing up" whatever we're feeling at that time. We each do and say whatever we want, independant of each other. It's all about the "here and now". It has NOTHIONG to do with Slogun per se: lyrics, tracks, etc. I always wanted "live" Slogun to be a different entity than "studio" Slogun. They vary by who is there, type of crowd, place of venue (europe, U.S., Japan). That all contributes to the type of show, violence, interaction that happens from show to show.

What methods do you use to create the SLOGUN sound?

Very simple actually. A few analog keyboards, pedals, samples, and lot's of vocals...Nothing new, just all in the combination.

Dating back to your CD "Pleasures of death" what was the premise behind the song "the collector"?

The book "The Collector". The idea that there are people out there who "take" others for their own property and we don't have a clue. Just how many people do you think are out there being kept captive by others? Amazing thought. Great book, great idea.

Pertaining to US sound vs. Japanese sound, which do you like better and what do you find as the biggest quality flaw of the one you don't like as much?

Well, by US sound and Japanese sound do you mean "noise"? There is no Japanese Power Electronics that I know of. American Power Electronics is definetely my favorite for all the reasons i stated before, the vocals, the background, etc. As for noise, i'm not a fan of it except for a few artists like Sickness, Skin Crime, guys like that. But it's the guys like Grunt, Propergol, Control, Taint, Strict, brighter death now that keep me on my toes. Love them all.

Are their other Power electronic artists that you would wish to work with in the future? Why?

Actually, I've been fucking lucky over the years. I got to perform with everyone i want to perform with except two glaring ommissions: Grunt and Propergol, and I'll be playing with Grunt in March of this year. And Propergol and I are friends and plan on some shows together in the future. So i've done very well. Luck.

What do you feel are the differences in stage performances that have "audience participation", no matter what genre?

Audience participation makes everything so much better for me. To be honest, that's all i care about when it comes to live shows: how much fun my friends and i are going to have. I don't really care what the audience thinks. Audience participation makes it a brawl, a chaotic mess that leaves everyone spent, exhausted, yet exhilirated, whether they liked it or not. The traditional show: i.e. performer and spectator, is so fucking boring. why the fuck would anyone want to just "watch" a power electronics show? how boring is that shit? this genre was MADE for participation.

Are there any major festivals in the work that you are going to participate in, in the States?

Like i said before, in March I'm playing three shows with Grunt, Taint, Bloodyminded, Control, Sickness, Moment, Deathpile, and a few others. Should be fucking awesome.

Do you have any final words?

Not really. Just one thing, for anyone who comes to a power electronics show, if you find yourself insulted or offended by anything at the show, this genre is NOT for you. Having opinions is one thing. But if you can't stay through a performance without being offended, leave.

I saw Slogun live at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on June 13, 2003. During their set I felt something that I hadnt felt at a show in years. Fear. I was afraid of them. Im a very cynical person. Whenever I see a band try to be scary, my first reaction is to laugh at them. But this was different. Slogun werent scary in the Ooooh, look at me sense. I mean I felt physically threatened. Not in some "Ok, ha-ha this is show biz" kind of way where theres lots of posing and menacing looks. No, I really thought that someone in Slogun might take a swing at me. Never mind the fact that I had met John Balistreri the night before and found him and his collaborators to be friendly people. That didnt matter. This was their show. It was them against the crowd. If I was in the crowd, I was the enemy, and I ran the risk of being punched, pushed or even strangled by John or any of the 10 people collaborating with him that night And while I was afraid of the possibility of meeting physical harm, their set was invigorating. They had barreled their way through my cynical exterior and made me FEEL something. At that show, I realized that Slogun is misanthropy in action. This isnt a group of rich kids talking about misanthropy for shock value this is a group of people actively involved in warfare against other people. Slogun is John Balistreri. All recorded music/noise is John and only John. For performances, John collaborates with a variety of other noise musicians. I talked to John over the phone in July 2003. I actually had a lot more questions for him than whats in this article, but I just let him rant for a while and he ended up answering my questions without me having to ask them. Honestly, it was kind of hard to get a question in edgewise. Hes a talkative guy.

IN: Is Slogun a product of your upbringing in Brooklyn?

JB: It is. Id say like 99% of it is. But, I took a topic [true crime], and mixed that in with my attitude and outlook on things. Thats all from the neighborhood. Where Im from is just something you have to experience. Everyone was just this walking time bomb. Always fighting. Basically just a bunch of thugs hanging out bored, nothing to do. Middle class, all from nice families, but were bored, and were just standing there, so what do we do? We fight each other. Fight other people. Bunch of thug, wanna-be mobsters hanging out on the corner figuring out who they are going to shiv next! [laughs]Im Sicilian, and where Im from is very blue collar. [People felt like] theres nothing outside the neighborhood. There would be times when my parents would ask me, "Why do you go into the city so much?" You have your few blocks and whatever, and thats it. Why would you need anything else? Personally, it drove me fucking nuts. [laughs] It made me such an angry young man! I was not one of the many people who got into noise from hearing about Whitehouse. Believe it or not, Mark from Intrinsic Action was playing at this club, and he played and I was like "What the hell is this?". And from there I just started out [about] all this stuff. It was the perfect outlet!

IN: Im a little ignorant about New York neighborhoods. Is Bensonhurst is part of Brooklyn?

JB: Yeah, Bensonhurst is a part of Brooklyn. Its the biggest Italian neighborhood in New York City. By car, its not even 10-15 minutes from downtown Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever was filmed out here. That was shot on location in Bensonhurst where I grew up. I actually grew up on 86th street. The opening scene of [Saturday Night Fever] is [Travolta] strutting down the street. That is the street I grew up on.

IN: Is that the same area where they filmed Summer of Sam?

JB: No, Summer of Sam was filmed in the Bronx and Queens. But, the connection to Bensonhurst and Son of Sam is his last attack. The one where Susan Moscowitz died and the guy, Robert Viollante, lived. That attack was in Bensonhurst. And to this day, Robert Viollante lives right around the block from my parents. I remember the next morning after the attack. I remember Sunday morning, me and my dad were walking up the block to the candy store to get the paper. I was eight years old at the time. I remember the police, his mom- Ill never forget his mom, at the top of the steps just crying. I remember just asking my dad "What happened? What happened?" and we didnt know what happened. And then, minutes later were buying a newspaper, and "Oh my god!" My dad was explaining it all to me. It just blew me away.

IN: Did that start a life-long interest in serial killers?

JB: I would say, in a way it did. At the time, I really didnt understand what that was. But, I was totally interested in that situation. Luckily for me, my mom wasnt the type of person to hide things from her kids. I guess the Son of Sam thing let me know that things like that existed. I actually remember this stuff on the news. I totally remember the Hillside Stranglers, and Bundy, and the Gacy stuff. By the time I was in high school, thats all I wanted to know [about]. The Son of Sam thing, that was the first time I had even imagined that there was something like this thing where this guy goes around killing people! I mean, yeah, people kill people, I knew that from my neighborhood. But [with serial killers] there was this wild thing where look at all the attention hes getting! It was like a game! As a kid, it was so strange to me. OK, this person got shot and killed, but why does everyone care? Why are all these people in front of his house? Why this one?

IN: You think that part of the publics reaction to a serial killer is that it hits close to home? That it couldve been them?

JB: I guess. Every once in a while you do get these killers, like Night Stalker who was just totally random killing quote-unquote innocent people, blah, blah, blah. The bottom line, as much as people do not want to admit it, it is entertainment. Thats the way we look at it. A lot of the shtick behind what I do with Slogun is this whole "Fuck you, man." This false sense of security and civility and whats right and whats wrong and whats proper conduct. Lets face it, we love this shit. We eat this shit up. Im talking about the general public. Barnes and Noble would not have True Crime sections in the middle of America if the stuff didnt sell. Joel Rifkin, who was a serial killer in New York , who killed like eleven prostitutes, and Im talking crack whores, and yes, some people end up in positions like that because of horrible things that happened to them in the past, and Im not overlooking that, but, the bottom line, if I pass a junkie on the street, I dont give a shit. I dont give a shit about that person. Up to a point, we should all be responsible for our own lives. The general public feels the same way whether they want to admit it or not. Lets say you have this husband and wife who are in New York for the weekend who just want a nice night out on the town. How many homeless people and prostitutes and crackheads do they pass during the night? And they dont give a shit. Then the next day when they read about them being killed, theyre like "Oh thats so horrible!" That just kills me! Why is it horrible? Dont even try to say that you give a shit! You dont care! Its OK to say that you dont care that theres this guy going around wiping out crack whores. Its not written anywhere that you have to care about this, and you dont. So, dont lie! As far as this attitude behind the stuff I do, my attitude is just "Fuck you! Stop bullshitting! Youre all full of shit!" Even though I play around with different angles of the idea, it really originated with [serial killers]. Why is it wrong that Im very entertained by this stuff? I like it. Im entertained by it, its not like a sit in my house wishing that there was a new serial killer going around killing people. Im not psychotic! But I'm entertained by it! I dont think that theres anything wrong with admitting it! Serial killers are important from a sociological standpoint. What a great example of the culture we live in. Not to quote someone who I really think is annoying, but Charlie Manson said, "Im just a reflection of you." My god! Such a little stupid statement, but I honestly believe that its such a true statement. I dont know if youve noticed, but in the last ten years there has been an effort by American media they purposely do not cover serial killer stuff in any way. Rarely does that stuff get mentioned anymore. There has been this effort to downplay it over the last ten years. You get little bits and pieces where in the 80s they wouldve done a full blown story on it.

IN: Why do you think the media is doing that?

JB: Look, since the 1950s the P.C. liberal left ball has been rolling. Its just been getting more and more ridiculous. Whats happening now is its been rolling so far that the political correct are becoming right wing without even knowing it. Now, theyre the ones who are telling us what were allowed to think and what were not allowed to think. Or whats acceptable to say. Its just ridiculous, and it carries over into everything. Were such a bunch of wimps now in this country. Our culture is so female-driven. It really is. Man has totally been emasculated. Look at TV. Look at the commercials. The woman is the smart one in the relationship. Shes the one whos making all the decisions. Shes the one who manages the family. And the guys the bumbling idiot. And, dont get me wrong, I mean, whatever. If thats the case in your family, more power to you. There has to be a balance. Im not right-wing. Im not conservative. Im nothing. Im just a guy who is living. Its amazing how liberal weve become. Because of it, things are getting censored. Youre not allowed to touch upon certain things. Now, youre not allowed to express any opinion even if youre not being rude! Like, stating a fact. Like me going up to a girl in a bar, and if shes being rude to me, the fact that if I turned around and said to her "Youre a girl. I could fucking destroy you. Physically speaking I could destroy you." You know, oh my god, Im like a beast. How dare me. Can we not express fact anymore? Can we not express whats real because it might offend someone? Its scary. Where are we going with this? Ugh, god. The way we coddle children. The way children now are really the head of the family. Its just frightening. It is refreshing that at least in some parts of the world, the family unit is still what it was meant to be- its a fucking dictatorship, man! And Im down with that! When I was a kid I was down with that. I knew my father was the head of the family. And I knew what he said, went. And I knew that every time he slapped me around or something, I kid you not, I deserved it every fucking time! Because I was the moron doing something stupid. Nowadays, [people think that] the family unit is a democracy. No, its not! Im sorry, but your child who is under the age of ten has no say in anything. No say. The fact that we now give kids too much say in the family unit is absolutely terrifying. Thats also reflected in TV. Like in the Apple Jacks campaign theyve had the last few years with again where its usually the Dad, its always a man, by the way, in these Apple Jacks commercials thats asking, "Well, why do you eat them?" and the kids have this little snotty remark "We just do". You know, parents just dont understand, theyre so stupid. "You know what? Let me backhand you a few times, then well see who understands! Ill tell you what, why dont you take your Apple Jacks, get the fuck out of my house, and go eat them out on the fucking street. Then well see how much you like Apple Jacks!" With the intent of trying to be a better people, were getting worse. Weve totally lost control. Were so worried about offending other people and saying the wrong thing, and yet we let our kids go to shit. God, I know I must sound like an old fart right now, but Jesus Christ, man. Until parents start being parents, were fucked. Its not going to get any better. Its sad, because this country is going to shit. Were slowly killing ourselves. Enough of this whole dividing people. I think we divide people more and more and more and more. Classic Rodney King, man! Cant we all just get along? If youre black, I dont care if youre black! Youre my friend! I dont give a shit! If youre a Jew, I dont care if youre a Jew! Youre just my friend! And if youre a girl, fine, but I dont give a shit! To appreciate everything, were dividing everything. I hate the fact that at power electronics shows, theres not one black person. At the Chicago show, there was one fucking black guy. It bothers me. Why? Why is it like that? Why does it have to be like that? What the fuck? Im not trying to be a part of some white fucking thing. Im just doing what Im doing. And that big old rambling, by the way, will give you a good idea of why the Slogun shows have been like they have lately! I [have] strayed away from the serial killer thing. Have you ever seen one of my earlier shows?

IN: No.

JB: Id be standing there, and Id be shouting out even though I never did actual lyrics in mind, Id remember certain songs, and what the idea was about it, and just go with it. Once God Blast America happened, thats when it all changed. Venting and going off on people. In this case, when its more in that environment, we are full of shit. Chicago was great because I was saying "Im full of shit. Were all full of shit. Im full of shit. Youre full of shit." Whatever.

IN: Since GBA, what shows have you done besides Chicago?

JB: There was a show in Boston with Chris [Goudreau of Sickness] in January. So three shows like that.

IN: Has anyone gotten the wrong idea about your shows since then, and called the cops or anything?

JB: No, nothing like that. Lets face it. No ones going to stumble into a power electronics show not knowing what it is. Its such a small scene. The only people who are going to be there are the people who know what its about, or girlfriends of guys who know what its about. As far as people getting the wrong idea, the only people I can kind of think of in that situation would be like the venue. No, theres never been a problem like that. But, that I would understand. If someone stumbled in and saw that, I would expect them to be like What the fuck is going on? Holy shit, look, theres a fight breaking out! What kills me are these motherfucking posing sons of bitches, who think they like extreme music, [and] get offended by what I say! You know, my background IS fighting. This is my background. Im not saying that everyone thats into power electronics has to be a thug. Of course not. I left that [life]. Im one of the few guys who got out of my neighborhood. Im saying "Fuck you! Prove it to me! You want to be down with me? You want to be down with what Im saying? Prove it to me! Someone, right here, right now, hit me." And Im standing there and no ones doing anything, and its just as I thought, youre all a bunch of fucking pussies. My point is, Im just saying, you know what guys? Were all full of shit. We know it. So, one, at least admit it. And two, dont walk around like a jerk-off like "Oooh, I got the latest Slogun release" or whatever release and then in the privacy of your own room, masturbating to the idea of "Oooh, yeah, I could be a serial killer." Quite honestly, at a power electronics show, anything goes. If I go to a power electronics show, and the motherfucker takes out a gun and shoots me, yeah, Ill be surprised and a little bit bummed. "Oh shit, look, I got shot." But, its not like the next day [melodramatic voice] "I cant believe he took out a gun and shot me!" ANYTHING SHOULD GO. If we're supposed to be the most extreme music out there, you shouldnt be surprised. Dont come to a show if youre worried about getting hit. Or youre worried about getting offended. Its like going to a GG Allin show and being surprised that youre walking out covered in shit and that he punched you in the face. Then whyd you go? You knew what you were going to. What next? Are we going to have to have everyone sign a disclaimer before they walk in? And if I offend you, Im very sorry, but this is what youre getting into. And the thing that scares me about this power electronics scene is it is getting a little bigger. It cant possibly get BIG, but it is getting bigger. It is becoming trendy within this little scene. Theres already this trendy element to it. Theres this acceptable thing and a non-acceptable thing. Everyone wants to go watch Genocide Organ do their thing, and basically look at the video behind them, and oh, the holocaust and Germany, mother Europe, thats cool. Thats acceptable. But then when me and Chris or Keith [of Taint] or Mark from Bloodyminded start doing what we do, people start getting a little uncomfortable. They dont like it. Why? Because were throwing it in their face! Ive noticed after shows a few people would kind of resent what were doing. And you know what? Thats fantastic. Its beautiful. There was a guy who was pissed off that after the [Chicago] show [that] I was nice. He was angry that I was talking to people, and that I was hugging people. What the fuck, man? What am I supposed to do? Take out a knife and start shivving everyone who comes up near me? This is entertainment. I am venting my shit, but it doesnt mean that I have to be an asshole! I hate to say it, but a lot of the guys into this stuff are guys who could never defend themselves. And, I respect that. There are fighters and not fighters. I understand that, but dont walk out of a power electronics show and be offended by what I said! And be like "Why does he have to say things like that?" Oh, Im sorry, I didnt stick to the script! Im not in front of you screaming and making believe Im a serial killer. How gay is that? To me, thats ridiculous. Im not going to stand there, and [melodramatic voice] "and I grabbed the girl, and I raped her and blah, blah, blah and I punched her in the back of the head. Look at me! Im making believe Im a serial killer! Oooh! Were all crazy right now! Were living in the moment! Were making believe were serial killers!" A whole room of about a hundred of us! How stupid is that? A serial killer doesnt get in front of people and say things like that! His whole life is like the loneliest life in the world! Yet, to make everyone happy Im supposed to be screaming like Im a serial killer. But, Im not allowed to hurt anyone. Theres this gray line forming thats soon going to be black as far as whats acceptable and whats not. And I might be pushing it, or Keith might be pushing it. I guess it all started in November when Keith Taint did Deadly Actions and there was a little incident with this friend of ours [who] was part of the Taint show. Something happened at the show where he slapped this girl in the face. The bottom line [is] youre at a power electronics show! [That] pissed me off because thats Deadly Actions. Thats like one of the biggest if not the biggest noise/power electronics festivals going, and suddenly people there are going to get offended? Because a girl got slapped? Excuse me? I should be able to take out a baseball bat and crack your head open! Oh, were all tough power electronics people, but a girl is still a girl and a guy is still a guy. No, it dont work that way. No. If a girl is tough enough to go to a power electronics show, shes tough enough to deal with whatever happens in there. If a girls tough enough to slap me in the face, shes tough to have me slap her back in the face. Thats the way it is. At least thats the way I feel. Its [usually a] girl whos the only one doing something. The only one with balls in this place. And then of course, the guys start to do stuff. Oh, right, NOW youre going to do something because a girl embarrassed you. Its hysterical.

IN: You know, one thing about the Chicago show, I was impressed by how many women came out to it.

JB: Yeah! Unbelievable! I was absolutely amazed by how many girls were at that show! That was great! This girl who I still e-mail now, she was great! [During the show] she kept making the motion with her hand like Im just flapping my gums. And I love it! Sure, during the show, I sound like Im pissed at her and I want to rip her fucking heart out or whatever, but I love that! TELL me what you think! And it was the girls who were doing that shit! Another girl was grabbing me and telling me "Fuck you! Fuck you" or whatever. Jesus Christ, are these the only people comfortable enough to say whats on their minds? Everyone else is just standing there like the arty/farty : [quiet, reserved voice] "Im here. Im experiencing this. Its an event." I dont care! I dont want to stand up on a stage. I dont want to stand above you. Its not the point of all this shit. It should just be crazy. It should just be like nothing makes sense, you know? Its already changing. Its sad.

IN: Did I read that you used to be a graffiti artist?

JB: Yeah.

IN: What was your tag?

JB: Vega.

IN: How long were you doing that for?

JB: From like 81 to 87. I graduated from high school in 86, and I kind of just stopped. I just did. I dont know why. But, also by then, it was dying out. Im real big on graffiti. I still am obsessed. God, it was so amazing back then. It was really just venturing out of your house in the middle of the night, and just doing what you were doing. It really was just like this wild network of kids throughout all of New York City. It was just so amazing. As a twelve year old kid, I knew these kids from the worst projects in the Bronx to the richest neighborhoods up in Riverdale or whatever. By 84 or 85 it started changing. By like 87, they successfully got rid of some of the graffiti on the trains. That kinda killed it. I still go to these like graffiti conferences, and I still keep in touch with a lot of people. As Im driving or walking around, I look at all the graffiti and stuff. Back then it was just honestly, graffiti had the biggest effect on my life.

IN: Really?

JB: Yeah. Thats the first thing and the only thing that got me out of my neighborhood in the beginning. Thats what made me realize that theres a lot more than Bensonhurst as a kid. At a young age, eleven [or] twelve years old, mingling with other races and shit that was amazing to me! Im from Bensonhurst, man, theres only Ginnies! Im hanging out with these kids, and just seeing New York City for starters, and just doing this stuff, and I was getting known. And youre meeting new people. You cannot know how it felt at two in the morning. One, the fear of God that your parents figured out that youre not home. The fear that my father would absolutely destroy me. Two, getting caught by the cops. Three, youre in the middle of a train yard at two in the morning, god knows where. A neighborhood that youve never been in in your life. A neighborhood that you didnt even know existed. Youre there with a few people you havent known that long, or maybe even just met that night. Bombing a train, and youre trying to do something that you drew out at home. Youre there for like 3 or 4 hours, and all of a sudden its done and youre like "holy shit". Then later you actually see that train the next day or a couple days later and youre trying to take pictures. Its like the best thing, man. To get really a great idea of that whole graffiti thing, in the time I was doing it, I dont know if youve ever seen that documentary Style Wars?

IN: No.

JB: Its out on DVD now. It was done in 84. Actually one of my trains is in there too. Its a great documentary. Its that whole breakdancing, hip hop and graffiti thing, but back then when it was just starting out. You get a great idea of how it was, because now its just totally different. You get writers that set up these international things, and permission walls. Theyre doing walls that youre allowed to do, and thats all cool, but graffiti was an outlaw thing! You were doing something illegal! And now its totally changed.

IN: Have you been able to get any of your old graffiti friends out to a Slogun show?

JB: In Boston, my friend Shawn, that was the first time he had ever seen a performance. This other guy Chris I know came. They were just blown away. They loved it. Thats what kind of sucks about power electronics. With all the things I said that were problematic with our culture now, man, if so many of these fucking thug guys from all over the country knew that power electronics existed it would get a lot bigger. If you wouldve seen these guys they were just so juiced up after the show. They totally fed off it. If a lot of these guys had a chance to see it, theyd be into it. The emotion out of it and the energy out of it. Because it IS totally where theyre coming from! Because its where I came from! Thats actually what I was trying to do with the Chicago show. Like months before, I already knew that I wanted the Slogun set to be like a gang thing. I wanted us to look like a gang in front of everybody. The week before we were in Philly, I was going over everything. I just wanted to stress to everyone, "I know [some of] you guys dont do vocals, but theres not supposed to be a supposed-ta. Do whatever the fuck you want to do at that moment. If you want to leave the show, leave. If just want to throw something. If you want to just sit there and jerk off. Do whatever you want to do, because its all about whatever each individual wants to do, fuck the fact that were doing a show. Fuck the fact that were performing. It has to be this attitude where we do not give a fuck about you guys. Were just doing our thing and thats all." Damn, man. As far as the Slogun set goes, I thought that was one of the greatest things Ive ever done in my life. It just worked out exactly the way I was thinking about it months before.

IN: It was a great show. One for the ages!

JB: I just wished there was more audience participation, but what are you going to do?

IN: Will your 6 cd History of Violence be out by press time, January 2004?

JB: Definitely. Its a 6 cd boxset. Its the first seven cassettes I did. They were limited, obviously. Limited is such a stupid word! Not many made. Theres going to be a seventh cd that you mail in for thats going to be like the first four seven inches and then the first couple of compilation tracks that I did. Next month the only non-power electronics thing Ive ever done is coming out. Its kind of ambient stuff being released under the name Self and the title of the album is The Mind and the Matter. That, and Im waiting for Cold Meat Industry to release that Incinerator International cd I did in collaboration with Heinrich of Folkstorm and MZ 412.

IN: Is there a story behind God Never Gives Me What I Want?

JB: [laughs] The interesting story behind that is that at my last job, I used to work for this big electronics place that sells computers. I used to work in the Mac department. There was a bunch of guys who we all really got along with. All we would do all day is just look at the women coming in and out. We had our own language. We had hand signs to let everybody know what was going on. Someone would yell out "Yo, do we have stock on SY?" and SY meant "schoolyard". Which meant there was a gorgeous 16 or 17 year old girl in the department. So, thats how wed let everybody know. Or wed be like "Oh, man, I think I ran out of MDC". Which means mother-daughter-combo. It meant that there was a mom and a daughter who were hot beyond belief! It just became such an obsession with us. But at the same time youre watching all these girls and you get frustrated! So, one day my friend Tommy comes in out of nowhere enraged. Rage, like the guy was ready to punch something! We had these terminals where we would put in our sales. I was just standing by mine, and saying it to no one in particular, pissed beyond belief, [my friend says] "FUCKING GOD NEVER GIVES ME WHAT I WANT!" I turned around, and went "What the fuck did you just say?" He turns around, and hes like "Oh. I fucking hate this man. God never gives me what I want." What are you talking about? "That fucking girl over there", I looked and it was some gorgeous fucking woman. And I was like "Oh my god, that was brilliant! God never gives me what I want!" And I just started writing it right there! Im like "Dude, thats a power electronics track! Im writing it right now!"

Well John, start with the recent release of "Murder U.S.A". The package composed by four postcards that point out the four cardinal points and the title, hides some conceptual aspect? Do you consider the United States as United Homicides?

***Well, throughout the eighties the united states was indeed the capital of the serial killer, and the American mass media did indeed approach it all with open arms. It was actually this infatuation with the serial killer that created this image of the united states as a country "in love" with their celebrity serial killer. As it turns out, over the last ten years or so, the politically correct way of thought here has turned 180 degrees, where we ignore what's going on, and make believe that 'all is good" here, and none of that happens anymore. We all know it does, and I love the fact that people love to lie to themselves and think all is well. I cannot honestly say that the united states Is the capitol of mass murder any longer, but I can tell you that there are a lot of these guys doing their business, and the media has taken this idea of " don't acknowledge, don't tell" attitude, and for what? Because we all want to think that we're safe? That everything is good here? Bullshit! It's just as bad, if not worse, than before!

By the way of United States. How does the project of "United States 2" with Propergol? And what is your role in this project?

***Well, propergol is honestly one of my favorite projects! Period!! I had the pleasure to meet him in germany when I performed there in september 2001, and he is brilliant, nothing more to say! With his genius in producing great soundscapes, and my vocals, which seems to be a perfect match for Jerome, we plan on something great on cd. I trust Jerome with all my being, and I know that he will release something that I'll be proud to be a part of!

How do you see the scene power-electronics European in comparison to that American? Do you believe that the extreme sonorous violence of projects as Slogun, Sickness and Deathpile fully reflect the social reality of USA, in comparison to projects less "hard" of Europe?

***well, it's quite involved when you compare the two types of "power electronics". In america, we are much more "street". That is to say, we concentrate on the violence around us everyday. Whereas in Europe, it seems that they are more interested in the "political angle of it all. As I'm sure you know, Americans seem to care very little about the political side of things because we feel that it does not affect us personally. We are not convinced that the government has our best interest at heart. As a matter of fact, we know that they do not!! I personally think that the bands like sickness, deathpile, and bloodyminded reflect all that is prevalent here in the united states. I do not give a shit about politics, I do not believe in politics. I care only of my friends, my family, and that's itfuck everybody else. Life's too short to worry about such utopian things!!

What is the aim of Slogun? Is a way to discharge your violence or do you consider him as a rifle (slo-gun), in short a weapon to beat to whom the urban violence in New York listens to yourself?

***Well, I honestly cannot say what the aim is of slogun. I just have all these issues here inside me, and I get them out, especially in live performances!! I really do not care about many people. Life is way to short for me to lose sleep over people I do not know. You know? I guess if there is an aim to it all, it is to be brutally honest with yourself, no matter what. Fuck it. If you cannot do that, then you might as well just kill yourself. Honesty is everything, no matter what!

Are well-known that the phenomenon of the serial killers is a fundamental element for Slogun. But does thing interest yourself more? The naked and raw homicide or the twisted personality of the murderer?

*** what interests me more than anything else is the "reflection" on our culture. All crime that exists is closely tied to the culture it thrives in. whether it's post world war one germany, the "fee" '60's of America, or the cold, unfeeling 80's of the world, crime, especially serial killings (or stranger murders) rise and fall with the influences of the times. I love it when the masses feel as if the human animal is getting more civilized, which is the furthest thing from the truth.

Remaining in circle "serial murders", what is the role of your web site Circe of Shit? What is there beyond an accurate literary search?

***it's just a site (which I have neglected for some time now!!) for anyone who needs some info, bio's or a bibliography for true crime. The main reason I put it together was because I had a lot of people asking me questions regarding rare serial killer books. So I figured I'd put a basic site together with some sort of list. I fanatically collect serial killer books, and appreciate those who do the same. From there I decided to do some profiles on some of the more obscure killers, then some of the ones I find most interestingit was just a nice companion site for the slogun site.

Recently you have added another web site. This time the matter they are your drawings you can speak to me of this your passion for the art of the drawings?

***well, I have always been interested in the all-american idea of a "house with the picket fence and backyard", you know, the great American dream. And early on I realised this was something I would never have since I never lived my life like the "normal" people. But deep down I would love to have a nice simple home with backyard, etc. kind of a twisted situation for me that I deal with constantly. I was an architecture student in college originally, as I was always interested in designing and drawing homes, so it all recently came together when I began drawing as a form of self therapy, to calm me down. Lately there have been many fucked up things in my life that have really tested me. So I decided to just draw houses, homes, etc, like a child would, with an added touch of the graffiti writing I did years ago here in new york city. I am obsessed at the moment with drawing these pieces. I really don't know where it will go, but I am just drawing to distract me from everything else going on in my head.

Corll, Kurten, Sodeman, Sutcliffe, Dahmer.. who the most interesting figure of the serials circle?

***for me, guys like Green River, Dean Corll, Carl Panzram, and all the really obscure figures like Sodeman and Glattman who for one reason or another never garnered much attention, even though they were just as vicious and ruthless as all the others. For some reason I was always really into Dean Corll. Just an incredible case. And Fred and Rose West. Heather was a cutie.

Slogun has been more times criticized by a binge of listeners power-electronics as deprived of any musical base, pure free violence. I belonged to this school of thought, but then I have understood that your sonorous proposal is a malignant germ that slowly strongly consumes yourself to hits of carcinogenic sound. Do you want to leave a comment to whom reputes your jobs without neither head nor tail?

** ah, I don't give a shit about what people think about my work if anyone has seen any of my shows recently, they can tell you I REALLY DO NOT CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK. As a matter of fact, I am tired of people who listen to power electronics, yet if I hit them during a show, or insult their girlfriends who were stupid enough to come, they get upset with me, or ask others why I feel it necessary to insult them. Fuck off. For me, this is purely a physical, confrontational medium. That is what I enjoy, that is what I want to do. I hate shows where the audience just stands there, watching in awe like a fucking radiohead show. This is not a scene for worship.
For me, it's all about the vocals, the noise is just there to accompany the "substance", the "meat". Happily, I have friends who feel the same way, such as bloodyminded, deathpile, etc.

In "How It Ends" I have found a voice more taken care of and less shot of violent vocals. Is a prerogative that reserves to the dimension live?

***that record was not live, as everyone thinks. It was recorded here at my place like all the other releases. But yes, I wanted the vocals to be more straightforward and clear, to reflect the show I did in germany earlier that summer. But it is in fact a "studio" recording.

On the stage you are accompanied from four people. Also when you compose you use you of collaborators? Or can Slogun be considered it as an one-man band?

***slogun is indeed a one-man band. I record alone, and write alone. But when I perform live I have my friends help me. They are shane, sasha and viesturs from noizeguild, chris from sickness, and whomever is at my show that I consider friend (Jonathan from deathpile, Mark from Bloodyminded, etc). the more shows I do, the more people I want to perform with meeventually I want to do a show where we outnumber the crowd!

Friday 13 June you will play with Brighter Death Now and Proiekt Hat. Does thing wait yourself from this evening?

***I cannot wait for that show. I was just in Chicago to stay with my friend mark from bloodyminded, and it was great! I want this show to be explosive. I have some plans, we'll see what happens. I figure at least ten people will help me on this one!

Self Abuse, Eibon, Force Majeure, Jinx, Death Factory, Slaughter, Armed and Loaded Because you have always changed label to every releases?

***I love releasing something on different labels. Why stick with one all the time? I was lucky enough to have all these different guys ask me to release something, so why not? I really feel that the power electronics circle is a small one (especially back then), so to have releases on labels run by my friends was inevitable.

Your last name is clearly Italian. Does your family have Italian roots? Do you have some contacts with the Bel Paese? If yes, thing thinks of Italy?

***Oh yes I am Italian. Actually, I am Sicilian! I am first generation American as my parents are from sicily and came here just before I was born. I was in italy last year, in Venice, rome, Florence and sicily. I love it there, especially Lido of Venice, and Erice Sicily, two of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life!!! Besides a few aunts and uncles from my mothers side who are here, ALL my family is in italy.

What is changed in New York after the attack to the Twin Towers? Somehow this tragedy has changed your attitude with Slogun?

** a lot has changed in new york after 9/11, but to be honest, it's all bullshit. I'd rather not talk about it all. As for slogun, it hasn't changed a bit, if anything, it has strengthened because of my infatuation with america's love affair with violence, and now that something like this has happened here, America acts as if they suffered something unique!! The nerve. We can watch tragedy everyday on television, but as soon as it happens here, we are mortified, what about the rest of the world?

An inevitable question on the next homicides? (Next releases and live-act)

***The next big thing is the 6-cd box set on jinx which will comprise my first seven cassette releases. I also have a few other things coming out, like my side projects: Incinerator International with Henrik from MZ412/Folkstorm; America 2 with Propergol, and my own side project: "Self:The Mind and the Matter"

Do you want to add something?

Yeah, life sucks, and hopefully i'll be dead soon, or at least roaming the country in a haze. Thank you and take care

So, how's it going? Anything special to mention out of the ordinary daily routines?

--Well, I guess that the big news is the "History of Violence" 6-cd box set that's coming out soon, my first seven releases all together on six cd's, with a 24 page booklet. Other than that, it's all the same.

What do you do beside Slogun?

--I'm a graphic designer, so I'm always working on stuff like web sites, flyers, etc. But lately I've been going back to drawing a lot. I kind of neglected that for a long time. So I'm trying to draw a little everday, away from my computer.

Where does your interest for seriel killers derive from? Or is it just an easy topic to feature in Power Electronics?

--I know it seems rather convenient to deal with serial killers/true crime in this genre, but in all honesty I was obsessed with serial killers since I was seven or eight years old. I've been fascinated since the Son of Sam was killing around my neighborhood. His last victim still lives on the same street as my parents! I remember the morning after David Berkowitz's last shootings, the girl died and the man lived, (he was the guy from my street) my dad and i were walking to buy the morning paper, and there were all these police around, and I remember the victim's mother crying outside the house. It just amazed me. I was reading everything about what happened. Then shortly afterwards the Hillside Stranglers, John Gacy, then a few years later, Richard Ramirez, and Danny Rolling, there seemed to be a new serial killer every month! Anyway, when i did start thinking about doing something like "Slogun", I knew right from the start that I was going to deal with serial killers, and nothing else.

Of all the featured serial killers, which one do you consider being the most fascinating one? Do you at any state fantasize of killing people yourself?

--I've always been really interested in Dean Corll, Carl Panzram, Green River (Until recent events), Jesse Pomeroy, Harvey Glattman. God, there's so many to choose from. Each one is so different from the rest, you know? So each story is incredible in it's own right.
As for fantasizing about killing people. Shit, everyday, but not for some stupid "serial killing" reason. I just fucking think so many people do not deserve to live. I'm so tired of all these assholes walking around.

There's a lot of violence present in your lyrics, at least on the mental side. How does this aspect affect your personal life? How about your live performances; are they violent?

--Well, I was asked this once before, assuming that the material affects my life. But it's actually the other way around. My life affects my material. Everything I write about is what's already going through my head. Sure, I may throw a "serial killer" spin on it, but it's all stuff I see, feel, or think. The world is an ugly place, and I see it all the time. I guess you can say I'm a pessimist, so it comes through in my material.
As for my performances, it depends on the show. I can do a low key show because I may not be in the right mood. But when I am, I guess they can get confrontational. They should be. All power electronics shows should be teetering on the possibility that someone is going to get hurt, whether it's the performer or the audience. This is not a genre that should have any surprises. I'm tired of people going to these shows, and getting upset when an artist gets a little "too violent" (see the recent "Deadly Actions" and Taint). Fuck it, DO NOT GO TO THESE SHOWS IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET HIT!!! It's that easy...

You have been in the noise scene for some time now, how do you see the progression the scene? What influenced you in the first place to start working on harsh elements? What do you want the listener to get out of your powerful material?

--Well, I think that the Power Electronics genre has pretty much stayed the same since i got into it. It really cannot go anywhere because of the material covered by the artists and the actual "sound". It's not going to be the next "big thing". But for a lot of us, that's exactly what we want. We didn't start doing this because of some want of "fame".
I guess I was influenced to work with the harsh stuff because of Mark Solotroff of Bloodyminded/Intrinsic Action. We worked together at a record store for years, and he just kept telling me to start something of my own, since i was already listening to bands like Sutcliffe Jugend, Brighter Death Now, Con-Dom, etc. Actually, if it wasn't for Mark, I would have NEVER started Slogun.
All I want the listener to get out of my stuff is whatever naturally comes into their head. I do not want someone to feel as if the "have to" see or hear something. It's all up to them. For me, the reason I do this stuff is because I love to deal with things that show people how horrible and nasty we humans really are. We are not these wonderful, loving creatures we like to think we are. We are all full of shit, and we can be very vicious and selfish.

What do you think is the best part of playing live? Is there by any chance a possibility to see Slogun perform in Finland one day?

--The best part of playing live is the release of energy I get. Seriously, it is amazing to scream and yell and hit and grab, telling the audience what you think. I improvise a lot in my live show, and it's just like an open forum for me to spew all my bullshit to those there, watching me. After a show I feel fantastic, totally relieved!
I'd love to play finland someday! I would just like to see the country personally, even if I do not get to play. It can happen in the near future.

Is 'porn lords' some sort of a graffitti designer or just a name for a friend providing you photo material?

--"Porn Lords" is in reference to a group of us here in New York city who hung out together, got drunk together, and hit porno shops together. We even had a paintball team called the Porn Lords. Sadly, as life goes on, you lose touch with people here and there, so we rarely see each other anymore. By the way, we came upon that name one night when i performed with Bloodyminded (Mark Solotroff) in 1996, and we were drinking afterwards, and were just screaming out "Porn Lords, on the move, making their way...", the lyrics to Mark's song of the same name. Great stuff.
As for the graffiti part, that was me doing all of it. I wrote graffiti here in NYC for years around 20 years ago, and still have close ties to that culture. It's actually the most fun I ever had in my life, going out and "bombing".

Whose blood is splashed in the package of 'Written In Blood' and what is the source of the picture under the inserts (tied-up girl with chopped head)?

-- I honestly do not know who's blood that is. It is either Stephane from Nuit et Brouillard, or Jerome from Propergol. That's just my guess though, I'm not 100% sure. The guys I just mentioned got most of the artwork together. They did a great job of packagaging with that release! I was very happy!

Does your ordinary day consist of pure electronic music or does it involve a lot of other music as well? What kind of other music do you listen to in that case?

-Actually, I don't really listen to much harsh electronics. I actually still listen to a lot of old punk stuff like Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Black Flag, etc. That's my background really. But I listen to everything. All types of music. If i do listen to noise, it'll be Grunt, Propergol, Soldnergeist, Strict, Anenzephalia, Brighter Death Now, Control, etc. But I can also listen to N.W.A., Virgin Prunes, Bo Diddley, or Death In June. I listen to it all.

Do you have any favourite artists in the noise scene? Do you know any Finnish ones?

--Well, I mentioned some earlier, but here goes: Grunt, Propergol, Strict, Brighter Death Now, Con-Dom, Control, Anenzephalia, Dagda Mor, Deathpile, Taint, Bloodyminded, Iugula Thor, but there are more. Besides Grunt, all I know is from the compilation CD of Finnish artists, which was really good.

Is there in America a particular noise scene concentrated in a certain area, like the case with Florida death metal in the beginning of the '90's?

--In america there really is no noise scene. It is scattered all over the place, little pockets here and there. Unlike the death metal scene in florida, or the hardcore scene in New York, the noise scene does not have a central focal point here in the states. Actually, the music scene in general sucks here. A couple of good bands like The Liars, or Interpol.

Does anyone assist on any of your works? Would you have other collaborators in Slogun?

--Well, when i record material for a release, it's just me. I do all of the material alone at home. But when i play out live, I am assisted by Sasha and Shane of Noizeguild. They perform with me everywhere. I guess Slogun would always be just me, but I did collaborate with Henrik from Folkstorm/MZ412 on our "Incinerator International" project, and am soon working with one of my favorite acts, Jerome from Propergol on "America 2".

As reading the lyrics of several publications of yours, I've got a picture that you feel comfortable dealing with filth/white trash. I see you positioning yourself among the filth, and on the other hand I see you as an outsider judging the scum like Robert de Niro in 'Taxi Driver'. Do you have interest on sociological matters or are they just good material to feast/chew on?

--Wow, Sociological matters are what drives me. That's the reason I started doing any of this! I have a very BIG MOUTH on sociological topics. Especially American youth culture and our culture of irresponsibility! I was brought up by my strict Italian parents, and they taught me that I wasto be responsible for everything I do. However, in this country, no one wants to take the blame for anything anymore! It makes me sick to my stomach everyday! I wouldn't say I position myself with the trash, but I do feel that I am just like anybody else, nothing special, and I cannot stand it that we try to make EVERYONE "special", like we have to make everyone think they are more than they are! Some people were just made to pick up garbage! You Know? Not everyone was supposed to be "special" in life! I don't like to judge someone for no reason. But I just love to open my mouth when someone opens theirs! I love debating someone's opinions if they let me know what they are. I'm tired of living in this ultra liberal, pansy assed, demasculated culture of mine. We allow too many people to cry their way to whatever they want, we are afraid to point out anyone's shortcomings, and it's pathetic.

What's the slogan of SLOGUN?

--Don't really have one, but "Fuck the World" is a good start, or even "Therapy Through Violence".

Thanks for your time and patience, and for the end; anything you wish to channel to the readers?

--This is for all those people who "listen" to Power Electronics, yet seem to be surprised or shocked by violence during a show. GET OFF OF IT!!! DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS STUFF, OR ATTEND A POWER ELECTRONICS SHOW, IF VIOLENCE OFFENDS YOU!!! In this genre, NOTHING should shock you!!! Recent events at a recent festival makes me feel that people just do not get it. This is a very violent, extreme genre, and I would think that by the time you got to this point, to listen to this stuff, you've heard or seen it all. Nothing should upset you! Now, you may not agree with what the performer says, but to be shocked and offended. Give me a break! And another thing. DO NOT JUDGE A PERFORMER BY HIS PERFORMANCE! Just because the artist is doing something extreme, it doesn't mean he's out there fucking chickens or skinning young boys! Get to know the artist before saying shit about them on those dumb news groups!!!
And with that, all the best to you, and thanks to those who give a shit!

>At the beginning please give us some historical facts about SLOGUN!

Well, I started Slogun back in the beginning of 1996 after working with Intrinsic Action for a spell. That got me to thinking about putting my own project out, concentrating on my favorite topic, serial killers.

>Is there a relation between the project title SLOGUN and the SPK track from the album "Auto Da Fe"?

Absolutely! "Slogun" the SPK song is one of my favorite tracks of all time! One of the greatest industrial tracks recorded in my opinion! The sound, the lyrics, and to think it was done over 20 years ago! Incredible.

>The main topics of SLOGUN are serial murder, violence and crime. Why you are interested in those subject matters?

I've always been interested in true crime, since I was a kid. But I guess I really got into it all as a teenager, like most others. However, instead of it passing as some sort of fad, I really began to study them and I just got immersed in the whole topic. That was over ten years ago and I've been reading and studying ever since.

>You are from Bensonhurst/Brooklyn. How about the whole situation at home?

Well, Bensonhurst sure has it's history, the Mafia, gangs, etc, but growing up, I guess it was like any other kid growing up here in the neighborhood. I had my fights, my problems, and good friends, some of which are now dead or in prison. I guess you can say that it's the same story as anywhere else, but different situations. A bunch of friends ended up going down the wrong path, and sadly I've seen a number of them buried. Young guys too. It's a shame, but I understand why it all happened. I decided to concentrate on some things while others decided to "fuck everything". We were bored, so we fought, we were pissed, so we fought, I couldn't keep doing that after a while, so I left that whole scene and concentrated on art, music, etc. Probably saved my life really.

>In which way do you think about the death penalty in your country?

I LOVE the death penalty! I am for it and I would gladly take the job as executioner! I have no patience for people who harm others for their own personal gain or satisfaction. And yes, this does also apply to serial killers! Although I read about them and collect true crime literature, I would gladly be the one to execute them! Fuck 'em! I feel that they should expand the crimes eligible for the death penalty not only to those who commit first degree murder, but we should consider executing any repeat criminal. If there is someone who is a life-long criminal, kill him. They've done nothing to better themselves, and they harm others, so kill him. They wasted their lives anyway, so who's going to miss them? Their pathetic families who failed with them anyway. Please! They lost the chance to save them years ago, so fuck them all.

>Please explain us the phrase "Therapy Throu Violence"!

Well, it is from the SPK song "Slogun", and it's so perfect! I guess I've had my own sort of therapy through violence growing up, getting into fights with those that deserved it! (I've never attacked anyone for no reason! I have to be provoked) What's better to relieve the everyday problems we're all having than to beat the crap out of some low life who's hurt an innocent person? Needless to say, I'm also for vigilantiism, however, it's sad that most people who'd like to go after criminals themselves lose sight of what they're doing quickly, and they soon become criminals themselves.

>Do you write the lyrics before or after creating the sound?

Usually I'll just get into a writing groove where I write until I run out of ideas. I don't write for the release. Sometimes I'll write over 20 tracks in a sitting, and save some for the next release. The sounds come later when I decide to start recording, regardless of the lyrics.

>In which tradition you put into order the sound of SLOGUN?

I guess if you had to, of course it's power electronics! That I cannot deny, it's what I wanted to produce from the start, and it's where I've been all along. I'd say it's more along the line of a Sutcliffe Jugend than Whitehouse. I'm not really a fan of Whitehouse actually, never was. Sure, I expect the readers right now to be laughing at me for saying so, but it's true, I have never tried to mimic the Whitehouse sound, or even their topics.

>Which equipment do you use for recordings?

I have a bunch of old analog keyboards, like Moogs, Arps, and Rolands. I also heavily rely on my collexction of guitar pedals for effects, like distortion, boost, meatbox, grider, etc. I have a multi-track at home, as well as a DAT recorder and other recording stuff.

>How does your social surrounding area accept your extreme sounds?

Well, my social surrounding are comfortable with it. My girlfriend, whom I live with, knew what I was about before we ever lived together, and when I lived at home with my family, well, they were used to a lot worse with me, so that wasn't a problem. It's funny, but even others who find out what I do, like at work, become interested in it, in one way or another. Luckily, I tend to surround myself with open-minded people, so the reaction is always positive.

>Describe a torture for your most hated enemy!

Well, there are endless possibilities, I guess the best would be to kill their family in front of them as they watch helplessly, then torture and kill them as well, but I don't know what a person would have to do to warrant that, now do I?

>How could I imagine a SLOGUN performance? Are there any plans to present SLOGUN live?

I guess there wouldn't be that much as far as visuals in a Slogun show. I haven't performed live yet, but I have confirmed for my first show to be in France for the Deadly Actions festival put on by the Nuit Et Brouillard people in Lille. That will be on November 3 & 4. Should be fun. I have some ideas, like surrounding the stage in "crime scene" tape, who knows, we'll see.

>You have made various cassettes, vinyls and compact discs. What is your favourite format?

Of course, my favorite is CD, just for the conveinience of it all. As a record collector, it's nice to have LP's and 7"s, but the CD is just so easy to deal with, and you can still get nice with the packaging.

>I read about an acetate LP ("Kill To Forget") on JINX RECORDS. In which occasion you release this expensive item? Do you plan a re-release to make the stuff available for other interested persons?

Actually, it wasn't my idea to do the limited edition LP. That was Jeffrey at Jinx, and it was brilliant! He did a fantastic job! He just wanted to do something special for his first release, and I was more than happy to oblige. I have to admit, I was extremly surprised that it sold out so quickly! But the material was later released in CD form, with extra material, so no one was left out.

>The re-release of "The Pleasures Of Death" was done by CMI-sidelabel DEATH FACTORY. Are they your best "partners in crime" for future?

I like to think so. Roger at CMI is releasing another re-release CD of mine, "Glory of Murder" shortly, and we did have plans a while back to produce at least one more cd, of original material later on. As for being partners in crime, well, as much as we can be living so far apart! Brighter Death Now is perhaps my favorite artist at the moment, and Roger's a really nice guy, so I was happy to work with him.

>Can we expect re-releases of other sold out cassettes?

Oh yes! My big plan is to re-release my first five cassette releases, along with some of the early 7"s as a five cd box set. It will probably be out in 2001, I want to take my time with it, but they have to be re-released since a lot of people keep asking me for copies.

>When you look back on your works, which one do you like best (and why)?

I guess my favorite would have to be "The Pleasures Of Death", only because that was the one that was where I pushed the vocals out into the mix, instead of burying it like I used to. It was the first release that was really powerful.

>Do you see differences between the noise scenes in America and Europe? Do you like Japanese noise projects too?

Oh yes, the European Noise scene is probably the most important scene, with bands like Genocide Organ, Con-Dom, Grey Wolves, etc. However, they tend to be more political, where as the American guys, like Taint, Deathpile, Bloodyminded, and myself are much more violent, more into crime and the dark side if life, which is a perfect reflection of where we live. For me, American true crime is the purest form of the genre, because I know the guys doing it, and we do live our lives accordingly, we surround ourselves with the stuff we talk about, and although Mark, Keith, and Jonathan (from the bands mentioned above) are really nice people who I get along with very much, they'd destroy you in a second if they had to. As for the Japanese stuff, I can't say that I'm a big fan. I do understand the cultural significance of what they're doing, but I just don't "get into it." It's not for me.

>Could you tell us the last books you have read. What are your favourite LPs/CDs in last months?

Well, this is where I guess you all will laugh yourselves to sleep! My tastes are everywhere. As for music, my favorite acts are bands like Dead Can Dance, Dead Kennedy's, Crass, Joy Division, Goa Trance/Techno, SPK, Brighter Death Now, Soldnergeist, Cocteau Twins, there are so many things I listen to, depends on my mood. As for books, besides the true crime material I'm always reading, and Stephen King books for quick entertainment, I recently re-read some Camus, Caleb Carr, and history books. I read as many history books as possible.

>Which concrete plans do you have for future?

Well, who knows!? Really? Probably get old, play golf, and attend as many baseball games as possible before I die. For the near future, I'm working on more Slogun material, I'm doing Web Design/Graphic Design, and I want to begin work on a book that I've been meaning to do on a group of early grafitti writers from the early 1970's that influenced a lot of kids in NYC later on.

>Last words?

Well, to anyone interested, check out my web-site at www.slogun.com, e-mail me with any questions you may have, and fuck everyone! you don't owe anyone anything! Let them come to you! Thanks for reading...

HERE'S A RECENT INTERVIEW I DID WITH THE JAPANESE MAGAZINE DENSHI ZATSUON.

>1.How and why did you start Slogun?

I started Slogun because I wanted to do something where I could combine my interests (art, noise, writing) in one package. I was already very interested in Power Electronics from my work with Intrinsic Action and my good friend Mark Solotroff, that it all seemed perfect to start Slogun.

>2.Your music/noise is really violent. Is that reflection of your daily life/surroundings or just violent fantasy?

I guess you can say that it's a combination of both actually. I grew up in a somewhat violent area, and all the energy that I used to put into fighting just went into creating chaotic noise. This worked well with my intense interest in the True Crime genre, so everything meshed together I guess. I can't say I have a real "violent fantasy-life" actually. I think to have a fantasy life filled with violence is quite sad to tell you the truth. I'm always trying to get away from violence, so I certainly would not be fantasizing about it.

>3.You are living in NY. Do you think it gives you/your music some effects?

Living in New York is not as bad as people make it out to be. It is the safest "big" city in the country! It's true! But seeing certain things over and over can have an influence. It was really my particular area of Brooklyn that formed my thoughts going into Slogun. Not really the NYC aura that people think exists.

>4.I have read your interview few years ago and you said you wont play live, because serial killers wont
>appear in public. But now you do some live perfomances. What makes this change?

I did in fact say that I wouldn't play live, but when Stephane and Sylvie from Nuit et Brouillard offered to fly me out to France to do the Deadly Actions festival with Genocide Organ and Ex Order, I couldn't pass it up! When would I ever get the chance to do this again!? So after thinking about it for a while, I decided to go, and I am so glad I did. Besides, Mark from Bloodyminded told me I'd be a fool not to go, and I agreed! I met a lot of nice people, and had a real good time. After that festival, I decided it wouldn't be too bad to do a show every once in a while! So now expect an occasional Slogun performance now and then.

>5.You seem to enjoy Deadly Actions. Maybe you have some interesting/funny stories?

Well, Lina Doll (Deutsch Nepal) drunk out of his mind, naked in the parking lot was funny, and seeing the all too serious fans was a little funny too! I was trying to make everyone laugh, yet there were some that looked so serious they wouldn't even crack a smile! Some people should really lighten up! I'm a serious person myself, sometimes too serious, but in a situation like that, where we're all meeting each other for the first time, RELAX!!

>6.Serial murder is one of the important subject, ( I think ) of Slogun.Why? And who is the one you are most
>interested in?

Well, I've always been very interested in serial murder. I can't really explain why, but it amazes me when someone destroys their lives by destroying the lives of others! It's incredible to me. The depths to which a serial killer falls, to satisfy a primal need is amazing! Can you imagine how lonely the life of a serial killer must be? And all for the satisfaction of some primal lust!? Amazing. The most interesting of all for me is the Green River Killer from Seattle in the early 1980's. He killed over 40 prostitutes while being intensly hunted himself by the local police, yet he was never caught, and suddenly there was a rash of similar prostitute murders down the coast in San Diego when the Seattle muders stopped...I'd love to think it was him, and that he just stopped one day and lived out the rest of his life. But it probably didn't happen that way. He probably killed himself or was arrested for something else.

>7.Do you have any favorite musicians,writers etc that affects your music,way of thinking and attitude toward life?

Wow! There are so many I respect and that have affected me. Well, I will just list a bunch of people: Dead Kennedys, Crass, Nick Blinko, Brighter Death Now, Intrinsic Action/Bloodyminded, Virgin Prunes, Dead Can Dance, 4AD Label, Joy Division, Velvet Underground, 23 Skidoo, SPK SPK SPK!!, serial killers, 20th Avenue Boys in Brooklyn, Wax Trax, Vaughan Oliver/23 Envelope, Princess Tinymeat, early Current 93, Death In June, Coil, Exploited, Non, Swans, NYC Goth/Industrial clubs (1988-93), NYC subway grafitti, and many more! Hope that helps a little.

>8.Cd "Kill to forget" is a reissue of your LP. What does it like? Ltd 100 or so? No one around me knows
>about this LP.

The LP was a very limited acetate (33 copies), that was incredible as far as packaging goes! Jeffrey at Jinx did an amazing job! It was the same material as the cd, in a bound hardcover case (like Genocide Organs "Remember") with an original piece of my collage artwork. It really came out nice and I wish many more could have gotten one, but it was so expensive to make!

>9.Any future plans?

Well, I have a few more releases coming out, and my web site is still up there for all to see (www.slogun.com). As for the future of Slogun, who knows? I may stop it soon, or I may stop it in a year or so. Too early to tell!

>10.Thank you for answering long questions.Any final words?

Final words...hmmm...well, anyone who wants more info on my shit can go to my site, and you can also link up to my other site "Circle of Shit True Crime Pages" for serial killer profiles...thanks to you for the interview..f.t.w.

>1. Could you explain how SLOGUN got started?

I started out in a band called INTRINSIC ACTION, with a good friend of mine who now does BLOODYMINDED. After a while he convinced me to try something on my own. So, in February of 1996, I began recording my first release, "Sacrifice Unto Me".

>2. What kind of emotions do you expect the listener to have listening to your music? What is the listener