 Interviews - Centrifuge
03-23-2005, 12:19 AM
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by Chris Barnes
March 23, 2004
 There is really no way to explain the Centrifuge sound other than hypnotically dark, cold and nihilistic. I've always thrown the "post-modern doom" tag at them, because their sound is so unique and defies the journalistic pigeonhole. Regardless, I’ve been a big fan of these guys since I started this webzine thing, and it’s gives me great pleasure to support them in anyway possible. The Centrifuge lads take a few moments to talk about the band and the brooding new album, Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless
Hellride Music: It's been awhile since we last checked-in with the world's premiere post-modern doom n' gloom outfit, Centrifuge. Including the new album, Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless, what have you guys been up to?
Matt Servenack Premiere? Damn, you're making me blush. We're still doing pretty much the same thing we've been doing for the last few years. Writing, recording, playing a few gigs here and there, repeat. 2004 was a bit of a crazy year for us on a personal level being that 2 of the 3 members got married and bought houses. That slowed things down a tad but we're back in full stride now.
Hellride Music: Good to hear. The Centrifuge sound is unique - it's dark and foreboding yet, unlike most bands that we'd label 'Doom', you seem, for the most part, to skirt the Sabbath/Vitus/Candlemass template (except, maybe, for the first couple of songs on the new one). I don't know how to describe your approach which is what I think makes Centrifuge music so refreshing. If you can, in your own words, try to describe your music and the influences that you draw from.
Matt: I know we might get banished from the Doom community for this but we really were never into St. Vitus or Candlemass. Sabbath, definitely. Thanks to older brothers we grew up on a healthy dose of Sabbath. The first doom bands that I really got into were bands like My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Cathedral. Stuff that kinda came out of that huge death metal and grind scene in the early 90's. Our influences really come from all over. Todd (Fabian, bass/vocals) is the true metal-head of the group. 100% metal running through his blood 24/7. Rob (Craig, percussion) grew up on old-school metal but also has a hippie side to him. He carries that Bill Ward style that makes the slow parts still sound interesting and his addition of "tribal" beats here and there keeps things different. I'm into the heavy doomy stuff, but more experimental soundwise and also bring the blues into the mix.
Hellride Music: I’d definitely agree with that synopsis… it’s that ability to experiment and make it sound good that is the true signature of Centrifuge. Speaking of which, I've said before that the first couple of songs on Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless, threw me off - they have a decidedly old school trad doom flavor to them which wasn't necessarily bad, but I much prefer the tried n' true sound of the other tracks on the record. Please comment.
Matt: I agree with you that “Weaken” might be a bit old school doom. Todd wrote that song completely, guitar parts and all. Even figured out the drums on a drum machine. He brought in a recording of it, we learned it in a day or two and figured it was a done song. Maybe since Rob and I didn't get a chance to add our input (we felt the song was strong enough that it didn't need screwed with) it doesn't have the melting pot of all our style and influences. So, again, that shows where our true doom sound comes from. Rob calls that song the "diggin' a ditch for my dead dog" song. I will disagree with you on “Self”. I think that song is true Centrifuge throughout. Listen to it again and LIKE IT, DAMN IT!!!!
Hellride Music: Todd, you also have expanded your vocals a bit it seems, which gives those tracks a bit of extra harshness in addition to the cold, desolate feel of the Centrifuge sound. What made you decide to try this and how do you feel about the finished product?
Todd Fabian: I've thrown it around a little bit before, but only in real small sections, so I guess it was never really that noticeable! I'm a fan of the sludge sound (Iron Monkey in particular) and I've always wanted to incorporate that into our sound, but it doesn't always fit! I write the vocal parts to the music, it's always the last step! This batch of songs just seemed to be a little more scream friendly and I like the way it turned out, it seems to give the songs a little bit of intensity, and translates well to the live arena!
Hellride Music: Matt's guitar playing is amazing - hypnotic and emotional in that David Gilmour sort of vibe but there is a sort of non-traditional, moreexperimental type of vibe as if Thurston Moore or Robert Fripp turned doom. Can you tell us what your overall approach and philosophy to playing is?
Matt: Thanks for the compliments. Any time Gilmour's name comes up to describe or compare you or your style it's a huge ego boost. Again, I'm blushing. I'm a huge Floyd fan and so I guess he would be an influence. When Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation first came out I was pretty young but I loved that album. I listened to it nonstop. I guess some of it sunk in. It's a masterpiece. As for Fripp, I dig his experimental looping madness. I do have a looper pedal that I have fun with at rehearsal and during a few songs that get stretched out. I definitely add a touch of heavy blues to our sound. There's definitely nothing happy about it. Listen to Peter Green on Fleetwood Mac's early pre-chick stuff and you hear that haunting reverb drenched tone. His tone alone will make you cry. Same with Gilmour. Hypnotic and emotional through good tones are pretty much my approach and philosophy. You nailed it! Good tone, a touch of delay and a dash of blues and the goosbumps are there!
Hellride Music: You guys worked with Jeff Shirilla (Abdullah) in the studio this time around. What does Jeff bring to the studio experience?
Todd:  A lot of equipment and knowledge of that equipment, plus he's a friend of ours and knows the sound we're looking for! It was a real easy, fun and comfortable environment! We did the recording in one day and came back the next week for the mix down! When we showed up he already had the sound dialed in to where we were more than happy. I would recommend him to anyone looking to do a quality recording! (jeff_shirilla@yahoo.com)
Hellride Music: Do you guys get out to play live very much? How does the Centrifuge sound transfer over to the live setting from the studio?
Matt: It goes in spurts. We'll go months and months without a gig and then, POW! 4 gigs in 5 weeks. We're in that situation right now. We've played 3 out of the last 4 weeks and we have 2 more gigs in the next 3 weeks. I think our sound carries over well because we usually play a song out at gigs for while before we actually record it. Being a 3 piece we write songs so there are no dead spots and they sound good live.
Hellride Music: What are your thoughts on the current heavy music scene, good or bad?
Matt: Good. It seems like the nu-metal, having 12 guys in the band, wearing funny masks and jumping around craze is finally starting to fade away. It's cool to see some of the smaller bands still putting out recordings. I know most bands in the "stoner-rock" or "doom" scene aren't making any money but it's great to see new albums by these bands.
Hellride Music: Thanks for the interview! Please leave us with some last words.
Matt & Todd: Thank you so much for all the kind words over the last year or so. Thereviews, interviews, and CD distribution have helped us spread our name and gain some new fans from all over the world..
 Purchase Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless and Visions Old, Feelings Cold at the Hellride Music Superstore
Download a MP3 of Disbelief
Read the Hellride review of Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless
Visit the Centrifuge website at http://centrifugemusic.tripod.com
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