Firstly excuse my ignorance, but R.R is that your real name or is it taken from the carved left hand pentagram’s serial killer?
No. It is NOT taken from the serial killer of the same name. My real name is Richard Ramirez. I wouldn’t dare use it for that reason. I also hate it when others make reference to him when discussing me. I’m not him & he’s not me! What he did was truly sick!!!
What has decided you to do such a project as you were already doing Black Leather Jesus?
My work with Black Leather Jesus was in a group setting. I had to consider others’ opinion/thoughts on BLJ’s work. Whereas, solo I don’t have to consider anyone. I’ts a more difficult setting too. Being a solo artist is not easy. Because all ideas/work is completely from you. In a group/band, other’s ideas addto the complete work. Sometimes that helps. Also BLJ’s work is more metal/junk/tools based noise. My solo work is more electronic (mostly processed feedback). Previous BLJ members have used sheet metal, tools, guitars, voice, turntalbes, half broken equipment for our sound. Plus BLJ members changes all the time (except for myself). I’ve gone through about 14 BLJ members since 1990. I’m not an easy person to work with (in a band). I am not a prefectionist at all, but I take what I do somewaht seriously (but not too much)! That would be stupid!
You play in 2 bands & runs a prolific label, Where did you find the time for all this?
Actually, I work with over 20 projects/bands, run Deadline, & I’m a fashion designer. I don’t have much time at all. Now I have less time with my label a& noise work. I might have to let someone else take over Deadline Noise Recordings. I ma too busy with fashion. fashion takes up about 8 months (out of a year) of my time. I do high fashion clothes (i.e: Chanel, Christian Dior, Lagerfeld, etc.). SO? I don’t work with “noise” as much anymore. I would not give up doing “noise”, but Fashion is far more important to me.
Can you tell us more about your next CD “Libertad” What do you think of the recent revival of “Che” Gevara myth, approaching the anniversary of his death?
“Libertad” is complete, but not yet released. I don’t know when I will release this. I enjoy this new materialbest! It is more dense than previous work. What myth??? BELIEVE!!!
What about the grave digger label the RED for E.F.Tapes.
Well, I will be doing a sub -label called, THE RED LABEL. This (at first) will contain reissues of E.F. Tapes’ releases since their demise. This will come later this year. I felt these E.F. releases deserved to remain on the “market”. Emil (COCK E.S.P.) asked me If I would be interested in taking some, I said YES! The Red Label may become a label of it’s own. We will see...
Can you describe a little bit BLJ/R.R. history, & the arrival of your new fellow Kevin Novak?
Black Leather Jesus started back in ‘90. We were not (at first) a total harsh noise band. We were more interested in the sound of Nurse with Wound, Current 93, Nocturnal Emissions, Lustmord, etc. Then I became a fan of MB, The Haters, Merzbow, (early) Non, AMK, Hijokaidan, & others. I was totally in love with the harsh sounds coming from some of them. BLJ members have come and gone. Most of BLJ’s previous members I hate! Especially Scott Houston (My Blood) & Randi Shrum. they both are fuckheads! Our parting was not pretty. However, There was Kevin Ogg (Fetus Furs). I loved him! He meant so much to me. Not just as a friend & band member, but also as a lover. He passed away back on Feb. 1996. After that, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue BLJ. After a 8 month break, I met up with Kevin Novak (TEF). He & I became good friends, & began working together. I decided to work with him in BLJ. As of now, we are still workinbg together as BLJ. My boyfriend, Christian, may join BLJ later to work with Kevin & I. We will see... As for solo work, that came around ‘92. It was shortly after a band that I was in at that time (Threshold of Sleep) broke up, That I began solo work.
Texas has a huge industrial noise scene, can you describe it & explain such a concentration in J.R’s World Ha!?
Texas doesn’t have a huge noise scene, but Houston does. In case you don’t know, Houston is on the South east part of texas near the Gulf of Mexico. We are about one hour away from the ocean. Houston is the largest city in Texas (& the fourth largest city in the U.S.). Houston is a very business oriented city. It’s not a redneck/cowboy type of city; That’s more of Dallas. It’s pretty expensive to live here in Houston. It’s full of rich people, fashion, homosexuaks, & clubs. Houston has the 3rd largest gay community in the U.S. It is also a major fashion city (like New York, Miami, & Los Angeles). As for noise people are pretty open minded about experimental/noise. There are a lot of records stores who carry it. There are 2 radio stations that play noise as well. Plus noise shows happen quite often here. I feel I got a lot of people into it. Most of my friends are into it. A lot of them do it now. Here’s a short list of harsh noise bands/artists here in Houston, Tx:
Rotten piece, Black leather jesus, Metal didlo, Fetus furs (new line up), Richerd Ramirez, TEF, Zahava, Rusted Shut, Beast, Steffe Murkudis, Gun Kick, Thee know, VFF, Con, Research 4, Engeneering Entropy, Hageshii Kurushimi (ex- Kaibutsu), Tafur, Skin Performance, Demeulemeester, Adipocere, Trifle, Powdered beatles, Limacon, White Wall, Walking Timebombs, The Black Gestapo, Cyclops Joint, David Gilden, Slave Labor, Maned Wolf, Depress Regress, Drink, Future, Pornocopia, Alfa Jerk, Anal Drill, Infant Erection, Scrotal Termites, Sin, Thee Revolting Jon Trix, & others (I’m sure). Now this is a short list of others type of experimental groups in Houston: Jesus Penis, Pleasure Center, Blue Chamber, Voice of Eye, Stick in the Mudd, Nosklplakia, Bondi Gabbana, Queers in Heat, Bill Kelly, Ure Thrall, AsiaNova, Unca Meat, Magnetic Church, Ustad Oni, Meatyard, Infant Mortality Rate, Ciambella, Jun Hakamaki, Hand Water, Marat, & others.
There are other noise/experimental artists in other Texas cities like: Taint (Waco,Tx), Falling Vlods (Denton,Tx), & Scrotal termites members have recently moved to Austin,Tx.
Noise shows here can draw out as many as 200 each show. That’s pretty good for total noise locals. It just depends on how well you promote your show.
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From all the newcomers that you release, who are the leading ones, according to you?
I get demos every other day. I get so much mail/orders it is note even funny. What stands out to me are those artists/groups who do “dense/undynamic noise”! I love that!!! I don’t like too much dynamics like those Merzbow-types. I used to do alot of that, but I don’t anymore. I got bore with it. I enjoy the new artists like 666 volt Battery Noise, AutoErotichrist, Deathpile, Thee Know, Frank Gauthier, EHI, Dead Body Love, Audible XXY, Multitudes of Kaos, Woe is Me, db Orgy, Spastic Colon, Raised in Meat, Irreversible Neural Damage, Japanese Torture Comedy Hour, Rend, Blister Pack, Bacillus, Near Earth Objects, & Bob Marinelli are some of the new artists that I like a lot & recommend! But I also love Skin Crime, Taint, Cock ESP, NWAS, Jay T. Yamamoto, David Gilden, Rotten Piece, TEF, Orifice Training, Emil Beaulieau, Stimbox, Hanged Mans Orgasm, Earwigs, MSBR, K2, Facialmess, Government Alpha, E.E.E., Death Squad, Christfuck, & others.
Don’t you think that too much releases can desoriente the listener? Quality don’t often ryhms with quantity!
Too many releases can get a bit tiresome (like Merzbow & Aube). I enjoy Merzbow’s work, but he does way too much! One can’t possibly collect all of his releases! that’s sad. As for Aube, I’m not a fan of his anyway, but If I were, I’d be sick of him. I do a lot of tapes (not so much anymore), but I am selective of my Cd/vinyl releases. I don’t accept all offers given. I’ve turned down some offers for vinyl/disc. I also plan on taking a break from recording/releasing solo material. BLJ hasn’t had a vynil release in over a year. We are taking our time with that. However some are planned for later this year. Quality depends on an individual. What you may think is high quality work, I may think is shit. So it depends. Also, a lot of noise labels/artists do elaborate packaging, but that doesn’t mean the noise is great. I would rather get a great noise tape in a shitty packaging than an elaborate packaging with boring noise. Most think that the packaging should look great! The noise speak for itself (not the packaging). However, If you can do great noise in a great packaging, fine? that doesn’t impress me though. The noise (alone) should be impressive.
What will be your future palns for both bands & label?
Well, I Wasn’t doing much with Deadline these past few months, but now I’m back. I will be doing a BLJ/666 Volt battery Noise split 7inch; & Cock ESP/ R.Ramirez split CDor Lp; a Beast/Powdered Beatles split 7inch; and maybe I will do a vinyl or CD release for some new noise bands. I’m asking for New harsh noise bands/artists to send demos for a “contest”. Out of all the submissions, I’ll ask my friends to pick the two best best ones, & Deadlinewill release a disc or vinyl release (as a split) for 1998. The rule is that they have to be new (have no vynil or CDs out), but they can have tapes out. I want to give new artists the opportunity to have their work in a disc/vinyl format. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31st (of this year). As for my solo work I have a lot of vinyl & Cds upcoming on various labels.
Are there any opportunity to see you live in Europe?
I wanted to do shows in Italy, but I don’t know when; maybe in 1998, We will see how busy I will be then. however, I would consider doing shows in France & Germany as well. Eventually. I will tour Europe. I have no desire to tour the U.S.
Any more comments or slogans?
Thank you for this interview opportunity! So, if you are into queer noise write me:
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DEADLINE NOISE RECORDINGS
C/O RICHARD RAMIREZ 17010 BLAIRWOOD HOUSTON TEXAS 77049 USA
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