“Elctrikchair is a Death Metal trio from Colorado Springs.These guys were really cool and I was a big fan of their CD.
My photographer Andrea Rebel and I went out to Colorado Springs to shoot the pics. At that time, drummer Robert Rodriguez was still in high school. So, the idea I was working with, was…what if one of his fellow students discovered the murdered bodies of the band near the school? And rather than report it, takes photos with his cellphone and circulates the death pics?
I thought that idea was disturbing. Through the years, I’ve spent countless hours reading these kinds of stories and viewing such crime scene photos. I knew what I was going for. I made sure there were very few of the photographs. The less you know about or can see something gruesome, the scarier it is. I also wanted the pics in the feature to be lousy quality (the quality of cell phone cameras wasn’t as good back then). My photographer might have even taken them with her cell phone. I also had a news article written about the murder. The only stipulation of involving the school was, I couldn’t use their real name. Bob made a special request that the inverted cross be carved in his chest. I was more than happy to comply with his final wishes.
The feature turned out quite nice and it still gives me chills looking at it.”
~Maris The Great
THE DEMISE OF ELCTRIKCHAIR
ELCTRIKCHAIR'S FINAL INTERVIEW
Why is your band name spelled in such a retarded way? It took me an hour to find you on Myspace!
Blackmetal Bob: (Laughs) The spelling comes from a long history. When we started, we were going to call the band Shadow of Darkness but we decided that would cause us to become stuck in one form of Metal instead of being able switch styles. We came up with the name Electric Chair a day later. However, there were several bands with the same name, so we had to think of something to make it stick out more. We decided to add a “K” and remove an “e,” that way no one would have the same band name.
Very slippery. You speak of “switching styles.” Were the band’s styles pretty much within Death Metal, as on the new CD? Or were they more diverse in the beginning?
Blackmetal Bob: We have had several sounds in Elctrikchair. When we started we were actually called “New Generation Thrash.” Over time we became a Melodic Death Metal band. We then went back to our Thrash sound for Citicorpse. After that we decided to become Black Metal for a short period of time, but were not happy with that sound. In the end, we finally decided to put all of the different Elctrikchair sounds into Xenophobia.
I noticed a couple of breakdowns. Are any of you Hardcore fans?
Blackmetal Bob: Yes, pretty much all of us have been into Hardcore. One of my main influences has got to be Blood for Blood.
Do Hardcore kids and Death Metal kids mix well?
Blackmetal Bob: At first they didn’t get along. However, due to the new mainstream music, both the Death Metal and Hardcore scene now get along.
What about Death Metal purists? Do you ever get shift that your band is too diverse?
Blackmetal Bob: We have, but it has never really bothered us though. The way we see it, you can please a lot of people but never everyone. For the most part, it has attracted all types of Metalheads though.
How many lineups have you had?
Blackmetal Bob: We have had many changes over the years. (Laughs) I think we have had about 13.
What’s the most member’s you’ve had at one time in the group?…Or have you always been a three-piece?
Blackmetal Bob: The most members we have had at one time was five.
How do compensate for two, missing members? Are you going to remain a three-piece?
Blackmetal Bob: Currently we have added a keyboard player, so we are now a four-piece for this next tour, coming up. However, before we had the fourth member, we also went with just having the bass become a part of the melody rather than just the background noise.
Your brother is the lead singer. Why is he fat and you’re skinny?
Blackmetal Bob:(Laughs) Not sure actually, we have always had different body builds. Though it could be the fact that he loves cheesecake. (Laughs)
Aren’t you some kind of wonder drummer or something? Tell me about your accomplishments as a drummer.
Blackmetal Bob: I have received a lot of rewards as a drummer; things such as a Colorado State champ in 2005, sponsorship by Trick Drums, Best Drummer in 2003, as well as playing CBGB’s, Winning the “Excellent drummer award in Kansas, as well and a lot of other stuff. I really enjoy playing the music most of all though.
How many CD’s the does the band have out?
Blackmetal Bob: Seven albums. Thrash Militia(Thrash Metal) – 2003(Rare) Eternity into Darkness – 2004 Run from the Sun – 2005 (Rare) Live at CBGB’s – 2006 (Ultra rare) Citicorpse – 2007 (First official album) Twilight of War – 2008 Xenophobia – 2009
Tell me about Xenophobia. What went into making it?
Blackmetal Bob: We started mapping out the songs in 2007. We were not happy with Twilight of War’s direction, so Andy and I decided to jump back in and take over again. The first song we wrote was “End of the World Watcher” in may of 2008. After that, we gradually crafted a new song every month, then we decided that we needed to show off our musical ability with Xenophobia and we wrote that right before we played the Indianapolis Metalfest. The crowd reaction was great, so we contacted Eric Graves of the “Esoteric” and we spent almost two years perfecting the album. We recorded at Black Lodge in Lawrence, Kansas. We kept the album very under wraps instead of making a big deal. Then when it came out, the reaction was amazing. With all of our distro, things are looking good for the touring season.
FOLLOW THE BAND HERE
All Murder Photography by Rebel Photo
Accomplices: Rainie, Chad Chiles and Josh Work