Fabricio Viscardi of Aghast View

Fabricio Viscardi
of
AGHAST VIEW

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Conducted per e-mail by Jensenne Roculan and
Kim Alexander for Last Sigh Magazine, June 1998.

Last Sigh: I first found out about Aghast View through your remixes on Wumpscut's Music for a Slaughtering Tribe release. How did you initially get in contact with Rudy Ratzinger and proceed to work with him -- was this a "long distance" collaboration?

Fabricio: In fact, I wrote Rudy Ratzinger after buying two of his CDs and I just offered him a remix exchange. He already knew of Aghast View and said he liked us and he accepted the exchange deal. It worked out great, and we are in constant touch and are working together in a symbiotic way with our releases. We are remixing a new track for his forthcoming album and he is also remixing an Aghast View track for an EP we will release later on this year.

Last Sigh: Could you describe to the rest of the world what the Brazilian electronic scene is like? Are there any clubs that cater to the bands there? How are you received by the music business/pubic there?

Fabricio: The scene has stopped. We don't actually have a scene. People do not pay attention to this type of music and the fucking press just gives publicity to ridiculous piece of shit trends such as bands that were pop-shitty-rock and now have started acting like a techno band just because it is trendy. It sucks. We have our public of course, who normally are fans who write to us.

Last Sigh: Brazil is becoming a home to many stellar electro-industrial/EBM acts. Why do you think Brazil and South America in general is becoming a hot spot for this type of electronic acts/music?

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Fabricio: It's not really going on the way you describe. There aren't many people involved in the movement and people tend to follow shitty trends. However, there are good bands worth mentioning like Dead Jump, Front Runner, Hocico and Artefakto.

Last Sigh: There are two brothers in Aghast View/Biopsy. How is that working out for you? What, if anything, brought you two together to create this music/bands?

Fabricio: It works out alright. We work together and create music for Aghast View. Biopsy consists of myself and G. Pires.

Last Sigh: I noticed on your webpage two of the members of Aghast View pictured with Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy and Sascha of KMFDM. Where and how did you meet them and what was that experience like? Is there any chance of a collaboration with them in the future?

Fabricio: Well, Denis and Rodolfo met them on the KMFDM tour, while they were in Atlanta. They introduced themselves to Nivek and Sascha and kept on chatting for a few good minutes. Well, we would love to work with these guys in the future. Yeah, who knows?

Last Sigh: You use provocative and disturbing imagery in artwork of your CD covers. Why did you choose the particular images that you included in the CD artwork and what sort of messages are you trying to get across to your audiences, if any? Who did the artwork on the covers?

Fabricio: Hmmm, well, we like to pass along something linked to the music in our artwork and the images tend to have something to do with the sounds and lyrics. We have made the artwork ourselves so far. Also, Sage of Culture Shock Magazine is responsible for the great artwork in our upcoming Carcinopest release.

Last Sigh: It seems as though Aghast View/Biopsy has had it's share of record label changes in the past. What label are you on now and do you feel the band has landed itself a stable situation with that decision?

Fabricio: Aghast View is now signed to Gashed Records in Canada, and the CD will be released in September or October in Germany on Zoth Ommog Records. Biopsy is signed to to the American label DSBP, and we have the intention to release a new album in November or December. We did not have problems with these labels, they are professionals and we expect to release future CDs with them as well if all continues right!

Last Sigh: What can fans expect with the upcoming release of Carcinopest? Can they expect something different in respect to Vapor Eyes or is this release taking on a new direction for Aghast View?

Fabricio: Carcinopest will be out on Gashed Records on June 12th. It's a bit harsher than Vapor Eyes, and it's directed for EBM fans. It has 14 tracks. A follow up EP with remixes from several artists such as Neuroactive, Negative Format, Wumpscut, In Strict Confidence, Biopsy and more is planned for the late second semester.

Last Sigh: Why did you decide to start up Biopsy? Is there any philosophy behind this band/name?

Fabricio: We started Biopsy because we had a new sound to refresh and we did not want to jam it against Aghast View's sound.

Last Sigh: What sort of picture are you trying to paint with the lyrics of Aghast View and Biopsy?

Fabricio: Hmm, the picture of what we see in the newspaper headlines.

Last Sigh: Do you play live in Brazil? If so, what gear do you use? Who, if anyone, has played with you live? Do you have any plans to tour in the United States in the future?

Fabricio: We haven't really played Brazil very much. We've played 4 times actually, and it wasn't so good. But yes, we do have plans to tour USA, Canada and Europe. We can do this, just contact us and give us the right sponsorship and conditions.

Last Sigh: Do you have any suggestions for bands in general just beginning their career?

Fabricio: Do what you want, what you like, don't give a fuck about trends and treat your fans right. They are the most important part in a band's life.

Last Sigh: How do you feel about the state of the global environment? Do any of your lyrics or your music reflect this?

Fabricio: It's all so superficial, overrated and cold. People are capable of being materialistic pieces of crap and politics suck.

Last Sigh: If you had a month to spend in the studio with your favourite musician, whom would that be and why?

Fabricio: Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly, because in my opinion overall, he is the best electro musician out there. Also cEvin Key, Claus Larsen, Rudy Ratzinger and STR are very talented artists worth working with.

Last Sigh: If you had a day off to do anything you wished, what would you do?

Fabricio: I would have sex in 300 positions or more with Carmen Electra.

Last Sigh: What are you currently listening to in terms of music that inspires you or for pleasure?

Fabricio: Well, I listen to a lot to good EBM music, the traditional bands, and also some new ones that have caught my attention. Artefakto has impressed me a lot.

Last Sigh: Do you have any comments to make here to your fans?

Fabricio: Thanks for everything. Thanks for listening to our music and expect more from our crew. Remember that our long overdue album will be out on June 12 in North America (Gashed Records) and in September or October in Germany (Zoth Ommog Records).

Last Sigh: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us, we greatly appreciate it, and wish you all the best in the future. COME TO NORTH AMERICA TO TOUR! )

Fabricio: Thank you so much and yes, we really hope to have the opportunity to tour USA and Canada one day!!