Interview from GODSEND 12 (September 1989)
Paul Lemos is an original member of the NY-based experimental/industrial group CONTROLLED BLEEDING, who have made quite a name for themselves with their numerous appearances on international compilations as well as their many cassette and LP releases. Their music has had leanings in classical structure yet still retaining a surrealist texture with their utilization of feedback noise and groundbreaking recording techniques. Besides working on CONTROLLED BLEEDING material, Paul has been responsible for compiling three LPs (so far) of industrial/ experimental music for the Arizona label, Placebo Records. These compilations, entitled "Dry Lungs", are essential listening for anyone interested in the different and unconventional. CONTROLLED BLEEDING have two upcoming releases in the U.S. and one new EP now out on Wax Trax! Records. Recently Paul took the time to fill us in on (more or less) the history and background of CONTROLLED BLEEDING.
G-GODSEND's Todd Zachritz P-Paul Lemos
G-WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF CB AND WHEN DID YOU BEGIN?
P-CONTROLLED BLEEDING began as an entirely different project than what it is now--started in 1979 or so--the present group has existed since late '83. The group is myself, Joe Papa, and Chris Moriarty. At this point there are two very separate musical projects functioning under this ONE group title. The work we do for Wax Trax is mainly recorded by Chris and me--Joe has some input but not as much; whereas the stuff we've done for Europe in the past two years (Scourging Ground/ Music For Gilded Chambers) is done mostly by Joe and myself--Chris has less input here. Incidentally, this "European" work is much more classically-based, almost medieval in nature (it shall appear soon on C'est La Mort USA).
G-WHO OR WHAT HAS INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC IN THE PAST? (OTHER ARTISTS, BANDS, OR MOVEMENTS, ETC.)?
P-In some way, I'm sure I've been affected by hundreds of artists from every artistic medium since I've been an avid record collector for 22 years. As far as music, I love stuff like Cage, Varese, Cowell, Stooges, Pistols, Electric Prunes, early Swans, YBO2, Terry Riley, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Roxy, Eno, Whitehouse, Kenny Wheeler, Sacred music from Europe during 1100-1600 (approx.), Wagner, Crumb, etc. In film, a lot of the early surrealist experiments, Jarman, Herzog, Lynch, a lot of the Japanese filmmakers of the past several decades...as well as a lot of modern poets, painters, etc.
G-HOW DID THE DRY LUNGS SERIES COME ABOUT? WILL THERE BE MORE?
P-If Placebo Records doesn't collapse, there will be a fourth volume. Beyond this I can't say. Basically Dry Lungs came about after Placebo expressed interest in experimental music--we talked and they asked me to set up a compilation which featured stuff I felt was interesting at the time. And it has continued. Volume 4 is done and has been in their possession for a year!! But they have no money now, because of all the distribution bankruptcy problems. So, I don't know when it will appear. It's an exciting LP--the best of the four by far!
G-WHAT PAST RELEASES DO YOU HAVE OUT (NOT INCLUDING THE NUMEROUS COMPILATIONS)?
P-We did a number of cassettes in 83/84 which are all deleted. As far as LPs--I like to break the releases into periods. Period 1 was a pretty experimental time, a learning time. From that came "Knees & Bones" (1983), "Body Samples" (1984), "Curd" (1985), "Headcrack" (1984-85), ""Between Tides" (1984-85), and "Core" (1984-87). Over that stretch of 4 years we were constantly experimenting and learning about the recording process, as I see it, with mixed results. The second phase (which we are presently in) consists of ""Songs From The Drain", "Music For Scourging Grounds", and "Songs From The Grinding Wall".
G-WHAT CURRENT ARTISTS DO YOU ADMIRE OR RELATE TO?
P-I continue to like a lot of music that is around these days. A lot of the NY and West Coast rap is really exciting, like NWA, Public Enemy, etc. Arvo Part is brilliant! Pere Ubu, Jon Hassell, Thrill Kill, Skinny Puppy, Graeme Revell's music on Side Effects, Steve Reich, John Adams, Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, Etant Donnes, etc....
G-DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR "GRINDING WALL" EP ON WAX TRAX HAS BROUGHT YOU MUCH MORE INTO THE LIMELIGHT IN THE US, WITH THEIR HUGE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS? DO YOU PLAN TO RELEASE FUTURE RECORDINGS THRU THEM?
P-Yes, we have just finished mixing the follow-up LP, "Trudge", which will appear in Spetember or October . I don't know if Wax Trax has brought us a lot of attention here, since I don't look at magazines or listen to much radio. But I think they did a nice job with the 12" (the songs are 2 years old!) and I like the label very much. They are really nice, honest peoplewho are very dedicated to the music they're presenting.
G-WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR CB (NEW RELEASES, TOURS, ETC.)?
P-We'll issue the Wax Trax LP "Trudge" as mentioned, also a CD-only release on C'est La Mort (called "Songs From The Ashes". In Europe we'll issue "Music From Gilded Chambers" and a CD version of "Scourging Ground" (both of these recordings make up the C'est La Mort CD!!). As far as tours--well we don't play live very much. Did some European shows last year and were asked to go back, but the studio is much more comfortable. We may go out with SKINNY PUPPY on their next tour. Right now there are no definite live plans, but it would be nice to perform in the fall or winter of this year.
GODSEND would like to thank Paul Lemos graciously for his time and help in presenting this interview.