Interview with Xaphan from Summon

Xaphan in Seattle

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. How's life?

Xaphan: Great and Fucking Boring! Fuck It! Life Sucks!

For those that have never heard Summon before, introduce them to the group and your music.

X: We have been slummin' around the world since 1991 wreaking havoc in every town we desecrate! We've been through many members over the years, too many to mention, and changed and evolved over the years into a lethal alcohol induced death machine! The current line up for Summon is Necromodeus(Bass /Backing Vocals/) and I (Xaphan Vocals/Guitars) since 1991 and Joshua Sparkplug (Drums) since 1999 and Dissyntiry (Guitars) since 2004.
Releases:"Devourer Of Souls" 1992 Demo (never released)
"Fire Turns Everything Black" 1995
"Dark Descent Of Fallen Souls" 1996 (Grinding Peace/ Blackened Moon Pro.)
"Baptized By Fire" 1999(Baphomet/Necropolis Rec )(out of print.*Look for re-release on BMP)
"No Thoughts From The Sky" 2001 (Blackened Moon Pro,)
"And The Blood Runs Black" 2003 and "Fallen" 2005 (Moribund Records)

You have a new album out, "Fallen". Tell us a little about the album and the songs.

X: All new material, I like this album because we really just let things go. Not giving a fuck and playing what feels good to play. We focused on our abilities as musicians and the possibilities were endless! Many of the songs lyrics were finished in the studio, I'll talk about one song "Loud as Hell Fast as Fuck" a thrash anthem about Summon. This song was written on the way to the studio and finished in the studio. We were talking about all the bullshit we've been through over the years shitty clubs, shitty crowds and shitty bands, driving hours to play for no one! We were laughing having a great time, So the idea came to make the lyrics about all the shit we were talking about , So it turned out to be a great and fun song to fuck up every night!LOL!

This is your second album on Moribund. How are they working out for you compared to your previous labels?

X: Odin and Moribund Records have always been true to their word! There is nothing they would not back to bring Summon and Moribund to conqueror the world!

How did the European tour supporting God Dethroned go? Any good war stories?

X: It was a great experience The crowds are truly awesome and the guy's from God Dethroned are great! We had a great time, we have many
war stories the best was we went to Denmark had to take fairy boat over and pay all this cash that we did not have and find out the show is cancelled ,due to floods! So we are all stuck in hotel rooms and bored, so we get beer and some hash ,we start partying and get very wasted! Our Guitarist Dyssinitiry and Joshua are partying downstairs with this high school class, Dys was filming himself getting beat up by the girls, So he in blackout mode grabs the fire hose and sprays down the whole room and there teacher as well, we all almost went to jail that night! Crazy!

Excluding the music of others, where do you draw the inspiration for your works?

X: Lots of my inspiration comes from personal experiences and thoughts, books, Pussy, movies, Marijuana ,Beer, Pills, Tits, paintings and
tattoos, poems, the sky , the cemetery etc.

What's your feeling on downloadable music on the Internet?

X: I think it's cool , I don't think one should be able to download a whole of some ones music, but definitely share some songs, I don't know, I download shit so I'm a liar! I love it!

How does Summon work in the studio? Do you record songs from beginning to end, or in pieces? Do you use click tracks?

X: We have not used click tracks yet but would like to try it! We record from beginning to end First the Drums, then Guitars /Solo's and Bass, Vocals last and any over dubs!

What do you like most about the music industry? Least?

X: I like nothing, I stand for nothing I am nothing, Fuck the Industry, fuck the trends, Fuck the nothing I've become!

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

X: Nothing! LOL! I would have signed with Moribund back in 1991!

If you hadn't been born in this century, when and where would you like to have lived?

X: In the 60's high on drugs playing psychedelic music in London England fucking all the hippy honey's!

Who are your musical heroes?

X: Quorthon, Cronos, Kerry King, Syd Barrett, John Lennon, GG Allin, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Euronymous, Fenriz, Toni Iommi

Do you play video games? If so any current favorites?

I don't play much but when I do, Vice City, Punisher, Revenge Of the Sith, ect…

What do you do in your spare time outside of your music projects?

X: I do oil painting, and tattoos and hang out with my daughter!

Along from music, my primary web site is also dedicated to horror and cult films. Are you guys into film at all? Feel free to go on in detail if you wish!

X: My Sweet Satan, Evil Dead All, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Any George A Romero film, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,ect..

How hard do you push yourself when creating your songs?

X: I try to just let it happen, at practice by myself etc… I'm very into spontaneous improvisation!

Have you ever been completely satisfied with any one album or musical project?

X: No!

What are you listening to lately?

X: Angry Samoans, Black Flag, Dark Throne- Hate Them, Leviathan, Blood Ritual,

What song of yours are you the most proud of and why?

X: Probably "Blood Red Skies" Because everyone contributed something to the song! And it is fucking heavy as hell!

Are there any songs you've done that you wish you hadn't?

X: No Not really, they all help me write what I do now in some strange way!

Is it possible to be on the road and not eat any junk food?

X: Hell No! Unless you are broke!

People have the image that it's non-stop partying when bands are touring. Is that true when Summon on the road?

X: We try to make it a non-stop party, but the time comes when you must sit for hours in the van and be bored as fuck! Sleep on floors, never
shower!

What does your contract rider call for in terms of backstage amenities?

X: 1oz of marijuana, Endless supply of beers, Food and meal , and a blow job, that's about it! LOL!

What would you be doing if you weren't a musician?

X: Tattooing!

Other than your current band members, if you could get any musician living or dead, who would be in your "dream band"?

X: ok Drums- Dave Grohl (His drumming on Queens of the stone age album is amazing!), Bass- Cliff Burton, Guitars- Kerry King and Robert Fripp, Myself on Vocals

What's the first song you remember hearing?

X: "Ziggy Stardust" David Bowie

What was the first album you ever purchased?

X: Kiss - Destroyer

How many CDs and records are in your home collection?

About 1500 all from classic rock to extreme metal!

When are you going to come back to Seattle?

X: Hopefully sometime in September with Revenge!

Any last words?

X: Check out MP3's and Video at www.moribundcult.com
Or contact us at summon@voyer.net or sptattoo@yahoo.com