This is the work of Eddy Moerenhout (from Tildonk; area of Leuven). Before he did one issue of Destroyer (a metal-zine; edited by (Thierry De Groote, Sterrebeek) and then started his own zine called Bloodlust (music only). In the editorial for Fear #1 he states he’s matured and realises that “HC is more than music and also about ideas, a way of life”… #2 is labeled “Belgium’s most extreme crossover zine”. As far as I know there were two issues (1988-89); a 3rd one was announced for 1990 (‘Mortuary’, ‘Disabuse’, ‘Righteous Pigs’, ‘Autopsy’) but I don’t think that ever materialised.
Eddy also played drums for the band ‘Musical Harassment‘ and released a few live tapes.
#1: interviews with ‘Absurd’, ‘Asermoietuitkomt’, ‘Agathocles’, Brob Tilt!, ‘Deadly Intentions’ & ‘Dreft’ (all from Belgium), and ‘Excel’, ‘Intense Degree’, ‘No Fraud’; presentations of ‘Crumbsuckers’, ‘System Decay’ (Ger) & ‘Vanity 4’ (Hol); info on animal-experimentation, Shell; plus reviews.
#2: there’s talks with ‘Carnage’ (Swe), ‘Catharsis’ (UK), ‘Chronic Disease’, ‘Cry Of Terror’ (NL), ‘Deadly Serious’, ‘Ear Damage’, ‘Exhaustless Revolt’, ‘Legion Of Metal’ (with Burt Beyens drumming), ‘Molest’, ‘Moshlim’, ‘Ronald Ruck’, ‘S.H.I.T.’, ‘The Dirty Underpants’; a brief chat with Kalv on ‘Heresy’s split; presentations of ‘Contagious Disease’ (NL), ‘Crivits’ (NL), ‘Lunacy’ (NL), ‘Terrible Noise’ (Bel; with Gert Goris doing vocals), ‘Total Loss’ (NL); info on McDonald’s, fur-trade, Greenpeace, Koerdistan; Rotterdam scenereport; and more…
‘Catharsis’ was a HC band from Middlesbrough (UK). The line-up during the recordings of their first two demos was Brian Puplett (vocals), Dale Tominson (guitar), Darren Moore (drums) and ‘Riff’ (bass). After that Bri was was replaced by vocalist Chris Campbell/Durkin who would later play bass in ‘Kito’. The interview below was with Brian right after their first demo (More Fun Than Laughing) came out. There’s a post on their second tape (Beyond A Joke) elsewhere.
[Translation below]
‘Catharsis’ is a British band that I contacted on Brob’s recommendation. They’ve been around for 13 months with the following musicians: Brian Puplett (lead vocals), R.D. [Darren] Moore (drums), Dale Tomlinson (guitar), Riff (bass). The bands cares about their lyrics and ideas, which are usually about mankind and its environment, dangerous situations, personal feelings and day-to-day events. Musically they have a broad taste that ranges from purk, thrash and hardcore to a somewhat heavier style. More Fun Than Laughing is the band’s first demo and is a good representation of the band at this time. […] payable to Brian Puplett (thanks). Of course I did an interview with Brian, the singer, and hopefully you will like it. Be sure to order that demo, it’s very good.
Brian, when did you get the idea to form a band and what style do you play? Why that name?
I got the idea to start a band because I was bored and learned to play bass. So I got some friends together and because I thought it would be easy to play bass and sing at the same time. ‘Riff’ contacted us and everything started around April ‘88. I would place the type of music we play in the HC/thrash/crossover genre. The name ‘Catharsis’ just stuck with us from the start and I think the name fits our style and lyrics well. ‘Catharsis’ means the release of emotions and anger.
Can you tell us more about the More Fun Than Laughing demo?
We recorded that demo in March ‘89 in our rehearsal-space, which is also a studio. It was also our first experience with recording etc. We think it sounds good (It does, Brian! – Eddy). There are some mistakes but we’ll leave them out next time, right. So our next demo should be a bit better.
What does ‘Catharsis’ think about the ‘metal attitude’? (major labels, expensive entrance-fees, etc.)
I think the ‘metal attitude’ is a bit of a shame, but in my opinion things such as attitude and lyrics are starting to get much better with a lot of bands that are starting to realize that it’s stupid to sing about satan. So many bands now have socially conscious lyrics, which – if they mean them – can only be positive. But there are also some bands that will never change and will sing the same old stereotypical lyrics, etc. Attitude is definitely a part of HC and punk. If only the average record-buyer protested against high prices for records and concerts, then something would change. But if they don’t, everything just stays the same.
Are the lyrics very important to you and what are they about?
Lyrics are very important to us because they are about what we see and feel, and are my way of expressing myself. We have lyrics on different topics: ranging from politicians to confusion and so on, to scooby doo (!!!). Oh yeah: Mad Slammer is a song that you don’t have to take seriously, it’s a joke on stupid lyrics that some bands like.
Have you already done concerts; if so, what were they like?
We’ve only done a handful of concerts; about 10 I think. And most of them have gone very well. We received good responses; so everything is allright. People in our neighbourhood know our name and what we are doing. So it’s great when people see and enjoy us, and also think about what we sing.
Future plans?
Our plans for the future include performing as much as possible, releasing a new demo or perhaps putting something on vinyl. Basically what’s happening already!
What do you think of vivsection? And what do you think of an organisation that is committed against it?
We’re against vivisection and animal experimentation, as are most people, because there’s no need to ‘test’ on animals regarding products we use. Organisations that fight for animal-rights are good, as long as innocent people don’t get hurt during demonstrations or sabotage, or something like that. If these organisations were more peaceful, many more people would listen and pay attention to what is being said. But if people are afraid of some groups’ actions, they will see it as a form of terrorism.
What is your opinion on violence at concerts?
Violence at gigs is unnecessary and should be stopped when it occurs. Bands should stop playing and try to defuse the situation if possible. Thankfully no violence ever occurred during any of our gigs. But it might happen someday and I would regret that. Violence completely ruins the atmosphere and friendliness of a gig. (Speaking of violence and problems: thanks to the bloke who set my hair on fire – cheers mate.)
Are you planning to come to Belgium/The Netherlands?
If we could get help of people to set up concerts in other countries (Belgium, France, Germany, etc.), we would be very grateful to them because we want to play everywhere. Preferably as a support for a well-known band, but we want to perform anywhere. So any offers?
Here in Belgium grind/noise-core is very popular (‘Napalm Death’, ‘S.O.B.’, ‘Agathocles’, ‘Carcass’, ‘Dreft’.). What do you think of grind/noise-core?
Opinions about noise, grind-core bands differ among us. Some of us like them and some don’t. Personally, I like them because it’s a new and different form of music. Our drummer doesn’t like it. Our guitarist and bassist listen to all kinds of things, and if they like it, it’s good; if they don’t like it, they don’t like it.
Your opinion about the following?
Fascism: Something for completely ignorant, bigoted people who are too stupid to open their eyes for its consequences.
Racism: People are people, we are all the same: skin, colour and nationality make no difference.
Politicians: As a band we are non-political. We all abstain from voting because it doesn’t matter what you vote for. The government always remains the same.
Commerciality: If a band sells a lot it’s bad, but bands that make progress (for a certain period of time) and thus become more commercial. Is that different???
Album-contract: Perhaps a necessary agreement between the band and the record-company. To make sure no one gets fooled; not as friendly as a verbal agreement, but safer?
What do you think of other British bands such as ‘Ripcord’, ‘Heresy’, ‘Intense Degree’, ‘Generic’, …? Are these good friends of yours?
Other British bands are good and very varied, but many of them split and then start new bands (See ‘Heresy’! – Eddy). But of course it’s nice to have new bands popping up. I’m afraid we don’t know any bands personally other than a few in our area.
What do you think of multinationals such as McDonald’s, Quick, …?
Multinationals are shit…and money-hungry pigs, and they don’t care about the people of the world. McDonald’s are stupid, especially because bad tactics and the fact they’re causing destruction of and damage to the rainforests. We try to avoid multinationals as much as possible but that’s not so easy because more and more companies are becoming similar. (What’s Quick?). (That’s the same as McDonald’s, only by another name? – Eddy).
What do you know about the Belgian HC scene?
We don’t know much about the Belgian HC scene outside of ‘Dawn Of Liberty’. We don’t know any other bands. I think things are good when it comes to zines (Information about the Belgian scene is always welcome!).
Last words?
Thanx to Brob, thanx to you Eddy for the questions. Hello to Pablo and ‘Brains Of Humans’, Dick DL [???] and TV [???], everyone we know, our friends, everyone who cares for tomorrow, all the zines, people, studios who helped us. CHEERS!!!
So that was the interview. If you want more information or order the demo, you can write to: Brian Puplett, […] Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England.
Brob Tilt's Belgian zines 