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Interviews
Agalloch - John Haughm
16/07/07 || Global Domination
This interview was done by ex-staffer/cocksmoker Hanging Limbs.
Agalloch is a self-proclaimed “dark metal” band from Portland, Oregon. They’ve been releasing quality gloomy material on The End Records since 1999’s “Pale Folklore.” Their most recent disc, “Ashes Against the Grain,” has been receiving rave reviews from all metal publications and gay brothels. Their vocalist/guitarist/ex-drummer John Haughm took the time to sift through my bullshit and answer the questions that all of you want to know (more like stuff I wanted to know). Here it is:
Global Domination: Welcome to the world of Global Domination. Agalloch is a very well-liked band around here. “Ashes Against the Grain” made at least a couple of staff members’ “Best of 2006” lists and “Pale Folklore” was #60 on our “100 Most Dominating Albums of the 90’s” feature. How do you feel about the critical acclaim? Do you usually feel the material you put out is strong enough to reside in a metalhead’s heart next to stalwarts like Enslaved or Amon Amarth?
John Haughm: I would hope so, but it isn’t up to me to decide. I’m never totally satisfied with what we do and, when given the choice, I’d rather listen to “Frost” than “Pale Folklore” you know? Of course this doesn’t mean we don’t try 100% to make solid releases and I stand by everything we have done. It is just kind of weird to think that the albums I’ve created could stand up against those which I feel are classics. By the way it is cool that “Pale Folklore” made your list. We definitely appreciate that.
Agalloch is a very mysterious band. Your album covers, limited pressing vinyl ep’s, long time between albums, and few live shows make you guys an almost mystical identity in the metal scene. Is all of that just an act to fit the Agalloch persona or are you guys really a bunch of weirdos trying to make an artistic statement?
Probably a little bit of both. We tend to keep quiet when we aren’t promoting a new release. I honestly don’t care about putting the band “out there” all of the time and hyping it up. Our fan base seems to do that for us anyway whether we like it or not. Agalloch doesn’t function like a normal working band because it never was to begin with. We only started playing live 4 years ago and in that time we have only played 24 gigs! That includes America and Europe!
Our individual lives have also become a bit more complex with more normal responsibilities like families and actual careers, not to mention other music projects. The band is really just a glorified hobby. We release material as we see fit – not in accordance to what a record label wants or what our fanbase expects. If this makes Agalloch “mysterious,” then I guess it’s just the outside perception. Granted, I prefer being in the shadows but our low-key activity is mainly directed by other obligations in our lives.
How do you feel the band has progressed in the years you’ve been together? Are you happiest with the stuff you’re putting out today or do you feel you’re getting too far away from what you originally set out to do?
The foundation is the same. We are still playing from the same dark metal nucleus that we started from. However, we like to experiment and make each album we release as individual as possible. That said, I don’t think we have moved away from our original intentions. We have simply expanded in one way or another on each album.
One thing I’ve noticed is the increasing influence of post-rock in Agalloch’s music. I recently attended two concerts: Explosions in the Sky and The Red Sparowes. The amount of skinny MTVEMO kids and bearded indie hipsters at both shows was nauseating. What do you think of today’s post-rock scene?
When I am at a concert, I’m there to watch the band – not the audience. I just push my way through to the front and then try to forget that everyone else is there. Your description sounds like what I see everywhere in Portland so I can’t say it is exclusive to post-rock. What do I think of today’s post rock scene? It hasn’t changed much, really. It is a style that was quite limiting from the start and is just an extension of indie rock anyway. It’s like what black metal is to the heavy metal genre. I was looking at a list of so-called post rock bands and it seems like a lot of different genres are being blurred together under the banner of ‘post rock’. Everything from progressive rock to electronic to drone bands were listed under this lazy banner. Whatever…with all music, I take what I like and leave the rest.
Dude, half of the fun of live shows is making fun of people with your friends. We’ve all laughed at the 45-year old fattie with the Malmsteen shirt…or that might have actually been Malmsteen. Anyway, one of your most well-known songs is your cover of Sol Invictus’ “Kneel to the Cross.” With all do respect to SI, you guys absolutely rip that song apart and make it a classic. How did you guys decide on how to perform that song and when can we expect a Current 93 cover?
I have always wanted to try a C93 cover but I doubt it will happen. Our Sol Invictus cover was an experiment that actually worked. I think we were lucky with that one so we shouldn’t push our luck with another.
Are
there any plans to devote more time to Agalloch and try to take over
the world, one mullet at a time? I think I speak for metal fans
everywhere when I say that I’d love to see Agalloch become more of an
active and well-known force in metal (Sort of answered earlier, but kept in to show the beautiful rawness of e-mail interviews).
Nah. We will likely either stay the same or possibly be even less active than we are now. We might go back to being only a studio band, releasing an album every 5 years, who knows. I have no interest in “winning over mullets and becoming a force in metal” so if we can maintain a cult following, that’s the most important thing to us.
Let’s talk about John Haughm. Your vocals are what elevate Agalloch from a great band to a great band +1 agility. They add a haunting vibe to tracks like “Not Unlike the Waves.” I didn’t really have a question here, just wanted to let you know that they rock – but if Rod Stewart called and asked you to do a duet, would you oblige the world’s sexiest man?
(With brazen modesty) No. I’m not totally satisfied with my vocals and I’m sure Mr. Stewart would agree.
Well,
I still find you mantastic. Outside of music, what do you do for fun
and recreation? Do you have a family? If so, how has that changed you as
a musician? Metalheads want to know. Trust me, we all have hearts
underneath that armor and chest hair.
I don’t have a family other than my girlfriend and our two cats. That’s enough for me. JWW has a wife and two daughters and it seems to have made his life more complex for sure. His year-old daughter Ione once asked me “what’s that” (in perfect English) regarding a Solefald CD I was looking at. It was the first time I heard her speak and it scared the shit out of me. I find children to be very creepy, especially when they speak.
For recreation I like to travel. My girlfriend and I just got back from a couple of weeks in Germany and the Czech Republic and we try to travel somewhere in the Northwest U.S. once a month…even if it is just to the ocean, to Mt Hood, or up to Seattle or Canada. Of course, I also like to visit the local art house theater once a week. There’s also painting, graphic design, wine-making, music……yeah, I keep myself busy in my free time.
That’s cool, I usually just masturbate… um… Metalheads tend to have interesting tastes in the arts. What are some of your favorite movies?
(He loses me here completely) I am quite fond of the cinema. My favorite filmmaker is Frantisek Vlacil and the three films I’ve seen of his are absolute masterpieces… “Holubice”, “Adelheid” and “Udoli vcel”. His films can shatter me and put me back together in a single viewing. I am currently seeking out the rest of his films in any format I can get them.
John, what the-
I also would really like to find where he is buried so I can pay my respects next time I am in the Czech Republic (probably next year). Other films I consider sacred include: “The Seventh Seal” and “The Virgin Spring” (Bergman),
Dude, seriously-
“Ordet” and “Vampyr” (Dreyer), “Dead Man” (Jarmusch),
“Cool Runnings?”
“The Holy Mountain” and “Santa Sangre” (Jodowrosky), “Ugetsu” (Mizoguchi),
I’m about to-
Most of Aki Kaurismaki’s work, the original 1973 “Wicker Man” (Hardy). Fucking hell. What Neil LaBute did to that film with his remake should be considered a crime. He should be serving a prison sentence for it. I’m serious. What he did is no different than if some hooligan walked into the Musée du Louvre and spray-painted over the Mona Lisa as far as I’m concerned.
(waits 5 seconds) …Whew, I almost-
Anyway, lets see…both versions of “Faust” (the Murnau and the
Svankmajer versions) are favorites of mine. I really love the German
expressionist period of the 20s and 30s and modern Czech animation. Of
course Tarkovsky is a master of his craft and his films “The Mirror”,
“Stalker”, and “Nostalghia” are perfect.
(tears stream down my face)
Parajonov’s “Shadows Of Forgotten Ancesters” is brilliant. Also the work of Robert Bresson, David Lynch, Lars von Trier (especially his Europe trilogy), Akira Kurosawa, Darren Aronofsky, Dagur Kari, Andrei Zvyagintsev, Lynn Ramsay… I really could go on all day about this.
You don’t say… Ummmm… Borat: Unheralded genius or overrated and offensive?
Funny story…when I first saw the trailer for it, I thought it was the dumbest idea for a movie ever. I wouldn’t even give it a chance. Later on, I got an email from Chris Bruni from Profound Lore Recs telling me that I had to see this movie, that it was a mockumentary on America and it rules. I was still skeptical. Then while Agalloch was on tour in Europe this past November, some members of Thurisaz and Saturnus were constantly making references to the movie yelling “sexy time” and “eeets a niiice” every 5 minutes. When I got back, it was still playing at some of the smaller theaters so I went and saw it. I thought it was a great movie. Not genius by any means, but still…hilarious as hell.
Give me your honest opinion on the metal scene today as a whole and are the following bands good or bad for metal: Shadow’s Fall, Dragon Force, Children of Bodom, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, and Anaal Nathrakh.
I don’t know. I have only heard little bits of those artists and I actually thought Dragon Force was a heavy metal parody band. Seriously. Like a metal Spinal Tap or something. There is no way that band can be serious. It is very well-played joke if nothing else. So….what do I have to say about those bands and the current metal scene? As you can see I have nothing to say. Nothing at all.
I was hoping for an answer containing the word “vagina” or “testicle sandwich,” but I’ll take what I can get. Which of those bands does not belong with the others?
Uuuuummmm… let’s say… Trivium? I have no idea.
Not quite. Let’s chat about the record label. The End Records has become one of the biggest forces in metal over the years. Hell, Forbes and cnn.com just did a story on them. They still appear to be a cutting edge label that fosters artistic growth and original ideas… yet they signed Lordi. Does this mark a change for the label? Has their attitude toward you or the other bands changed at all since the 90’s?
Obviously, their operation has grown so much that it isn’t wise for me
to just call Andreas up for a chat anymore. I now deal with his
employees for layout stuff, the mailorder, etc. instead of through the
man himself so that is quite different than, say, five years ago. As an
artist signed to his label, I would rather see it growing rather than
failing, but overall, I don’t pay much attention to what The End is
doing these days. I’m more interested in the activities of labels like
Aurora Borealis or Beta-lactum Ring. I’ve had my problems with TER in the past, of course, but it seems that Andreas’ passion for his bands has not changed.
As for Lordi… they are his “bread and butter” band. I can’t say I’m a fan, though I do plan to eat at their restaurant next time I’m in Finland. Every label has to have a big band and if Lordi’s success means the label can afford to sign more artistic underground bands, I don’t see a problem with it. However, if The End decides to just pursue a total commercial direction then I think that will be a real shame.
Do you think The End would be willing to issue a recall of Dissection’s “Reinkaos?” That album sucked.
I liked “Reinkaos,” actually. Then again, I think I was in the minority of people who did not expect miracles from a man who had been in prison for 7 years. I expected “Reinkaos” to be a bit dated-sounding melodic death/black metal and nothing more. It was actually better than I expected. Jon seemed to be a cool guy and someone I probably would’ve gotten along with had I met him. I was saddened by his suicide, but I thought it was noble that he died in a manner that was totally by his convictions. I hope he found what he was looking for…
It seems sort of odd to see a band like Agalloch being sold on iTunes. I guess it’s no weirder than having a MySpace, but even my sister has a MySpace and she was aborted. How do you feel about your music being sold by the track at the most corporate of corporate websites? Just promise me you’ll never abandon your fans that have bought hard copies through the years and start giving out bonus tracks only to people who buy your stuff on iTunes. I hate when bands do that.
The Agalloch MySpace is run by a fan. I don’t have a personal MySpace and I don’t plan to make one. The other guys seem to enjoy that nonsense. As for iTunes… it’s better than people ripping our stuff and making it available for free. I am not a fan of the digital revolution. I prefer packaged albums… I actually prefer vinyl. But, hey, when you can’t fight the revolution, make it work for you. As long as packaged albums still exist as an option, I don’t have a problem with people paying for song-by-song downloads. It won’t stop Agalloch from making 10-minute+ songs that bleed into other 10-minute+ songs. Also, we will never offer special songs for the digital community. Fuck that! Agalloch is the kind of band who would much rather offer a 20-min exclusive bonus track to a limited vinyl edition…and we practice what we preach!
And preach on Brother Woodrow! Speaking of MySpace, I thought the chick who maintains your page was hot until I realized it was a dude. Should he or I be more concerned about that?
I don’t know if any men have stalked Brennan online so maybe you will have the honor of being the first.
Whatever, it’s his fault for looking so delicate and cute. Anyway, let’s talk metal. Maiden vs. Priest?
Maiden. When I listen to Iron Maiden, I often forget that Judas Priest exists. Not that there is anything wrong with Priest. I enjoy a few of their albums but when compared to Maiden…there’s really no contest there.
A 16-year old kid tells you he wants to kill himself. Do you recommend Bethlehem or Abyssic Hate?
Bethlehem.
Free Ozzfest: Brilliant idea or Sharon trying to save face from a shitty lineup?
I don’t follow this shit. Ozzfest is free now? So they will charge $50 for a bottle of water instead? Sharon… her children… that family is just moronic and not worth a second of my time.
Chinese Democracy: Urban myth or 2007?
I don’t care.
(Revealing my lack of research) Enough about that, let’s get back to what matters. Most of the guys in Agalloch are also in Sculptured, who have a new album coming out in 2007. Talk to me, John. What sorts of goodies do you have in store for us?
I have nothing to do with the music of Sculptured. I have not been a member since 2004 and even then I was only the drummer. I have heard some of the latest recordings which can only be described as “listening to Anglagard while chewing on aluminum foil” (Note from GD: Um, what the fuck?). I think it will be a solid, interesting album. A lot of nice prog elements. I am currently designing the layout for it.
You guys must all be great friends to stick with not one, but two bands for so long. How long have you guys known each other and do you guys get together a lot even when not band-related? Do you guys tear up the club scene in Portland?
I would pay good money to see Don “burn up the dance floor” at a club. No we don’t see each other much outside of the band. I hang out with Chris now and then but that’s it. I think people would be surprised at how dysfunctional Agalloch actually is.
I was talking to a guy from Milwaukee who said the microbrews in Portland taste like someone drained their testicle sweat into a bucket of hops, shook it around while waving a magic wand and called it Bridgeport IPA. What do you have to say to that?
Well what do you expect? Have you had the beer from Milwaukee? I think your better off drinking from a toilet. To be fair, his description was quite accurate. Bridgeport IPA is a good brew, though I prefer the more exclusive beers that you can only get in the local brew pubs.
I know how you Portlanders take pride in your beer. If you want I can give you his address.
Why? So I can send him some more IPA?
What does the future hold for Agalloch? When can we expect a new album? Or better yet, a vinyl-only ep limited to 14 ½ copies?
Who knows. We always take things as they come. I have had absolutely no inspiration lately to compose a new Agalloch full-length. We do plan to record a folk EP sometime this year. Then again your vinyl idea is so cool, we might just do that instead…
Finally, have you checked out the site www.globaldomination.se? It’s pretty sweet, no?
Yeah, sure. I read the Enslaved interview. Great band.
John, thank you for your time and being a good sport with the interview. As a big fan of your work, it is an honor to have e-spoken to you and I wish you the best of luck with Agalloch, Sculptured, and life. I’ll let that Brennan chick from your MySpace page know when the interview is posted.
I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. Thanks for the interview. It was entertaining which was nice for a change.
