SYNICAL

Synical is the US-based project led by Brian Haught. The band's latest release on Cleopatra Records, This Will All Happen Again blends elements of industrial/electro/darkwave and more. The album's creation spanned a total of eight years. The result is something truly special and unique. We're very grateful that Brian agreed to the interview with us today.

Thank you for taking some time today to do this interview. The latest album is ‘This Will All Happen Again’. Where did the title come from?

Thank you. When the singer and founder Brian Haught was on tour in Germany, he got to see a WW2 death camp. The horror that humans can do to one another was hard to comprehend but the fear that future generations won’t remember was even more horrific. History has shown that if you can’t remember your past, this will all happen again. This was how the album title was conceived.

Could you give us a brief background on the band?

Sure. Synical started in 1989 as a vehicle for Brian Haught to explore electronic music. Over the years the band has had many members including Ivan dePrume (White Zombie), Brent Ashley (Combichrist), Racci Shay Hart (Dope, Wed 13), and Cheney Brannon (Collective Soul). The band has released Wages of Syn LP 1991, Killjoy EP 1993, Explosive Generation LP 1997, Synical Forever LP 2004, Quit While You’re Behind LP 2012, and the new LP This Will All Happen Again 2023. The current band lineup includes Brian Haught – vocals, synthesizers, and producer, Eric Griffin – guitars, David Black – bass guitar, Noel Page – guitar, and J1M1 Echo – guitar. This large group ensures all the musical passages can be performed onstage.

The last album was released on Cleopatra records. What is your feeling regarding the roles of record labels these days? Is there even a need for them do you think? Or does it depend on the needs of the artist?

Synical is pleased and honored to be on Cleopatra Records – the premier goth and darkwave music label – and the label has been so supportive and encouraging. Every musician and artist can benefit from a label with professionals that have spent their entire lives promoting music and working with all the complexities bands have to deal with. We love it.

Do you find yourself writing about certain topics?

Synical has always deliberately side stepped the usual happy song topics and explored the darker elements of humanity. The feelings of loss, loneliness, being out of sync, and an outsider are often in the bands song lyrics. Lots of people don’t have happy endings, flashy cars, lots of money, and lives filled with parties and celebrations. Synical writes about that other side of street that is far more relatable in reality.

Let’s say many years from now in the future, someone finds one of your albums and something to play it on in an old, locked box. What do you want them to understand about your message or your legacy just by listening to your music?

The one thing that is Synical wants to convey is it’s ok to dance and lose yourself in dark synthetic rhythms until you feel elevated. The songs this band has made are like the musical version of ancient wall paintings. Both tell the stories that bear repeating.

You have a very unique video for the song, “Trapeze”. What’s the concept behind it and how did you film it?

"Trapeze" is a rare Synical song that actually has literal face value lyrics. Just like the circus live wire, so is the everyday path we all walk in life. If you don’t trust the other guy, whether you want to or not, you won’t make it to the other side. One slip and you’re going to die. The music video features a 1973 Corvette Stingray and it feels like a bare knuckle race through a black and white electric forest all the way to the finish line. There is no place for mistakes and there is danger at every turn.

We noticed on your website that you’ve no live shows planned at the moment. Are you planning some and if so, where? Also, how do you think that some artists can overcome the challenges of touring these days….especially regarding finances and booking?

It has never been more expensive to tour however Synical is preparing for a US/Canada tour in the fall of 2024 and we just finished a multi- state winter tour in 2023. So we hope to see everyone in person real soon in a town near you.

How did the pandemic lockdowns affect you as an artist and your creative output?

Of course the pandemic turned out to be a huge waste of time and money and it delayed this album by 2 years total. But it’s good that the album got a later release so that we could have our label get products shipped out and return to normalcy. Lots of records got lost in the pandemic sadly.

What are your plans for the rest of 2024?

After the tour, Synical is working on the next EP called “Special When Lit” and a soon to be named career retrospect remix album. Stay tuned and remember…..if you’re not Synical yet….. you will be!

Thanks for your time. Where can fans find you on the net?

You can check out our videos on our amazing record label Cleopatra Records you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CleopatraRecords

Www.SYNICALMUSIC.com

https://www.facebook.com/SYNICALFOREVER

https://twitter.com/SynicalBand

https://www.instagram.com/synicalmusic

William ZIMMERMAN
29/02/2024