å µå˜, å π¬å˜, å ç¬å˜ ºøƒ ≈¥µºø≈ By Katherine Yeske Taylor ZYMOTICZYMOTIC REACTIONSREACTIONS “To be honest, without me I released my first EP, Subsequent Pleasures of Xymox, in 1985, the reception was mark- there is no band – it was and is my project [1983] it wasn’t appreciated in the press of edly different than it had been with the initial from day one,” says Ronny Moorings of the Netherlands. They described it as using EP. Influential English DJ John Peel began Clan of Xymox, the groundbreaking dark- ‘magic boxes’ for sound. Using synths and championing the band, leading them to wave/goth/electronica band that he has led guitars was not really a thing they had heard record two sessions for his popular BBC radio since he first formed it in The Netherlands in often enough at that time. On top of that, show. With the right support finally in place, 1981. “The music and the records are really the songs were not that uplifting, either.” singles like “Muscoviet Mosquito” and “A my musical ‘picture book’ of my life. To give Besides creating a new (and admittedly Day” were finally given their due. The band up music would be to give up life for me. It dark) sound, the way in which Moorings has gone on to release sixteen studio albums. is the only thing that gives me structure in recorded his songs was probably also a rea- This success was gratifying for Moorings, my life. Inspiration I get from the people I son for the skepticism he initially encoun- who says he’d always been drawn to music, know and meet. There is so much in all of us tered. “When I started, I worked with the but never seriously believed that it would that it never wears out.” instruments I could afford,” he says. “I work out as a career. “When I was eleven Moorings has proven that his zeal is real invested gradually in synthesizers and a or so, I already played in bands. We played by leading his band through extensive tours 4-track recording machine. This way, I could mostly cover songs in local youth clubs,” throughout the world over the decades – but layer sounds with a drum machine, synths, he says. “but when I started my studies, he admits that these latest U.S. shows are a guitar and vocals.” While such solo home I put things on hold until I was settled in bit overdue. “For a period, we were too busy recording may be commonplace now, it was my new university town, Nijmegen, in The in Europe, Latin America and the rest of the unusual in a time when the “rock band play- Netherlands. There I furthered my aspiring world [so] that there seemed no time for ing clubs” route was still the status quo. plan to have a band again. I expected noth- the USA, but that is now corrected. I love Undeterred by this early disappointment, ing, but I was driven to make it work.” touring there, the fans’ response is great.” Moorings assembled a group of musicians Even after the 4AD signing and subse- (They’ll play at The Masquerade in Atlanta in Amsterdam to help him play his songs quent success, Moorings still didn’t realize on March 18.) “The best part about touring live. Searching for a band name, Moorings that he was on his way to being a profession- is that you get to interact with people who “looked into the dictionary for the last word al musician. “I expected to do just one or come to our show, see the direct feedback on in the alphabet and the word ‘zymotic’ came two records and go back to my studies again. songs, and get to see places and experience to my attention. A contagious disease. Well, This never happened. I only had to do my something you would normally not do.” I thought that would be a great name for a thesis but never got to it. What I never dared While Clan of Xymox enjoys a staunchly band, to infect people with your music.” to dream is that my career in music would loyal cult following now, and are frequently Soon, Clan of Xymox caught the attention still carry on up to today.” named as a vanguard act in the ’80s electron- of 4AD, the highly influential British record Interestingly, Moorings says that his song- ica and goth scenes, things were not always label that also provided a safe haven for many writing process has remained largely the so easy for the band. As Moorings recalls, his pioneering acts, including Dead Can Dance, same, whether he’s found himself in success- first musical output received quite a chilly This Mortal Coil, and Cocteau Twins. When ful times or not. “Funny enough, nothing has reception from the local music critics. “When 4AD released the band’s debut album, Clan changed apart from the devices I am using,” \\ WWW.STOMPANDSTAMMER.COM • PAGE 11 \\ he says. “I still do the writing on my own, we travel a lot, a home base is even more starting most of the time with a music idea, important to me.” This happy home life later to be followed with vocals and more informs his work life, in that he will “split instruments. There is not really a fixed way the tours in sections so I won’t be away how I approach a song. Mostly something from my family too long. I would really hate starts with just listening to sounds. This that. So this is the best solution and the triggers the rest, and a song has started to most enjoyable experience for all of us.” develop. I record ideas so when something Still, Moorings says he’s happy to leave stands out, I keep on writing.” Leipzig in order to bring Clan of Xymox His preferred themes have also to the masses – especially this year, stayed consistent over the when the band is releasing new years. “I rely solely on my material. They’ve released a memory of things stored single, “She,” on February somewhere in the back 14. “There are also bril- of my mind. This gets liant remixes [of ‘She’] triggered by the music, from Ash Code, She where during the writ- Past Away, Bragolin and ing stage words come Antipole. We will cer- up, which trigger further tainly play this song live a topic. My lyrics are in the USA, among some most of the time about more sneak previews.” Also, emotions and impressions the band will release their instead of political points of Jolene Siana seventeenth full-length album view or current social topics, I (title TBA) in July. like to keep things personal.” And after that? Next year will It’s no wonder that Moorings most often mark forty years since Moorings first turns to personal themes in his music, as formed Clan of Xymox, and it seems he’s he has been a family man, living in Leipzig, finally allowing himself to enjoy his status, Germany, for many years now. Moving there even if he’s still astonished by it. “It is really was, he says, an easy decision. “We wanted amazing that this turned out to be my daily to escape Amsterdam and ended up in one life, that I can do what I did as a kid, and of the best cities you can live in, Leipzig. It still like to do all the things I do.” fl is already fourteen years ago we moved, and never regretted it one split second. I have Clan of Xymox will play The Masquerade in no desire to live anywhere else. Because Atlanta on Wednesday, March 18..