Many of rock's most influencial bands emerged from odd places - Seattle, Des Moines, Bakersfield to name a few. Soon to be added to that list is Montebello, a small town between Montreal and Ottawa where Deadly Apples - the mystical industrial rock-metal band fronted by singer and mastermind Freak - was founded. Avant-garde music often described as a modern version of classic Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Ministry, while yet maintaining its own unique and accessible sound. On-stage chaos. Constant increase of success, rumors, controversy, remarkable opening slots for major label bands. It is not really surprising that DA has been labeled as the Quebec band that destroys everything on its path. The group is now ready to take siege of the Montreal music scene with its brand new album, Infected.
Anyone who's had the privilege - or irreparable trauma - of witnessing Deadly Apples live only has one word to describe the experience: intensity. It is no different this time around, thanks to Infected, the band's second disc that propels its sound to a whole new level, serving once again as the soundtrack to Freak's psychological - or rather psychotic - thematics in the context of general infection. He bares his soul and spills his guts from his usual emotional honesty. Produced, performed, recorded and mixed by Freak, Antoine Lamothe (Endensa, Syntheticuse, Dee) and Dan Pelletier (Minds, Vengeful) in Montreal, Montebello and Daytona Beach, Florida, then mastered at Wild Studio in St-Zenon by none other than Pierre Remillard (Rush, Dimmu Borgir, Grimskunk, Cryptopsy, The End…), Infected produces an atmosphere of perdition, dirty, melancholic and cathartic - sometimes magnanimous, sometimes neurotic. Combining a cold electronic brutality and a warm deep softness, the product remains however accessible and catchy to a large audience because of its eclectism.
The result found on Infected is a turbulent climax of Deadly Apples' last few years, as much on stage as away from the spotlight. Music serves as Freak's perfect outlet to conquer his inner turmoils, his obsessions and the traumas caused by religious conformism during his youth, while being at the same time the ideal creative form to carry his love of art, intelligence and culture. He therefore founded DA in 2002, creating a solid reputation of wild performances and unconventional music. The first disc, Metamorphosis Has Begun, was quickly recorded in 2005 with minimal production taken in charge by Freak and Jean-Guy Bruneau (Les Chiens Sales, Ukko). Its goal was to re-create the brutality of the group's concerts back then. Following its sold-out release concert, the album received critical acclaim from the industry and is still appreciated by many despite its raw content. Followed a few years filled with out-of-control concerts around the province, growing success, increasing notoriety and excesses that encouraged Freak to seek a loneliness favorable to the intense creativity that gave birth to the concept of Infected.
Deadly Apples is getting back on stage in 2008 to offer an even more intense live show - is that even possible?! - to pass on to their fans the burning infection of the new album. Freak (vocals, guitar, keyboards, samples and tambourine) will be accompanied by Lamothe (drums), long-time collaborator Gabriel Maurice (bass, keyboards) and Pelletier (guitar). On top of the live performances, a music video and a short film for Infected are being developped and produced by Lamothe, who is already well-known in the film industry in Montreal. The pair is already working on new songs that might be part of the band's next album. Finally, Freak is also starting to write his first book of essays, poetry and philosophy and he plans to organize an exposition on abstract photography to be shown in art galleries. Hang on, because all this is only the beginning!
May 15
The new Deadly Apples album, Infected, will be available for the first time ever at the Rockfest 2008 in Montebello, Quebec on June 21st. It will then become available in select stores nationwide. The first single Infection was recently premiered on MySpace, and a high quality free download is available at http://infection.deadlyapples.com. A music video is currently being filmed for that song.
Deadly Apples’ performance at the Rockfest will be its first after a year long isolation in the studio. Freak and his live band will be debuting on the Main Stage their brand-new live show that promises to be very intense and out-of-control like never before. Also performing will be Grimskunk, Mononc' Serge, Anonymus, Voltmaster, The Sainte Catherines, Capitaine Révolte, Arseniq33 and much more. Presale tickets are available right now for 13 bucks on the Admission Network (http://admission.pnrockfest.com) and other local outlets. Check out www.pnrockfest.com for more info on the event.
Infected is the second EP disc of Deadly Apples – the mystical industrial rock-metal band fronted by singer and mastermind Freak. Produced, performed, recorded and mixed by Freak, Antoine Lamothe (Endensa, Syntheticuse, Dee) and Dan Pelletier (Minds, Vengeful) in Montreal, Montebello and Daytona Beach, Florida, then mastered at Wild Studio in St-Zenon by none other than Pierre Rémillard (Rush, Dimmu Borgir, Grimskunk, Cryptopsy, Vulgaires Machins…), Infected produces an atmosphere of perdition, dirty, melancholic and cathartic – sometimes magnanimous, sometimes neurotic. Combining a cold electronic brutality and a warm deep softness, the product remains however accessible and catchy to a large audience because of its eclectism. The sounds are propelled to a whole new level, serving once again as the soundtrack to Freak’s psychological – or rather psychotic – thematics in the context of general infection. He bares his soul and spills his guts from his usual emotional honesty.
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December 4
To all the fans, friends, enemies, onlookers and anti-vestals, the time has come for me to give an update on the developments of the new CD.
Yes, it is taking a lot longer than what was expected. But trust me, it will be worth it. I have found in Antoine Lamothe and Dan Pelletier extraordinary producers with whom an excellent chemistry was felt instantly. We started recording in late August. Since then, we have been experimenting, analyzing and starting over. So far the process has been quite interesting, fascinating, discouraging, astounding, as well as rather turbulent. Really ground-breaking. Really dirty, with the occasional fragment of beauty every now and then. Fucking cool.
Instead of promising an unrealistic release date like most bands tend to do, I will only say that it should be done by early 2008. Just like everything I usually do, no-one will remain indifferent after listening to this disc. Following its release will be a brand-new live show with a brand-new line-up of amazingly talented musicians. It will not even compare to anything that I have done in the past. That, I can promise.
As I'm beginning to take roots in the studio, numerous surrounding elements are breaking free. The legions of followers spreading the word is increasing astoundingly. Rumors of all sorts are being spread. Big names of the musical industry are now on my side and respect me. Love letters and death threats are piling up in my mail box. I also just found out that Deadly Apples is the #1 band in the Outaouais area in terms of song plays on MySpace. The global infection can be felt more than ever in such a contrasted context. Not bad for an off period. Time calls for planning; its resulting actions will defy all expectations. Prepare yourselves for the release of the new Deadly Apples EP, infected, and the ball with unquestionably get rolling.
Yours truly in melancholy,
Freak
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July 15
Over 600 people attended the Petite-Nation Rockfest 2007 on July 6 at the baseball field in Montebello. The promoter of the event, Alex Martel (or rather Freak), beat his own record from the 2005 edition, maintaining his title as the promoter with the highest attendance for underground rock concerts in the Petite-Nation area.
''I'm really happy that I have been able to once again achieve my goals'', explains Freak, who is also the singer and brainchild behind Deadly Apples. ''The Rockfest took a step further not only by the attendance figures, but also by the quality of its lineup, its organization committee and all the volunteers.''
Plus, M. Martel and his entourage were lucky enough to have good weather conditions this time around. A major storm had hit the baseball field back at the 2005 edition, and the fact that it wasn't canceled was nothing less than a miracle.
It was under a clear sky that attendees were able to savour the furious performance of Quebec punk superstars Vulgaires Machins. It also comes as no surprise that local band UKKO impressed the crowd once again. The former singer of B.A.R.F. and the drummer of Voivod surprised quite a few by their new project, Les korchs, which offered a very raw and direct approach. Instrument destruction, musical filthiness and visual intensity were offered by Deadly Apples, who quickly turned the crowd into a violent mosh pit. Finally, Fructus Lucidus wonderfully opened the night by showing off its remarkable technical music habilities.
''As promised, proceeds for the event will go to the Montebello skate-park, and I hope that it will help this project to develop further'' reminds M. Martel. ''Some of the food and beverages that weren't sold were given to local youth committees, and a new fridge was also given to the Montebello town council to thank them for their precious collaboration.''
Questionned on whether or not the Rockfest will become an annual event, M. Martel claims that he would want it to happen every year without a doubt, but he is currently studying the possibilities. For the moment, he is focusing on his projects with his band Deadly Apples, who is soon going back into the studio to record a second CD. For pictures and acknowledgements of the Rockfest 2007, check out the official website: www.outaouaisrock.org/pnr.
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June 18
As most of you already know by now, Deadly Apples is currently working on a new album. After a long period of pre-production that started back in February with Yv (Outaouais Rock, Isocell, ex-Confusion), Freak & co. are now taking a short break to focus on the Petite-Nation Rockfest. Work will then resume with a new collaboration with two other great producers and musicians, Mr. Antoine Lamothe (Syntheticuse/ex-Endensa) and Mr. Daniel Pelletier, who will be taking the production wheel along with Freak. The disc will feature 4 tracks, including a new version of the song Abuse. According to Freak, musically and thematically, this CD ''will be a collection of my torments from the past year... and I'm sure that no-one will remain indifferent after listening to it!''
Not only will it serve as a sampler to give fans a taste of what's to come, the disc will also be used as a tool for an important mediatic promotion whose ultimate goal will be to sign a deal for the eventual release of a full-lenght LP. All those attending the PNR will be the first to hear it when it's completed -- for free. So be there on July 6 at the baseball field in Montebello for yet another unleashed performance by Deadly Apples, as well as Vulgaires Machins, UKKO, Les korchs and Fructus Lucidus. Hurry up, because presale tickets are going fast! In fact, almost 250 tickets have been sold so far, and it doesn't seem to slow down! This is great considering that about only 75 tickets were sold on presale for the 2005 edition that was attended by over 500 people.
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May 10
Freak is back with the event, and it'll be one hell of a party on July 6 at the baseball field in Montebello! Just like the 2005 edition, the Petite-Nation Rockfest will be a big outdoors gathering that will feature established bands in the Quebec music scene, as well as up and coming local bands. Deadly Apples will be sharing the stage with Vulgaires Machins, UKKO, Les korchs (side project of Michel 'Away' Langevin of Voivod, Mark Vaillankourt of B.A.R.F., Pat Gordon of Ghoulunatics and Philippe Mius d'Entremont of Maruka), as well as Fructus Lucidus.
The PNR is a non lucrative event: proceeds will be donated to help build a skate-park in Montebello. It will serve as a fundraiser in the name of the local youth to stress the town council to finance the rest of the project as soon as possible. In addition to the live performances, everyone is invited to participate in open percussion jams between the bands and at the end of the evening. A host, various booths and prizes will also be part of the fun. To ensure that most people are able to afford attending the event, tickets are only $10!
''The 2005 edition with Grimskunk was attended by over 500 people, which earned me the record for this type of concert in the area claims Freak. He believes that this good reputation, along with a better lineup and the support of the media, sponsors and collaborators, will make the 2007 edition a success!
For all the info on the event, please visit the official website. Spread the word and see you on July 6 at 7:30pm!
www.outaouaisrock.org/pnr
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samos
I love the sound of your voices :-)
posted Jun 14