By RYAN DYER
LEATHER TERROR is the second part of a new trilogy of albums by synthwave demi-god Carpenter Brut. Set to be released on April 1 via Universal, it follows the exploits of Bret Halford (a mix of Bret Michaels and Rob Halford), who was introduced in Brut’s previous album, Leather Teeth. LEATHER TERROR features the most guest stars on a Brut album thus far as main man Franck Hueso made the best out of COVID lockdown to contact former Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato, Gunship’s Alex Westaway, Ben Koller of Converge, Jonka of Tribulation, and many more. We spoke to Brut about the new record, leather, the influence of touring with industrial godfathers Ministry, and ask if Trent Reznor has heard of synthwave.
What is LEATHER TERROR about? Is it the end of the story of this Bret Halford character?
LEATHER TERROR is the sequel to the fake movie I made up, Leather Teeth, my previous opus, which took place in 1987. With LEATHER TERROR, we are now four years later in 1991. Bret Halford’s character is no longer a high school student. He has become a glam star who seeks revenge on those who humiliated him in high school. In fact, I’m going to do a new trilogy (as opposed to the previous album trilogy). The next story will take place in the future (think Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time cover) and will be the subject of a new album.
Will you be creating a visual aid to the music like with Blood Machines?
Personally, I wouldn’t make a film or visual material about Leather Teeth or LEATHER TERROR, but if there are directors motivated to do it, why not? But personally, I have neither the means nor the time to manage it myself. It’s also good that it remains a crazy idea to do fake soundtracks to fake movies. Having the songs be on an actual movie would break the purpose. And you should know that Blood Machines was originally supposed to be a video for Leather Teeth, but Seth Ickerman is so crazy that it resulted in this 50-minute oddity that has nothing to do with Leather Teeth! (laughs) It is much closer to the universe of my track “Turbo Killer”.
Do you have any leather items in your wardrobe?
(Laughs) Not at all!
The Leather Teeth videos differed stylistically from the Trilogy ones…
The music videos for Leather Teeth are more of a horror-slasher film montage by Silver Strain who also did the clip for the track “Le Perv.” Silver Strain’s music videos are not original scripts like “Turbo Killer,” “Anarchy Road,” or “Escape From Midwich Valley.” Although he did manage to edit the original films to fit the story of Leather Teeth.
Have you watched many fan-made videos of your songs? Do you have a favorite?
I saw some of them a long time ago. Some are really funny. And there are also very talented people who make great original videos like, for example, Corridor who recreated a real GTA with my song “Paradise Warfare.”
In this genre, you are one of the first who chose to go the whole “band” route rather than being just a man with a keyboard on stage. Now, we see a lot of live instruments accompanying synthwave projects. As Carpenter Brut grows bigger and plays bigger venues, how do you see your presentation evolving?
I’m not a big fan of live performances. I’d much rather be in my studio tinkering with my machines, testing new sounds, et cetera. I’m definitely not a live performer. So when I was first offered to play live, I immediately said, “no,” unless I was accompanied by a guitarist and a drummer and had the means to do something visually crazy. My music has always been aggressive and rock-like enough to be played by a band, and then with them, I’m not alone on stage, and I feel a bit more comfortable. Plus, there was no way I was going to get up on stage and pretend to turn the knobs on my synth, throw my hands up in “David Guetta-mode” and dance, (laughs) That’s not my style at all. My music is really meant to be played. For the new tour, there will be new videos. I will work with Polygon1993, who is a French graphic designer, Dehn Sora, as well as with Fortifem, the illustrators I’ve been working with since the beginning. This will change the atmosphere of the concerts, which will be darker, I think. We will also have more lighting effects, three LED screens, and so on. The live show will be longer than the previous ones as we have a setlist that lasts one hour and 20 minutes. I think we’re taking our live show up a level, and we hope to blow the audience’s minds from a scenic and visual point of view, even if we’re a long way from Nine Inch Nails yet! (laughs)
Speaking of Nine Inch Nails, your live show is influenced by them. I have wondered what Trent Reznor thinks of this new wave of aggressive, electronic music usually labeled synthwave. Has he reached out about touring with you?
I don’t know what he thinks of the new wave of aggressive electro. I think he must be too busy working in the studio and composing, and I can’t blame him for that. I don’t know what he listens to, so I don’t know if he knows Carpenter Brut. Maybe he knows CB and finds it boring, (laughs) Needless to say, I’d love to tour with him, even though I know I wouldn’t come close to him artistically and visually! Anyway, I’ve never had any contact with him, so no, he’s never considered touring with Carpenter Brut, probably for the reasons I just mentioned before.
What did you learn from going on tour with the legends themselves, Ministry?
When I was offered to tour with them, I didn’t believe it. I was both happy and super-excited because this band is a fucking legend. I made some great human encounters; I spoke a lot with guitarist Cesar Soto. We talked a lot about our respective stories as descendants of immigrants. Ministry are very humble and respectful with everyone, and these are qualities that I appreciate above all. There was this anecdote from their tour manager who explained why they are always respectful of opening acts because you never know what a band’s future will be, giving me the example of Slipknot who they took on tour in their early days. Then you realize that these guys are used to touring, it’s like clockwork. I think we learned a lot of technique and determination from watching them work.
LEATHER TERROR goes on sale Friday, April 1st. Keep up with Carpenter Brut at his official website and Bandcamp page.
