Music: 10 Questions for Diabolique

Stats
Genre: Rock
Current Album: Uses of Disorder
Band Members:

• Drums: Jeff Farmer
  
• Bass: Brian Tully
  
• Lead Guitar: Shane Pierce
  
• Vocals/Guitar: Pascale Jean-Louis

1. What is the name of Diabolique's current album?

I got the idea from a book by Richard Sennett called The Uses of Disorder: Personal Identity and City Life, which talks about how people living in modern, affluent societies suffer from an existential malaise - especially in the suburban communities which are stultifying, rigid, conformist, and dull, dull, dull. An excess of order threatens our society to the point where children are being micromanaged and pressured to the point where all the fun is being taken out of growing up. Little Johnny has soccer practice, AP classes, band camp, math camp, judo lessons, computer classes, and a Japanese tutor, and that's while he's in kindergarten, because parents are so competitive and fearful. I sound like I'm presenting a term paper, but there you have it!

However, you can use the diversity, the anarchy and the creativity of urban life to reinvent yourself. Think of how exciting and dangerous NYC was in the 70s and 80s (even if your only experience of NYC is through watching "The Warriors") compared to today. Now NYC is one big middle-brow shopping mall that's safe for tourists and women who model themselves after the cast of "Sex and the City."

2. Which musical acts have inspired Diabolique?

Any wild, crazy-sexy female front woman. My old-school favorites are Siouxsie and the Banshees, who were sexy and intimidating, and a punk pioneer, plus Joan Jett, Chrissy Hynde, Blondie and PJ Harvey. The Pretenders' Learning to Crawl was one of the first records I brought.

I remember watching Blondie perform on "Solid Gold" when I was a wee-lass, and wondering why Debbie Harry looked so HAPPY onstage. When I got older, and hung around potheads and stoners, I knew why she was really smiling.

My other favorites are Karen O and Katie Jane Garside. Katie Jane isn't that well-known in the states, but she's the singer from Daisy Chainsaw and Queen Adreena, one of the best goth-punk bands in the UK. She's like this heroin-chic crazy Tinkerbelle wearing garlands and torn wedding gowns with bruises on her legs; though I think the band has cleaned itself up considerably since they got signed to a major U.S. label. Oh, and on the guy side, David Bowie
and Jim Morrision are huge influences. There's two versions of The Doors' Unhappy Girl on the album and In Walks the Twilight has a bit of the Pretenders in it.

3. Which track is your favorite and why?

My favorite track is In Walks the Twilight because I'm very calm and cool while singing it, though, the subject matter is kind of sad, since I wrote it about my father, who’s deceased.

4. What has been the most difficult incident Diabolique has experienced?

Every time we get into the recording studio, it's a nightmare! Everyone has their own vision of what the band should sound like and I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to the arrangements and how they should go. If the guitarist is playing a part that I think doesn't sound quite right, you can watch me have a heart attack in the control room. At the last session, I got locked in the ladies' bathroom for 30 minutes (the door was jammed), which gave the guitarist just enough time to lay down his solo tracks. Afterwards, he said that I should have stayed there all night. Looking back, I wonder whether the whole incident was sabotage and I was locked in on purpose!

And don't remind me of the gig we had at Crash Mansion in 2004. It was supposed to be this label showcase, only the timing was off. It was on the same night the Yankees and the Rex Sox World Series - game 7. Besides the other bands playing there that night, there was about 2 people in the club. We were the last band to perform, but the staff literally pulled the plug on us after the 4th song so they could go home early. The only consolation was that we didn't have to travel far for the gig, but the band playing before us came all the way from Philadelphia to play there, and they also got a parking ticket for their trouble.

5. Describe two qualities Diabolique fans love about the music?

The fans usually point out the lyrics and the unpredictable qualities of the music, like their favorite, crazy aunt.

6. How do you feel Diabolique has contributed to the evolution of the band's genre(s) of music?

I hope that Diabolique is part of a new wave of kick-ass female-led bands, because the world is in dire need of them right now. I also think that we're part of a contingent of bands that's comfortable in their own skin. We're not trying to prove anything, or jump on any bandwagons, like Electroclash. Frankly, I don't think contemporary music has evolved that much in the past few years. In fact, we're probably regressing. Rehashed new wave and watered-down punk is NOT revolutionary, people. Ladies, worry less about looking cute and f**k-able, and learn some damn guitar chords! I think mainstream rock and hip-hop is going through a fallow period. If I were a teenager right now, I'd probably be a metal head, because I think that's where the most interesting stuff is happening. The bands out there are really mixing it up, blending genres, and testing boundaries.

7. If you could have one track on your current album be the theme to a movie or TV show which would you pick and why?

I'd pick Indie Boy because it's our poppiest, snottiest song. I could picture that song on the soundtrack to The OC. If Avril Lavigne sang it.

8. How many people have a song by Diabolique on their MySpace Profile?

I'm not sure. Is there a way to check? I'd recommend Indie Boy and In Walks the Twilight.

9. Are your parents fans of Diabolique?

God no! My mother has a vague idea that I'm in a band, but if she even caught wind of the name, or saw our logo, she'd have a heart attack. I grew up in a strict Catholic household where AC/DC and Motley Crue records were banned, so can you imagine telling your parents that your band is called "Diabolique" and the logo is four skulls and an inverted pentagram? One of the skulls is wearing a bow, which negates the Satanic aspects, and none of our songs refer to the Devil, but I don't think they'd get the joke. " One day, I'll invite my mom to one of our shows. She hasn't been to any of my shows since I performed recitals in high school.

10. Tell us a rumor (real or fake) that you think would garner your musical genius massive news coverage.

That we're actual devil worshippers and I channel the ghost of Anton LaVey onstage. Or, Diabolique made a pact with the devil and only gained notoriety after performing a Satanic rite in the middle of Central Park. After 5 years and a VH-1 "Behind the Music" special, the devil will return to claim our souls and during our last show, the band will disappear in a cloud of sulphurous smoke.

Essential Links:

• DiaboliqueMusic.com


• Diabloique on MySpace