Chris Twitter

[lazarus corporation]

He's open to questions now;

http://www.formspring.me/chrisalyst

Some interesting questions/answers coming up (he's still answering them as they come in - I've been checking in every evening). I just submitted a question about the song-writing process for the Sisters, which is always something that's interested me.

[Nikolas Vitus Lagartija]

Most shocking revelation for those of us north of Hadrian's Wall is that ied had never tried Irn Bru until recently. Perhaps it's the stimulation his brain has been needing to kick-start the songwriting process ...

[panzerfaust]

quite annoying to read through all that unrelated BS, so ive picked up the sisters-related ones




Why would Andrew not let That Guitarist in to the gig in Brazil? Something to fear? ;-p

Ha ha, I thought this might come up. Basically Wayne asked for backstage passes. I've never met the guy, but a few of the Sisters entourage who know Wayne from years ago (not including Andrew, for the record) suggested that on past form that he'd probably get very drunk and be annoying. So we said no to backstage passes, as we couldn't be arsed with the drama. No-one had any problem with him coming to the gig. Thinking about it, I don't know if Andrew ever even knew he was wanting to come. Sorry it's not more dramatic.
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Do the Sisters have any plans for releasing any new studio material? iTunes? Pledge like the Violets? Anything?

As remarkable as the Pledge thing is, I don't think it'd be for The Sisters. We're always writing. I'd never say never.
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Have you ever heard Far Parade ?

Yeah, I wrote half of it.

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As the Sisters, have you ever discussed doing something like Concert Live? Save's going into the studio

Yeah we've discussed it. Stranger things have happened.

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IF, Sisters decides to make a new album, and you would be in charge and money would be no problem, who would your dream producer for that project be? Personally, I think Bob Ezrin would be great.

Good question and very good suggestion. I really rate a few people that I am lucky enough to know, like Willie Dowling (who would be utterly the wrong choice for the Sisters), Dave Creffield (who wouldn't) and Andy Hawkins.
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What are your favourite EM/SoM songs to play live? Re: your earlier comment about drum machine vs drummer...do you have to change your live playing when you switch from playing with drum machine vs drummer?

Favourite EM songs to play - The Story Of My Life, Yeah, I Feel Lucky and Wasting My Time. Favourite Sisters song to play - Rain From Heaven, Arms, Far Parade. Playing - not really. Playing to a drum machine for half my time makes you tighter though, I'd definitely recommend it.
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Nice to read that you like to play Far Parade. But...when do you play it??? The song is about two years old now, any chance the audience would get to hear it soon? Any plans of playing it on the upcoming tour?

Perhaps.
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So I don't want to seem picky, but Far Parade has not been played live yet. Or?

We've soundchecked with it a few times, we've just not fit it into a set yet.
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How you sang John I was only dancing? It was a great cover, but why only the ones?

We wanted to do a bunch of covers for the band's 30th birthday tour, and somehow I got roped into singing that one. I think it was because I knew the words best out of the three of us. We did it twice, once in Tilburg and once in Paris.
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The band seem to prefer the slow version of "Body Electric". What is your opinion on playing the early ones in a new fashion? Which one would you personally like to see reinterpreted?

When a song gets very old or has been performed in a certain way for a very long time, sometimes you want to make it a bit more interesting for yourself and your audience. I like both versions of Body Electric, but I can understand that if you've been singing it for nigh-on 30 years, then you might fancy a change.
I really like a lot of the very early stuff like Adrenochrome and Valentine.
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ps: there are a several more, but i left them out, cause they are real quality, i.e. whats andrew E. like in person and similar BS.

[markfiend]

By the way, it was me who asked the question about the original Eureka machine...

[mh]

Loving the Far Parade references.

[lazarus corporation]

some more choice (Sisters-specific) excerpts:

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What's your writing process with the Sisters? Do you (or Andrew or Ben) come up with a complete song (minus lyrics) or is it more of a group process? (My question! )

Bit of a group thing. Sometimes it might one person's verse with another's chorus. It's a very democratic process. It's a very democratic band.

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Chris, what's your pedal board setup? I Just love the way your Ibanez iceman sounds at most Sisters songs(In Special Train/Detonation), i can't get any closer to this =[ (Btw, there's a chance to you share some tabs ?)

Thanks. We use Line6 POD Pros which do the delay and choruses. The sound in Train/Detonation Boulevard is just guitar into amp. Get some decent pick ups (EMG 80/81) and a decent amp with valves in it.

Tabs - there aren't enough hours in the day, and working it out yourself will be more fun and better for your playing and your ears. Good luck.

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Once u've said you rly like the old sisters stuff (Like Valentine). Did this personnal preference have influenced the Setlist? I mean, like in Suikerrock '08(Good Things) or Logic/NTTC/ROCK+HARDPLACE back to the setlist? (Wut you about wide receiver btw?)

As I've said before, it's a very democratic group.

[Jeremiah]

Its sort of interesting how here and in several interviews, Chris keeps saying that the Sisters are 'always writing new songs' or something similar.

Anyone else think the next question is 'then where are they, and when do we get to hear them?

[Husek]

some more choice (Sisters-specific) excerpts:

______________________

What's your writing process with the Sisters? Do you (or Andrew or Ben) come up with a complete song (minus lyrics) or is it more of a group process? (My question! )

Bit of a group thing. Sometimes it might one person's verse with another's chorus. It's a very democratic process. It's a very democratic band.

______________________

Chris, what's your pedal board setup? I Just love the way your Ibanez iceman sounds at most Sisters songs(In Special Train/Detonation), i can't get any closer to this =[ (Btw, there's a chance to you share some tabs ?)

Thanks. We use Line6 POD Pros which do the delay and choruses. The sound in Train/Detonation Boulevard is just guitar into amp. Get some decent pick ups (EMG 80/81) and a decent amp with valves in it.

Tabs - there aren't enough hours in the day, and working it out yourself will be more fun and better for your playing and your ears. Good luck.

______________________

Once u've said you rly like the old sisters stuff (Like Valentine). Did this personnal preference have influenced the Setlist? I mean, like in Suikerrock '08(Good Things) or Logic/NTTC/ROCK+HARDPLACE back to the setlist? (Wut you about wide receiver btw?)

As I've said before, it's a very democratic group.

The Other twos are mine , i made a lot of questions about South American gigs, Eureka Machine, Adam, Ben, MIDI Writting and stuff...

BTW Other Sisters-related questions:


Chris, the MIDI/Drum writting process, it's performed by Von or Simons do it all alone? Ah, Did exist a chance of south-america tour (with Eureka machines, without the Sisters)? It would be awesome =) (Try to bring Night by Night with you also lol).

I would love to come to South America with Eureka Machines, but unfortunately I think there'd only be you there. We all write for the band. I don't think Simon ever has, but he's got his humongous creative juices fulfilled by the Violets stuff and all the other things he does.

Did you miss Top Nite Out somehow, or you are happy enough playing pipeline?

I'm happy enough playing either song.

I remember you've shared the stage with Adam Pearson for a year, and Ben joined the band. Did you get any dificult to get used to this change? Ah and what is that Classic-F+L+A Riff at 2005 Tour? i Mean, it was awesome to hear, but where it comes from?

Adam is a great guitarist and a great bloke. Ben is too. It's an honour and a privilege to share and have shared a stage with them both.

[_emma_]

Great stuff and so many questions answered now, he must be so full of energy, I wonder how he finds the time to do all that, being in 2 bands and having different duties and tasks related to that, and having fun and taking cool photos and updating things on facebooks and twitters and now typing the answers to peoples numerous questions just like that (by the way in the 'what is AE really like' he forgot to add absolutely charming and really drop dead handsome ). I mean, I only have a steady job and a quitet home and for me it's hard to find the time to read his answers in the evening, so all I can say is wow, respect!

[GC]

All the answers are bs. Sounds like a politician. Nothing concrete.

[Izzy HaveMercy]

Great stuff and so many questions answered...

Really? I find he's just as bad as the rest of the lot, which ain't really BAD of course but just as obscure as those before him. Nothing confirmed, nothing surprising, nothing. Just nothing

IZ.

[Robson]

Have you ever heard Far Parade ?

Yeah, I wrote half of it.

My question !!

Formspring rules ah ha ah ha. Fantastic Chris we are gonna love you I promise

[Nikolas Vitus Lagartija]

Great stuff and so many questions answered...

Really? I find he's just as bad as the rest of the lot, which ain't really BAD of course but just as obscure as those before him. Nothing confirmed, nothing surprising, nothing. Just nothing

IZ.

Really ?? Do you not think that this is an improvement in the band/fans relationship that Chris is prepared to submit himself to a Formspring barrage of questions. Yes, he could be more candid in places but he seems to enjoy being in the band and doesn't want to jeapordize that situation by being too indiscreet. Gaun yersel, Chris !

[Mav787]

I'm all in favour of this.

Well done Chris for talking to the fans.

For example it gives me hope that Top Nite Out might make the occasional reappearance!

[Izzy HaveMercy]

It sounds to me like the happy new kid being allowed to feed us scraps, sorry.

Then again, what am I whining about, my question got anwesered after all

IZ.

[Nikolas Vitus Lagartija]

It sounds to me like the happy new kid being allowed to feed us scraps, sorry.


IZ.

I understand where you're coming from on that, having read many magazine interviews in the past where the latest new boy/girl is put up for interview instead of , says nothing new or interesting, and manages to upset long-standing fans by talking in too propriatorial a manner about the the history of a band they've just had the good fortune to join.
But this seems different, as he's communicating directly with us ordinary punters.

[_emma_]

It sounds to me like the happy new kid being allowed to feed us scraps, sorry.

Well he's neither new nor a kid anymore, and maybe this is why his way of communicating with fans sounds like it does (he's now fully absorbed The Style ).

I understand where you're coming from on that, having read many magazine interviews in the past where the latest new boy/girl is put up for interview instead of , says nothing new or interesting, and manages to upset long-standing fans by talking in too propriatorial a manner about the the history of a band they've just had the good fortune to join.
But this seems different, as he's communicating directly with us ordinary punters.

Exactly. And this is why I think it's a bit unfair to call it being allowed to feed us scraps, I digress now but may I remind the situation from only 3 months ago when a festival gig was moved from one country to another and he took his time and effort to answer the "baah, what do we do with the tickets now" question in a way which actually solved the problem.

[lazarus corporation]

All the answers are bs. Sounds like a politician. Nothing concrete.

I find he's just as bad as the rest of the lot, which ain't really BAD of course but just as obscure as those before him. Nothing confirmed, nothing surprising, nothing. Just nothing. ... It sounds to me like the happy new kid being allowed to feed us scraps, sorry.

Stop being so grumpy, you two!

This is Chris answering questions on his own behalf about all of his various projects. It's not a Sisters of Mercy Q&A, it's a Chris Catalyst Q&A.

So if you're imagining the hand of Von performing some sort of Machiavellian puppet-mastery above the stage, cynically controlling the 'new kid', then I think you've bought into the myth flogged by too many lazy music journalists (and perpetuated in some of the more tedious discussions that happen on this forum).

If you don't like the answers he's giving out (at no charge, in his own time), then ask better questions.

Sure, he's not going to reveal what songs they'll play at forthcoming gigs - because I doubt that the set list is put together months in advance.

Nor is he going to

• comment extensively on old Sisters history (not least because he wasn't there),
• announce the release of a new Sisters record, or
• reveal details of someone else's personal life or opinions (which would be plain rude)

However, from the questions so far (about the Sisters and all his other projects) he seems very happy to openly answer any sensible questions (and even some silly ones, too).

[euphoria]

Oh well, seems there's a fair chance they'll play Far Parade now in november, but I really cannot understand why they hesitate as it's obviously finished since long.

Anyway, good initiative from Chris, absolutely.

[_emma_]

well said, lazarus corporation!

[il duce]

I admit to being a bitter grump on this forum, but I must say that what Chris is doing is brilliant. No one has spoken to us for years and Von never will, so that Chris is actually doing this is a big step.

And I agree I do not think that Chris can say whatever he wants, he is after all just a member in someone elses band, this is not his band and even though it is "very democratic" I do not think that covers all areas. The last word must still be Vons. As it should be since he has been in the band for 30 years and the other to for a lot less.

Go Chris!

And about feeding us scraps. Do not read the thing if you do not like it. I do not like Under the gun, so I do not listen to it. Easy.

[markfiend]

well said, lazarus corporation!

Yes.

PS. Chris is in more bands than just The Sisters and The Eureka Machines. As far as I can recall he's in about another two as well... One of the busiest men on the Leeds music scene.

[Sita]

lazarus corporation took the words out of my mouth. Maybe I am just too easy to please, but I think Chris is fantastic... and so is Ben. And Eldritch's cat!

Go Chris!

[Izzy HaveMercy]

Stop being so grumpy, you two!

This is Chris answering questions on his own behalf about all of his various projects. It's not a Sisters of Mercy Q&A, it's a Chris Catalyst Q&A.

True, but THIS is a Sisters forum and *I* am mailnly interested in what is going on Sisters-wise. He's very open about his own projects (even saw Robochrist passing by again) but when it is about the sisters, it stops right there where his role in the Sisters is concerned and which songs/era he likes. Nice fluff and trivia, and always cool to know the opinion of one band member on this or that song or era, but nothing about what a lot of Sisters fans want to know about their favourite band.

So if you're imagining the hand of Von performing some sort of Machiavellian puppet-mastery above the stage, cynically controlling the 'new kid', then I think you've bought into the myth flogged by too many lazy music journalists (and perpetuated in some of the more tedious discussions that happen on this forum).

I hold the belief, as is the case in almost any band in the world, that there are questions that get discussed by the band first before an individual gives an answer to it. And democratic band, could very well be, but the main person in the Sisters is still Andrew in my view so it is only normal that he controls up to a part wta goes out to the press/FB/Twitter and what not.

If you don't like the answers he's giving out (at no charge, in his own time), then ask better questions.

Sure, he's not going to reveal what songs they'll play at forthcoming gigs - because I doubt that the set list is put together months in advance.

Nor is he going to

• comment extensively on old Sisters history (not least because he wasn't there),
• announce the release of a new Sisters record, or
• reveal details of someone else's personal life or opinions (which would be plain rude)

However, from the questions so far (about the Sisters and all his other projects) he seems very happy to openly answer any sensible questions (and even some silly ones, too).

The silly ones he answers indeed, but the sensible questions to me are the ones that Jeremiah asked a couple of posts before:'what about the nw songs?' 'what about the long overdue album?' and 'what about the future of the Sisters?'

About albums, he dodges ALL questions with an obscure remark, so what I and others are (still!) interested about will not be answered.

I cannot blame Chris for that, but this is not going to be about some big revelations SIsters-wise.

IZ.

[lazarus corporation]

I hold the belief, as is the case in almost any band in the world, that there are questions that get discussed by the band first before an individual gives an answer to it.

The silly ones he answers indeed, but the sensible questions to me are the ones that Jeremiah asked a couple of posts before:'what about the new songs?' 'what about the long overdue album?' and 'what about the future of the Sisters?'

So you're saying - as someone who is himself in a band - that he shouldn't answer questions about things that any band would have to decide between themselves first, and you're also complaining that he won't answer questions about things that any band would have to decide between themselves first?

No, of course there aren't going to be any huge revelations - it's a short-form, informal, fun Q&A opportunity.