The Clouds of Death Defy Every Category

Interview by Ton Franshoven

The Clouds of Death are a band that defies every category. Their music is a mix of punk, folk, and new wave influences, creating a unique and powerful sound that has already captivated audiences in the Netherlands and Belgium. Their second LP, "Basement Troubles" (1982), recently released, contains ten tracks that showcase their versatility and creativity. From the infectious "Crack in the Wall" to the chilling "The Well of Hell," the album is a journey through the dark and light sides of human nature. I had the chance to speak with the band members: Doc Star, the charismatic lead singer; Joyce ‘hypnotic’ Strange, the talented bassist and backing vocalist; Brother Flint, the master of the keyboards; and Mr. Misfit, the energetic drummer. They shared their stories, inspirations, challenges, and hopes for the future.

How did you come up with the name The Clouds of Death?

Doc Star: Well, we wanted something that would reflect our music, which is dark but also uplifting. We thought of clouds as a metaphor for the uncertainty and mystery of life, and death as a way to express our rebellious and challenging attitude. We also liked the contrast between the softness of clouds and the hardness of death.

What are some of the influences behind your new LP?

Joyce ‘hypnotic’ Strange: We listen to a lot of different genres and artists, so we try to incorporate elements from punk, folk, and new wave into our songs. We are inspired by bands like The Clash, Talking Heads, The Damned, Bauhaus, and Joy Division, but we also have our own style and vision.

How do you write your songs? Do you have a specific process or method?

Mr. Misfit: We usually start with a riff or a melody that one of us comes up with, and then we jam on it until we find a structure and a groove that works. Then we add lyrics and vocals, mostly written by Doc Star, but sometimes we collaborate or improvise. We don’t have a fixed formula, we just go with the flow and see what happens.

What are some of the themes or messages you want to convey with your music?

Doc Star: We want to express our feelings and thoughts about the world we live in, which is often chaotic, unfair, and oppressive. We want to challenge the status quo and question the norms and values imposed by society. We want to inspire people to think for themselves and fight for their rights and freedoms. We also want to share our love for life and music and have fun along the way.

How do you balance your personal and professional lives? Do you have hobbies or interests outside of music?

Brother Flint: Well, music is our passion and our main focus, but we also have other aspects of our lives that we enjoy and value. We have friends and family that we love and support, and we have hobbies and interests that keep us balanced and happy. For example, I love reading books and watching movies, Joyce loves painting and drawing, Mr. Misfit loves playing video games and skateboarding, and Doc Star loves cooking and meditating.

How do you handle the challenges and pressures of being in a band? Do you ever have conflicts or disagreements among yourselves?

Mr. Misfit: Being in a band is not easy, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. We have to deal with many challenges and pressures, such as expectations and criticism. We also have to deal with our own personal problems and issues, which sometimes affect our mood and performance. We do have conflicts and disagreements among ourselves, but we always try to resolve them in a constructive way. We are like a family, we care about each other and we have each other's back.

What are some of your goals or dreams as a band? Where do you see yourselves in the future?

Doc Star: Our main goal is to make music that we love and are proud of. We want to reach as many people as possible with our music and touch their hearts and minds. We want to make a positive impact on the world with our music and inspire change and action. We also want to grow as artists and as people and explore new possibilities and opportunities. We see ourselves in the future as a band that is still relevant, creative, and influential, but also humble, grateful, and happy.

How would you describe your musical style and genre? How do you blend different influences and elements into your songs?

Joyce ‘hypnotic’ Strange: We don’t like to label ourselves or our music, we think that limits our creativity and expression. We love to experiment with different styles and genres and to blend them together in a way that makes sense to us. We are influenced by many different artists and types of music. We try to incorporate elements from these influences into our songs, such as the energy and attitude of punk, the melody and storytelling of folk, the diversity and originality of eclectic music, and the atmosphere and mood of new wave.

What are some of the highlights of your career so far? What are some of the challenges or difficulties you have faced or overcome?

Doc Star: We have had many highlights and memorable moments in our career so far, such as releasing our first album in 1981, which was very well received by critics and fans. We also had a top 40 hit with our single "Sunday Underpants," which was a great achievement for us. We have also performed in many venues and festivals around the world and met many great people along the way. Some of the challenges or difficulties we have faced or overcome were finding our own voice and identity as a band, dealing with the pressures and competition of the music industry, managing our finances and resources, and coping with the stress and fatigue of touring.

What are some of the songs you are most proud of or that have a special meaning for you? How do you choose which songs to include on your albums or play live?

Brother Flint: We are proud of all the songs on our new album "Basement Troubles," but some have a special meaning for us because they reflect our personal experiences or emotions or because they have a message or a purpose that we want to share with others. For example, "Crack in the Wall" is about breaking free from the constraints and expectations of society, "Funky Smell" is about embracing your uniqueness and individuality, "Flooding Shadow" is about facing your fears and doubts, "Basement Mold" is about overcoming depression and loneliness, "Loving the Dair" is about finding love and happiness in unexpected places. We choose which songs to include on our albums or play live based on how they fit with the theme or concept of the album or show, how they represent our musical style and vision, how they connect with the audience, and how they make us feel.

BASEMENT TROUBLES (Also known as “The Green Album”) was released on August 20, 1982.