Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to bands that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have an exclusive Q&A with Venus Fly Trap.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

VENUS FLY TRAP: A potted history of VENUS FLY TRAP….When I was at Northampton Art School I got involved with punk/new wave via my first band ISAWS (BAUHAUS were fellow students) which then morphed into RELIGIOUS OVERDOSE operating somewhere between the fall/cabaret Voltaire…Did three singles which have been compiled with other tracks onto a CD GLASS HYMNS (GLASS RECORDS REDUX), RICHARD FORMBY (guitar) relocated to Leeds where he still runs a studio and has worked with JAZZ BUTCHER/SONIC BOOM (SPACEMAN 3). Back into another band with local scenesters, everybody seemed to be in multiple bands at the same time. THE TEMPEST produced two singles and an album 5 AGAINST THE HOUSE, these were recently released as a LP/CD on OPTIC NERVE, again in the post punk/gothic realm probably not as experimental as RELIGIOUS OVERDOSE, did a session for RADIO 1 and got a lot of airplay via KID JENSEN and JOHN PEEL(RIP). Bands didn’t have much of a shelf life again it all came to a sudden halt. I then joined electronic band called ATTRITION from Coventry but based in London. MARTIN BOWES from the band had been a contact via a fanzine he produced ALTERNATIVE SOUNDS. Did one album, toured Holland, lived in London, so a good experience which i used in VENUS FLY TRAP. Martin still does ATTRITION alongside running a studio in Coventry, where VENUS FLY TRAP have recorded and mixed material. VENUS FLY TRAP has been a long term project. We have produced eight albums and numerous singles, the most recent ICON on GLASS RECORDS MODERN, the line up has fluctuated over the years and has settled to ALEX NOVAK(VOX) and ANDY DENTON(GUITAR/PROGRAMMING). All the above has been neatly encapsulated in an retrospective CD/DL called MERCURIAL via GLASS RECORDS MODERN out now…..

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

VENUS FLY TRAP: VFT best described as “bladerunner rock n roll wearing dark acidic shades for the cinema of your mind”, if you like joy division/doors/chemical brothers, we could be your new favorite band… I have an eclectic musical taste (I run a record shop SPIRAL ARCHIVE RECORDS in Northampton, also DJ put bands on), taken influences from different bands but trying to put our own stamp on the end result. Really into film/cinema especially FILM NOIR/SCIENCE FICTION anything like ALIEN/BLADERUNNER/WESTWORLD/CLOCKWORK ORANGE/TWIN PEAKS/2001/PULPFICTION/1984/JOKER/BREAKING BAD/WATCHMEN (ALAN MOORE still lives in Northampton)…would like to have a track on a TARANTINO movie soundtrack. GRAPHICS/DESIGN/ART I do come from a GRAPHIC DESIGN background and have designed sleeves/posters etc for all my bands and studied PHOTOGRAPHY at COVENTRY UNIVERSITY.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

VENUS FLY TRAP: MERCURIAL CD/DL which covers all my various projects, so its a little taster for you to delve further if you wish… and ICON CD/DL(GLASS RECORDS MODERN), which is the most recent album which delves into fame/famous for being famous, celebrity/connecting to cinema idols/screen godessess …and religion.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

VENUS FLY TRAP: Well there might be some delays in this (if you are reading this in 2040 we are in the middle of a pandemic)… pounding electronic backing with twin vox and guitar counterpoints-all filled in with wax crayon colors..

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

VENUS FLY TRAP: I will be releasing material in one form or another-whether its download/vinyl/cassette or wax cylinder….