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Valley of Bones caught up with french deathrock band Zorch Factor to see how things are going across the Atlantic.. Read on to see what frontman, Manu, has to say...

VOB: How's everyone doing?
Zorch: Hi, I am Manu and I created this mess Everybody's very fine thanks! I will answer alone to that interview as the rest of the band is on holidays

VOB: Where are you from? Who's in the Band? What does each member do?
Zorch: We are a band from Paris. But i am the only "native" from Paris. The rest of the crew comes from East, South-West and South-East of France. We all work in Paris now and hooked up there. The band is: Nico: drums Jean-Philippe: guitar Thomas: bass Manu/Zorch: guitar, vocals and programming

VOB: How long have you been together? How did the band form? What other bands did each of you play in?
Zorch: Thoms, Nico and I met as we started playing in the french band Sleeping Children. We stayed in 6 monthes and then quit the band. We had a good feeling together and wanted to play together again. I had a solo project, Zorch Factor, since 2003. In December 2004 we decided to transform it into a real band. Jean-Philippe a friend of Thomas quickly joined us and the band was ready to play.

VOB: How many releases do you have?
Zorch: As band wo do not have any real releases. There are already some demos and EPs but mostly from the solo era. The last demo gives anyway a good idea of what the band will sound like in the near future.

VOB: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if comps what programs)
Zorch: The recordings were all digital.

VOB: What inspired your band name?
Zorch: "zorch" is a name picked up from the psychobilly culture. It refers to planet crowded by mutants. But I don't know much more about the subject. I used it first as a nickname. Then in the band's name.

VOB: What do you think of underground music?
Zorch: It has to exist. Otherwise it would mean that individual, original, counter culture creation does not exist or has not the right to exist. Ok underground means poor means. But at least we have the right to exist and express ourselves. Being underground makes us strong also, as we know eachother better and help eachother.

VOB: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? Is Deathrock anywhere in site on that? In the U.S.A. Deathrock is very much an underground genre, what about in France?
Zorch: I don't have any particular opinion on mainstream music. There are always some good stuff in there. Some. But most of the time I just ignore it. I don't feel like willing to know more about it. It's the same for the rest of the band people. Anyway the question of "mainstream" music is difficult... Would you classify The Cure as mainstream... It should on a financial or record company point of view. But on the spirit side. Not sure... Deathrock is surely one of the genres that are the most far away from mainstream... And not only in the USA. I think it is worldwide.

VOB: What do your lyrics express? Any particular theme or just whatever comes to mind?
Zorch: Our lyrics express nothing in particular. It is a mix of horror stuff, romantic stuff, gothic and ghoulish inspired lyrics. Mostly whatever comes to mind. Many people write for Zorch Factor. Some outside of the band. Most important is that the lyrics fits to the song.

VOB: how do you feel about bands that would express their religious or political beliefs in music?
Zorch: It's ok. I won't do it. None of us wants to in this band. Because we do not want an "engaged" band. But i do respect bands like Dead Kennedys that had the will to say something and said it right. We all like UK punk bands like CRASS for example. Even the Sex Pistols.

VOB: Any tours planned?
Zorch: No yet. We hope to start touring in 2006

VOB: Could you explain in detail what gear you use?
Zorch: Well it is not entirely sure as I will speak for the others we have a fender telecaster, a fender stratocaster, a gibson epiphone eb-0 bass, a squier fender precision bass, a pearl export drum set... plus some effect pads

VOB: Do you prefer live or studio recording?
Zorch: Studio recordings. A recording must be as close to perfect as possible. Live do not always allow good recording solutions.

VOB: How did you do the recording process live or 1 on 1?
Zorch: We will do a live process recording. And then if required had some aditionnal elements one by one, like keyboards, guitars parts. And the voice will be anyway recorded separately

VOB: Please tell us about your cd coming out. Release Dates, Production, Feelings/Comments.
Zorch: We hope to have a new release, i mean a LP, available by the beginning of 2006. The first release as band truly.

VOB: What Label are you on? Looking for any Majors?
Zorch: Once the recording finished we will directly look for a label. Indie label of course!

VOB: Why do you do what you do in music?
Zorch: I will answer for me... and I don't really know why. It's here and that's all! We all have something to express I think...

VOB: Any advise to other indie bands?
Zorch: Yes! Check out some of our friend bands! Trespass from Paris (www.myspace.com/thetrespass), and Joy Disaster (www.myspace.com/joydisaster) from Nancy, France. Those bands are really promising, good and original.

VOB: Thanks so much for putting up with me and my questions, do you have any parting words?
Zorch: Thanks a lot for contacting us! We have many visitors from the USA and always had a good feedback from our listeners there. The deathrock culture seems strong there and I have always met some curious and open people within. So thank you again for putting up with us!