Talking with . . . Cattle Decapitation
Interviewed 8/17/2004 by Brett VanPut
Interview with guitarist Josh Elmore
California death metallers Cattle Decapitation started out as a grindcore band and they released two e.p.'s (Human Jerky and Homovore) before signing with Metal Blade. They have since released two albums (2002's To Serve Man and 2004's Humanure) which take them in a more song oriented death metal direction. The band have caused a stir with their vegetarianism and environmental ideas and here is guitarist Josh Elmore to give us a better idea of what Cattle Decapitation is all about.
How is your tour going? I understand Travis broke his hand the first day- how is it healing and how did this affect the tour?
Tour is going really well. We're seeing a lot of familiar faces as well as making new friends, so I guess that's all we could ask for. Travis's broken hand hasn't really had any detrimental effect save two things; 1. lack of driving ability and 2. the stench that his cast puts out is mind-bending.
Does it bother you when you see that your album won't be carried by certain stores due to the artwork? Does this ultimately have any effect on the actual sales?
It bothers us in the fact that some folks who live in areas where their only choice of music stores are the mega-chains might not be able to get the disc. It's very unfortunate that Best Buy refuses to carry it. I think a lot of sales might be hindered by their reluctance to stock it. The effect that this has ripples throughout our existence. Basically, the less albums you scan, the less tour support you can expect and the more likely you are to find yourself getting passed over for tours and if you are touring your guarantee goes into the crapper. It's very important to us to have Humanure in stores for the dual purposes of having it their for the fans and for giving Metal Blade and our booking agent some good scan #'s to work with.
Soundwise, your last two albums are more straight ahead death metal than the grindcore of the early albums- why did you decide to head in this direction musically?
I think our technical and compositional ability reached the point where we could undertake writing longer and more complex arrangements. The first two albums are great grind/gore-grind albums, but at the time they were still striving to be full on death metal. Now, the ability is there and we will pursue it. Besides, all of us have all listened to pure death metal for years and years and reaching this point is only a logical step.
Your lyrics are very disturbing and have a significant message- does it take extreme words and artwork to open people's eyes?
I think Travis's lyric writing style is just very graphic and descriptive when it comes to rather repulsive subject matter. I don't think it was a conscious effort on his part to make things as gross as possible in order to convey so sort of "message." His style just happened to lend itself well to people potentially seeing our politics in a more illuminated way. I think it is an over-hyped issue (our vegetarianism). People tend to rally around that subject in interviews and when criticizing us. The "guess what?!? I just had a hamburger before I came to do this interview with you guys!" shit is tired. It's not shocking and I don't give a fuck what you just ate. It's as if these folks are on some type of juvenile mission to get a reaction from us. I don't eat meat because it's not healthy for me, personally and because of various issues I have with the meat industry. If an individual at a show or doing an interview wants to act like and idiot, then have fun.
How did you become involved in environment preservation and animal rights?
Once again, we are not A.L.F. or E.L.F. activists. We are simply a band composed of vegetarians that play death metal. Our lyrics are more based on a hatred of humanity than any sort of pamphlet-based ideology that you'll forget as soon as mom and dad cut you off after college. Yes, we are vegetarian. No, we are not vegan. Yes, we believe the meat industry is a fucked-up institution. No, we are not going to force our way into your home when you're eating dinner and chastise you for your meat consumption. You can have fun with the diseases and health problems you'll experience later in life. That'll hurt you more that any gory and graphic lyric or image we could hurl your way.
If someone were interested in becoming a vegan or vegetarian- what suggestions would you make?
You can look at the P.E.T.A. website. However, their ideals are good, but often their attempts to project their ideas to others fall flat because of absurd and foolish techniques that some of their more overzealous members employ. Free the snails anyone?
Is there any particular literature which has had a positive impact upon you?
Diet For A New America, Fast Food Nation and even the classic The Jungle are good places to start if you're talking about veggie issues. Other than that, Saveur magazine, Vintage Guitar magazine and any of Ronald Dahl's works are wonderful.
How much does it bother you seeing our government continually show disregard for the environment?
All I can say is that both parties have shown disregard for the environment both in the past and presently. Yes, it is bothersome. However, I think all positive action regarding changing people's attitudes towards the environment or animals starts at home. Oh, and please register to vote if you are not, presently. Vote with your heart, but preferably against George W. Bush.
Do you think people have to be shocked or repulsed to completely understand the ill treatment of animals?
I think if people get over their clichéd responses to information regarding the mistreatment of animals, they can begin to become receptive. Cold hard facts have a much more profound effect on people than shock tactics. A lot of people don't really want to listen though. Their loss, I guess.
It seems that Cattle Decapitation are all about extremes. What draws you to such extreme music, extreme lyrics, extreme movies, etc.?
I think the music is very stimulating on many levels. Extreme music is just a great outlet for creativity, camaraderie, fun and emotional release. The lyrics (in our case) help punctuate the chaotic death metal we play. I think we live in environments and lifestyles that lend themselves to such expression. Death metal is probably the most "extreme" thing I am into. Other than that aspect of my existence, I probably have more in common with you grandfather than you. To me, personally, there can never be enough banjos, artisinal cheeses, curry dishes, abandoned shacks and heavily wooded areas to satisfy me.
What's it like being away from home and touring America?
It's a great privilege to be able to tour and have fun playing in a band. It's a bunch of positives for me. The only negative thing is being away from wives, girlfriends and other loved ones.
Final comments?
Stay gore and thanks for your time and attention.
Discography:
2004... Humanure (Metal Blade)
2002... To Serve Man (Metal Blade)
Current line-up:
Travis Ryan... vocals
Josh Elmore... guitars
Troy Oftedal... bass
Michael Laughlin... drums
Cattle Decapitation
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