The Brains

Canadian based band, The Brains, are one of the most insane, undead and best psychobilly horror-punks alive. They break all the rules, push the envelope, a respect their fans as they make their mark in music. Their latest album, The Monster Within, is a stellar, unholy piece with haunting vocals unleashed from Rene D La Muerte (vocals), along with a tight rhythm section from Pat Kadaver (drums) and Colin The Dead (stand up bass). We spoke with The Brains frontman Rene D La Muerte about the band, the album, how he feels about breaking rules and whom he would like to meet in the afterlife.  

 

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 Ashley: What are the differences in fans internationally than in the U.S. and Canada?

Rene: For us there’s really no difference at all. Our fans are always awesome no matter what country we are in. The international language of rock n roll always prevails!

Ashley: How many members are in the band? I know you are a 3-piece, but there was another member that I have seen at the live shows?

Rene: Yes, we were a 4 piece on stage for a while. Our original drummer Franckobrains couldn’t continue because of the heavy touring and he became a dad a second time so our good friend Mr Pat Kadaver stepped in to take over….Thennn Frank  was able to go back on tour so he asked us if we would like to have a second guitarist and we of course said yes!…later that year we ended up doing way more shows than we expected and Franckobrains definitely couldn’t continue even as a second guitarist unfortunately. We were in the middle of touring so we ended up calling our awesome friend Brad Graves to join us. That lasted about a year. Now, for this new record, we decided to stay a three piece like old times. A lean mean fighting machine.

Ashley: Who designs your stage attire? When forming The Brains, how did the band decide to create the look?

Rene: It’s pretty much the style that we’ve being wearing every single day of our lives. We used to sometimes put on war paint or glow in the dark contacts just for fun at shows but now we’re just playing in our street clothes. 

Ashley: The Monster Within, tell us about the new release and what influenced this record lyrically? Have you progressed musically since your first album?

Rene: I like to think we’ve definitely come a long way as a band in the last 11 years. Hopefully we’ve gotten better, but that’s for the fans to decide. The Monster Within is not exactly a concept album….but all the songs are mainly about the monster that we all have inside of us. The one that comes out and makes you do things you don’t know you could do. I think we all have that inside us on some level. For some people it might come out when they’re drunk or others when they’re happy in life….We wanted to explore that idea on this album. 

Ashley: Describe the band in 4 words?

Rene: Brains, beer, awesome, fun

Ashley: You guys have an upcoming tour scheduled, are you guys excited? Anything new the fans can expect to see?

Rene: Every show is insane and unique because of the fans that come out to see us. We seriously feed on their energy live. The more they give, the more we give. It’s really like a two-way give and take relationship. 

Ashley: Are there other bands out there comparable to The Brains?

Rene: I really think that all bands are unique no matter what genre they’re in. Some of the bands we admire, are friends with and love playing shows with are The Graveyard Johnny’s, Koffin (party) Kats, The Nekromantix, Mad Sin, The Reverend Horton Heat, Flesh Roxon and Hellfreaks…just to name a few. 

Ashley: You guys don’t seem to follow many rules, why is that? What kind of rules do you enjoy breaking the most?

Rene: It’s music. There shouldn’t be rules so we’re never afraid to break them. You don’t need to follow any rules as a musician. If you are trying to follow a checklist, you’re doing something wrong. Hell, it you wanna put meringue in a song do it! Wanna play metal with a mariachi beat? Do it! Rules are for Top40 wannabes and cops. Haha. 

Ashley: Where do you see the band in 10 years?

Rene: You mean when we are finally 21 years old? Haha. I honestly hope to be the first psycho punk rock band to play in outer space or on the moon or on Mars. There’s nowhere we won’t go. 

Ashley: In the afterlife, whom would you most like to meet?

Rene: First, I’d have to say, all my ancestors and friends that have gone over to the other side. Have a good hang out with them and then party with Elvis, Richi Valenzuela, Buddy Holly… maybe smoke with Jimmy…It depends on who’s in the same place I’ll be going to.

Ashley: Where do you see your genre of music heading towards in the industry?

Rene: I rather think about leaving a mark in music and have happy, loyal fans. The industry is made by them. So the more noise The Brains and the fans make, the more the industry has to listen to us.

Ashley: The new artwork on the album, The Monster Within, who designed it? What influences the artwork you use on your albums?

Rene: Our amazing friend Ghoulish Gary was kind enough to do an incredible job on our artwork for us. He also did the cover art on Zombie Nation. Just an amazing artist from Toronto . He’s really fun and easy to work with. I talked about having an old etching like vintage movie poster style that represented the monster Ktulhu (from Lovecraft) and voila! This is what he came up with. You should check out all of his other stellar projects here: http://www.ghoulishgary.com

Ashley: It takes talented and intellectual people to play and write music, besides other musicians, are there other entities that influence the band such as poets, literature pieces, or public figures?

Rene: That’s a tough one. I feel that I’ve been influenced by music that made change in the world. Like the Stray Cats and The Ramones. Personally I’m influenced a lot by my father who survived wars in the 70s in Chile. He’s basically the one that inspires me to never give up and keep on fighting for what you believe… and to not break, kill or fuck over other people in this life.

Ashley: Who writes most of the music or is it a collaboration? Where do you find the inspiration for songwriting?

Rene: The music is mostly me (Rene). I write the melodies and such. When we started the band, I used to write all lyrics and arrangements, but as time passed I started writing arrangements with our respective drummers. Now a day, lyrics are a collaboration between myself and Colin The Dead. It’s like teamwork and it’s a lot more fun. 

Ashley: Ever been in any other band before besides The Brains?

Rene: Yep. I used to play in a Montreal band called Vulgar Deli. Serious fucking punk rock from hell. 

Ashley: Can fans plan to see a U.S. tour in the near future from the band?

Rene: We definitely want to! and we’re doing everything in our power to get back to the USA as soon as possible. 

Ashley: What sets you apart from other bands in your genre?

Rene: I like to think it’s the close, intimate contact we’re lucky enough to have with our fans. We always take the time to talk to them after every show or online. They make us what we are so we’ll always be there for them.  

Ashley: A lot of people have to eventually retire from what they love to do? What is your psychobilly retirement plan?

Rene: I’ll never stop doing what I love. On top of touring and writing music, I’m also a producer and love recording other bands. I guess I’d have to fall back on that if there’s ever a time I can’t climb up on stage, can’t hold a guitar and blast lyrics into the mic.