With countless personnel changes behind them, the Chicago-based Effigies should find themselves back on the concert scene and airwaves with the release of their new album, INK. Their last album, FLY ON A WIRE, contained a variety of tense, introspective songs delivered with dramatic, rhythmic, guitar-oriented flare. John Kezdy, who writes and sings for the group, took time out from recording the new album to answer a few questions for Lively Arts.
LIVELY ARTS: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE "EFFIGIES" FOR THE BAND'S NAME?
Effigies are symbolic dummies, usually representing something or someone hated. You've seen them burning things in effigy during demonstrations, no doubt. We picked the name for its denotation as well as its sinister connotations.
LA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER?
We've been together for 5 1/2 years, having played out first gig in Nov. 1980.
LA: WHY WAS JOY DIVISION'S "NO LOVE LOST" COVERED BY THE BAND?
The Joy Division song "No Love Lost" was chosen because it had been a favorite in our crowd ever since it came out. We used to share an apartment that became a type of crash pad back around 1981. That song, among others, was very popular. Covering it was a way of saluting that period in our lives along with a great group and a great song.
LA: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BANDS?
Everybody in the group likes different groups. We all agree that the Stranglers are gods. I tend to like individual songs more than an artist in general. Most bands are not consistent enough. I like the Hoodoo Gurus, EA 80 (German), Agent Orange's "Everything Turn's Grey," Bad Manners, Angry Samoans. I listen to a lot of comedy like Python or Firesign Theater.
LA: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE AND CHEESE?
My favorite beverage is Schweppes Bitter Lemon (straight), and my favorite cheese is Cheddar.
LA: WHERE IS YOUR MOST LOYAL FOLLOWING?
Our most loyal followings are probably in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit. We haven't played outside the midwest in a while, which is why I can't tell you more than that. The last few shows we played in Columbus, OH, Milwaukee, and Chicago all went very well.
LA: IT SEEMS AS IF A LOT OF YOUR NEW MATERIAL IS MORE UPBEAT. ARE YOU TRYING TO CHANGE YOUR IMAGE?
Our newer material isn't straight-ahead thrash, if that's what you mean (it never was). But yes, we do have many ideas and we don't let anybody's preconceptions get in the way. We don't pander to an audience. A lot of the thrash bands (and metal bands, for that matter) are so one-dimensional that the minute they try to stray even a little amount from their usual din, their audiences turn their backs on them. Musically and lyrically we've always been hard for people to pigeonhole because we're more complex than most people's definitions of punk or new wave or whatever. We put our minds, hearts and souls into the music and that's all that counts. We have politics, but they're in the lyrics along with out views about love and personal relationships. There comes a time when nihilism is no longer a credible attitude. You can't constantly want to destroy without building something; we want to build.
LA: WHAT IS THE CHICAGO MUSIC SCENE LIKE?
The Chicago music scene is about to explode. At this point in time there are more good local bands than at any other time I can remember. Material Issue, Naked Raygun, Get Smart!, Big Black, etc. are all fine bands. Clubs include Gaspar's, the Igloo, the West End, etc, We could use more clubs, but there's certainly no lack of talent.
LA: HAVE YOU PLAYED IN EUROPE OR THE ORIENT?
We've never played in Europe or the Orient, but we plan to soon!
LA: WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR THE EFFIGIES?
We've just gotten done recording a new LP called INK. It'll be out on Fever/Enigma, and it should be out by May. We'll follow it up with a major US tour this summer, starting in July. Right now we're touring the midwest every weekend. Upcoming shows include Lansing, KS and Atlanta.
John Kezdy/Effigies