I’LL WAIT FOREVER
Ahead of their upcoming San Diego show alongside Kommunity FK, Nervous Gender Reloaded, and the Exile, we catch up with the legendary Ex-VoTo to discuss all things Deathrock!
BIO:
Ex-VoTo was formed in 1982 in Los Angeles by Larry Rainwater, Linda Patti and David Rhine. Disenchanted with the current Punk rock scene of the early 80s in Los Angeles, Ex-Voto set out to forge a sound on the darker and more macabre side of alternative music. Incorporating drum machines and keyboards with heavy guitars and rock dance beats that are now common in music were met with much disdain from the mainstream population at the time. That disdain did not last long as this combination proved too infectious to be denied its place in music. Thus came the birth of Deathrock. Over the years the categorizations have changed; Goth, Gothic, Industrial Goth Rock, Bat Cave, and full circle back to Deathrock, as a whole new generation re-discovers a genre that has been overlooked by most.
1. Deathrock has come a long way since the term first started popping up in early 80s Los Angeles. With Ex-Voto being one of the progenitors of the scene and sound, can you give us some insight as to what Los Angeles was like in the early 80s, and what lead to the formation of Ex-VoTo?
Los Angeles was all over the place in the early 80s, like anything goes. It was very exciting, very energetic. We'd all been in punk rock bands before. Then we tried our hands at other types of music and nothing really stuck. Then I just decided I was just gonna start writing my own music and be a kind of solo writer. From other people quitting bands on me all the time I realized that I had to take charge.
Gallery photos by Elena Beaudry of Digital Dark Skies Photography
2. In the present day, we are very fortunate to have many clubs, events, and shows to be able to enjoy Deathrock and Goth, as the music is widely accessible and familiar, although that hasn't always been the case. How was the initial deathrock sound received amidst the LA punk scene? Were there any venues or clubs in particular that were welcoming of the new Deathrock sound?
Well, you have to remember that the whole term “death rock” was a derogatory term that the punk rockers used to use to describe us. It wasn't a cool thing. It was like they were making fun of us -“Oh, you guys are all gloomy!” And a lot of people I played in punk rock bands with were not into what I was doing. People didn’t know quite what we were. We were kind of controversial when we first started, because a lot of people really were angry that we were a rock band and didn't have a drummer. We took a lot of heat for that, back in the early 80s. Now nobody cares if you have a drum machine. But back then, there are a lot of people who used to yell “get a drummer!” while we were playing. But most of the club owners accepted all this new vibrant art and stuff that was going on at the time, so it was it was pretty cool to be a part of it.
Ex-Voto 1989 Dee Madden, Larry Rainwater, and Linda Patti during the filming of the music video “If I Never”
3. With LA being a hub for deathrock in the early 80s, were there any notable bands that Ex-VoTo were able to play with and/or experience?
The first big show that we had, as Ex-Voto, we opened for The Jesus and Mary Chain at a small club in Huntington Beach. We played with a wide variety of bands because people didn't really know where to put us. We're kind of a rock band, so they booked us at Scream with Jane's Addiction, even though we're nowhere near the same kind of band. But we did numerous shows with Christian Death, Death Ride 69, Screams for Tina, and so many other bands. We even played with Nine Inch Nails before they got big.
Gallery photos by Grimm Beatz
4. It has been more than 4 decades since the inception of Deathrock and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Are there any current bands you have been following that you feel are carrying the iconic deathrock sound?
13th Sky reminds me of a lot of bands we used to play with in the 80s. Our old guitarist Dave Rhine plays in Vision of the Void and they are great. This July we’ll be playing with Strange Boutique and The Rope. They are both really good.
Ex-VoTo gig flyers throughout the years
5. Ex-VoTo and Patrik go back many years. Can you tell us about how you first met?
The first time I saw Kommunity FK was at the Whiskey a Go-Go, because they got to open for Killing Joke, which was such a cool show. He and I were in the same scene, so we got to know each other. At one point, after Kommunity FK had dissolved, Patrik wanted to bring it back for some shows. So for a brief time Ex-VoTo’s entire line up actually was Kommunity FK. I played bass, Linda played keyboards, and Dee did drum programming and guitar, and of course Patrik sang. We practiced a lot at my house, but I think we only did 2 live shows! So I've known Patrick for a long time. He’s an incredible talent with a great voice.
Kommunity FK & Ex VoTo
Kommunity FK and members of Ex VoTo
6. For me, "If I Never" Will forever be a dancefloor hit, as it will always be one of my favorite selections when I want to invoke that quintessential Deathrock sound. Are there any particular tracks that will for sure get you out on the dancefloor? Any tracks that are personal favorites? (Hoping one of the DJs playing the event will have it stashed away in their crate...)
Heather doesn't let me dance, for good reason! But there's a lot of songs I like that really get me pumped up. I'm a big Red Lorry Yellow Lorry fan. I always like when I hear any of their stuff played. So I’d say “Talk About The Weather”. We had that song play at our wedding reception so you’d probably get me and Heather dancing with that one.
7. This upcoming show on June 5th is very special to us, as it has been many years since a legacy Deathrock show of this magnitude has hit sunny San Diego. When was the Last time Ex-VoTo played in SD?
It was 2017. Before that we played in San Diego a couple times in the 80s. So this will be the 1st time we've been back in almost 10 years
Ex VoTo playing club Hemlock San Diego 2017
Club Hemlock gig flyer 2017
8. On top of the upcoming shows Ex-VoTo has lined up, is there any additional news and/or updates you would like to share with your fans?
It’s exciting because we have a couple of new releases coming out. Our EP ‘Laodicea’ features 4 brand-new tracks and 4 remastered tracks that appeared on compilations but were never released on our own. That will be available as a limited edition vinyl and CD. PNV Records is putting out an LP with bonus tracks called “Don’t Look Back 1982-1990”. It includes the songs from our first studio release and has a bunch of rarities and outtakes from our early years. We are also thrilled to be headed to Mexico again this October. It’s been a busy year for us. We are so thankful for all our passionate fans who make it possible for us to keep making music after all these years.
Modern Wav continues to bring the best in deathrock, goth, industrial, and darkwave to the underground.
Ex-Voto Live - June 5th
Deathrock event at Queen Bees.
Tickets available at: www.modernwav.com
