As a major creating force behind Jess and the Ancient ones and The Exploding Eyes Orchestra, Thomas Corpse is someone that I really wanted to talk to. Mr. Corpse is responsible for, in my opinion, doing some of the greatest modern occult/psych rock out there today. Thomas is a very busy guy these days and has had quite a busy couple of years. In 2014, Jess and the Ancient Ones were handpicked by King Diamond himself to support his North American tour. In 2015 we saw a release from his newest band, The Exploding Eyes Orchestra and a new album forthcoming from Jess and the Ancient Ones!
Thomas took time out of his busy schedule to do an e-mail interview with me and it was really great to see his responses to my questions as I asked him about everything from the creation of TEEO and JATAO to just what it was that inspired him to pick up a guitar and pursue music in the first place. This was a really fun Q&A with Mr. Corpse and after this one I can only hope that someday we’ll do a voice to voice or face to face interview. He’s an interesting and intriguing person and I hope you’ll enjoy reading this one!
Thomas Corpse, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview today.
No problem. It’s sweet that you are interested! Sorry it took so long to answer. Shame on me.
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I have to start out by saying just how much I enjoyed the Exploding Eyes Orchestra album. What a fantastic release.
Why thank you kind sir! Nice to hear you enjoy the songs!
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What brought about the concept of the Exploding Eyes Orchestra?
I don’t know. It was just one of those things that went from start to finish without greater plans or everything. A rolling stone of sort. They always tend to have a destination of their own. It might take years to realize what was it all about. Deep, deep down lie the answer.
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So this band pretty much 5/6 of Jess and the Ancient Ones. Why not just use this material as a JATAO album?
They just felt totally different by nature. Also JATAO was having a break back then, and I never want to “store” any songs for a long time. I need to get them out as fast as possible, or else they won’t let my mind rest. They be things that keep you wake at night. Also there was a need to explore some guitar stuff out, and this was the perfect opportunity for that. Never did I know that there would be so big fuzz about the shared members, hahah.
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In all honesty, after a few listens I could really hear a distinct difference in the songs from that of JATAO. Why choose to use the same band members?
At the end of the day I’m not familiar with so many musicians and my hometown is fairly small. Being a shy/lazy guy that I am, I felt comfortable with my trusted brothers and sisters from earlier connection. And of course they are hell of a players, and we like to jam it out.
The songs on this album definitely seem to pull more from the ’60’s rock sounds of bands like the Doors more so than the psych rock that inspires JATAO. Where do these influences come from and who are they?
Whole of the world being the inspiration I’d say. You know, sometimes I feel the blues, sometimes I need to grind out, sometimes I like to swim in jazzy states, sometimes I like to blast that old acid rock, sometimes I feel like dancing with the rockabilly rhythms, sometimes I blow up smoke with afro funk and it goes on and on, hahah! I guess Exploding has a touch of folk, rock, avant-garde, stoner, classic rock, blues, rockabilly, jazz, and ambient. At this moment, when typing this interview, I’m listening to John Coltrane…sweet beans!
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Farewell to All-In-One is my personal favorite song from the album. It’s such a captivating number. What can you tell me about this song?
This is one of the more experimental tracks for us as we never approached a song this way before. Tried to give the lyrics the best possible boost through the music and the song ended up the way it is. A mellow tune. I guess you hear the influence of Beth Gibbons, and Twin Peaks soundtrack on this one? Or Roy Orbison and black metal? Hahah!
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Black Hound is another really interesting song with the spoken word thing mixed with Jess’ vocals at times. This is quite an interesting piece of awesomeness! What’s the story behind this one?
Being fan of dear old H.P. Lovecraft, and thus was inspired to use the spoken word section. I love stories, and I love to hear them narrated, and “The Hound” is one of the best! The song is quite the bluesy odd stomper, and I got to play my lap steel on this one. I’m no David Gilmour, that’s for sure, but it gave the song a nice wailing add. Also, our friend Brother Andy played some mean harmonica on this one!
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JATAO had their first tour in the US as support for King Diamond. What kind of impact did that have on you personally, creatively, and emotionally?
It was truly the most uplifting experience. We loved being on the road. All the venues were so sweet places, and the people were really friendly to us. Guess we looked like a goofy bunch from the middle of the woods, and thus people were welcoming, haha. The road inspired songs on the spot, as I wrote some lyrics and melodies during our stay. All the musical history was overwhelming at times. King was the greatest. I guess that’s why he’s the King!
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Is TEEO something that you can see being an ongoing thing for the material that might not be as well suited for JATAO?
Well it can be, but I don’t want to think about any timelines or such. TEEO works when the time and the place meet in a suitable fashion. At the moment I concentrate fully on JATAO, and there are already some more future recording plans.
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When you’re writing, how do you decide what band gets what song?
I think when you have your mind set on one thing at the time, then your depths spill out all things related to that matter at hand. So focus might be the key element here.
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Are there any plans for TEEO to tour/do shows?
If something interesting comes along, we’ll surely give it a shot. Anything is possible, and we have done a few small club shows back here at homeland. Some juicy jams indeed.
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If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a bit about JATAO. It was announced that JATAO has a new single coming out in November. Does that mean we’ll see the album shortly after or will it be in 2016?
As you know by now, the album will be hitting the store a month from here or so. Nine new original JATAO songs, and the single has a Dead Moon cover as a B-sider. “The Wind Cries.”
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The new JATAO album is titled, ” The Second Psychedelic Coming : The Aquarius Tapes.” What’s the story behind the title?
It’s about the hippie dream age, as some thoughts travel through time forever. The title kind of informs you, that here be songs that have similarities calling back to the psychedelic era, but we do it like it’s 2015.
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What was the inspiration that brought upon the formation of Jess and the Ancient Ones which is something significantly different from what you normally play with your other band Deathchain?
Just the need to explore different methods within the musical boundaries. See where we can evolve with the right mind set. It has been really an interesting trip. Short, strange, but still. The future seems brighter by the day.
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Has the overall response you’ve received from fans of the band been a surprise to you?
It really has. We had no high hopes when starting out. The response has been really amazing, and I am grateful that we have reached so many listeners. May our songs spark them with inspiration. Without a listener, would there be a sound?
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The single for “Castaneda” was such a growth and a step forward from the stellar debut album. What can we expect from the new album?
We forge our way deeper still. ”Castaneda” and ”Astral Sabbat” have been setting the ground for the full length. Our music has gone forth a long way from the debut, and all the flood gates have been opened. Expect some groovy dark hippie death rock or well, spin it, and be the judge and the jury!
You seem like you love to stay busy musically. What other bands are you involved with and what do you do?
I’ve kind of been dropping myself out from a few groups, just that I would find more time to concentrate on my own possessions. At the time I’m involved with The Ancient Ones, The Exploding Eyes Orchestra, Deathchain, Winterwolf, Irön Whale, and some own small projects where I also do the vocals.
Have to mention that I loved playing with Demilich and Forgotten Horror, and truly wish them all the best in the future. Lots of great friends, great memories and tons of experience gained…one could not wish for more. Be well brothers!
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You seem to be someone who just loves to stay busy. Does having so many different projects keep you challenged artistically?
I think they keep me challenged mentally, hahah! It’s all great fun for me. Guitar playing is the best thing in the world, and it always brings me joy when I’ve got lots to do music wise. I mean, it’s the way how I like to spend my free time. Music is good for your soul.
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Do you have a particular favorite band out of all them all?
Every band has their own good things. It’s great to rip out some loud riffs with Deathchain, or jam it out with the Ancient Ones. I guess it depends on the day. Tomorrow I might feel the blues so who knows?
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Ok, here’s just a few fun questions that i like to ask folks. I hope you don’t mind. At what point did you know you wanted to be a musician?
When I saw Iron Maiden on television. I’d been listening to them for a while, but after the visuals I knew that I needed to get myself a guitar. Luckily, there are some musicians in my family, and I was able to get a hold of acoustic guitar.
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What was the first concert you ever attended and what kind of impact did it make on you?
The really first gig I saw must have been some shitty show near my hometown. I lived in really small town with 5000 people in it. There never were any great live acts, but once we travelled to Helsinki to see Iron Maiden. That was really astonishing for a young kid. Dave Murray shredded some nice solos that night.
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What is the most UN-METAL thing about you?
Guess they might be my shirts? I love them flowers and colors in my clothes, haha. Also, I love all kinds of music that many metal brothers would find too wimpy.
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What is one rock/metal album that everyone should own?
This is a hard one, but at the moment it would be ”Physical Graffiti” from the Led Zeppelin.
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If Hollywood was to make a movie about your live, what famous actor would play you?
Hmm, I’ll take John Belushi any day!
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If you could play guitar for just one band for one night, who would it be and why?
Wow, this be a hard one. Maybe I’d jump in with Rocky Erickson? Roky Erickson and the Ancient Ones. For one night only, hahah!
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Finally, finish this sentence: If I wasn’t a musician I would be…
Yet another person lost. Sad.
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Thomas, thank you so much for doing this interview today. It’s been a pleasure. Hurry back to Atlanta!
Thank you for the support. It really means a lot! We’ll try to make it back to USA during 2016. Feed your minds!
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