Interviews - Live 4 Metal

Interview with John McCarthy and John Alexander of Post Mortem
September 2008 by Metal Mark

The first time I heard Post Mortem was back in 1986 on their Coroner's Office album. Right away I thought that they were odd and crazy. After interviewing vocalist John McCarthy and guitarist John Alexander it sounds like some things never change. Enjoy.

First the big news is that Coroner’s Office and The Missing Link are going to be released on one CD by New Renaissance. The original release has been delayed, so why the delay and do you have an idea of when it will be released?
John McCarthy: Every record company delays everything. It's a pain in the ass you have to deal with.
John Alexander: New Ren is probably just trying to stagger the releases a little.

Are the albums being re-mastered? Are there any bonus tracks and what can we expect in the booklet?
John Alexander: There are some alternate edits of 3 songs. I have no idea what will be in the booklet, this is something new Ren is doing.
John McCarthy: There are liner notes, some pictures. That's what I've been told.

Now you list your definitive band line-up as being solidified in 1985 which is three years after you formed. Was it difficult keeping a stable line-up those first few years and if so then why?
John Alexander: The line up that plays on most of the LPs etc came together in 85.
John McCarthy: People lose interest. They join a band to get girls, they think they're going to be rich in 2 weeks. There are many factors.

How did you get signed to New Renaissance records? Did you have any other offers back then if so then from what labels?
John Alexander: We sent them a tape we did and I guess they liked it. Metal Blade was also interested, but, we received no concrete offer. So, we took the first contract that arrived in the mail and were done with it. After all, we were in high school!!
John McCarthy: Like John said, being young, we were not very wise to record contracts. You come home from school one day & there's one on John's dinner table. So, we signed the damn thing.

Now “Festival of Fun” was recorded in 1989. Was the first it saw the light of day on the 1994 version from Red Light? If so then why was that?
John Alexander: 2 LP versions came out in 89. The record was recorded for a big label (not New Ren) and they hated it, dropped us, and refused to put it out. So, we did.

Who was the label that you originally recorded "Festival of Fun" for?
John McCarthy: Zanzibar, out of Pittsburgh. They claimed to have big time dist., since the 2 label heads had worked for Vee-Jay, who put out the Beatles & numerous blues & r&b acts

What’s you favorite album that your band did and why?
John McCarthy: Festival Of Fun.
John Alexander: I like bits and pieces from them all, musically my fav is the "Ring Around the Rectum" EP. My best playing is on that record.

Why did you break up in 1994?
John Alexander: We broke up?
John McCarthy: We never really broke up, it was just things were falling apart.
John Alexander: I guess you could say things were put on hold in 94 for many reasons.

What have you and the other band members been doing since then?
John Alexander: Cooking, cleaning, working, paying bills, taking showers on a semi-regular basis.
John McCarthy: I went insane for a while, but now I'm okay.
John Alexander: I play/played in some projects www.myspace.com/banddread and www.myspace.com/ernestborgninebos

What were some of the first albums that you really got into?
John Alexander: Volume 4, well, really all Black Sabbath with Ozzy. Oh and the Bay City Rollers "Rollin'" if you wanna go way back to when I was a little kid.
John McCarthy: Sly & The Family Stone-Stand, Jimi Hendrix-All, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Captain Beefheart.......Christ, this could fill a book.

What was the Boston metal/punk rock scene like in the 1980’s and early 1990’s?
John Alexander: hmmmm
John McCarthy: We didn't care.
John Alexander: The scene was not something I was interested in.

What’s the scene in Boston like these days?
John Alexander: No idea
John McCarthy: I'm lost on that one.

What are some of your more memorable shows with Post Mortem?
John McCarthy: The ones where people either really hated us, or for some reason, really liked us.
John Alexander: Opening for Cannibal Corpse and playing an instrumental acoustic set. People hated us and wanted to kill us, you could really see the anger, it was great. Best show by far. Well, getting attacked on stage in Detroit was also great. They threw bottles at us and some people rushed the stage and took my guitar and started to beat me with it. That was almost as good as the Cannibal Corpse show.
John McCarthy: I really loved beer bottles, spit, ice, tables......being attacked.....fond memories.
John Alexander: yeah, I just loved when people hated us. I could not get into playing to a crowd that liked us.
John McCarthy: We wanted to kill them all. So the feelings were mutual.
John Alexander: I think I wanted them to try and fight us or something, but, most people spoke tall games and then did nothing.
John McCarthy: Exactly.
John Alexander: Thankfully, I am mellow now.

Do you have any regrets in your musical career?
John Alexander: No
John McCarthy: just one. We never got to record with Desi Arnez.
John Alexander: yeah, that did suck and we came sooo close too
John McCarthy: it drives me to tears......

What kind of music are you listening to these days?
John Alexander: The kind that uses instruments? Miley Cyrus, Cianide, and Aly and A.J.
John McCarthy: all things that Satan condones.
John Alexander: Satan keeps his shit tight
John McCarthy: well, I do have a soft spot for AA barbershop quintets.

Is there anything else that you like to say about your band of your music?
John Alexander: Just say no
John McCarthy: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
John Alexander: Were your horns up while keeping it brutal?
John McCarthy: they are always up, which causes problems in public. I have to have special hats made due to my condition. it's very costly.
John Alexander: Damn...