Written by: Pawl Bazile
What’s the difference between an international superstar and a local act? Opportunity. That is all.
We live in a world where cameras are pointed at socialites bitching and texting, and everyone gets a million dollars. No talent needed. But talent didn’t disappear, people still have it and it’s unalike, unequal, various, simple, complicated, trained, natural, assorted, and ubiquitous.
Kraig Marshall is a musician who lives in a suburb in New Jersey. He’s toured the world with Total Chaos, and built his projects like State of Revolution, Bastard Brigade and others. Both bands brought refreshing originality to a music scene that tends to go stale in a hurry. Kraig is in a unique place now. He’s dealing with what is is to be a father and a man. Kraig’s daughter just turned a year old, he’s unsigned, and his reason for making music are changing as we speak.
How would you describe the new project, and how is it different then your past work?
“If NIN and Ministry had a baby, Engineering Destruction would be it. It’s FULL of crazy programming, pounding drums, chunky thick guitars, heavy and beautiful vocals. Every song is killer and there’s so much content. I really LOVE this album and thankfully so do the people checking it out. It’s not so much different from my past work as it is a culmination of it all. I put all of my acquired knowledge into it.”
How did having a daughter change your musical perspective?
“Having a daughter changed my perspective on everything but I take music MUCH less seriously and work just as hard on it. What it all boils down to is changing an infants diaper could either scar them for life or make them trust you implicitly. THAT is a big deal. Arguing with your band about a riff for an hour is just a bunch of idiots, mentally bumping into each other.”
I expected you might soften up a bit after you’re daughter was born… You didn’t. What influence did Violet have on this project?
“My marriage fell apart and I barely got to see my daughter after the separation. She’s everything to me. It was the darkest period of my life and all of the ammunition I needed. I started screwing around with sounds just to distract myself from wanting to die. Experiments turned into songs and at the end of a year I had enough to put out an E.P. Mistakes were made on both sides but I actually dig at myself much more than my ex on this record. It’s easy to blame others. It’s harder to admit your own faults. It feels good to have them out of my head.
Is it true that all the money you make from this is going into your daughter college fund?
“Absolutely. So much damage was done I wanted to do something positive when the record came out. I decided to put 100% of the profits into Violets savings account for college. She’s so brilliant, gorgeous, fearless and fiercely independent. She’s going to be someone powerful.”
Tell me about what you’re trying to say with this project?
“I’m not trying to say anything. I’m a nihilist, I stand for nothing like the guys in AutoBahn minus the Ferret. I’m just pushing forward and doing what I can to get my music out. I really deeply enjoy Engineering Destruction and I can see doing a lot with it. It’s a great creative outlet for me.”
Is there a stand out song in particular we should pay attention to (or do you have a favorite)?
“I’m pushing “Blackout” and “Hypo Critical” as singles but personally my favorite is ThorN. In terms of content and production its awesome. It was also the most difficult song to produce. I couldn’t get it right for weeks but I knew if I just kept at it long enough I’d get what I needed out of it. Mission accomplished.”
You have a very effective, simple video. Talk to me about making it and what is the story you’re trying to tell with the visual aspect of this project?
“The video for, “Blackout” is meant to feel frantic, disorienting and claustrophobic. I moved (not by choice) to a city overflowing with crime and corruption. It’s a nightmare but unfortunately my tax bracket lumps me in with the dregs. (Kids, go to college). The song addresses my surroundings then quickly focuses on my own mistakes that led me here. I take a bit of a dig at my ex wife saying, “I can’t wait to blackout and forget your name”. I wanted the video to seem as cold as my life became. I wanted to see my breath in the air. To get the effect, I chain smoked a pack of clove cigars until I nearly threw up. It was awful but the effect was perfect. The smoke also symbolizes my own struggle with addiction late in life and the damaging effects it had.”
You’ve always been a DIY type of guy…. How’s that going?
“That made me laugh. I’m definitely 100% DIY and always have been. It’s not as adventurous as it used to be. Back in the day it was so much fun going to shows with thousands of CDs, Stickers and flyers and promoting to the whole place when the crowd let out. Thousands of people flood by you like it’s “the running of the bulls” and you can’t pass swag out fast enough. Now you essentially do the same thing sitting at home on your computer and three people care. I’m not exactly sure what to do at this point I’ll be totally honest. I’ve wandered my old ass into a new music generation and the whole environment has changed.”
When you look at musicians who are you’re age when you started, what are you seeing?
“I haven’t been around young musicians for a while but I used to work for School of Rock Montlclair, NJ as a performance director / music instructor from 2009-2012. The majority of the kids were influenced by Classic Rock like AC/DC and Zeppelin but there were a few I recruited to the dark side. We put on a hardcore Punk show and a full Nine Inch Nails performance. Quite a few of my students went on to create their own bands and scenes. I’m extremely proud of those that took the torch and ran wild with it. The talent these kids have is astounding. You’d constantly hear all of us say, “I wish there was a music school like this when we were growing up.”
What do you want to see more of in art/music?
“There are millions of options right now at my fingertips. I don’t have to want for anything ever again as long as the Internet exists. If I want to see more of “X” in music all I have to do is narrow down a search criteria and its right there. That in itself is a huge social problem I’m guilty of. I don’t go to shows anymore partly because if I really want to see a band bad enough, I’ll just Youtube live performances from the comfort of my home. Like I said, it’s a problem, currently unresolved. I wish I saw more Guerilla art. It takes so much skill and risk it’s difficult to create but I’d love to drive around my city and see crazy Banksy stuff. Paintings are lovely but I like a bit of danger in my culture!”
Is rock dead?
“Rock isn’t dead but it’s the shortest kid on the team, frantically flailing both arms. Rock is wandering around a dark forest, confused, angry and bumping into trees. I may be horribly out of touch or jaded but I just feel like nothing is going on. The whole time recording this album I kept thinking, “I have no idea how to find my audience”. If you are reading this then my audience has found me.”
What are you most excited about you your future?
“First and foremost I’m loving watching my daughter grow. I have so much to look forward to as she becomes a lil lady. Regarding music, in a way, knowing how uncertain my future is, is exciting. If you can’t see the end then there’s no limitation.”
Any chance on a State reunion?
“Not a chance. Not even a thought. We had so much fun, toured everywhere but never developed a fan base. That being said, I’m POSITIVE I’ll form a NEW Punk band eventually. It’s just who I am. DIY all the way. www.kraigmarshall.com
This is the best PR i can give Kraig Marshall’s Engineering Destruction project: I don’t want anyone to check it out to “support the scene”. It’s not about acknowledging all the years Kraig gave to music. It also has nothing to do with the contributions gong to his daughter college fund, a lot of people have kids… Forget the hard work, forget that Kraig is a working class artist, forget all the dues that were paid, that has nothing to do with why to listen to Engineering Destruction…. listen to this music because its great music and you’ll like it. Its that simple.
When you see what Kraig does with this album, I can guarantee if you like music, this will wind up on you iPod. And it might even intrigue you to the point of wanting to listen to earlier projects. Different sounds. Then you will see the versatility of Kraig Marshall. But you won’t need to do it for Kraig, this discovery gets to be yours.