INTERVIEW: Jess And The Ancient Ones
BY Dennis Otto
Hi! How are you?
In good health my friend! Having my second cup of coffee, and smoking cigarettes as the world was about to end.
At first: when did you have the idea to play 70´s-based Occult Rock? Have you ever wanted to play this kind of music? And what had you done before founding JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES? In what bands did you play?
There were some sleepless nights a few years back, and the conclusion between me and Mr. Fiend was, that we would once again enter into an unknown chapter. 60's, 70's, 80's... the decade doesn't matter as long as the music is good, and the sounds complete the listening trip.
Some of us have been active in the metal scene, but that's not a subject that affects JATAO as much as many thinks. This is from the other edge of the pits, and has it's own unique voice.
How did you come to the band´s name? Like it is now it seems that JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES is just a solo-project with Jess being the band´s founding member and mastermind. So who of you writes most of the music? Do you have one chief-writer, or do all of you write the songs together?
Music and lyrics are written by me and Thomas Fiend. The band comes in with the structural work, and of course they also add their own touch to the piece at hands. It has to be this way, otherwise there would be no JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES.
Where do you get your lyrical ideas from? The lyrics are mostly mystical, but always seem to have a satanic appeal. It is said that they are based upon personal experiences. What kind of experiences are that, so who of you writes them, and do they maybe reflect your satanic attitude towards life?
We write from visions, voices, dreams, and all things that practised workings may reveal. The impulse for a song comes in various forms, and the author is left to correlate with the results. Like said earlier, the two of us are the authors what comes to lyrics. I would not call us simply satanic, as the path we follow is much more than that.
Since Dutch Occult Rock-band THE DEVIL´S BLOOD is very successful especially within the Black Metal-scene and around, many people will accuse you of being just a copy of that band because your musical style is in some way comparable. Besides that you deal with occult topics, and you also have a female vocalist. What are your arguments to disable these accusations?
People are labelling everything to sound alike without getting familiar with the music itself. It's an insult towards all, because clearly all the bands connected to the “scene” have a sound of their own. One could use energy for better purposes, than wasting it by dwelling in deafening ignorance. Everyone is different, but yet some choose to act like sheep. People like that are afraid to stand on their own ground, as others might dislike them after. Good luck with that one.
What is your general opinion towards the Occult Rock-scene? Do you see yourself as a part of it?
I don't know if any of the bands in the scene would call themselves as Occult Rock. These bands share many of the same influences for sure, but everyone seems to be forging their own destinies.
It is also said that your musical influences range from MERCYFUL FATE over IRON MAIDEN and ROKY ERICKSON up to ABBA. Can you tell me what your favourite records of all time are?
Here's a few personal classics, as the list is fathomless...
IRON MAIDEN – Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
MERCYFUL FATE – Melissa
UFO – Phenomenon
Neil Young – Harvest
ROOT – The Temple In The Underworld
LED ZEPPELIN – III
Have you ever played in Germany? And what has been the best concert that you have played so far? Do you rather like big festivals or small tours in comfortable clubs?
The size of the venue doesn't matter at all. Always we will do our best to deliver these sonic masses. The show at “Tuska Open Air” was good, as many attended to witness JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES. We are coming to Germany for sure, but don't know the exact time or the place. Just have to wait and see...
Do you have some special final statements for your fans in Germany?
From what I've heard, our album has been most warmly welcomed in Germany, so thank you all for that. Your support is truly appreciated. Satan sees it all!
