Deathrock n' rollers
ASTROVAMPS formed in the 1990's by Daniel Ian and Eyajo Jospeh, since forming the band went off to write and record several releases, including doing some showcases and touring here and there. Then the band went off to disband in 2007, everyone going off to do other projects from bands to focusing on their own personal lives etc. One of the original members keyboardist Eyajo Jospeh discusses the band's past and possible future activity!
1. First of all, who are you, and what did you do in the band?
EYAJO: My name is Eyajo, I’m the keyboardist and Lyricist (co-songwriter/co-founder) of the band.
2. Can you give those of us who aren't familiar with Astrovamps a brief history of the band and can you please describe your sound for those who have yet to hear your music?
EYAJO: We formed in the winter of 1990, right after we disbanded the glam punk band “Babydolls” and our first self released album “Savage Garden” came out on cassette. We were labeled deathrock in the 90’s and that pretty much sums us up. A lot of our music is like deathrock/punk/B movie Horror.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
EYAJO: The band is based out of Hollywood, California. There’s a handful of cool deathrock/goth/industrial clubs. Black Heroin Gallery and Dead Fly Ensemble are couple of local bands I would recommend.
4. Who was the one to come up with the band's name Astrovamps? Are they a "new" type of Vampire?
EYAJO: Daniel, was the one who came up with the name. Our first album “Savage Garden” had a song on it called “astrovamp”, so we added an “s” and named the band after that song. I think yes, we've always been a new type of vampire.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
EYAJO: Bauhaus, Flesh For Lulu, New York Dolls, Velvet Underground, Cramps, Bowie, Joy Division, just to name a few.
6. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
EYAJO: We used a lot of Horror and occultish themes, the message was a lot of the usual suspects; Death, Love, fear, Romance, revenge, tragedy and hope in relationships.
7. How did you and Alice In... and Dark Dimensions come together? Were you pleased with what they did for you?
EYAJO: They sent us an email, about signing us, there was this deathrock revival thing going on in Germany, so a lot of the German labels were signing up American deathrock, honestly I think the Germans’ passion for Deathrock music save the scene in a lot of ways. Yes we’re happy with the press they got us. They pretty much introduced the Vamps to the world.
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8. You released several albums "Savage Garden", "Blood and Flowers", "Amerikan Gothick", and "Gods & Monsters", your Wikipedia page says "Amerikan Gothick" was the first album but it says "Savage Garden" was also a first album, so which of these was your first full-length debut, "Savage Garden" or "Amerikan Gothick"?
EYAJO: “Savage Garden” was our first, but it was self released in 1991 and “Amerikan Gothick” was our first official album release on a record label. Released on “Alice In…” of the Dark Dimensions German Label group.
9. Besides those full-length releases you had one other "Pixies and Daggers" that was never recorded, why didn't it make the cut? Will it ever see the light of day?
EYAJO: No it won’t be published, it was more ideas then complete songs, but we liked the title and had some art in mind for the cover, I had a lot of songs lyrically done for it and wanted to get with Daniel to put the music to them, but it never happened. A lot of that stuff has faded away or turned into other songs, some of which ended up on “Amerikan Gothick.”
10. You also released one EP "Manifesto" why was this EP the only one to be released, while the rest of your releases were nothing but full-lengths?
EYAJO: Well the EP was “Alice In’s” idea, they wanted to build up an audience to our upcoming album release.
11. Did you guys ever consider releasing a live CD or DVD or a combination of the both?
EYAJO: Yes, I wanted to many times, maybe someday I get some of that stuff out of the vaults and release it, Raw footage and all.
12. How about an acoustic release, did you ever think of releasing an EP or full-length of that style of material?
EYAJO: Yes, that would have been great to do as well.
13. In 2007 you "officially" disbanded, can you disclose as to why?
EYAJO: Well basically Daniel was no longer interested in the Vamps continuing on, he wanted out of the music thing all together. There were some personal conflicts and the band didn't part ways on good terms, but over the years its calmed a bit. I hold no harsh feelings toward anyone, life’s too damn short for that. I promised that the band would never continue on without Daniel, and I kept that promise. That’s why all my focus is in my current band “Black Heroin Gallery.”
14. Why do you think bands go on the disbandment route, going away for good, never coming back, OR some go away then come back? What's the point, if the band said they were done then be done no? It doesn't make sense within the music scene so why does it happen?
EYAJO: Some do it for money, some for fame, but we did it because we just didn't feel like the Vamps were done yet, we disbanded in 1995 and reunited around 2001. I’m glad we did, cause we got the exposure we wanted and “Astrovamps” immortalized in written Deathrock history.
15. What other projects or bands are you or the other members involved with at the current time, any you can discuss?
EYAJO: I’m just busy playing live and recording with my band “Black Heroin Gallery” we just played a show with 45 Grave at the Whisky ago go in Hollywood. Glass has a solo project called “sea of dead faces” its pretty cool stuff, Toe Knee drums in “Black Heroin Gallery” and has his own band “Willow Wisp” and Corwin is in Europe touring with a band.
16. You mentioned Black Heroin Galley, IF Astrovamps came back would you consider bringing both acts together for a couple of showcases or touring trek?
EYAJO: Yes, that would be something I would consider, anything is possible. If not, I’m ok with that too.
17. Did you guys play live as well? How was the live activity towards your act?
EYAJO: The response to BHG has been very positive, actually the number of people coming up to me after the live show to tell me how much they loved it, was way beyond what I expected. Can’t wait to play live again, even if they hate us, just getting on stage and performing the songs is such a high, I’m addicted.
18. Will we ever see Astrovamps coming back together? Whether for a one off show or for good?
EYAJO: I don’t know. I assumed its done for good, but to be honest Daniel contacted me a few years ago with doing a reunion show and Glass and I agreed, but it didn't happen. Yet, as of now, its done for good. But I still keep a Astrovamps page up for historical and fan reasons, the music lives on.
