06: Interview in SIX IN THE HEAD Magazine (2021)


SIX.IN.THE.HEAD.  #8

 

 

No better way to introduce ANATOMY OF THE HEADS than with the text from their own Bandcamp page: "Your favorite ChiChi fueled CIA psyop, honey-pot/money-bomb-operation that will sell all your personal information to Korean gangsters and hot tiger moms". Baffled? You're about to get whole a lot baffleder. So grab yourself a drink, grab yourself a download code a few pages over, and enjoy one of the most personal, x-rated and insane band interviews SIX IN THE HEAD has ever done.

 

First of all, apologies that it took me so long to send these questions over. You probably hate me right?
MvG: From hell's heart I stab at thee. Words fail to convey my feelings of disdain towards thy humble frame. You, Paul are truly the epitome of scum and villainy!
H:I don't hate you. Hell, I don't even know you.
J: Yes, thank you for keeping us in the loop on the marketing, Mikey. Hi Paul, I have no idea what's going on but nice to meet you.
 
Who do you hate?
MvG: People who wear hats in [current year], you, and hippies. Although I am sure there is a substantial overlap between the three categories. Just to be clear, I don’t hate hats. In and of themselves they are fine but something about seeing people wear them, and it's not the 50es in black and white irks me the wrong way. For some reason it just comes of pretentious. I don’t know.
H: Europe has taught me to hate the taxman.
MvG: Oooh, that's a good one. I want to hate him too.
J: You had your pick, and you chose hippies like the old fart you are. Where can do you even find hippies nowadays? I personally don’t hate. I work daily on to overcome such negative impulses and to give peace a chance!

How you been holding up?
MvG: Traveling is a bitch. We all visited family for Christmas.
H: Yeah, and Jerome and me are still stuck overseas.
MvG: I left early and got out just before they closed the borders in Indonesia.
J: Yes, rub it in, lucky bastard.

Who or what is Anatomy of the Heads and what should people know about him/her/them/it?
MvG: Anatomy of the Heads is...
J: ...a dream.
H: … the sexy pin up-girl, suddenly winking back at you.
MvG: … the rustling in the trees.
J: … the howling of the wind on a moonless night.
H: Anatomy of the heads is ...
MvG: Kiribati’s hottest exotica inspired rock bands.
H: See that's how you do an introduction.
J: Well, ideally we would hire someone to hype us up before entering the room or doing an interview. But you know it's in the works.
MvG: That being said, we are open for advertisement deals - just saying.

Who am I speaking to and what do you do/play (laptops/instruments etc)
MvG: Hello there, I am Michael. My favorite color is purple and when I am not busy being the dictator of this humble little musical outfit I like to enjoy long walks at the beach and making love by the fireplace.
H: Hey-hey, I am Jonas…. I play bass. I am an executive by day and wild man by night. I romance you with a nice bath with Champaign and candles. Do you happen to like Bon Jovi?
J: I am Jerome, and I am feeling marginalized, because I am the only one here that doesn’t have a Christian given name. Stop oppressing me, with your naming conventions! I also play guitar and make noise.

When did the project start/how did it come about?
MvG: I don’t really think of it as a project. Since we are all buddy-buddy it is something way more permanent. We basically met in collage and started the band on a research trip to Kiribati, accidentally joined a cult and now spreading the teachings of our primordial water gods.
J: That is exactly what we do.
H: Hear hear.

Where did the name come from?
H: Martin Denny and Les Baxter are to blame.
MvG: It basically a reference towards exotica music. Since exotica is fantasy music it represents whatever is in peoples heads, therefore the anatomy of the heads. In spirit, we play the music of imaginary peoples, places and topographies that have developed inside our psyche.
J: See, there is the collage for you.Toh-poh-graph-y!
H: Yeah, next he is going to talk about society!
MvG: Oh ho-ho, soh-cie-ah-ty! I think that's more Jerome's thing. Come on, let’s see them collage skills.
J: Your words are a social construction that cannot hurt me. There you go.

Where are you based?
MvG: Indonesia!
H: I am in Switzerland.
J: I am stuck in the USA.

What’s it like there?
J: It’s like the Corona power-hour. They never shut up about it, and I am trapped with extended family since Christmas and can’t go home.
H: I have eaten more potatoes in three months than in my whole life, and I’m being told that I can’t flush the toilet after 10 PM. Also, they don’t shut up about the Corona-stuff.
MvG: Indonesia is and always will be fine. The whole corona thing is more of a recommendation than a law. Although, hard on some people, there are enough loopholes and stuff to get around literally all aspects of it that happen inside the country. Even the restaurants are open again.
 
Does it have a McDonalds?
MvG: Yes, McDonald's is huge over here, but they sell chicken and rice.
J: Yeah, it's on their permanent menu. Burgers come and go but chicken and rice is forever.
H: In Jakarta there is a McDonald's with monkeys living next to it. And I swear it is hands down the best thing ever. You sit down with a coffee and enjoy the drama of people defending their food until a guy that the restaurant hired to fight the monkeys comes to the rescue by spraying the monkeys with water from a spray bottle. Hours of entertainment with every meal.
 
What’s your typical order from the McDonalds menu?
MvG: I don’t go that often because my waistline is being monitored at all times, but I am all about the heart attack,Paul. Egg McMuffin (if I am early enough), the McRib (if they resurrect it) and the McFlurry (if the Ice machine is ready). Come to think of it. All the products I like come with strings attached to them. Maybe that is why I don’t go there often.
H: I really just go there when there is nothing else, but snacks like fries or coffee is perfectly fine.
J: I like the chicken and rice. If I could build the perfect chicken and rice menu it would be the chicken from McDonald's because it is fried to perfection. Not too crispy - just right - so, that it doesn’t cut the roof of your mouth. Combined with the Indonesian KFC sauce. It's differently spiced in Indonesia than in the USA, and it's the bomb.

If McDonalds offered you $1m do make music exclusively about McDonalds for the rest of your life would you take it?
H: That’s a tough one. I mean we mostly do instrumental music. So, it wouldn’t really matter, I guess? Just slap some beefy artwork on the tunes and make bank.
MvG: Once my wife hears about the million dollar offer, I would have to take it. But I would see it as a job to distance myself from it. I invite some musicians and making the music all wholesome. Songs about living on a farm and waking up early to milk the cow that will later be the burger. Telecasters twanging with some Nickelback vocals.
H: Corporate is loving it. But you might want to consult your accountant on that. Paul gives you Euro -bucks. I bet you lose half of them to the taxman.
J: That's what you get for selling out, man. The corporate machine is just a control mechanism for the fascist government conspiracy.
MvG: Spoken like a true hippie. Even 400k would be kind of alright. Take it as a nest egg for when you are old. Maybe buy some stocks or get into real estate. If it were taxed, I’d only begrudgingly take it. I get the artistic integrity point, but at a certain point it becomes irresponsible.
H: The words of a married man.

Can you cook?
MvG: Yes, but I have to hide it well, otherwise I’ll be the one who has to cook at home. 
H: I am single. I wouldn’t survive if I couldn’t.


J: Yes, but I rarely do. I normally just order stuff on Grab
 
What’s your favourite dish to cook?
MvG: Pineapple banana beef bowl!
J: That’s disgusting. Nobody in Indonesia would eat such a catastrophe.
MvG: You are just jealous of the alliteration.
J: I’d might not cook it, but I could go for rendang any day of the week. That's like Indonesian slow coked beef.
H: I would go for gado-gado.
J: ...that's Indonesian salad with peanut sauce.
MvG: Is Spain feeding you, Paul? You seem hungry!

I remember you telling me the other week how much you love Jay Kay from Jamiroquai. What is it about him you love so much?
MvG: I told you that in secret. But yes, he is my favorite e-girl from the 90es. Although, I’ve never given him money or listened to a full album, his video-clips never fail to enchant and delight. As far as post-1990 mainstream music goes, I’d take Jamiroquai any day. That being said, I love him for his ample headdress and firm dance moves.
J: I don’t get the headdress. Does it have a message or something? He just sings about Godzilla and makin' whoopee".

H: Makin' whoopee!
J: You love makin' whoopee"!
H: Yes, but it's been quite some time since I heard the word whoopee".
J: So, how does the nookie fit in with the headdress? Does the headdress give him sexual powers? Is his bedroom build on an ancient Indian burial ground?... and isn’t it technically a hat that you said you hate?
MvG: See, that's what I like about Jamiroquai. You have somebody yelling at you about something, and the guy just spins, grab his crotch and disco-dances out of the conversation. It's the ultimate rhetoric device to win any argument. And my man Jay Kay is the king of that.
H: Words are over-rated.
MvG: Overrated, indeed.
 
What’s your favourite Jamiroquai song?
H: The Godzilla-one
MvG: You peasant! Even the band doesn’t like that one.
J: That is also the only one I know too.
MvG: Pearls before swine, Paul! Pearls before swine. It is clearly “Little L.” It has an extended whoo-whoo-whoo-synthesizer part that, quite frankly, makes me want to dance.
J: Dude, the Godzilla song was their biggest hit ever. It was everywhere.
MvG: Yes, but it was the lamest Godzilla-movie.
H: Yes, but that way they balance each other out. Cool song, shitty flick, yin, yang - The world is in balance.
MvG: Go hug a tree!

Would you have sex with Jay Kay for $1m like an Indecent Proposal type thing? It’s a lot of money so you should think about it seriously.
H: I would.
J: Same, I can pass it off as tolerance instead of greed.
MvG: I would have to talk it over with the wife. But I think there would be no McDonald's like scenario with this one. But I am willing to dress up Jerome to pass him of as me. Jerome already declared that he's willing to take one for the team. So don’t worry, we just get the guy to some coke put you in a toga he won’t know the difference.
J: Yes, but why would I do it for you if I would do it by myself and get one million guvnors
MvG: Yes, but what if he doesn’t ask you. He asks me because I got the all the crumpets and cheerio’s he wants. You should be thankful, I am cutting you in on the deal. Look at Jonas, he is unloved and poor. I am rich and cunning while you have money and smell of sweat and regret.
H: I don’t need Jay Kay to feel loved, man.

Have you ever dabbled in tabletop gaming/the miniatures hobby?
MvG: I used to be really into it when I was in high-school in Germany. In Indonesia, it is not much of a thing, although there are some die-hard clubs here and there. They use whatever at hand to play the game. Some re-cast miniature out of epoxy, while others use paper-cutouts and so on. Anything to play Poorhammer. But it's very niche. The city I was in even had a store where you could play. It was Games Workshop only though. So, I really got into the whole Warhammer 40,000-thing including Necromunda and Inquisitor. I played Dark Eldar.
H: What’s a Dark Eldar?
MvG: Do you know the movie Hellraiser?
H: I’m familiar with it.
MvG: Imagine a Hellraiser-planet. But the guy with the nails is also a pirate.
H: So, he comes out of the water? Or is there, like, water in the box?
MvG: There is no box...and no water. He just appears with a spaceship to probe you.
H: Ah... riveting.
MvG: I have apparently undersold the idea of a torture pirate in space. What about you Jerome?
J: Nope.
MvG: BTW, what the hell did you guys do in high-school, we never talked about that.
H: I focused on growing a beard and being cool. I always thought that shit was for nerds.
J: ...says the bass player.
MvG: Yes, says the bass player. How about you Jerome?
J: I did engage in various projects as a volunteer to bring about world peace.
H: How did that go?
J: … I regret nothing.
MvG: Ok then, as you can see Paul, war gaming is the thinking man's hobby and - as my fellow heads so vividly illustrate - a superior option to drugs or child labor.

What do you think about it?
MvG: I followed the lore casually, but I am currently getting back into it. Children are on the horizon and I think it would make a cool hobby for them to get into. Arts and crafts and all. It certainly beats them staring into the phone.
J: So wait, you are into space pirates?
MvG: ... Without going into detail - yar.
H: … and isn't your wife Bugis or something. You know the pirates that the Dutch are afraid of.
MvG: ... Without going into detail - yes.
J: My god, it all makes sense now.
H: We’ve cracked the code.
J: What's next? Gold tooth? Peg leg? Making us walk the plank?
H: Scurvy?
MvG: I swear, if I get scurvy we all get scurvy.
J: What's that supposed to mean?
MvG: I am going to rape and pillage you.
H: Ouh là là

Do you think I’m an idiot?
MvG: I think you really want to give me 1 million pounds! If you have them let’s talk. We can work something out. I stalk celebrities or pimp out my bandmates or whatever. We will find a way to take all that heavy money off your back.
J: Nah, you seem nice. For an interview in a wargameing magazine the questions are surprisingly light.
H: Yeah, I thought we would be talking about...scales and stuff… dices even.

Maybe we should have a fight and if you win I’ll give you £1m what do you think?
J: Here we go with the millions again. Maybe you do have money to spend.
H: I’d challenge you to a game of backgammon. A high-roller like you should have no problem beating me. *wink* *wink*
MvG: I have no Idea how built you are, but yes, I would take that action. Depending on the rules of course. I would agree to no weapons, wins are declared through submission or knockout, best out of three, shirts optional.
J: Just gather two of your associates and come to Indonesia, and we set the whole thing up.
MvG: Yeah, we can even provide one or more volcano as a scenic backdrop.
H: Yes, but I am too handsome to fight. So, one of you have to fight me using backgammon or any respectable card-game.
J: ...except 52 pick-up.
H: Yeah, except that one.

Let’s talk about your music I guess. What’s the album or recording you are most proud of and why?
H: Oh, we are proud of everything we have released so far. If we wouldn’t be we wouldn’t release it.
J: Let’s say I am personally less proud of Exorcisme Langsung Di Dataran Minahasa because it was a bit of a power play by Mikey that surprised Jonas and me. Initially we recorded it live with some drums that gave the thing a completely different feel - imagine something like the Spirit Animal-album from the band Zombi.
MvG: Exorcisme is a personal favorite. It has got that dull dark radio sound that makes the best of power electronics tapes. When I listened to how the recordings turned out I knew I had to cut the drums and going full noise.
H: That being said. The studio album represent more what we are all about. We will use EPs and Live-records to experiment and do all kinds of stuff.
J: Yeah, the studio albums will never be just one thing.
MvG: Expect nothing but primordial soup that’s everything and nothing!

There are a lot of elements to your music. It’s like a world of its own. You have voices, noises, static, free improv stuff, drone… It’s fucking great. What’s the environment like in which you create it?
J: Thank you!
H: Yes, thank you! Glad you like it!
MvG: There are a few things. We are using something called techniques of re-enchantment to make our records. It is basically the intentional forgetting of compositions to become paradoxically more indifferent as well as more enchanted to them. If things turned out according to plan, all this band would be is very dry high concept albums like “Hey let’s do a 35-minute record with compositions made out of nothing but bell sounds.” We do stuff like that constantly, and then we start working on it until the idea looses steam, and we shelve it until we forget about it. Rinse and repeat with various concepts and over time the initial idea fades and looses its grip over us until we are ready to break out of the initial plan and are willing to change, sculpt, and sacrifice the initial idea for something new. The re-enchantment part comes in when listening to it. We have basically forgotten how the sausage is made and can listen to a piece of music we made as if other people had made it and can become enchanted by it. If that happens. We know the pie is done.
J: The other thing is basically the that way it we compose. We are very seldom all together in one room. So its usually one of us with Mikey. Its very laid back and quiet. That way the music becomes much introspective and looses most of the bro-dynamic that happens when we all hang out.
H: Techniques of bro-down!

When we spoke on DM a while back, we were talking about how we would make the world a better place if we were both billionaires. What was your idea again?
MvG: With pleasure, It involves...
J: ...giving everyone scurvy to reduce the population!
H: ...burying the gold to dig up later!
MvG: It basically involves education in financial literacy and setting up charity foundations that engage in welfare and financial education activities on a city level to use the country specific tax deductions for charity as a way to collect donations on a mass level. Just as an example: Industrialized countries like Germany offer a 300 buck annual tax deduction for charity. Basically everyone who has to file for a tax return can use this deduction to reduce their tax burden. So, imagine a place that doesn’t promote “Give as much as you can” but says “donate €300 for charity, and you get it back from the taxman”. Not that much people are using tax breaks as much as they could because they either don’t know about it, don’t do a tax return or choose charities that engage take the money out of their communities and use it for long term innovative projects.
H: That is the gayest thing I have ever heard. I think you are ready for Jay Kay.
MvG: Yeah, but I think that's the good thing about it, it is something that’s close to the status quo, is already implemented although underutilized. Its basically just a strategy change for charity. Instead of targeting high income individuals for large sums. I’m imagining charities geared towards the average person, promoted charity as a tax avoidance scheme and that keep the funds in the cities of the respective donor. Thereby helping to have maybe one less homeless person, or whatever program people want to spend the money one. Let them propose stuff and vote on it. Even a program that would teach people that there is an average of 2% annual inflation and only 0.1% - 1% interest for money saved in the bank would be huge. There are enough people in Europe that still don’t know that and keep their money in a worthless savings account.
H: I like to remind you that we are a rock band.
J: Too late, we have entered the dad zone.
H: We should do this interview while grilling and three dad jokes per minute minimum.
MvG: I think knowing me is the ultimate dad joke.

I said to you the system is rigged and if billionaires could make the world a better place it would have already happened by now. If I remember correctly you said I was 100% correct and practically a genius? Do you want to tell people about that?
MvG: I told you, Paul. You are the epitome of scum and villainy for spreading your teenage nihilism to wargamings impressionable youth. I would argue that the whole private charity sector works overall, or at least better than government initiatives. But I agree that most charity organizations focuses on rather abstract and long term things like technological innovations, research, or in other models themselves. Resulting in little or no change in the everyday life of people. Anyway, I remain optimistic. In Indonesia there are charities for literally everything and I have seen a lot of positive change in peoples lives through a combination of basic economics, low taxes and charity.
H: I once fucked two girls after a Guns and Roses show while being on LSD.
J: Thank you for breaking the tax-talk.

What you got planned next?
MvG: We got a new album coming later this year.
H: A Banishment of Bloodshed and Superstition!
J: It is based on techniques described in declassified CIA experiments that aim to induce amnesia through the use of pulsed microwaves and will be accomplished, as always, by some videos. So check out our YouTube.
MvG: On the album we are going to drop the full-blown noise and electroacoustics from Triptych Terror Oriente and further embellish our jazz prog whatever side. A Banishment of Bloodshed and Superstition promises to bring YOU, in a non-legally binding way, a pilgrimage through dense vegetation of exotic jazz-rock.
H: Follow the light of the blood moon!
J: ... and join our Patreon for exclusive content which we will have set up by then.

Alright, I guess that’s it. Anything else?
MvG: You know I started out hating you, but you have grown on me little Spaniard. I have to say it was a pleasure.
J: Didn’t we have something planned for the end?
H: On three …
MvG / H / J: HI MOM!