In the Shadows With: Komrads
By: Ash Reminisce
Intense and unforgiving are two words that could best describe what it was like seeing Komrads play at the Milestone on Monday, August 17th. Loud synths clashed with snarling vocals into a crescendo of violence, the strobe lights hitting the audience like an automatic weapon. Amid the brutality, I was inspired to reach out to Komrads — real name Zach, a Rochester, New York native — for a short interview about his artistry and the state of industrial after he finished his most recent tour.
You just wrapped up a tour to support your latest EP, Dead Saints and Devils. How are you feeling?
Zach: I’m feeling great! The tour went very well; I planned it very carefully. Every show was a fun, unique experience, and I’m very glad it came together the way it did.
Punk and industrial both have roots in a DIY ethos. Would you say that your music and any music projects that you’ve put out are a representation of this?
Zach: I absolutely agree with this. Before I started Komrads, I played guitar in several punk bands. I firmly believe in the DIY mindset. I put these dates together myself. This tour, I performed in a garage, a basement, a warehouse, an art gallery, and a few traditional small-capacity venues and dive bars.
Although you tour by yourself, your live shows are intense and leave a mark. What would you say to anyone out there interested in, or just starting, making music independently?
Zach: I say go for it; you can do this! If you have something to say and are inspired to make music, don’t let anybody else stop you. Put yourself out there and make it happen. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.
Believe me, I’ve had plenty of failures trying to do what I do. I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Even 12 years in, I’m still learning valuable lessons on how I could do it better.
Your current music is more industrial-leaning, but some of your earlier output, including early singles and 2018’s Resistor, has a more darkwave-inspired sound. What were your earliest musical influences?
Zach: When I first started Komrads, I was really into acts like Peaches, Ladytron, and Crystal Castles, and I was going for more of a dance and emotional angle.
There’s a lot of discussion online about ‘old vs new school’ industrial and the endless debate over whether industrial has made a resurgence. Personally, I don’t think it ever went away, but what is your opinion?
Zach: It’s had its moments where output has ebbed and flowed, but right now I think we’re seeing a greater resurgence as some of the originators are being celebrated as their careers are ending and entering four-plus decades of activity. While those acts are performing their victory laps, tons of new artists are popping up everywhere, and it’s become a true feast for fans of industrial and EBM.
What was it like collaborating with artists such as Tim Skold and the Russian White for the remixed version of the Wolf?
Zach: It was a fun experience to hear other artists interpret my work. Skold gave my song the KMFDM-style treatment. TRW put an epic club spin on it. I think Big Time Kill made me sound like HEALTH. Child of Night and Sapphira Vee brought out my darkwave roots. GenCAB and Wavepeak really brought out the dark techno industrial stomp. I’d love to get more of my work remixed down the road.
For us Charlotte Dark Scene regulars, can you describe what the music scene is like back home in Rochester? Are there other bands or artists in your local scene that you look up to?
Zach: Rochester is interesting; it’s very eclectic. There’s just a handful of electronic-leaning acts. Most shows I play at home, I’m supporting a larger touring act as they come to town. There’s a very lively punk, metal, and alternative scene here, so I often play mixed bills with all sorts of different artists.
I also host a goth night every month in Rochester called Tragic Tuesday (Editor: third Tuesday at the Record Archive), where I spotlight local, regional, and touring artists. I think that between that, the tours that come through, and our local goth club, Vertex, there’s a healthy and growing scene up here to experience and explore.
For more Komrads, check out Zach’s Linktree, Instagram, and the Full Gallery from the Komrads show at the Milestone on August 17 with Solemn Shapes & Secret Idol (also recently interviewed for the “In The Shadows” series).