Nuclear Death interview

Originally published in ‘zine issue #4, 1992

“Stay evil … Be among our dead … Read, it stimulates the gray matter!” These straightforward words were written by Lori Bravo, the vocalist and bassist for the very insane death metal band Nuclear Death. After releasing several startling demos and such, the band signed with Wild Rags Records and has two albums out, Bride of Insect and the new one, Carrion for Worm. Here Lori talks about her gruesome band.

D.U.: Is the Unalive in Texas video still available?

Lori: No. We quit making it because it was too expensive to send and we don’t always have access to two VCRs.

Then there are no plans for a new one?

Well, see, there was going to be a new one, but it would’ve been footage of our mini tour in August of ‘90. We shot stuff of Chris Gamble of Goreaphobia, and Joel is in it also. Since Chris is a two-faced idiot and Joel is a moron, we decided to “axe” that idea. Maybe in the future we will try to do something evil on video.

Do you play with your fingers or with a pick, and why that way?

Well, here’s the deal. I am actually a guitar player. I’ve played for 13 years, self-taught. I switched to bass because number one, we couldn’t find anybody to play bass and I was playing rhythm at the time, and number two, we simply knew we could do without a second guitar. Phil is very unique in his playing and, to be honest, I am proud to say his stuff is hard to play. I took what I knew and applied it to the bass. I play it like a guitar—continuous picking during dissonant chord progressions. I use lots of full chords and rhythms, not single notes only. I can finger-pick, but not like a bass player style. I prefer a pick because we play so fast.

Would you say there’s less of an operatic style in your vocals on Carrion for Worm as opposed to Bride of Insect?

Look, I sing it with emotion. Whatever the song is about is the basis for how it is sung. The ones on Carrion are total over-the-edge perversity and horror. I felt compelled to deepen my voice to get the words across. I felt evil.

Do you think there is more of a noise influence on the new album than on the last album?

No. Not intentionally. It just turned out that way. I think a lot of it has to do with the poor production we got. It makes the music seem very indistinguishable, though in all actuality those songs are very different from each other and very listenable, from a person who is into us’ point of view.

How did you decide on Steve Cowan as the new drummer?

Well, we knew Steve as a friend, and he had been into us since our beginnings. He played drums in this kind of “outlaw” band called Demon Cubes. Basically “I hate you … die” humorous songs. Nearing the summer of our mini tour, he had been playing with no one, really, and we heard that he was getting fast and was taking his drums more seriously. I initiated the idea in November, and he decided to give it a shot. Me and Phil went over to his house and played “Stygian Tranquility” with him, and he blew our heads off. Ever since, we’ve become tighter, more evil, and a lot more happier too.

Was it a difficult decision at the time?

No. The decision was one we had pondered since the second year of Nuclear Death. Joel was a flake. We couldn’t wait for Steve to think he was good enough to join.


“I play what I do and could give a fuck what anybody thinks!”


Will there ever be more of a group effort in writing the songs and/or lyrics in the future?

Well, Steve recently came up with the music for a new song, now called “Bones of the Lip.” Phil mutated the original guitar parts—Steve also plays guitar—and we fit it to lyrics Phil had already written. Either of us is welcome to write, but really, Phil will always write the majority of our music and all the lyrics. He is tone deaf and never hears things right anyway. That’s why our music is so tripped.

Are there going to be any more demo songs popping up on future recordings?

Well, we went into the studio December 8th to record an EP. One of the songs will be “The Third Antichrist,” which originally was a bit different music- and lyric-wise and was called “Nuclear Death.” Then [it] resurfaced on our second demo, Welcome to the Minds of the Morbid. I’m sure this will be the last of demo songs we’ll redo.

How do you feel about the Motion Picture Association of America? Do the actions of this group concern you?

Couldn’t care less. It’s a free country.

What comparison to another music form that people may make of Nuclear Death bothers you?

I haven’t heard any lately, I’m happy to say. We’ve been compared to old Possessed in our early days, but I can’t say that I’ve heard anything lately.

Are females in the underground getting enough respect, and do you see more females getting into the scene for sincere reasons?

I don’t fucking care! I can’t help [that] I was born with a clit and tits. I formed Nuclear Death because I love this music, our music, and I wanted to do something that would cause people to be sickened or fucking hate me! I am disgusting of mind and I live for filth. Respect is for stars. I play what I do and could give a fuck what anybody thinks! I play with two guys because I wouldn’t want to play with girls. I don’t need the headache.

And there you have it. Watch out for the new Nuclear Death EP!

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