Interview by Morticia
Interview “mini-view” March, 2018.
When did Red Lokust form? What is the origin behind the band name?
Jim: Red Lokust formed in the Summer of 2015. Lee happened to be at a KMFDM show that I was opening for with my other band Rein[Forced]. He chatted me up at my merch table and said that he had some material
that needed a vocalist. Being a big Aslan Faction fan, I said that I'd love to work with him. It was as simple as that. We got to tour last Summer and play some Electronic Saviors 4 shows in 2016. So we are having a blast.
Lee: As for the band name, I used to play a facebook game that was basically a futuristic war simulation and in that there were several warring factions. One of them was called Red Lokust (yes, spelled with a K) and it just seemed a good name.
How many band members are there and what are their stances in the band?
Jim: Just the two of us. Lee Lauer does the music and programming and I (Jim Semonik) do the lyrics and vocals.
However for the Dark Side show, good friend Paul Graham (Tragic Impulse) is filling in for Lee on keys due to a previous commitment.
What are band practices like? Do you have a set time each week?
Jim: What are band practices? Haha. Seriously since I live in Pittsburgh and Lee lives up near Allentown, band practices are non existent.
Though it has never stopped us from putting on a great show. We love it
Lee: Yeah we don’t have the opportunity to practice due to the 4.5 hour drive between us. We do however get together at my home studio to mix tracks for an album.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band?
Jim: I would say, for us, it is probably the distance. It kinda sucks that we don't get to hang out much but I think that it kind of adds to our chemistry.
I'm just thankful that I get to do this.
Lee: Totally second that on the distance but also since we both have day jobs we probably won’t have many opportunities to go on longer tours across the country.
If you guys could play at any venue anywhere, where would it be?
Jim: Wow....hmmm...are we allowed to time travel? CBGB's would have been cool. Nowadays, probably Das Bunker, The DNA Lounge in San Fran, The Cabaret Metro in Chicago.
Lee: I’d really like to see us at Wave Gothic Treffen and some other European festivals. Having played there twice with Aslan Faction, I know what a great experience it is.
Do you have a Motto for the band? Or a superstition?
Jim: We kind of call ourselves Insect Industrial. Each album has a different theme but I normally write about interpersonal relationships and politics. I draw a lot from sci fi movies and comics too.
And of course we both hate Trump and organized religion. Though I don't really write about blasphemous stuff. It's just not my style. Maybe that's why bands like Marilyn Manson always turned me off.
I don't feel like we are here to shock you. I just want to provide a catharsis for people to get their anger or frustrations out through our music. I like to be able to provide that for people.
Lee: Certainly no superstitions here but we do share one fact that we joke about a lot. We are both proudly gallbladder free and can reminisce about the effects that has had on our bodies. That may fall well within the TMI category, sorry Jim. ;-)
You can find Red Lokust on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Red-Lokust-734889406642643/