Whichever way you want them put, Rezurex are hands down nothing but punks! But the good kind because these punks can play tunes they consider a blend of punk in all shapes and forms. Thus this lead to them to release their latest album "Dance of the Dead". They are also in the works of writing and recording new music in terms of a follow-up release, with further plans of touring and playing shows of course. Frontman vocalist and guitarist Daniel De Leon discusses that release, the new music in the works, and the long future ahead!
1. What type of band are you?
Daniel: It's hard to say what kind of band we are. Because we have so many different influences we could be called punk, Psychobilly, rock and roll, horrorpunk, and a touch of gothic deathrock. A mix of all those I guess!
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Daniel: We first formed in 2002 going under the name Lobo Negro, which translates to Black Wolf. The name did not go to well with the non-Spanish-speaking people. So we decided to change the name to something more appealing like Rezurex.
3. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
Daniel: This means to resurrect old school punk, rockabilly and rock 'n roll. But with the Halloween
theme half undead vampire from the grave!
4. Who are your musical influences?
Daniel: Billy Idol, Stray Cats, Misfits, The Cramps, The Damned, and many influences from 1950s rock 'n roll era also with a touch of 1980s new wave punk bands.
5. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?
Daniel: We have three releases available on the Internet right now and working on a new one. The three are called, Beyond The Grave, Psycho Radio, and Dance Of The Dead (released Oct. 1st for Internet download). All available on our new label, Live Dead Records.
6. What are your songs about? What specific themes do they cover? Can you discuss the songwriting process in detail.
Daniel: Most of our songs are Halloween themed and or about monsters from beyond and outer space creatures. But a few songs are about real life horror about friends that have passed away or not fitting in with society. Usually when I get a song idea I would recorded quickly on my phone sometimes even on my way to work. It's kind of funny because I am singing into my phone while walking by other pedestrians haha.
Next part I would go through my recordings and choose which ones are the best ones to work on. Then I will record my ideas onto a program called GarageBand. If I am happy with The turnout of the song then I will share it with my other band members at band practice. I probably have about 100+ on my phone right now!
7. Tell me about the album artwork, who designed it and what does it represent for this release?
Daniel: Jan Meininghaus is the artist for Dance Of The Dead and he did such an amazing job I am very happy with it! Our record label at the time, Fiendforce Records had him do this for us.
Dance Of The Dead has some meaning, yes. It's to celebrate the dead for Dia de los Muertos, in the Mexican tradition. I wanted to bring that feeling in the cover art, too.
8. How do you think being in LA changes your sound?
Daniel: I don't think living in LA changes our sound because we are all from LA, except me, also from Northern California. We don't try to sound like LA but it just comes out naturally for us. My first Psychobilly band was called, Calavera. This band started in 1995 around the same time I moved to LA from Oakland. At that time there were no Psychobilly bands that I knew of, so we came up with our own style. I actually never heard any of the original Psychobilly bands from Europe until later. Rezurex follows the same way of writing music. Also, since there were no Psychobilly bands to play with, we mostly played Rock En Español and punk shows.
9. What are your plans for new music?
Daniel: I have been making a collection of new songs to work with for Rezurex's new album from my phone recordings. So far I have nine new songs to work on. Other songs I am working on is for a possible solo release. This year I have mainly concentrated on working on a project called, Neon Kross. That is more of a 1980's post punk new wave project. that project is fun because I can do something different!
10. Your signed with record label, Fiendforce Records how does this make you feel?
Daniel: I am very happy to have worked with that label for so many years. If it wasn't for them then we would not be that well-known in Europe. The owner of that label was at one of our very first shows in Germany. He fell in love with the band that night! The label just recently cease to exist anymore because of financial problems. Now I have taken over Rezurex albums with my own label called, Live Dead Records. And hoping to release other bands that aren't mine when we save enough money from sales.
11. How would you describe the overall sound "Dance of the Dead"?
Daniel: Haunting, creepy, fun and rockin!
12. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began?
Daniel: Of course we wanted it to sound the best we can do. But usually we play it by ear and hope for the best.
13. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Daniel: For the song Dead By Dawn I did use a little keyboards just for the recording. Came out great! But we stuck with the traditional Rezurex sound for the most part.
14. When did you start writing for this release?
Daniel: Usually it will take about one year to prepare the songs for every album. That is because we are so busy preforming live around the world and working full time at our jobs.
15. Can you go into one or two tracks on this release? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?
Daniel: That is a hard question for me. Usually the recording engineer takes care of all that for us. When he sends us the songs with his idea how it should sound then we discuss the changes that are needed to be made. I guess that is called producing.
16. What are your expectations for this release?
Daniel: After this release and since our label, Fiendforce Records was discontinued, it was sent to another label called Cargo Records (Europe) I have no idea what was the record sales for the album by the way cause we never got paid. There was no promotion that I know of. I hope with the re-release on my record label we can resurrect the album again like it was new.
17. Your plans for this next year are what?
Daniel: To tell you the truth it's been a rough since 2013 and 2014 cause my guitar player, Manny moved to Germany for a while and I don't want to work with anyone else. We are a great song writing team and good friends. But the good news is that we are working on new music right now. It is taking longer for the new album to be released and written, but it will be worth the wait!
18. Anything else you want to say or add?
Daniel: Yes! I want to say to you my deep apologies for taking so long to finish this interview. I think it is great what you were doing. it is people like you to help keep the scene alive. Thank you!
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