Why do you call Skull Baby´s music "serial killer deathrock"?

We don't really like having to slap a label on ourselves, but if we dont
someone else will. Though our music probably sounds more like black metal
than actual "deathrock," Skull Baby started off as more of a "horror punk"
band with heavy overtones of sexual deviancy and crimes of passion. These
themes are definately more subltle now, but they are definately still there.
using the term "serial killer deathrock" to describe ourselves, actually
seems very misleading to a lot of people. someone who sits down and reads
and understands our lyrics however, would be glad we were venting through
our music rather than going out and being the monstrosity that we portray.

How was the concept of Skull Baby created?

The concept of Skull Baby was actually created by myself (Toby Bubonic),
originally as a piece of artwork in 1995. It wasnt until about the end of
'99 that we got together with the idea "lets make this into a band." Being
more of a "horror punk" band at first, people were confused by our name and
would put "skull babies" or "the skull babies" on flyers for gigs.

How was "Give Birth" received in the underground?

Our debut cd "Give Birth" actually appeals more to a goth type crowd
rather than the metal scene. I think there are quite a few reasons for this.
For one thing, we're definately not your typical metal band. Our cd
release went well, though there were a lot of people who somehow got ahold
of bootleg copies of "give birth." A lot of people that are not expected to
like a band like Skull Baby, end up buying and wearing our shirts, which i
think scares off some of the people who would really appreciate the band.
Locally there are more people in Skull Baby shirts than people wearing the
Misfits crimson ghost.

How was the process of composing the songs for "Give Birth"?

Composing the songs for"Give Birth" went like this: H.W. Cul de Sac
comes up with his guitar lines, introduces them to the band one part at a
time, I rummage through my countless notebooks searching for the right
lyrics, we practice it a few times and its ready. The songs on "Give Birth"
are actually in the same exact order in which they were written.

Which is the most important aspect of Skull Baby´s music: the dark
atmosphere, the power of the distorted riffs, the speed?

I think the most important aspect of Skull Baby's music is the disturbing
sounds and rifts, and basically the overall darkness of the music. I feel
that the music sets the perfect mood for the lyrical content. Some parts
are slow, and some are fast which is also important as the attitude of the
song changes.

Which is your equipment live and in studio?

This is the funny part. Skull Baby's equipment that we use to play live
is honestly hideous. If anyone comes to see Skull Baby and expects to see
big stacks with expensive equipment, they're going to be in for a suprise.
In the studio however, we did use some different equipment. A lot of the
sound from our live performance depends on whoever is running sound and the
club's quality of monitors, microphones, etc.

Do you think that the keyboards are essential in Skull Baby´s music?

Ahhh the keyboards. I'm going to have to be honest on this one. We've
had more trouble with keyboards than what it is worth. We have gone through
three keyboard players already and are currently doing without. The band
still sounds pretty full as a four piece, but the quest for the right
keyboard player is an ongoing struggle. I feel keyboards are something that
are quite rare in bands today. The synth is actually a good instrument that
adds lots of atmosphere, especially to a very dark sounding band.

How is a typical Skull Baby show?

There's really no way to call a Skull Baby show "typical." You never
really know what you're going to get. Sometimes there is a big stage show,
and sometimes it is just us up there playing music. From eating breakfast
cereal and having a mock communion, to molesting loaves of Sunbeam bread,
we're usually pretty wild to say the least. I was afraid we were going to
get in trouble a few times because of underaged girls getting naked at our
shows. We try to steer away from the whole "big elaborate stage show," as
most bands that do that sort of thing are very bondage and sado masochism
oriented.

Which are the band´s musical influences?

We like to say that the band is influenced by gothic rock and black
metal. Some of the bands that we are influenced by are: Sisters of Mercy,
Dimmu Borgir, Joy Division, early Christian Death with Rozz Williams, early
Mayhem, etc.

Something more to add?

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu