Firestream Member Interview with Steve Rowe (02/06/2006)
Taken from www.firestream.net. Reprint with permission.
The members of firestream.net (a huge christian metal forum) had the opportunity to ask Steve the questions they want. The official Mortification forum is also part of this internet comunity and so the interest was quite big. Here you can find the answers of Steve, among them some really nice and interesting ones. So have a lot of fun with reading this a little bit different interview.
From CuredLeperGag
What was the happiest moment in your life?
When my son was born.
Which Bible passage is your favourite one?
James Chapter one.
Which are your favourite bands (both Christian and secular)?
Christian: Jerusalem, Rez Band, Bloodgood, Deliverance, The Lead, Crashdog, Minier, Altar Boys.
Secular: Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Bolt Thrower, D.R.I, G.B.H, Voivod, Sodom, The Clash, Deep Purple, PIL.
Which is your personal favourite Mortification CD and why?
I like them all for different reasons. Had to pick one would be "Erasing the goblin".
What other kinds of music do you like listening to?
Rock & Roll- Status Quo, Suzi Quatro, Blues- Rev Dan Smith, Blind Wille Johnson, Glen Kaiser, Praise & Worship- Planetshakers. Like old school Punk & Crossover a lot. Don't like music that is to complicated. Like it catchy & simple. Just like me. Doh!
Would you go on a world tour again?
Not in one go. But over a period of time. See what God brings along.
Which "mainstream" labels do you think could take "Erasing the Goblin"? For instance EMI, Capitol, Atlantic, American Records. Any of these would be nice for a worldwide release?
Sure.
From Gemini81
Steve, I've been listening to Mortification over here in Ireland for 12 years. I noticed a lot of pagans and Satanists over here have huge respect for the Scrolls-era material...will you ever go back to something similar for the sake of secular success or will that decision be purely artistic?
Erasing the goblin is basically a Death Metal album. It has nothing to do with secular success. All Mort albums are special for different reasons. Only boring artists paint trees every time they paint.
From Henochiet
Hey Steve, there is a list of just about all legit shirts we knew of here on FireStream (some members tried to make one). Could you check and see if there were some we forgot or is that pretty impossible ?
There are a few special tour shirts from different countries. Also the Slay The Wicked & Second Death Shirts.
what is your favourite Mortification shirt
Conquer the world long sleeve - Deluxe!
favourite Mort song ?
Grind Planetarium.
From Ghosts of athanasius
Hey Steve, I really enjoyed the Lightforce era. I have a been a big fan for years. I still love Mystical Thieves! I have prayed for you too and will continue to do so. I hope everything is going well. God is good brother. I appreciate your tenacity, and faithful endurance. You have been a real example to the scene. What kind of vocal approach are you going for on Goblin? I love the shout like thrash stuff!
There are about 6 different vocal styles on Erasing. Mainly Death Growls but also shouts, Shrieks, Spoken, Punk & gobbling if that is a style. Thanks for your years of support. Hanging around is hard when people hang it on me all the time. But it is ok I think I have grown a thick skin. All this is done to see people saved so that is the most important thing. "The scene" has lost focus of that most important aspect in what I do. Seeing people won to Christ & encouraging Christians in their Faith.
From Cybergrinder
Hi Steve. I have a video entitled metal missionary where you give in-depth views on Lightforce and Mortification. it was made back in 1990 just when Mortification was about to release the second album. You talk about the Metal Missionary Church that you had going back then. I was just wondering if it is still going today and that if any of the new aussie bands had members that attended?
Metal Kingdom was a mid week home church system that I set up around Australia in the early 90's. Just like Mortification too many people wanted it done differently so it stopped. It was just a Tuesday night simple Bible study & simple prayer time, listen to Christian Metal, drink some coffee. It was an idea to bring unsaved friends who were into Metal to an unthreatening environment rather than take them straight into the church where they may feel like they don't fit in or are understood. Also for Christian Metal fans to encourage one another.
But Christians are often God's worst enemy because they have no concept of how to be Good News even to each other.
When the interstate groups broke up both Mick Carlisle & Phil Gibson did great work keeping the Melbourne one going for a while. I was Blessed to have them take over. Phil Gibson is a fine man of God & Mick Carlisle has a great heart. I really enjoyed touring with those guys in '94. That was the line-up that played Full Force Festival in Germany with Napalm Death & Entombed. Also Cornerstone that year on the same tour. Check out Phil's band 3XFire on the soundmass compilation. Also features Lincoln Bowen on Guitar & my hairdresser Brad Marden also on Guitar, Great friends. Great band! Wish I had some money to put out a 3XFire CD.
From Tragicpurpose
What major labels are being considered for Erasing?
See what comes along.
Are you planning on touring the US?
If we get signed there
Are there any plans to re-issue past Morty cd's with extra material in 2006? If so, which ones?
Live Planetarium DVD/ CD, Self Titled, PMA. ask Adam from soundmass as he is doing the re- issues because I am broke. I hope to do a 7"Inch vinyl single with Trevor Ray from Buried Scrolls in New Zealand. Will be "Dead Man walking" studio & Live version. Try downloading that one! But I guess there is always a way. Christians steal my music more than non Christians do. Go figure! I am a huge fan of Vinyl. Have a big collection and people give me Records all the time. Very cool!
When will the other videos be available on DVD?
Some time soon. I want to do EnVideon as well & call it EnDVDion.
And thanks for all you have done for music and just thanks Steve...
No worries. Stay strong for Jesus. Walk in Faith and boldness for The Kingdom of God.
From EdgeCrusher
What was it like recording with Jason Campbell on Primitive, and have you heard from him since?
He is an intense guy. Lots of energy on stage. Have not heard much but he did the band Erase. not sure if that is still going.
From timothy perez
Why did you change your style, I mean I like the thrash stuff, but I LOVE the death stuff, also, when is a new album coming out
Only a boring artist paints a tree very time he sits down to paint. "Erasing will out in late March.
From Taylor
How do you deal with spiritual warfare in your life?
Pray.
Do you have a favourite new Christian metal band that has been around only recently?
Fearscape.
If you could do something over again, in your own life or with Mortification, what would it be and why?
Not really what you are asking. But I would love to have time to kick back and play Guitar (Six String) without worrying about practising for the next show or writing for the next album. Just play and singing songs to God & myself. I do it sometimes & really enjoy it. Going to try find more time to do it. I like fiddling around with weird chords. Not to write songs but just for fun. A holiday would be nice. Sit in the sun & strum my Guitar.
What images or thoughts come to your mind when you hear the word "God"?
Awesome, omnipresent, Endless love, Eternal life.
From Sword of the heretic
Any funny or interesting road stories that you want to share with us?
On tour in the US in '96 Lincoln Bowen jumped of the drum riser & the carpet slipped. He landed on the stage on his head & the head of his guitar. He just kept on playing. In Germany in '99 Lincoln jumped of a top stage onto a bottom one & fell straight through. He fell over & played the lead solo on his back with the broken stage all around him. He is mad on stage. In Perth Australia in '94 someone moshed into me while I was played & crushed 2 fingers against my Bass strings. Blood was going everywhere. It was really cool. Had to stop after the song to clean it up because the blood was clogging the strings and running into the pickups. Keith was famous for his farting ability. Lincoln & I would laugh all night.
From Bigjtink
Do you have a spiritual mentor?
My grandfather when I was a kid. I really admire the life of Ulf Christianson (Jerusalem). Doug Van Pelt & I are real close. He came over here when I was dying & was at my bedside.
Do you like the blues? (well I had to ask)
Yeah I love it. Good relaxation music. Australia has some great blues bands & Festivals. love Gospel Blues. Even Elvis had some great Gospel Blues songs he sang.
From Death requiem
At which moment have you seen God at the closest?
When I was visited by an Angel 3 weeks after diagnosis with Leukaemia. I still had to go through the desert of pain but God sent an Angel to strengthen me. Awesome.
Have you had any visions or prophesising?
Just a vision to see the lost in The Metal scene saved & a prophesy from Dave Palmer (Rosanna's Raiders) in '87 when he passed on a mantle from God to go forth & win souls through music. That night Lightforce won the Melbourne Heavy Metal Battle of the bands against 6 secular acts.
How does your family make a living, just by you being in Mortification throughout the years? Or does your wife have a job?
My wife is a receptionist at a private Christian college where my son Leighton attends. He is 10 & in Grade 4.
You lost your hair once, probably due to chemo cures... How did you feel losing your hair, (no kidding, but I'm seriously interested) Or did the other aspects and side effects of the disease overrule that loss that you didn't quite care?
To sick to care. I actually have a good shaped head & it did not look bad. I wore a leather biker's scarf around my head for a while. Mainly because I was cold all the time.
Are you currently on medication again? I wonder because I read you had new health problems.
Everyone who comes through Leukaemia and a Bone Marrow Transplant has scars. I am motor paralysed, have heart problems (take medication for this) Demised lung capacity, 50% kidney function, 50% eyesight, digestive problems and I am only allowed one coffee per day which really sucks!
You should know I pray for you and ask for redemption of your disease, breakthroughs and new great mile piles in the existence of Mortification. That you may overcome and be strong to go with the Spirit wherever he leaves you.
God gives me strength. Where He leads I will follow. I go to the gym 3 times a week & for a Para with internal damage I am strong & healthy. Eat a lot of whole foods. I throw Discuss, Javelin & Shot from a Para frame in Athletics
Competition. So I am enjoying good health considering I was very close to death.
Success with the final stuff to come up with Erasing The Goblin. Love and strength from the Almighty,
Thanks
Jasper Lindeboom
From Unblack
Which of Mortification's CD's do you like most?
Erasing The Goblin
From LarsA81
Hi Steve and God Bless you! What are Mortifications plans when it comes to touring?? Going to Europe soon??
We hope to come back to Europe in the next 2 years.
Lars.
From Tylerdemoniciduthgraves
How goes the new CD?
Goes Brutal!
From Traveler in Time
How did you start playing bass?
I heard Ace of Spades by Motorhead and said I want to make that beautiful noise also.
Do you play guitar as well?
Yes I like playing Guitar. Can't play Lead ( Well I can play a little Blues) but enjoy playing simple chords & stuff. That is why I like Punk music. But I was born to play Bass. I think God gave me good Rhythm.
From lambook
Hi Steve,
1. Do you feel God has let you down because He hasn't completely healed you? I mean, you are one of the most bold for Word metal artists there is and it probably seems to most people that you have more than your fair share of trials.
If you jump into the boxing ring with satan everyday be sure he will punch back. That is why we need an Army behind us. God has never let me down. The day Joni Erikson Tada broke her neck and became a quadriplegic was the day her ministry started. Painting with her mouth, speaker, singer, chaplain of the 2000 Paralympics. It is only when you are broken that God can rebuild you.
2. Do you think you have done God's will in your life? Is there anything you think you should have done but didn't ?
Yes I have done God's will I believe. I should have invented Mortification coffee before Ted from Tourniquet thought of it. Doh!
3. What is one of the coolest things the Holy Spirit has prompted you to do that turned out great?
Pray for my son to be a Man of God. I pray with him each day & he loves The Lord. Very cool.
4. How do you now feel about Roger Martinez ? Would you have done anything different ?
He is just a sinner in need of a Saviour just like the rest of us.
5. Do you believe in pre-trib rapture? How close do you think we are... ?
No one knows the hour or the day. Pre or mid trib? Not sure. Trials are a part of life.
6. Have you ever thought about adding a vocalist to the band and concentrating more on bass/ backing vox etc. Or do you think fans would not like a new singer in Mortification? ...just wondering.
I asked Amy Grant if she wanted to join the band. She said she needed to practice her growls & shouts for a few years first. So then I asked Madonna but she said the vocals were way beyond her level of talent.
7. What would it take to get Mortification out to the US (West coast)?
Not having to answer so many questions from one person.
8. I sent you a video a couple of years ago called "You can't improve on God" about rebuilding your immune system etc. Did you watch it, got anything out of it ?
Not sure I got it. Sorry.
I've prayed for you many times Steve, God bless you & Jesus' peace to you !
Thanks I appreciate that. Hope you don't get offended by my jokes. This is hard for me to do. I can only see half what others can see with my visual impairment. Maybe one main question next time. Hope you had a laugh & got some good answers. ??
From Skating_rock_girl
Are you planning to come do a concert/show in NSW at any stage? (if you do - I ll be there no doubt..)
Hoping to play at Blackstump this year.
Where's you favourite place to visit in the world?
Brazil, Germany, Scandinavia, Mexico & the bathroom Ahhhh.
What age where you went you gained an interest in performing music?
18
From MDF
Hey Steve !
When are we going to catch up ?
When Up stops running away.
Love & Blessings,
Mike.
From ghosts of Athanasius
What would be really encouraging and helpful to you right now?
A nice back massage from my wife.
From Vividagony
Steve,
Because of your illness and all of the other unfortunate problems you've had to encounter these last few years, do you think it has made your belief in the Lord stronger?
My belief has always been strong. I depend on God a lot more.
Does God reveal himself to you through struggle?
Yes. Example - Because of my paralysis I take many falls. I have fallen down stairs, onto concrete, wooden benches. My Angel catches me every time, Never broken anything or even took skin off or bled. He is always with me & sends his Angels to camp around me. Very cool!
Did you have a good Christmas break, Steve?
I broke bread & had a glass of Red Wine while having communion with my wife and son.
From Tourniquet
Which is your favourite mortification album?
Erasing the goblin
From Timothy perez
What can we expect to see from Rowe Productions in the future?
Not sure. Hope to do some re-issues with Soundmass & some 7'Inch Vinyl Records of classic Mort songs. See how it goes.
One more question, can you give me bass tabs for alter of god, I would love to play that song but can only find tabs for Bloodworld,
I can't read music. What are Tabs anyway? I just play riffs & record them on a cassette player. Then put them together into songs. Reading music sounds to much like hard work. I play Bass & Guitar because I enjoy it.
From Beamj00
Steve,
Your music has influenced my ears and heart. Your life testimony has influenced my soul and spirit. Lord bless you, brother.
Thanks. I am currently writing an Autobiography. Should be published next year.
From Mortfan
Steve,
Thank you.
Thank you. That was an easy one. God Bless you.
From Candlemass
Thanks for all the great metal, and commitment to Christ! Now how about a Doom CD?!
A little bit of slow stuff is on Erasing. I always try to write at least one slow one for each album. It is harder than people think. You should like Humanitarian. Nice slow one. But big and Brutal. Bigger than a Croatian dinner. Mick Jelinic is Croatian & when I have dinner at his house I don't need to eat for the next 3 days. His wife & also his dad are great cooks.
But my wife is the best cook in The World. We have dinner party s & I am real proud of her. She has been through a lot being married to an eccentric nutcase like me. Also with all the illness and playing Metal on 11. She will get a big crown in Heaven, I know it. She is also really sexy. The best gift God ever gave to me besides Jesus & Salvation of course for all you people looking to find me miss something. Actually I am cooking dinner tonight. God help us all!
Blessings & Stay true to Jesus & True Christian Metal.
When you buy YOUR OWN COPY of "Erasing the goblin" play it on 11. My stereo goes up to 12 but the speakers blow up so I keep it on 11.
My brain hurts. I had better finish.
Steve.