Mike Forsberg (02/28/05)

We asked Mike Forsberg, the new drummer of Mortification, a few questions. Here it goes:

Firstly, when did you start playing drums and do you always play barefoot?

I first started with rudimental studies (sticking patterns) on a practice pad around 20 years ago (1985), I used to play along to anything I could listen to. My grandfather was a respected jazz drummer and was a great influence on my playing (my brother is a drummer too!!!). A local pastor noticed my interest in playing music and offered to buy me a drumkit (I had to pay him back !) if I would play in his band. I used to practice in this 19th Century Bluestone church in Melbourne - you should have heard the bass drums - like thunder!!! One of the bands I played along to was, you guessed it, Mortification!!!! I can distinctly remember belting along to Scrolls and the self titled. Yes, I always play barefoot. It allows me to feel the pedals and gain greater control.

Can you give us an overview of what bands you have played with in the past and how you came to join Mortification?

I have played in many local Australian bands, everything from Death Metal to Dance!! My first band was a Gospel Covers band that rehearsed although unfortunately didn't have the chance of playing live. The next year ('93) I was introduced to Mick Carlisle, which began a musical friendship that has lasted the last 12 years. I remember Mick handing me a copy of Post Momentary, this became one of my all time favourite albums. 1993 was the year of my first gig in this dirty little hall in a metal covers band called "Blackstone". We were really shocking, the vocalist sat down for the whole set as he was too nervous to stand!!! In '94 I formed Thrash metal band R.I.P. We mixed covers with originals and won a battle of the bands competition. That group split so I joined a death metal band called Dimentia which was similar to US band "Death". The band only seemed to rehearse and never play live. Frustrated with not having much live experience, I left. Shortly after Mick asked me to play in Cybergrind as Phil Gibson had left. We had a set of songs finished, but had trouble finding a bass player. Mick also had family commitments so I once again moved onto another band that was performing all over Melbourne called "Catwitch". We toured Melbourne quite extensively for a year before working on their debut album. Being quite unhappy with the style of music they wanted to pursue, I left to look for something a little more challenging and found exactly that - "Ragewar". Ragewar was an electronic industrial metal band that had toured Australia extensively and broke attendance records in Melbourne for packed shows. Ragewar was regarded as Australia's pioneer industrial group having recorded albums with engineer Josh Abrahams (who now works in the US with bands like Limp Bizkit). I was most impressed and offered to play drums for them; we hit it off straight away. The style was very similar to remixed Fear Factory. We were really keen on moving into a heavier direction of music so I suggested enlisting Mick for guitars. We played well received shows in Sydney and Melbourne before the band decided to play its last show in March '98. Mick and myself decided to reform Cybergrind with original bass player Pentridge Pete. We managed to play many shows in Melbourne and released "Transcend" - Cybergrinds debut album via Steve's label Rowe Productions. Around the same time, I collaborated with vocalist / programmer Baz from Ragewar programming drum beats with his electronica act "Psyburbia" on their first album "Carmegeddon". Due to work commitments I had to leave Cybergrind and hang the sticks up for a while (I continued to practice!) until being offered to play for local death metal band "Excarnated". This band had some of Melbourne's best muso's, although there were many tensions we managed to play shows around Melbourne to packed clubs. Lack of funds to record an album with live drums and ongoing financial commitments forced me to part with the band. Not long after, I received a call from Mick advising that Mortification were looking for a drummer. I gave Steve a call and the rest is history.

Can you share with us your thoughts on your first Mortification album "Brain Cleaner"?

I had only 3 months to prepare for the record and also play Blackstump (a respected Australian music festival). The pressure was on but it came out well. Most of the songs were already written when I joined, although I had some input into the structuring of one or two songs. I will be contributing a couple of songs on the next album.

When can we expect another Mortification album and in what musical direction is the band heading this time?

Top Secret! Further details will be released shortly on the Rowe Productions website.

The current line up has been together now for nearly two years, do you think Mortification have finally settled on a stable line up again?

I think that the current line up is the most diverse; I mean Mick J can play anything. The musical possibilities are endless. It is a great honour to play with Steve, I find him very inspiring both musically and spiritually.

What has been your most memorable moment since joining Mortification?

One memorable moment was playing Grind Planetarium & Medley in front of Jayson Sherlock. I made sure that I had all the drumming was down 100% to the albums. He seemed impressed. Although, I must say that the gratitude of the fans that I have played to has been really spiritually moving.

What is your favourite song to play live?

Grind Plantarium.

What bands are you listening to at the moment?

Soilwork, Believer.

What future touring/gig plans do you have?

We've been asked to play Brazil next year, check on the Rowe Productions website for further details.

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, it is much appreciated.

Interview taken by Jason Parkin