Patrick Mata lead the L.A. gothic punk scene in the 80's, and you may have thought he disappeared, but he is very much alive and just released a solo album "Hydrocarbon from a Metorite Green". His new CD's captures many different elements than with Kommunity FK, with a more experimental side. Patrick Mata continues to play shows, and please check out his websites for the latest info/shows on this Legendary artist.

Kommunity FK

Interview:

by Julie Johnson

Julie: How does it feel to have finally released solo work?

Patrick: Refreshing. To have been able to do anything I wanted in an awesome home studio without any inkling as to what would happen was orgasmic, to say the least!

Julie: Can you tell more about your experience making Hydrocarbon from a Metorite Green?

Patrick: I was browsing in AMOK Bookstore(now KOMA) one afternoon when the head of Transparency Records asked me if I was interested in recording a solo cd. He told me I could do anything I wanted. So, I brought my typewriter case filled with strange curiosities to the studio where I had access to every instrument I could get my hands on. Got high and improvised it all. No rehearsal, no pre-production. Even before I star- ted Kommunity Fk I've experimented with dada tactics, cut-ups, and ran- dom chance. Here, I could do all of the artwork and packaging with a bo- oklet of some of my artwork, a piece for each 'song,' all on a 69 minu- te cd....my way. I need to do this for the rest of my life.

Julie: Have you always wanted to do something experimental with the sounds your so familar with?

Patrick: I've done several experiments in the past but not as freely extensi- ve as this. On the first KFK lp, 'The Vision And The Voice,' I wrote a piece called 'Incompatible Disposition,' about dysfunctional relation- ships, using a shortwave radio, 2 real barking dogs, a steel drum and a kick drum as the heartbeat, and random synth noise while singing an im- provised melody over it all. I plan on continuing to experiment with t- he unknown.

Julie: When did your interest in surrealistic idea fall in to place into your music? (Surrealism is my favorite area of art.)

Patrick: I started Kommunity Fk when my interest in Dadaism and Surrealism were at it's peak. I had created alot of anti-art collages and photo- montages and loved the Dadaists. I even cut my hair like Tristan Tzara after seeing a cool picture of him. Kinda like the English schoolboy wedge but with my twist. This was 1979, the post-punk era. I started KFK in 1980 but it stood for 'Kommunity Fuck.' It just so happened that I had made a collage depicting a Roman orgy so I used it as a 'visual pun;' orgy=Kommunity Fuck. It looks brilliant on the original vinyl co- ver of which there were only 1000 copies pressed. Collector's item now.

Julie: How were you involved in the artwork in this CD, which is definitely an attention grabber?

Patrick: When Transparency offered me the solo deal, it was a given that I'd do the design. I created the pieces after the master tapes were handed to the label. I thought that each 'song' should have a picture.

Julie: Do you feel this album is more sexual?

Patrick: This cd is definitely sexual because I'm a sexual person. I love ex- otic erotica. Sex is sewn throughout the cd.

Julie: Do you feel people were surprised with the new sound with your solo work?

Patrick: I made damn sure of it. I believe one shouldn't have to live up to anyone's expectations when recording a solo lp. It's personal as well. I chose to subliminally make it autobiographical, too. I've shared more of my inner self on this cd than on any other so far. I want my fans to open up their minds and listen to it on headphones at night to fully appreciate it.

Julie: What were you doing between Kommunity FK and the solo work?

Patrick: I was recuperating from a broken leg and shattered ankle. I had too much idle time so the opportunity to record the solo lp was perfect ti- ming!

Julie: What makes Space Pimpin a song that everyone notices?

Patrick: Everything! The beat, arrangement, length to groove, psychedelia, t- he idea of pimpin' outer space, for the mind, out of mind, with impro- vised moog doodlings done in 1 take. Roy Felig from the band Powerstri- pper guests on deathfunk santerian rooster-guitar.

Julie: What from the goth and punk rock scene inspired you to write We Belong Dead off the new CD?

Patrick: I just wanted to write an anthem for all of the Kommunity Fk fans of the last 20 years with a message to certain 'poseurs' who don't have any respect for us yet drop our name to make them 'better' in the scene with their other goth bandwagon jumpers. I've included it into the KFK set and live it rocks. When I was laying it down, again improvised fr- om the start, I asked Sherry Mata form KFK and The Legendary Wrong Peo- ple to write the bass part. She later played reverse guitar and the aw- esome riffs both during the song and at the end. I play the foundating rhythm guitar to sing over. When it came to final mixing it, I asked if KFK synth player and producer Jack Atlantis would come in and do an improvised mix without having even he- ard the song! 4 hours later, 'WE BELONG DEAD.' I love the organized ch- os of it.

Julie: What was your attraction to Jesse Colin Young as you now sing Darkness, Darkness?

Patrick: I just loved the song ever since the first time I heard it. The wo- rds reflect how I sometimes feel about my Self. I did the moog solo in 1 take with the other hand blocking my eyes. Sherry Mata plays the awe- some psychedelic fuzz lead as the song peaks and fades first take. I plan to perform it live.

Julie: What made you interested in Ms ELVOLAN SPIREY?

Patrick: Elvorian Von Spivey and I go way back through past lives and are very close 'soul friends.' I tried to capture her essence with a little spooky humor in the piece 'Elvorian Spirit.'

Julie: Will you be doing any music for horror flicks?

PatricK: I'd relish in it! Hopefully, somebody who has the power to allow me to score horror flix will have heard this lp. I'd love it to pieces.

Julie: What did the other member of Kommunity FK think of the new solo album?

Patrick: They dig it. They expected something 'out there' from me.

Julie: I heard a new track on the Witchcraft compilation called 23rd Curse,how has fans reacted to this amazing song?