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interviews

ChainDLK, interview (2005)

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Publication: ChainDLK
t.o.t.s. Interview w/ChainDLK (Dec. 2005)
by; Shaun Phelps

Chain D.L.K.: First, can you tell a little about Things Outside the Skin? Your mission statement, maybe?

Things Outside The Skin: THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN has been around since 1997. The idea for the name had been around longer, but there was no immediate outlet for it. I don’t know if there’s a particular “mission statement” for T.O.T.S., per se. I can’t speak for the rest of the band because in the end we all have different ideologies. There’s no set “group” agenda.

Chain D.L.K.: Judging by your discography you guys have been around for a while. How do you feel your sound has changed over the years?

Things Outside The Skin: Has our sound changed? I think production-wise it definitely has. In terms of the songs having changed in nature or not… that’s tough. I don’t really know. I’ve never been far enough away from my own material to really determine that or not. The line-up has changed significantly over the years for any number of reasons; though right now I feel like there’s a pretty functional unit going on with the current line-up. I like change, though. It’s exciting. New people bring new ideas and open up possibilities I would have never come up with on my own. Continue reading ChainDLK, interview (2005) →

reviews

ChainDLK (2006)

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Review Source: ChainDLK
Official Site: www.chaindlk.com

Artist: THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN
Release: You Knew it all Along
Label: Facility Records
Rated: 4 stars

THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN are back for their fifth release, “You Knew it all Along.” t.o.t.s. is Chvad SB (vocals/programming), Blight Productions (bass), and The 1-2-3-4 (drums), interesting names to add to the curiousness of this colorful new release. t.o.t.s.’ sound is composed of, basically, dirty gangster rap above spooky and aged sci-fi themes—or, better put, a nightmarish amusement park moving in slow motion.

My first impression about this release was that it would be blatantly evil with not much intrinsic value, however; upon listening and reading the lyrics I was quick to discover this band actually has a healthy(?) sense of humor, and a smart approach to their subject matter that is quickly infectious.

While I’m not a big fan of industrial rap, THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN does an extremely convincing job of merging the two genres, and does it better than most acts I’ve heard. t.o.t.s. is not, by any means, limited to rap—as they show an affinity for EBM and touch on a variety of other genres. Regardless your interests, though, t.o.t.s.’ violating cover of the Spice Girls’ “Spice up Your Life” alone is well worth any price asked for this album.

Review by: Shaun Phelps