Devolution caught up with Daniel C of 2 Forks the dark electro-industrial project from Cleveland, Ohio, featuring past and present members of US goth rock icons The Wake, among others. We discussed the new album ‘Quanticode’ which was impressively created in under a year, the goal of having every song be appropriate for pole dancing, trapeze high wire acts, and figure skating routines and who would they be endorsed by…
Introduce the band in your own words…
Daniel: “2 Forks is the creation of Daniel C, Drummer for The Wake. It is a mixed-media musical side-project comprised of me and my long-time associates, Gil Singer and Mark Gamiere. It was a chance for me (Daniel) to create an alter ego ‘Danny 2 Forks’ and script a concept album where I composed music and lyrics and played many of the instruments and parts outside of the normal ‘drummer’ routine. If not for lockdown, I would never have had the time. It is not a ‘band’ but a collective of artists executing a vision that I direct with the fewest of limitations possible to evoke a true collective environment that has been and should continue to be mixed media art. To date the band has produced music, video, live performance, physical music media, digital music media and art, and clothing.”
Tell our readers about your current album release.
“Currently I am promoting my debut album as 2 Forks called “Quanticode” available at 2ForksMusic.com as well as through Bandcamp and most streaming services.”
Who would you say you sound most like?
“Dance Industrial bands of the late 80s”
Who or what are your biggest influences?
“Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Front 242, KMFDM, Jane’s Addiction, The Cure, Daniel Ash, John Bonham, Jon Farriss, Stuart Copeland, David Byrne, Laurie Anderson.”
Describe your band members and what each person brings to the table.
“I do the writing of the music and lyrics, production, and coordination of our art and video. Gil is engineer and does programming and writing as well as playing of electric guitar and electric bass. Mark plays electric guitar.”
What have you been up to this year?
“Enjoying promoting the album “Quanticode”, playing live, and writing and recording new material including filming more videos for current and new songs.”
How do you maintain interaction with your fans?
“I try to have a vibrant online presence and I’m approachable in person.”
Did you manage to record a video or release any material in the last ten months?
“Yes, videos have been released for ‘Take It’, ‘I Feel Lost’ and ‘Bad Fukker Un Sub’ as well as 11 songs on the album “Quanticode” are released digitally or on CD.”
Do you have a band joker? If so who and what’s the dumbest prank they’ve pulled?
“All of us are the band joker, and the dumbest prank was probably breathing back into the balloon until our lips turned blue.”
Do you argue over what music gets played on the way to a gig? Who wins and what’s the most popular choice?
“I win – no arguing. NO. NO – I said NO. Don’t make me turn this van around!”
Pick your dream band line up. Each band member selecting a corresponding musician who may be dead or still very much living.
“Me filling in with Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes.”
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you while you were on stage?
“I got hit in the forehead with a dime thrown from very far away. It left a dent for weeks.”
You’re asked to select a band to tour with you as support. Who would you choose and why?
“Joan Jett. She is a bad ass and completely knows it.”
If you could name any one item that would be delivered no questions on the band rider, what would you choose and why?
“Therapeutic massage – cuz, i’m friggin stressed over here!”
You’re stuck on a night off mid tour with just a games console and a handful of games for company. Which games do you choose to play? or do you just raid the mini bar?
“Galaga, pinball, and mini bar. (no or)”
If the band got offered an amazing major label deal but it meant a change of image to something you are uncomfortable with and censorship of lyrics, would you take the deal or walk?
“Take the deal and do 11 covers of The Sex Pistols “EMI” in multiple musical stylings like country & western, metal, rap, polka and for sure kidz bop the lyrics.”
Who has the worst habits on tour?
“I’m not sure, but it’s not me. Hey, I’m just saying- the problem is you and everybody else!”
Describe the local music scene of your hometown and how you fit into that as a band?
“Cleveland is very artistic in general. It has taught me to forget limitations.”
Some bands have goals for albums, the UK Subs for example recorded an album for every letter of the alphabet. Do you have any goals for future albums?
“I want every song to be appropriate for pole dancing, trapeze high wire acts, and figure skating routines. Just in my goth/industrial/latex/dark-electro way.”
In the modern on-demand music scene is the concept album dead or do you feel there’s still room for them?
“I just did a concept album called “Quanticode”, so I think there’s no more room. I filled the sack.”
How important is the local music scene to you as a band?
“I think it is really important to support a local scene. So Important.”
With everything being so digital and run predominantly through social media what is your view on the importance of regional and national print press?
“I love print press, but I also love vinyl records and pinball machines. So maybe my view is not so 20/20?”
If you could choose to play any UK festival for 2023 – which one, would it be and why?
“I’d like to play the “Isle of Lucy” Festival.”
If you could be endorsed by any companies, who would they be and why?
“Rockies – they are a local Ohio company who makes all sorts of boots. Yeah – I know, that’s weird. But I do wear their boots and totally would endorse their products.”
Do you have a message for fans of your music?
“Always believe in yourself. Don’t go to bed angry or hungry.”
Here is your opportunity to end the interview with some final words on a subject of your choice….
“Be Kind!”
All Photos: Scott T. Morrison, Discovery Photo
Social Links + Email Contacts:
https://2forksmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@2forksmusic
https://www.facebook.com/2forksmusic
Press Contact: utm.musicgroup@gmail.com
Live Bookings: hecataea.music@gmail.com