Synthesis Interview Mark Reynolds of Red FLag





Now one month is only till new CD will be released. What could we expect from it? Will it be in the same soundline as at last albums? Slow.. dark.. Or something will be changed?

With the exception of one song, all song's from RED FLAG's 'Codebreaker T133' are at 133 bpm. In other words this will be the fastest RED FLAG album so far. People who felt that 'Naive Art' was our best album will probably like this one. The bass line are aggressive and un-relentless and the vocal range from a whisper to a scream.

Why did you choose the such title for forthcoming album - 'Codebreaker T133'. Does something stand behind the name or it's just becouse it will be in 133 bpm?

Writing an album all at the same tempo is the closest thing an electronic band can do when trying to paint in just black and white. Using this tempo restriction we explored everything else. Though every song by this tempo rule, you realize how different each and every song is.

You released 'The Bitter End' and 'Who Are The Skulls' not so long ago. Now the new CD is coming. Does it mean that you have the such potencial to release a few albums per
year. Could it be that next after 'Codebreaker T133' release will see the light in the rest of
2002?

We do not subscribe to the thinking of one album released in every 18 months. As artists, our creativity is not bound to a calendar. We bound only by our imagination.

Which songs will be in the forthcoming release? What are the best on your view? May be you could tell something interesting about any songs.. any things happened during recording or writing of them.. what are texts about? Have an idea to release single or may be single-serie as it became tradition already?

The track listing is

01. ETERNAL FLAME
02. SHADOW WARRIOR
03. UNBREAKABLE
04. NEVER LEAVE
05. REIGN DOWN ON ME
06. HARD TIMES FOR DREAMERS
07. ELECTROMACHINE
08. MADE FOR LOVE
09. FALLEN ANGEL
10. BURNING MAN
11. TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE
12. CODEBREAKER T133

My favorites are "Shadow Warrior" and "Unbreakable". I don't like to translate our songs. Let's leave that to the listener. At this time a single has not been selected.

What design of cd will be. Who does make the sleeves for 'Codebreacker T133'? Will it be released in USA only or you have plans for the rest of the world?

The design is a Radar Dish. Breaking a code came from the Jodie Foster movie CONTACT. We broke the code and discovered that 133 is the perfect tempo. The initial release for 2002 is the US, with a 2003 double CD release in Germany and Europe.

What main changes (if it exists of course) are appeared in the line of last 4 albums: 'The Crypt' - 'Fear Of A Red Planet' - 'The Bitter End' - 'Codebreaker T133'? (ideas.. music.. something else)

We change with the world. It's a scary, chaotic and beautiful world. LIVE LIVE LIVE ! ! !

Have you any plans to have touring to support this new album?

In 2003 we plan on supporting 'Codebreaker EUR' with a European tour.


Now let's talk aboutany sides of the whole history of RED FLAG. Actually your band is known here in Russia for over 10 years already. But still noone could tell us, what was the reason to give the name "red flag" to the project. Now you can dissolve this puzzle for all our readers... Were you both fans of sociallistic system of Russia :-)?

Actually we believe capitalism is a realistic and practical form of economics. Democracy is a realistic and practical form of government. We chose the name RED FLAG because is represents danger and we thought that sounded cool!

Have you ever problems there in USA with this name and also your song "Russian Radio"... Not a kind of propaganda in the years of cold war?

No, It's just a song.

Tell us please in more details about first releases. Which singles were released in the
"Naive Art era" before and after album on vynyls, and which were rereleased on CDs later?

The album 'Naive Art' and the singles 'Russian Radio', 'Broken Heart', 'AllRoads lead To You' and 'If I Ever' were release on CD, Vinyl and Cassette and were release in the USA only.

Not often for bands to have two brothers as members in ... Did you ever had plans someone
joined in the RED FLAG?

No.

Have you ever plans to release "live' album?

We would love to release a live DVD, perhaps in 2003 or 2004.

Tell us please about history of creating of Plan B records.

We made our label because we had to. No one would sign us again. They would
say that we are 'too old' or 'over the hill. We have songs to write, so we started our own label

The sound of 'The Lighthouse' is more slow and enigmatic then previous 'Naive Art' and 'Machines' single. What was the reason you changed your sounding in those years?

We wanted to write something different. We wrote what we wanted. We wrote how we felt.

Many bands avoid to make any labels for the music they create. But nevertheless how can you describe your music? Can we talk about "synthpop" in your case :?

If that makes you comfortable, then please use that term; My Mother calls our music beautiful. I prefer that term.

You are often describen as pioneers of synthpop in USA. What do you think about it? Is it
deserved reward ?

Yes ! Is that a humble enough answer?

Tell please about electroscene in USA. How was it changed on your view at the last 10 years. What do you think about other American synth acts, "classic" like CAUSE AND EFFECT and new scene's formations, like B!MACHINE, COSMICIY... and other bands, from A Differen Drum Label for example.. Which bands are great in USA on your view? What do you think about ebm scene, dark wave scene in States?

It has changed a lot in the last 10 years. We finally have other band to play with. Many of them are on ADD label. Many of them are very talented and a pleasure to work with. When one discusses EBM and DarkWave, then one must only look to Germany for an answer.

How it was for you European experience with playing here? Which bands'
music did you like? What do u think about MESH, DE/VISION, SPOCK... DANCE OR DIE?

LOVED IT!!! Can't wait to go back. We met a lot of great bands and had tons of fun.

Have you any plans for festivals in Europe in future?

Nothing is confirmed as we speak.

What tendences have world electroscene on your view in future? It seems it increases, you already play in Canada, Mexico and even Peru...

The world is not very big. But I think it's big enough for good music to rise to the top.

What do u know about Russia? How it was with remix from DJ Ram - positive experience? Did you like his work?

DJ Ram is a very talented musician and re-mixer. Expect to see him around for a while. When we were in Mexico, many clubs played his mixes.

Have you ever idea about live gigs here?

We would very much like to play in Russia. Perhaps in the future as a part of a European tour. We are very open to that idea.

Tell please about idea to make remix album 'Who Are The Skulls], is it a kind of integration with synthpop scene? Which idea it was?

Many people wanted to remix RED FLAG music. 'The Skulls' was just a way of putting a bunch of re-mixes together. We'll probably do it again.

What do you think, is it harder to work in band if brothers or different people. Band - family, :-) how is it?

I have only been in a band with my brother, so I don't really know. It seems to me though that what it all comes down to; not what you say, but what you listen to.

I hope a lot of years which will bring us a lot of new albums of RED FLAG will be in future, am i right?:)

I hope so to my friend. CHEERS!

Would you like to say/wish anything for your russian audience?

Thank you for listening to our music. I know that music is not the most important thing in the world. But if it brings someone a little bit of happiness and a little bit of hope, then we have done a good thing. Thank you, Mark and Chris Reynolds, RED FLAG



copyright: SYNTHEZIS 2002