Interview- Deceased

This is an interview with King Fowley of Deceased. King has been one of my favorite vocalists and drummers ever since I had a friend of mine make me a copy of "Luck of the Corpse" back in high school. A lot has happened to King and Deceased over the years but they are still putting out great albums. I had the pleasure of talking with the vocalist/ex-drummer of this legendary band through email. Here’s what the recently married frontman had to say:

Hails King! How is everything going for you? I hope all is well!
Cheers! I'm doing great! Just getting ready for shows in Texas in 2 weeks! I recently got married and am settled in nicely in Pennsylvania.
Enjoying summer weather and just keeping a smile on my face!

I read on the Deceased site that longtime guitarist Mark Adams has decided to leave Deceased to focus on other things. I'm sure this was quite a blow to the band, especially with Mike Smith leaving just last year. Do you have a replacement in mind for Mark? How has Shane Fuegel worked out in Mike Smith's spot?
Yeah it's a shame to see Mark go. He's been here with me since basically the beginning of the band. As we get older more things come into our world and at some point it just became time for him to step down from the band. We will miss him as a band member but as a friend he's here forever! Mike is still in the band, just not out playing live. Shane is going to come in on LPs now with Mike! He's done a great job in the band and will fit in nicely. As for a second guitarist for live, we are working that out now! A few months and we'll be back in stride on the live front!

I hear you have a new album planned. When can we expect to hear it? Do you have anything recorded for it yet, and will there be any changes made musically on the new album?
We have 4 new tunes written for it of the 8 we plan to include. It's sounding like 100% Deceased. I really love the 4 songs and we will write now with Shane in the band and add it in. It'll always sound like Deceased I assure you that!!! We hope to release it early 2008!

Everything about Deceased (cover art, lyrics) shows that you are a horror fan. What writers/stories have influenced you the most? What about horror movies? What are some of your favorites?
Indeed! I love horror films and stories and the morbid things in life! I love any well written horror material! I love Poe as he was indeed a lunatic. He's my fave! Movies are too many to mention but a few that still rattle the brain are 'The Exorcist', 'Phantasm', 'Burnt Offerings', 'Woman in Black' and 'Carrie'!

What would you say is your favorite Deceased album, and why?
'Supernatural Addiction'. I just love the pacing and the way it unfolds. A lot of those songs just fell into place so perfectly. 'The Premonition', ‘A Very Familiar Stranger’ and 'Elly' really are my faves! I loved working with Simon Effimey and the band really played their ass off!

Does the writing process for Deceased differ from your other projects such as October 31?
Not really. I arrange all the songs in either band, and do all the lyrics. Riffs will come in and be moved around from this to that until it's 'right'! Both bands just write riffs, I arrange em and we learn em. Lyrics are added later!

With as many hardships as you've had to endure, what keeps you going? It has to be the love of the music. Do you, or have you ever felt like saying fuck it and just walking away?
I love music! I don't get down! It’s all about music to me! Being down with a clot in my lung was difficult. It looked bad but I fought back and recovered. You can get down and say 'fuck it' or you can live and carry on. I am a fighter, not a quitter!

I read that in '87, you had to quit doing drugs due to you experiencing panic attacks among other serious health problems. I've had to deal with panic attacks for over ten years now and they're a terrible affliction. They've caused me so many problems in my life that just horrify people when I tell them about it. When you quit the drugs did they go away, or do you still get them? If so, how have you dealt with them?
Drugs were stupid, if I could go back and start over I’d never of touched em. I don't care who says what, drugs are a horrible poison to your body! I don't need em! But I was young and it happened. The panic attacks are pretty much gone. Once in a blue moon I’ll get one, but I understand it and it passes! Good luck on yours, study them and understand them is my advice, they really are not going to hurt you!

I know Deceased used to play Pittsburgh a lot at a place that's been closed for years, The Electric Banana. What do you think of the fans here in Pittsburgh? Any crazy stories about playing here? Think Deceased will make it back here anytime soon? I hope so because I've never had the pleasure of catching you live and I think it would be killer!
We played Electric Banana all the time. Judy and Johnny paid us in hamburgers haha. Fun times! Pittsburgh has a lot of great friends from 20 years back! Nunslaughter, Derketa, Doomwatch, Dream Death, are a few bands we had a blast with! Good place. We haven’t played there in a few years but we'll be back soon we hope :)

As for crazy stories ask Don of the Dead from Nunslaughter sometime :)

That about wraps it up for now. Are there any final words that you'd like to share, or info about where fans can get your merchandise for any of your projects? Thanks for your time King! Take care man, it's been an honor!
Thanks for the interest and support. Look for the new LP and live gigs! We are out there and rising up from the grave :)

Email me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for merch/info to chat etc., it's all about friendship and unity in the Deceased camp! Cheers and thank you for your time! Up the tombstones!