Live at Wave Gotik Treffen '99.
Live at Wave Gotik Treffen '99.
Live at Wave Gotik Treffen '99.
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The Last Dance -
Emotional and Beautiful Music
The American The Last Dance have played their passionate style of goth since 1990. They have previously released one album and two minialbums. Their delayed album, "Perfect", is on its way and time for us to get in touch with them.
Music from The Heart
Guitar player Rick Joyce and vocalist Jeff Diehm started The Last Dance in 1990. Their intention was to create music that didn't follow any rules or guidelines. The music itself was to be the most important thing, and would come from their hearts.
The band has transformed from an idea between friends to a legalized business, an outlet to express the members' inner feelings, a chance to share themselves with the rest of the world. The Last Dance has grown into a family.
They are probably unknown to the majority of the audience listening to their type of music. But a lot of people noticed their fantastic gig at the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig earlier this year.
- Great Experience. Lots of fun and probably our largest audience ever. It was great seeing so many people gathered for one event in the same place. And it looked like most of them were having a great time, says the bass player Peter J Gorritz.
- The festival in Leipzig was absolutely wonderful, one of the best experiences of my life. I not only enjoyed one of The Last Dance's best and most memorable performances ever, I also met so many wonderful people. I cannot say enough great things about it, the guitarist Rick tells me.
The "Perfect" album
The Last Dance hope to play live again after the release of their new album "Perfect". The record will show up anytime soon, even though an exact release date is yet to be set.
- I would say from a production point of view and from being a guitarist myself, that Rick has really outdone himself, Peter thinks. He has been really creative within his own playing style. He has done some brilliant stuff, in my opinion, and got the best guitar sound he has ever gotten on a record. And there is more electronic stuff than before, but not all the time.
The songs are a band product. All members share credits equally. According to Jeff, his lyrics are inspired by the music they've created.
- I listen to what we have done, and try to capture the emotions I feel with the right words. Our music makes me feel. It makes me think about things. As for content, I write about experience. I've tried to write less personally, but just can't do it. So it's my therapy. It's how I deal with things and bring closure.
Open-minded taste
The guys seem open-minded when it comes to what kind of music they prefer.
- I'm mostly into ethereal music. I've really been impressed with albums like Massive Attack's "Mezzanine" and Delerium's "Karma". I don't mind with music that doesn't make me feel or doesn't affect me on an emotional level, says Peter and Lucky concludes:
- I enjoy almost all kinds of music. I just don't really like 50's doo-wop very much. I really love to hear different sounds and adapt some ideas to my own ideas.
European vs American goth
I took the chance to investigate the American goth scene.
- I think there is more sense of humor in the European scene, especially in the UK, where we actually spent the most time. There, it is more about having fun, and enjoying whatever music you are into and enjoying the company of others in the same frame of mind, says Peter.
The drummer Lucky Ivan Dominguez expresses his opinion:
- From what I have seen, it is a really fragmented scene. It seems to dwell on pretending to be so miserable or evil as possible. It's not enjoyable from my view and I believe that many heavy bands are lumping themselves into the gothic scene, for no other reason but to be involved in a cool scene. It is OK to like such bands but it's not our fault that our TV and news press makes it out to be shocking and sensationalistic.
The vocalist Jeff continues the thread with a final comment:
- People seem to forget that music is supposed to be emotive. When there gets to be such emphasis on style, the simple appreciation for music can get lost.
/Johan Astemark
Photos taken at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig 1999, by Sami Sinervä.
Visit their official homepage at http://www.thelastdance.com.
Download The Last Dance MP3 songs at www.mp3.com.
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