COSMONAUTS HAIL SATAN
inteview by Ian C Stewart
AUTO4 spring 1997

cosmonauts hail satan
I recently had the opportunity to ask a few questions of the exciting home recording group Cosmonauts Hail Satan via the postal system. As is often the case with such postal exchanges, they answered nearly all of my questions. Here are a few highlights of the interview with Mr Cosmonaut.

Tell me everything about Cosmonauts Hail Satan. The people involved, the philosophy at work and the politics of them all.
The members of Cosmonauts Hail Satan have come to be known as Mr Cosmonaut and Mr Satan, even though it doesn't really make sense. I suppose this reinforces our original intention to be anonymous in so far as to avoid any sort of "cult of personality," something that seems to be common in both the overground and underground music scenes. Also anyone who has ever met us will tell you that we are probably doing everyone a big favor by remaining anonymous.

We have a philosophy of honesty and integrity as far as our secretive nature allows.

As far as the politics of Cosmonauts Hail Satan go, everything is politics. A political stance is the sum of actions within a variable timespace. In most cases the reality is much more complex than "I swing left / I swing right." It is always subject to change.

And how has interacting with artists all over the world affected your patriotism?
If beings from Pluto offered to market our productis we would immediately send out a trained negotiator. Being in touch with artists across the world makes us feel part of the great global communication network and affects our patriotism not one bit.

What does CHS hate collectively?
We don't collectively hate any one thing in particular. Hate is okay if you have a lot of time on your hands and you don't mind it destroying the very fabric of your being. Hate wastes already limited resources.

How does commercial music affect your working methods?
The commercial world is a big influence. In the underground people make names for themselves by releasing records in pressings of 10 or less called "I'm Mad," or "I'm A Real Weirdo." These acts of artistic mania pale when placed alongside the likes of The Artist, etc. Jap noise is dead. Garth Brooks is the new daddy now.

How has the Cassette Culture climate changed since CHS began?
We're locked in our own groove. The outside world of "Cassette Culture" doesn't seep in. We know it's there but to us it's an unexplained phenomenon.

Who's the ideal producer for CHS?
We're always open to working with others. One advantage of having a bigshot producer would be that we wouldn't have to use our antiquated recording equipment and someone else could fret over the technicalities. Is that what a producer does? Maybe the guy who runs ECM records, Brian Wilson, or anyone who could get us that Led Zeppelin drum sound.

Describe your entire output in one word.
Mr Cosmonaut: foggy.
Mr Satan: groundbreaking.

What does 1997 hold for Los Cosmonauts?
We're not big on plans and goals. We may change our minds and just head for the beach!

cosmonauts hail satan
box 333, 145-149 Cardigan Rd, Leeds LS6 1LJ UK

Cosmosatanography:
Satan, Yuri And You self-released cassette 1992
Apollo 666 self-released cassette 1992
Satan, Yuri And You Parts 1&2 Shock 7" 1992
Hellraiser Fourth Dimension 7" 1992
White Trash Motherfuckers comp Shock CD 1993
Under The Skin Vol 2 comp Instinctive 7" 1994
A Beautiful Girl Like You / Mystery Mountain DBB 7" 1995
Fuck That Weak Shit Vol 4 comp Pitsbull 7" 1995
Bizarre And Torturous Rituals Of The Primitive World Secret Devil 7" 1995

coming soon:
7" singles on Behemoth, Suggestion and AIPR. Also tracks on compilation Cds on TWR and Muza Muza, hopefully a full-length CD on Fourth Dimension / Dirter Promotions (recorded 1993) and more...