Infected Mushroom and Korn’s Jonathan Davis: thecheappop interview

By Jon Chattman
Israeli psych-trance, electro group Infected Mushroom just released their latest album “Legend of the Black Shawarma.” I have no clue what the hell that title means but I dig the duo of Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani so much that I had to interview them. Korn’s Jonathan Davis collaborated with them on a tune – which seems odd considering when you think psych-trance, he’s the last name one would expect to hear attached to it. Anyway, I spoke to the trio on working together and had them field odd questions. Good chaps.

Jonathan, is this collaboration a nice detour from Korn material?
Yes, it’s definitely different. I love so many different genres and I deejay, that I love to do something out of the ordinary whenever I can.

What about you Infected – what made you guys want to collaborate with each other?
Erez and I grew up on Korn so for us it was an honor to be able to work with Jonathan. We really like his sound, and I think he likes what we do too. It was an easy decision to work together.

Describe the process of putting this album together…
IM: Erez and I are touring every weekend so for us the process goes like this: Monday – Thursday we spend the day with our families and at night we work in the Studio until the early morning (catching up on sleep happens on planes). There is no playbook, we just sit down and mess around on the computer until we have an idea we like… there is no rhyme or reason, we just like to try new things. Almost a few years after Vicious Delicious we had enough new material to release the new album.

Would you guys ever consider making a full record together?
IM: Why not?
JD: If there’s enough time in the day, who knows! Would be cool.

What’s the best argument for a third Ghostbusters film you guys can come up with….
IM: Because Aykroyd is the man!
JD: So we could do the soundtrack!

Jonathan, can we expect a Korn record in the near future?
Yes! Working on it now, in fact. Expect it next year.

What do you all make of the hoopla surrounding Michael Jackson’s death?
IM: He was an amazing artist and influenced many individuals. I think when someone that legendary passes away, it is hard to find the right way to deal with it. What results is this ‘hoopla’ you speak of. It was a sad day, and he was taken from our world too soon.

JD: He’s one of the greatest musicians of all time. Sad situation.

Do you expect a similar reaction when Tito passes?
IM: No.
JD: Hmmm… I’m going to say NOT LIKELY.

What’s the most interesting thing on your iPods?
IM: The Infected Mushroom Video Game (download for the IPhone).
JD: Play to your audience- I’m going with INFECTED MUSHROOM!

How would you describe each other’s sound?
IM: Bad Ass!
JD: Between an Infected Mushroom and Korn, we are two strange side dishes. Very different, and fit different listening moods.