HRH: In one of your earlier interviews you’re saying that you always were angry, misunderstood and very rebellious by nature … rebelling against anything and anybody who care to listen. Would you say that punk was something that you can relate to from the early age, where you can throw out on all aggression, express yourself?
Isis: Punk is the voice of a honest expressive human being. It is not an escape, it is an outlet for expression and that is why punk has value and merit even in this day and age when escapism is the biggest seller to the slaves of society.
HRH: How were you first introduced to punk and what was the first record you ever bought?
Isis: I got introduced to the “real” punk by Pyn and I can’t remember buying many records because I was too broke and making rent and food and some money for new clothes was about the limit.
HRH: Are there any names, bands that inspired you musically or lyrically and have been responsible for your love of punk? You mention few people like Sex Pistols, The Clash, Patti Smith … How did the punk icon such as Patti Smith inspire you as a woman and punk rock singer?
Isis: All these artists mentioned above were real. They created a new path, not one that was designed for them. They are all visionaries and rebels and how can that not inspire anyone who is at the very least awake at the moment? I also am in love with Darby Crash of the Germs, X Ray Spex, The Slits, and The Bags, and a few others that don’t fit exactly in this category, like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Joy Division, and Devo.
HRH: In one of your interviews you mention that your debut Slit was named in dedication of one of your favorite British punk rock bands, The Slits. How did you get hooked on this band?
Isis: Ari Up before she passed away invited me to sing on stage with her and I did and it was epic! She was going to come live with us for a long time at the artist commune but suddenly she died. She was one of the most amazing and misunderstood artists of all time!
HRH: What is it that you like about her lyrics and music so much … and in what way you have been influenced by the singer of this band, Ari Up (Ariane Forster)?
Isis: It’s not about her lyrics or music. It was about her. Where she came from, how young she was at the time, what she did, and what it meant to the people that had the blessing of discovering her band. I don’t idolize her, or anyone for that matter. She just inspired me to be myself and to stick to my guns and principles and to never compromise
HRH: Back in the late ’70s Punk music always has been a male dominated world. What is your thought on sexism in the punk rock scene right now?
Isis: It is way worse now than it was in the ‘70s. The rock world needs a real pussy riot! (Laughs)
HRH: (Laughs) You mention that your new album will be way different from your debut album Slit. So what we can expect from this record?
Isis: A natural progression. We have found melody in our lives and it is reflected in the new songs. The album has everything in the circle of life.
HRH: I love the new Barb Wire Dolls book, ‘Destination Punk,’ Stunning shots of the band, especially of you! Some would say you are the next Debbie Harry or Courtney Love in some ways, but with some more forceful, raging stage persona. Did you collaborate on this book?
Isis: It’s all Svenja Block. It’s her baby and we had nothing to do with it. Like the other three books already published on us. It’s their creativity and we don’t want ever to stand in their way of that expression. As for Debbie Harry and Courtney Love, I see myself as nothing to do with either of them. I connect more to the image of rock and roll that is in my mind and it comes from the source of human experience, male or female!
HRH: How did you meet with the New York photographer Bob Gruen?
Isis: We bumped into him in New York City on the Bowery where CBGB used to be and invited him to our debut show there the next night, and he came. He invited us to his house and he ended up taking photos of us and then later came and lived at the artist commune with us for a bit last summer. It’s been a real honor to have him as a friend. We all love Bob.
HRH: Following your London show you went to Germany, where it seems like you had a blast and continue to live your dream…or as you put it ‘making a new history!’ You recorded a double live album and live DVD at Wild At Heart! Tell me more about it?
Isis: It’s just one of the things we did to capture this period of our life before we enter the studio this month to record the new album. We like shaking things up a bit and when the time is right. We will put out the double live album. The show was great; the magic was there that night…
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