While we were at the LondonEdge trade show, we were fortunate enough to discover the music of Prehumanity. Dark electronic beats and haunting music created using only synthesizers and sampled sounds, Prehumanity is the brain-child of Alexander K Harris. Alexander and Prehumanity are set to invade Los Angeles soon, so we thought we’d share and introduce you to the man and his music.
First, some music! Check out Prehumanity “Midnight at the Graveyard”
We had a chance to ask Alexander a few questions. Here’s what he had to say:
How did you come up with the name Prehumanity and what inspired it?
I did a series of three glass prints depicting an alien creation story, and it was titled Prehumanity. I liked the concept and name, so decided to use it for my electronic project.
It seems that your music draws influence from several different genres, how did you come up with your sound and what are your biggest influences?
I grew up in NC where I witnessed and was the vocalist/ frontman in a number of these bands in a scene full of hybrid experimental metal mixed with a raw hardcore sound. These were some of the weirdest and most brutal sounding bands I had ever heard. On stage they destroyed each other and it wasn’t a good show if people in the crowd weren’t bleeding by the end. As for my band’s stage presence, I feel like if you are on stage and aren’t getting into the music yourself, how do you expect your audience to. I got my first synth and left my metal bands before moving to WA. I have been going to goth/ industrial clubs regularly since I moved to Seattle in 2008, so the club music has been a huge influence as well. I wanted to merge what I was hearing in the club with my metal background. Once I learned more about synths I got a drum machine, then started piecing together songs. Adding vocals to it was a whole world of trial and error to get an overall sound I was happy with. It’s hard to name a few but my biggest influences are Depeche Mode, Misfits, Gary Numan, Cradle of Filth, Skinny Puppy, John Foxx, and Scarlet.
You are moving to LA? What inspired this move and what do you plan to do once you make the move?
During the last tour through California, LA just seemed like it had more going on with this scene then anywhere else in the US. A club night that is packed every night of the week, bands coming from all over to play at Bar Sinister and Das Bunker, seems like the perfect place for Prehumanity to move to. I also would like to score more films and do more photography. Unfortunately there just isn’t enough of that kind of work in Seattle.
We also hear you are planning to open a store? Where will it be located? Is there a specific theme or product mix you will be focusing on?
I currently do graphic design (t-shirts, ads, stickers, patches) and co-vend for a clothing line called Chainsaw Mouth. It’s primarily run by Seage who makes the majority of the things on the ChainsawMouth.com website. Once we move there we plan to scout out a spot to open our first retail location. The store will sell horror themed graphic shirts, hand made accessories, and clothing made by both independent artists and a select few name brands as well.
Do you have any up coming tours, gigs or releases?
Just released the first full length album, “Not So Becoming”
I am currently working on getting a few CA dates booked for the months of October and January. Also booking a short East Coast tour for the month of November.
Where can people find your stuff?
At the official site, Prehumanity.com.