Start Listening To: Iguana Death Cult

24 Apr

Get to know Iguana Death Cult: the Dutch five-piece causing a stir with their wild sound.

Iguana Death Cult are a Dutch rock band known for their energetic and raw sound that draws inspiration from garage and punk rock. Their dynamic live performances have garnered a strong following across Europe and beyond plus they have shared the stage with notable acts like Thee Oh Sees and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (not bad, eh?). With three albums under their belt, Iguana Death Cult continues to push the boundaries of their genre, delivering a fierce and exhilarating musical experience. We caught up with the band’s frontman, Jeroen Reek ahead of the release of their forthcoming LP, Echo Palace (due 12th May via Innovative Leisure) and U.K. live dates this month.

For those unfamiliar with your music can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make?

Hi there, I’m Jeroen and I am the singer/guitarist in Iguana Death Cult. We’re a band from Rotterdam and we make some sort of post punk garage rock n’ roll, whatever you wanna call it.

Can you describe your songwriting process?

For me, I walk around a lot. Thinking of ideas and mumbling them into my cell phone. Then I make a quick demo at home and send it to the rest so we can work it out together later. Keeping a band effort.

What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your music?

Whatever they want

Can you tell us how you guys got started as a band?

We’ve actually known each since we were little kids and we just started making music together from a very young age. Arjen and I started jamming in his parents garage when we were 13. Playing ‘Seven Nation Army’ all day. I know Tobias from our water scouting days, where we always brought our acoustic guitars and taught each other songs. Justin, who’s a bit older and was someone I really looked up to at the time, asked me for guitar lessons one day. I said no, but here’s a bass guitar. Good call considering the rhythmic beast he became. And then it just fell into place and we started playing as a band, doing some ty segall covers and trying to write our own stuff. Jimmy joined us just after recording the second record to do the keys and percussion parts we recorded. He’s a full, co-writing band member now. Couldn’t have worked out better.

We’ve read that your name is a nod towards your fascination with cults in general and Iggy Pop’s first band (The Iguanas)…What cult intrigues you the most? and what’s your favourite Iguana’s track?

I’d have to go with Catholicism. It’s definitely the scariest one. My favorite Iguanas track is ‘Again & Again’. It’s a fucked up recording but it sound like the blueprint for ‘The Black Lips’, who I love.

How has Rotterdam influenced your music?

The last couple of years, The Rotterdam music has become so incredibly good. It’s really inspiring to see everybody doing so well, but it also keeps me on my feet you know? You need to keep working hard and write better and better stuff. Can't be lazy and be left behind. I feel proud to be part of this scene, I feel like it’s very living and supportive. You may or may not know the following acts. If not check out: Tramhaus, Smudged, Library Card, Kalaallit Nunaat, Neighbours Burning Neighbours, Poodle, The People’s Pleasure Grounds, Nagasaki Swim, Dyatlov, Vulva, Venus Tropiceaux, The Sweet Release of Death, Rats on Rafts, Parisian Night Suit (which is me, haha). The list goes on and on, it’s all phenomenal.

We’re loving your new album Echo Palace, could you tell us more about how it was produced?

We made pretty slick pre-productions at my home this time so it was a matter of playing the parts and of course tweaking it a little more in the studio. We recorded it at Paf! studio in Rotterdam. Those guys are real beat freaks so their studio feels like stepping into the 60s which is always fun. The freedom to mess around at home and taking our time finding the right sounds really added something special to the record though.

How did it feel having jazz saxophonist Benjamin Herman feature on track: Oh No and Sensory Overload?

A little star struck to be honest. Both me and Tobias used to go to see him live with our parents when we were kids so it was kind of surreal being in the studio with him, working on our songs. He’s such a nice guy too, it really was a pleasure. We’d love to do more in the future.

What songs are you most looking forward to playing live?

No song in particular. Just the set we have now as a whole works very well and I love every song in it.

Could you tell us about one of your most memorable performances?

Got to go with one of the most recent ones at SXSW. We played the small stage in Hotel Vegas, right before ‘O Sees’. When we played our last song I saw John Dwyer in the audience and afterwards he came up to us to compliment us. He’s probably my favorite artist ever so that was very cool.

Name an artist you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why?

The Specials. I was about seven years old when my mom installed her old record player in my room. First one she played me was that first Specials record and it blew me away. Especially that song ‘Monkey Man’. I remember playing it over and over again, jumping up and down in my room. The whole record is great. Still puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.

What do you love right now?

Learning piano

What do you hate right now?

Narcissists

Are there any particular artists or bands that have influenced your music?

Definitely too much to mention but here’s the first few that pop in my mind: Medium Medium, The Stranglers, Ian Dury, The Saints, James Chance, Liquid Liquid, Talking Heads

What’s next for Iguana Death Cult?

We’re looking into the possibility to do a U.S. tour later this year. Not sure what’s cooking at the moment, but that would be pretty cool.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians just starting out?

Never be satisfied, work hard and just keep going.

Thanks for speaking with us! Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Did you know that the electric chair was invented by a dentist?! Think about that next time they put that vacuum cleaner in your cheek.

Live dates:

April 28th - Astral Festival, Bristol, UK (tickets)
April 29th - Moth Club, London, UK (tickets)
April 30th - Hope & Ruin, Brighton, UK (tickets)

Juliet Bryant