The Rabid Whole

Andreas Weiss (vocals) The Rabid Whole

What is your name and band/label/etc?

Andreas Weiss, singer/songwriter of 21st century, high energy, alternative rock act, The Rabid Whole on Boonsdale Records.
What are your top five albums that were released in 2012? (In order 1-5)

Garbage - Not Your Kind of People
Deftones - Koi No Yokan
How To Destroy Angels - An Omen
The Birthday Massacre - Hide and Seek
Delerium - Music Box Opera

What band did you discover in 2012 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Art Vs. Industry from Austin, Texas. Really talented group with awesome tunes. Met them/saw them live while we were down playing SXSW. Very similar influences to our band, my type of music! ;) High energy rock with electronics.
How will you remember 2012? (In terms of music)

In terms of the music industry/scene... seemed kinda uneventful to me! I wasn't as enthusiastic to look around hard enough either... …so I might've missed a lot!
What can we look forward to from you in 2013?

Lots! Working on some international touring, festivals, videos, writing...
What records are you looking forward to most in 2013?

KMFDM - Kunst
Depeche Mode - ?
Skinny Puppy - ?

Fundraising sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have made a strong impact on the ability of artists to release music. Do you think this approach is a trend, or will it continue to shape how artists produce their material?

The approach initially felt pretty trendy but definitely seems like a great opportunity available for artists that wasn't available in the past. Funding projects can usually be pretty difficult for artists without major label backing. If the current trend of label support dying down continues as it has, it might be an artist's necessity to rely on these types of 'charitable' services.
- Scene Point Blank

Andreas Weiss Vocalist & Guitarist for Canadian Alternative rock group The Rabid Whole. Interview October 3, 2012
The Rabid Whole Interview
The Rabid Whole The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge

The Rabid Whole

1. Could you tell me about the recording of The Rabid Whole album Refuge?
The Rabid Whole – ANDREAS WEISS: Once the writing process was 75% done I flew over Karl Schubach (Misery Signals, Solace) for about 3 weeks to re-record the songs and act as producer again as he did on our first album… Karl was great in the sense that he wouldn’t allow anything sub-par on the record. Him and I go way back and I can appreciate his no-bullshit approach. If he thinks a part in a song is shit he’s gonna say it…I’m pretty stubborn and we’ll usually fight through the entire record and there’ll be a few ‘I told you so-s’ in the process… I’m pretty sure he’s lost a great part of his sanity because of me bahaha… He really pushed the intensity of the drumming and of my vocals as well… he came up with some amazing drum fill and vocal harmony ideas on the album that totally ‘made’ the songs… Every instrument/sound played on the album was me on my own…other than the female vocals… it was a very DIY operation… Days later I flew over to Vancouver to meet up with the legendary Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Jakalope) to handle the mixing, and then back to Toronto for Noah Mintz (Death from Above 1979, The Birthday Massacre) to master the album. I could not be happier with the way everything worked out, and I have no doubt I had the best team for the job.

2. How did the song writing process work for the Rabid Whole?
ANDREAS: I had just quit my day job as an engineer for the oil and gas industry back in Saskatchewan, sold my house and moved the band to Toronto to start again from square one. I had a few of the song fragments/ideas floating around for a couple of years but 95% of it all came together in the 2 months I spent in isolation at ‘TRWHQ’, our personal studio here in Toronto. I worked non-stop from the moment I woke up until the moment I fell asleep… I may have left the place 3 times in that entire period… I had a little Post-It Note I had written up after we had finished our first album ‘Autraumaton’. This little note had about 30 points/things/ideas I had/wanted to add/change on our next album… like: more female vocals, up the intensity on the drumming… more piano… push everything whether it be the quiets, louds, whatever, further than we had before, more emotion, more electronic noises….blablabla… The couple of years leading up to this album I was going through a lot of personal changes in my life and ‘Refuge’ is basically a direct reflection of all this. ‘Refuge’ is about change and all the emotions and experiences that an individual will pass through in the process and ultimately the search for personal peace of mind at the end of it all. I was definitely more time-rushed than on ‘Autraumaton’ but at the same time more focused and prepared…
The Rabid Whole 2009 promo The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge

The Rabid Whole

3. What would be some of the amplifiers and guitars used in the recording to create the tones for The Rabid Whole?
ANDREAS: Well, most of our album was done with direct input on guitars, electronics and the drums were actually entirely programmed, I didn’t even have a drummer at the time! The only thing we actually mic’d were the vocals! We used a digi03 to record.. a UA LA610 preamp for the vocals, guitars were processed through a Fractal Audio AxeFX. For the guitars we used the AxeFx’s amp emulators to combine the tones of Frayette and Engl amps. Seemed to sound the closest to our live Marshall amp Orange cab combo. I think the only guitar I used in the studio was my Schecter C-1… and a Musicman Sub Bass.

4. Any tours coming soon for The Rabid Whole?
ANDREAS: At this point we’ll be touring Ontario and Quebec for the rest of 2012 but there are plans for a full US/Canadian tour in the spring of 2013…possibly some Europe in there too! Hopefully all the same and more festivals as we did this year… CMW, NXNE, SXSW, Indieweek… We’ve got our fingers crossed that everything works out to plan!

5. For The Rabid Whole what do you think of the music industry today and where it is going?
ANDREAS: In the past, the major labels were the gatekeepers and could provide all the promo/marketing/funding/connections/support a band needed to exist, let alone stand out. But there’s always gonna be a new kind of gatekeeper, whether it’s the entertainment lawyers / managers making all the business deals in the background or the booking agents controlling the market by protecting the interests of their few highest grossing clients and ensuring the ‘little guys’ and anyone else can’t steal a cut of the ever-shrinking music industry $$$ pie. There’s definitely a whole lot less of it to go around! You wouldn’t believe how people in this industry will scramble and cut each others throats at the sight of any small amount of $. There’s a good chance that a lot of unnecessary people will get cut out, hopefully leaving those that are truly passionate about music. But it’s hard to say…these are volatile times. Though it’s pretty difficult to get seriously noticed without some kind of additional support. If you’re fortunate enough, there comes a point in a band’s career where you just can’t physically handle it all on your own. You will need to hire a team of specialized marketers, connectors, investors, business people, agents, etc to be able to keep moving to that next level. At that point you’ve built an entire business out of your music and you will have had to learn to work with the latest industry gatekeepers to have gotten there… icon razz The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge It’s a dirty world out there full of snakes, smoke and mirrors…
The Rabid Whole 2009 The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge

The Rabid Whole

6. Would you say the health of the Music scene is becoming stronger?
ANDREAS: Mmm… I don’t know… I’d like to think so but I think it depends regionally. Some places have been wiped off any touring band’s map simply because the locals don’t attend live music shows…at least not like they used to…though there are other places where the exact opposite is true… There are so many shitty bands out there giving live music a bad name… People are so tired of all the shit bands they have to sift through to find something good. It’s hard to convince someone to give you a chance in the first place cause they’re so jaded. We’ve been very fortunate to have made some good impressions with our audience.. We have NO doubt that if we can get people’s asses out to a show, they will NOT be disappointed.

7. What’s your vision of the internet for musicians in the future?
ANDREAS: While the emergence of these mediums have indeed made marketing/promoting more affordable/accessible to indy musicians than ever, the unfortunate side effect is the market has become so incredibly saturated that it’s become virtually impossible for the listener to sort through the never ending pile of crap bands and ‘artists’ just to find those few diamonds in the rough they actually want to support. People stop caring and become immune to this ‘noise’ unless you’re the most incredible thing anyone has ever seen/heard…

8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
The Rabid Whole promo The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge

The Rabid Whole


ANDREAS: Ha….depends what you mean by interesting… I’ll go with ‘unexpected for my band’s musical genre’. I’ve got all kinds of stuff here. You’d find anything from Michael Jackson, to Jaco Pastorius to Miami Sound Machine…it’s really random. Even some old school hip hop. My general collection though is more along the lines of Nine Inch Nails, Garbage, Bjork, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Skinny Puppy, The Birthday Massacre, Filter, The Beatles, The Police, Depeche Mode…

9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
ANDREAS: It’s very random and full of surprises. The only thing that seems to be certain is that the highs get higher and the lows get lower and you’ve gotta be able to handle it! I could be spending a day writing interviews, writing music, handling promo, merch design, booking or planning our year, out on meetings, networking, lining up licensing deals, legal bullshit, etc… It is all about the music at the core but most people don’t realize that it’s 90% business…ugly business that has to be happening constantly in the background…

10. Any words for future musicians?
ANDREAS: If your gonna do it, you’d better realize what you’re getting yourself into. You’d better realize that there’s a never-ending pile of bands out there doing the same thing and you’re gonna have to be better than them if you want to give anyone a reason to give a shit about YOU. You have to be relentless, passionate, easy to work with, have a clear vision, focused, willing to sacrifice everything, have a sense of business savvy, and be persistent. Striving for success in the music industry is one of the most complicated, challenging, highest risk ventures anyone can partake in… this is NOT the easy road. You’d better REALLY love what you’re doing. Good luck! icon wink The Rabid Whole Interview | Guitarist Andreas Weiss talks Refuge

Check out the Rabid Whole here http://www.therabidwhole.com/ - Music Legends

There are so many diamonds in the rough that sometimes I feel are over looked or misplaced entirely, when it comes to music is of course what I’m talking about. So it’s a well-known fact that some of the best current industrial and electronic music is coming out of Seattle, Washington. Well, that’s the word on the street anyways. And it is also well-known fact that when a female fronted band hits the streets in any major city there is a big uproar about it on the underground, especially in the "femme metal" movement and community. So why the hell is there not enough press or praise to the name of The Rabid Whole from Toronto, Canada? For shame Femme Metal community, for shame.

Ok, this sonic phenomenon is in fact mainly fronted by the clean, yet raw vocals of Andreas Weiss and then additionally backed by the sweet and purifying voice of Ms. Chalsey Noelle. A lot like the familiar set up we know and love in the band Kamelot. Oh and hey! Why stop there with the member introductions? There is also George Radutu (a total geek) on Guitar, Oscar Anesetti (always sporting a top hate a shows) on Bass Guitar, and JJ Tartaglia (a true metal head) on Drums. Oh did I forget to mention Andreas plays Guitar and Chalsey rocks the keys as well as a keytar? Yeah, the talent is endless in this band.

On May 1st 2012 the band released their full length album titled "Refuge" and I have to say it has become my refuge during this past week with all the woes of normal life… Gotta love those. You get endless uplifting beats mixed with driving guitars and great vocal melodies that lift your spirits and also help you deal with those undealt anger management issues. Andreas said he wasn’t going to be afraid with approaching a "bigger sounding everything" on this release and undoubtedly that is what you get: A very big sound. Each song has its own unique fingerprint in melodic flow and rhythm transmitted by the band. You can tell these songs are heartfelt, but there is also a huge level of thought that was incorporated during the song writing process.

During this week of refuging in this release (yah like what I did there?) a thought had passed my mind that these songs very much reminded me of what I loved about Jakalope’s "It Dreams" album. Low and behold I looked through the liner notes and there is Dave "Rave" Ogilvie’s name as part of mixing the album. Huh, my mind picked up on that extra touch to the production, but enough about the name dropping, introductions, etc. What about the songs? Let’s talk about the stand out tracks:

"Future" starts off the album and is a strong track that reminisces in times of Orgy and Nine Inch Nails. It is danceable, angry, and fun. Andreas and Chalsey give honest vocal performances here. "Corporate" is my favorite track on the release. It’s serious and angry and I can relate to it with the personal story of how everyone else gave up on their dreams in "going corporate" while you are left behind to still climb up hill with your dreams, alone. The intro with Andreas whispering still gives me chills. "Serenity Calls’ is proof that a slower tempo track can be ever so powerful and emotional. Chalsey gives her best vocal performance here. It’s a chilling and beautiful track. The drag in the tempo really gets you to slow down and think, something I feel artists lack these days in their songwriting delivery. "Stargazer" just rocks. It’s heavy and still tastefully done, not to tip over on the heavy industrial side, but something you would still consider industrial? Oh how do you do it Rabid Whole? No, don’t tell me. The mystery to this band’s musical diversity is what makes them so good and makes you wanting more. The cd ends with the title track, which is the sexiest track I have ever heard. Sorry Trent Reznor, The Rabid Whole does sexiness with class and without the trash.

So what’s keeping you from listening The Rabid Whole? Make no excuse! They are already making a name for themselves in Toronto as well as southern Canada. They just came in as finalists in Toronto’s Indie Week and have a music video to be released Nov 9th. The sky is the limit for this wonderful little class act of industrial rocktronica that packs a punch, to the mind, with a wrecking ball. Seriously people, head on over to their facebook page, take a listen, and if it’s what yah dig then give them a like. I give it a few more years and I have no doubt this band is going take off and rock clubs around the world. Good luck guys and all the best with the video release!

Stand out tracks: Future, Corporate, Stargazer, Refuge.

For those who like: Jakalope, The Birthday Massacre, Nine Inch Nails, Orgy, Depeche Mode, Linkin Park.
- Sonic Cathedral

Total Score: 8.8/10
stage presence
image/sex appeal
musical ability
originality
crowd reaction

Who: The Rabid Whole
From: Regina, Saskatchewan (currently located in Toronto,ON)
Preformed: 1am Oct 11(night),2012 at The Bovine Sex Club



Pre-show hype: The Rabid Whole just moved to Toronto to pursue their dream and make a full length album. They have years of experience opening for acts such as: The Birthday Massacre, Econoline Crush and Hinder. This showcase (time, location and venue) was a hard earned success and we wanted to be there to go down the Whole.

Crowd: Packed house, 18-55 years of age, mixed sexes and lots of media presence.

Style: Hard Industrial Rock with moments of epicness.

Technicalities: It always sounds good at the Bovine with Bill at the helm and tonight was no exception.

Memorable moment: JJ Tartaglia’s extended drum solo



Sex appeal: Chalsey Noelle on the keys….yummy!

Mentionable song: ‘Refuge’

Comments: Really enjoyed watching Bass player Oscar Anesetti and guitarist George Radutu switch positions throughout. Andreas Weiss is no slouch on lead vocals! With over 175 bands playing Indie Week 2012, it’s safe to say that The Rabid Whole ranked among the best.



By: Darrell Shelley

THE SCENE - The Scene Magazine

The Rabid Whole This quintet out of Regina, SASK. claim to do it all. From dual female/male vocals, alternating lead vocals, polished (but not overly polished) rock guitar, energetic rhythmic bass, and drums, all tied neatly together with catchy electronic beats.

These diverse abilities derives from the members’ varied musical backgrounds. From metal and hard rock to Latin jazz, as well as being submerged in the music scene in the form of other bands and projects for almost a decade, The Rabid Whole came together in 2007 to create the edgy, cold, angry and powerful musical stylings which define them.

The Rabid WholeThe Rabid WholeThe Rabid Whole started with Andreas Weiss (lead vocals, guitar and programming) and George Radutu (guitar). In 2009, The Rabid Whole’s first album ,”Autraumaton” was completed and released. In 2011, both JJ Taraglia (drums) and Oscar Anesetti (bass) joined, and, in January 2012, the last piece of the puzzle Chalsey Noelle (back up vocals and keys) was found.
Their sound has linked them to such as Nine Inch Nails and Linkin’ Park and they’ve appeared on bills with The Birthday Massacre, Left Spine Down, and Ogenix. Fueled by their strong love of music, it’s safe to stay The Rabid Whole will fight to be around for as long as they damn well want to.

Seems a lot of folk think so too, as TRW has just been nominated for a 2012 Toronto Independent Music Award in the ‘Best Electronic’ category.??"Once again we are extremely excited and honoured to take part in the Indie Week festival alongside such an amazing roster of talent! This festival has been gaining an unbelievable amount of momentum over the past few years and it's great to be a part of it! Get ready to have your faces ROCKED!" comments TRW vocalist / guitarist Andreas Weiss.

The Rabid Whole takes it to the people Thursday, October 11. at the Bovine Sex Club. (542 Queen W,) - Cashbox Magazine

The Bovine Sex Club is a well-known place for rock or metal shows of various sub genres and styles. Friday the 14th was a night dedicated to industrial, alternative metal and electronic rock. The venue, which with its interior and stage structure encourages the audience and the performer to get close and personal, filled up rapidly as Ögenix and Nanochrist set the perfect vibe for the venue with brutal, yet modern and pop sounding metal.

As soon as The Rabid Whole plugged in and the audience pushed closer to the rails on the stage, an instant exchange of emotions carried out between the band and the audience. Exciting stage appearance and a sonically versatile sound gave the show a unique and powerful vibe. Given the band’s self description, The Rabid Whole is an alternative rock band sonically reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails and Linkin' Park, and that’s quite accurate.

With the addition of the gentle and mesmerizing voice of Chalsey Noelle (back-up vocals/keys) The Rabid Whole evokes and creates intense energy and emotions that are vital for the genre. An outrageous rhythm section composed of Oscar Anesetti (bass), JJ Tartaglia (drums), and George Radutu (rhythm guitar) creates an amazing drive that gives the band its rage and speed. Andreas Weiss (vocals/guitar) is a charismatic and entertaining front man. He manages to rock a small stage on a big level, while delivering a tight performance on guitar and vocals.

The high physical activity of the band on the stage is something that definitely makes the act more memorable and engaging. George Radutu and Oscar Anesetti were constantly rotating the spots around Andreas Weiss, head banging and rocking out. JJ Tartaglia, whose drum set up grabs attention right away due to the high position of crash and china, performed an outstanding solo after the song “Refuge”. In that song Chalsey and JJ managed to create a real trance sound and evoked a surprising feeling. Songs like “Stargazer” and “All the Same” were performed with 2 guitars, Andreas being the lead.

With a 9-song set list, the band painted great futuristic scenery with an eerie atmosphere. The versatility of The Rabid Whole’s sound instantly causes the listener to get lost the music and then whisked away on a surreal sci-fi trip.

Set list:

Stargazer
Delusion
Corporate
Selfish Nature
Future
Refuge
Drum Solo
Metro
All the Same
- Lithium Magazine

Official band bio: “There’s something to be said for fate in the music world. One moment you’re left with the skeleton of a band, unsure when you’ll be able to follow your calling again, the next you’ve got a whole new line-up, a brand new home, a stronger, more defined sound and are recording with some of the biggest names in the industry. This is the tale of The Rabid Whole.

Disenchanted with playing in bands whose music was unchallenging and run of the mill, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Andreas Weiss set out to remedy his predicament. Purchasing an arsenal of music and noise-making gadgets, he began writing songs for his own band’s 2009 debut album, Autramaton.

Recruiting musicians along the way, the first incarnation of The Rabid Whole was solidified, releasing their first album and touring Canada, sharing the stage with the likes of The Birthday Massacre, Econoline Crush, Hinder, Apoptygma Berzerk, and 16Volt.

But that’s when things began to take a turn. Following the departure of several band members, Weiss decided to leave his hometown of Regina, SK behind, taking a leap of faith and moving to Toronto, ON along with guitarist and founding member George Radutu. Through some lucky online ads, he discovered drummer JJ Tartaglia and bass guitarist Oscar Anesetti while a Christmas trip back home to Regina put him face-to-face with Chalsey Noelle, a friend of a friend looking for a new career path after quitting her job. Wouldn’t you know it – Noelle was a talented keyboardist and vocalist.

Now, the new and improved Rabid Whole is set to release their second album, Refuge, on May 1, 2012. A direct reflection of the emotional and external changes of Weiss’ journey, the album deals with relatable themes. Recorded and produced by Karl Schubach (Misery Signals, Solace), mixed by Dave Ogilvie (Jakalope, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson) and mastered by Noah Mintz (Broken Social Scene, Death From Above 1979), the finished product delivers rock and electronic elements pushed to the max, a male and female vocal showdown and, as Weiss puts it, showcases “a 21st century, high-energy, electro alternative, orgasmic-punch-in-the-face-rock band.”

Isn’t it time you fell down the rabid whole?”

As this will be the first time a lot of our Australian based readers have been introduced to The Rabid Whole, let’s start with the basics first, when did the first band get together and what was the inspiration behind the band name The Rabid Whole?
ANDREAS: The first incarnation of The Rabid Whole came together as far back as 2007 in a small city called Regina….I had been writing some music and wanted to put together a band to perform it live. George was the first member on board and only one other than me who’s stuck it out ’til now. We played our first show at the end of 2007 and put out our debut album Autraumaton in 2009 through a Vancouver based label Synthetic Sounds. We did some touring through Canada and got to play with some amazing artists we really love. Eventually, we decided we had to quit our day jobs at the time (I was an engineer for a consulting company) and move the band to Toronto if we wanted to really push things. We lost two members in the process but gained three amazing ones soon after! (Oscar, JJ and Chalsey) Our live show is more intense and tighter than it’s ever been and we’ve got a kick ass new album that just came out, titled Refuge.

As for the name, I love wordplay…bands like Skinny Puppy are masters of this. I really wanted people to get the impression that there is more than meets the eye. I never felt we’d be a typical rock band… and we aren’t. I want people to feel they can escape, that they’re entering another world, going down ‘the rabbit hole’ with our music. At the same time, I feel The Rabid Whole, ‘the fanatical entirety’…reflects the passion in the music and all that we do.

Can you introduce each member of the band and give us a rock ‘n’ roll fact or myth about each?

ANDREAS: I’m the singer/songwriter and I sold my soul for The Rabid Whole.

GEORGE: I’m the guitarist. I’m a video game geek, whose favourite band ever is KMFDM!

CHALSEY: I play the keys and sing every once in awhile. I have more hair on my arms than George.

OSCAR: My name is Oscar, I slap da Bass, I can write backwards and I’m very good at Minesweeper.

JJ: I’m the drummer. Rumour has it I play with my cymbals raised higher than anyone else.

You have twenty seconds in an elevator to try and convince someone to listen to your new album ‘Refuge, without resorting to threats or violence, what do you tell them?
GEORGE: If you want to listen to music made for this century, then play this fucking record.
CHALSEY: For me?? *bats eyelids* (This will only work on a male or a lesbian).
OSCAR: Hey, can I give you an eargasm?

This is now your 2nd album release, how different was the writing and recording process for the new album, compared to your past release ‘Autraumaton’?
ANDREAS: I was definitely more time-rushed than on Autraumaton but at the same time more focused and prepared. I worked at our personal studio ‘TRWHQ’ here in Toronto for about 2 months non-stop from the moment I woke up until the moment I fell asleep…the times I actually got to sleep! I may have left the place 3 times in that entire period. Once the writing process was 75% done I flew over Karl Schubach (Misery Signals, Solace) for about 3 weeks to re-record the songs and act as producer again as he did on our first album. Days later I flew over to Vancouver to meet up with the legendary Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie to handle the mixing, and then back to Toronto for Noah Mintz to master the album. I could not be happier with the way everything worked out, and I have no doubt I had the best team for the job.

In terms of song writing, what do you consider to be the most important elements that feature in a The Rabid Whole song?
ANDREAS: For me, everything has to be honest, from the heart, genuine. The moment an idea or song fragment deviates from this, it is scrapped immediately. I find this to be very important because if we don’t believe in it, nobody will, you can tell when something doesn’t come from the heart. Of course, I will always love the combination of electronics and guitars. I write music I would listen to and love. I try to come up with catchy melodies or hooks, keep it interesting. I get bored easily and don’t have much of an attention span like most people nowadays I guess…

Over the course of the bands evolution, what and/or who have you found inspires and influences your music the most, in both a lyrical and musical sense?
ANDREAS: In a lyrical sense I am definitely inspired by personal experiences, emotions. I start to get self conscious when the people closest to me hear the lyrics of some of the songs because I’m sure they knew what I was going through at that exact time or who/what I’m referring to in some of the tracks.

In a musical sense a lot comes from me just messing around with the equipment until I hear something I like and then ‘go with’. Nine Inch Nails, Bjork, Smashing Pumpkins and countless other 90's artists I listen to have always been an inspiration both musically and lyrically. These artists with honest lyrics, genuine emotion and passion that just seeps out of the music.

What were some of the key influences that you feel contributed to what we hear on the new album ‘Refuge’?
ANDREAS: The couple of years leading up to this album I was going through a lot of personal changes in my life and Refuge is basically a direct reflection of all this. Refuge is about change and all the emotions and experiences that an individual will pass through in the process and ultimately the search for personal peace of mind at the end of it all. Another key influence was also the feel of the live touring band, I really wanted to try and capture that on this album. I wanted people to connect with and feel the energy in the music.

We’ve picked out 3 songs from the new album – can you give us a bit of background to each song and any important facts you think we should know:
ANDREAS:

1. Serenity Falls: This track features the female vocal side of our band. Originally I had recorded my own vocals but they didn’t seem right, this was also back when Sheenah was still our keyboardist before Chalsey joined TRW. It was great to have the balance. Lyrically the song is about missing or longing for someone/a time/ a place…

2. Rhythmic Reflection: This is the instrumental track of the album which I felt provides somewhat of a breath of relief or intermission from the listener’s ‘voyage’. I had actually recorded this track originally in 2008 and I didn’t really know if I would ever use it for anything…I’m glad I kept it!

3. Stargazer: This song actually came together surprisingly quicker than most for me. I’m pretty sure it took me about 4 hours to put this one together, I was on a roll. Lyrically it’s about thinking that you didn’t need someone/something anymore only to realize that you were still and much more dependent on it/them than you thought. This track was originally meant to be the album’s opening track but we changed our mind later on. Live though, this track is a MONSTER, it’s a great opener to the show.

You hail from the Toronto, Canada. For the benefit of those in galaxies far, far, away, what do you have to say about the rock scene in Toronto at the moment and The Rabid Whole’s place within it?
GEORGE: Interesting to say the least. We’ve met a cast of characters I tells ya… Cool people.
OSCAR: The scene in Toronto is great because there’s something for everybody, you can find any type of music to suit any type of person. It is a great challenge to fit in musically in this city only because the people here take only perfection. To win a Toronto crowd is one of the hardest things to do in my opinion, but it is also the most rewarding.

If you were a person in the crowd at one of your gigs, what five words would you walk away using to describe the performance you just witnessed?
GEORGE: 21st Century Rock as fuck!
CHALSEY: How high were those cymbals?!?
OSCAR: Unique, Rabid, Eargasmic, Eyegasmic and Fun.

Gigs, gigs, gigs…do you have any shows coming up that you wanted to tell the people about, if so here’s your chance!
ANDREAS: We’re playing the NXNE 2012 festival next week in Toronto at The Bovine Sex Club on Wed, Jun 13th and we are stoked!! We also have big plans in the works for a 2 month full North American tour with a certain European band… stay tuned for updates!!!

With 2012 already four months down, here’s a chance to gaze into your crystal ball. By the end of 2012, The Rabid Whole will have:
GEORGE:
1. Released a kick ass record.
2. Toured.
3. Vomited.

CHALSEY:
1. Toured North America
2. Made plans for a European tour.
3. Survived the end of the world.
Essential Information

From: Toronto, Canada

Sounds like: “21st Century Alternative Rock”

Band members: Andreas Weiss – Writing/Vox/Guitar/Keys/Programming, Chalsey Noelle – Keys/Backup Vox, George Radutu – Guitar/Media, Oscar Anesetti – Bass Guitar, JJ Tartaglia – Drums

Website: www.therabidwhole.com

Latest release: Refuge (1st May 2012, Boonsdale Records) - May The Rock be With You

The Rabid Whole return with what is officially their second album but feels more like a debut. Refuge features an almost entirely new band as captured by producer/engineer Karl Schubach (Misery Signals, Solace) and mixed by Dave Ogilvie (Jakalope, NIN, Marilyn Manson). While technically it’s probably gonna fall in the Alt-Rock category, it’s big and bombastic, featuring tons of electronics.

The deeply electronic “New System” is one of the highlights here for sure. The song plods along getting angrier and angrier all the time before exploding into a full on anthem rocker. The NIN-influenced “Stargazer” is another highlight. It is pushed along by an incredible blend of rhythms but when it’s time to get heavy the guitars step it up and fill the gap. The dynamics on this song in particular are great. “Future,” “Metro,” and “Delusion” boast a more straightforward rock approach, letting the guitars lead a bit more and letting the anthemic pace dominate throughout the song’s entirety. “Serenity Falls” is my personal favorite here. It’s a bit mellower than the rest of the album but it features the lead vocals of Chalsey Noelle, the band’s keyboardist. While I like both vocalists, this lead changes the album up just enough to get your attention back at a critical point, keeping the threat of monotony at bay.

I really dig The Rabid Whole. They have a great, accessible sound that keeps the energy level high from start to finish. Skillet, This is She, Android Lust, and early NIN all come to mind at various points on the record but you never feel like the band actually sounds like any of them, it’s just a bunch of mini-connection points really. Refuge is a great record that fans of edgy rock will enjoy, both for its musical exploration and it’s solid catchiness.

Reviewed by Mark Fisher
- Colossal Pop

This past Friday The Rabid Whole celebrated the release of their new album Refuge by playing a killer show at Toronto’s Bovine Sex Club.

Electro-rockers the Rabid Whole have travelled a meandering path to get to this point. From a straight laced corporate job in the prairies to fronting a leather clad band of rockers, singer/guitarist Andreas Weiss literally transformed his life and himself for the sake of his music. Joined by founding member and guitarist George Radutu, drummer JJ Tartaglia, bassist Oscar Anesetti and keyboardist Chalsey Noelle, the latest incarnation of the Rabid Whole is better than ever. And fans definitely agree, as evidenced by the huge turnout at the Bovine.
View slideshow: The Rabid Whole tear up the Bovine

Fans were pressed right up to the stage when the Rabid Whole opened their high energy set with “Stargazer” from the new album. Synthesized sound paired with transcendent guitars that build up to a heavy, electrified rock sound reminiscent of Stabbing Westward and Nine Inch Nails. “Selfish Nature” from the band’s first record Autraumaton had the crowd roaring with approval, while “Future” showcased the powerhouse vocal pairing that is Weiss and Noelle. “Corporate” featured powerful lyrics that any corporate drone can embrace and relate to, and led into a killer drum solo that had Tartaglia’s sticks blurring over his kit. Each song was perfectly executed, the group’s stage presence seamless down to their coordinating leather and metal style. Weiss is the quintessential frontman, putting every ounce of passion and emotion into his vocals, his energy radiating from the stage. Guitarist Radutu displayed a quiet confidence as he coaxed intense riffs from his guitar on “Metro”. Anesetti was clearly in his element, thrashing about the stage, projecting the joy and satisfaction of one who truly loves what he’s doing. Closing the set with “Evidence of the Fall” from their previous record, the Rabid Whole left the stage knowing they’d pull on an awesome performance.

Genre bending music, a futuristically sexy image and the ability to put on a great live show; these are the building blocks the Rabid Whole have in their toolbox of success. With an edgy and exciting new record being unleashed on the world, the future is definitely bright for this band. The world better be ready. - Examiner

A few years ago Andreas Weiss didn’t know if his band, The Rabid Whole, had a future. They’d put out a debut album, but then hit a number of a setbacks and the band began to dissolve. However, lucky for us, Weiss isn’t a quitter. He moved to Toronto (Canada), recruited new members and started his journey afresh and, I’ve got to say, his trials have obviously flavoured his music. Rabid Whole’s first single is called “Future”, and sets the tone for the album. Refuge is a collection of songs which reflect on the harsh realities and dark moments in life without losing sight of one’s goals.

I’m getting ahead of myself. Rabid Whole’s new album, Refuge, contains ten tracks of quality rock songs that practically vibrate with energy. Perhaps the first thing I noticed upon firing up Refuge is that we start out hard and fast. The first couple of songs “Future” and “Metro” come in swinging and set the tone of rapid-fire rock. What really stands out though is the well coordinated contrast between Andreas’s rough and ready vocals and the softer, girlish voice of Rabid Whole’s other vocalist, Chalsey Noelle. The band not only uses both vocalists to their advantage, but doesn’t make the mistake of over-using them, nor putting their distinct styles in where they don’t belong. The vocals, masculine and feminine alike, are used when they make sense, as though the voices were just another set of instruments. It makes for a unified sound throughout the album and lets the group set deeper moods for each song.

Speaking of voices, the lyrics are a powerful blend of smooth rhyming and depth. As mentioned above, we’re presented themes of being down and out and rising again, of being on the edge of despair and striving toward a goal just the same. It’s inspiring stuff. Still, while the lyrics are presenting serious subject matter the instrumentals are catchy and energizing. The overall tone of the album is upbeat and the sound is infectious.

Toward the end of the album things slow down a little. Tracks such as “Rhythmic Reflect” take a more relaxed, mellow sound. It’s a relaxing wind down and I think these latter tunes do a nice job of showing Rabid Whole can do soft and easy just as well as they can do pulse-pumping. We get some especially good guitar work toward the end of “Delusion” which has a slower, rhythmatic style.

From start to finish Refuge presents a strong, varied and beautifully polished album. Whether we’re getting revved up with songs like “Future” or grooving in the softly sweet “Serenity Falls” the band comes across as finely coordinated. They operate really well together and show a willingness to experiment and play off each other. I’m on my third listen-through of Refuge and I haven’t found a thing about which to complain. I definitely recommend checking out this LP, we’re going to be hearing more of Rabid Whole.

- We Love Rock-n-Pop

This Toronto based band are the brainchild of mainman/songwriter Andreas Weiss and guitarist George Radutu. Mixing their collective influences of NIN, Depeche Mode and The Smashing Pumpkins their aim from the start has been to make music that was challenging, exciting and fresh.

2009 saw the first incarnation of The Rabid Whole release their debut album, 'Autraumaton', to the world and, after touring Canada and subsequently losing band members, the pair reconvened to Toronto. Starting again from scratch they tirelessly wrote and recorded, hired new guns and now the new improved and rejuvenated band return with their second album, 'Refuge'.

'Refuge' is a slick and atmospheric beast from start to finish, incorporating industrial beats and catchy hooks. With the addition of female vocals courtesy of keyboard player Chalsey Noelle, who adds a definite commercial element to their sound, it throws a bit of Garbage into the NIN-like feel of things.

It works well; take a song like 'Serenity Falls' as a prime example, it's a haunting electronic pop epic, with Chalsey taking the spotlight on the vocals, it showcases the band's diversity and sets them apart from the NIN/Linkin Park clones out there. A definite Depeche Mode influence here, and that vibe continues with 'Solution'.

This could easily be a soundtrack album to any number of sci-fi/futuristic movies, it has that ultra cool, slick vibe. It takes the listener on a future bound journey, conjuring up futuristic images in my mind. If this album was a colour it would be ultraviolet for sure. The chilled instrumental 'Rhythmic Reflection' only intensifies these feelings and thoughts.

Several tracks here remind me of the electronic driven angst of Stabbing Westward, especially their highly underrated debut album 'Ungod'. Album opener 'Future', with its sweet and eerie backing vocals, followed immediately by the super catchy 'Metro' and 'Stargazer' are all prime examples. The angst filled vocals of Weiss fit comfortably, and the melodies weaved within the beats create a slick and vibrant sound.

The album closes with the title track, an aural barrage of electronic beats and lush haunting vocals it builds and builds then chills and fades.

More convincing than Linkin Park, more commercial than NIN and more relevant than a host of industrial hasbeens, The Rabid Whole are the soundtrack to the future. They take the '90s industrial sound and put their own stamp on it, dragging it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. With an album sounding fresh and vibrant you could do no worse than take a trip down The Rabid Whole into wonderland. Good stuff indeed.
- Uber Rock

TRW - Vandala Magazine

This Canadian quartet could easily be recognized as part of that new generation of industrial-rock ‘coldwave’ artists that come bearing the sonic torch for nineties-era titans like 16 Volt. Like fellow countrymen Left Spine Down, these fellows also brandish heavy guitars and tortured vocals, though their brand of caustic crossover is a trifle more rock than punk nature, with just a touch of post-goth glitter that evokes thoughts of The Birthday Massacre.

Though not a sole track here could be called mellow, “Faith In Yesterday” emphasizes brittle whispers and thick buzzing textures over its occasional guitar tantrums. Rising from an earthquake mumble to snare-chewing stomp, “Selfish Nature” may bear teeth-clenched growls and serrated guitar chops, but it coalesces the whole into a nice bounce despite machine gun riffs. Speckled with twinkling synth, the terse hiccupping and stuttering typewriter percussion of “Harder To Be True” finds great contrast between its hushed verses and raw snare backdrop and the grandiose guitars and petulant howls of its explosive ballad-like chorus.

Sort of like Stabbing Westward before their radio-friendly crescendo, The Rabid Whole is a pleasant and accessible flashback to the days when hard rock was nearly synonymous with North American industrial.
(VM:7)VM. - Side-Line Music Magazine

Industrial/cyber-metal has been around for quite some time and we have seen its rise all the way from the beginning of the 90’s with landmark acts like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. The twentieth century exhibits an evolution of the genre and the name “cyber-metal” is a bright example. Combining heavy guitar sound with an abundance of samples generated new big names and smashing hits. Deathstars and Dope Stars Inc. are exemplary in this respect and now…more are to follow.

Leaning towards the electronic side is Saskatchewan based outfit The Rabid Whole, who also manage to keep it heavy and catchy, a good recipe for popularity. As with most bands in the genre, essentially a one man effort, The Rabid Whole quickly grew and showed serious talent, self-releasing a debut album Autraumaton only two years after conception. The band’s current line-up is Andreas Weiss (Writing/Vox/Guitar/Programming), Sheenah Ko (Keys/Backup Vox), George Radutu (Guitar/Backup Vox) and James McKenzie (Percussion/Keys/Programming/Visuals).

There isn’t anything conceptually new in their music (and there can’t be), but they have everything worked out perfectly. They recorded a fresh, catchy and energetic album, not falling into the mainstream pit, even though some of the songs have a 30 Seconds to Mars-ish feeling to them. The Rabid Whole doesn’t make template-based music, exploring both the heavy and electronic side, combining heavy riffs, groovy beats and atmospheric samples along with screeching synthesizer sound. They hit you right away with “All the Same” and you sit there through the whole album with your mouth open, wondering: is this Canadian Zeromancer?

TheRabidWhole.com

By Arceon

The Rabid Whole perform March 5 at The Media Club in Vancouver

Article link: http://abortmag.com/?p=4622 - Abort Magazine

The Rabid Whole has been an apple of the eye of Denyss McKnight and Mark Sommer, who run their A & R label Synthetic Entertainment besides of their activity in Left Spine Down.

The band comes from Canada and there are four young musicians in the line-up: Andreas Weiss, Lead Vox/Guitar; Sheenah Ko - Keys/Backup Vox; George Radutu - Guitar/Backup Vox; James McKenzie – Percussion/Keys/Programming/Visuals. They have been active around the scene since 2007 when they met as strangers in Saskatchewan.

The Rabid Whole music is two-faced to me. The one shows sort of pop songs based on electronic-rock motives, the other speaks for very high quality mastering and production of the songs with still rock spirit. However I can't get rid of a feeling the sound of several songs comes from some fascination with new music of Nine Inch Nails accented mostly in moments where guitars and vocals meet up together with a similar emotional tone in a song.
Considering 'sweetness' of the songs like 'The Strings Inside' and 'Evidence of the Fall' I found Collide the closest association to. Combativeness of a song 'Tell Me Lies' reminds me a bit of Stabbing Westward tune.

Above influences are very right but except of them there's a whole lot of hard work of both musicians and sound engineers, as mentioned before the sound quality is very good.
The album was produced by Karl Schubach & Andreas Weiss, and mastering came from hands of Shaun Thingvold.

My attention was drowned by a killer song 'Selfish Nature' – vibrated, excellent for dancing, still with guitars and a catchy refrain, simple rhythm and stunning dynamics. An excellent electronic-rock follower of the most danceable songs by Miami Sound Machine!
The final chord doesn't sound perfect though as if the musicians weren't quite convinced what should end the song. Seems like intro and outro are problematic places for most of musicians.
'Collapse' it's a hit with its simple but catchy refrain and danceable rhythm, additionally spiced up with a tone of the vocalist's voice who can sing both tempting and edgy.

The help of Synthetic Entertainment is an indubitable asset when a band rather can't count on the labels so production of albums is based on their own home budget. In that case this project gets a very good promotion so seems sure that after the CD release it'll be a beautiful future drawn for the band especially in a matter of touring.

It's gets comfortable while listening to Autraumaton however it has its aggressive moments. The songs vary as for atmospheres but all of the tracks are very well composed and released. Actually 80% of the songs could be played on MTV in the 80s, released on European-American-Japanese singles in the 90s, but nowadays they can get every form of promotion with a constant improvement of technology and easier bands management.

However the Rabid Whole isn't so lonely on the music market as there a few bands that kind to mention Mephistosystem (Switzerland) with the same level of high quality production and management. 3 stars for combativeness, ideas integrity and HQ production. (NINa)

http://www.therabidwhole.com | http://www.myspace.com/therabidwhole
Posted by NINa on March 01 2009 13:59:38

Link for article: http://fabryka.darknation.eu/php-files_en/readarticle.php?article_id=265 - Fabryka (Industrial Rock)

Online source: http://www.regenmag.com/Artist-Spotlight-107-The-Rabid-Whole.html

The Rabid Whole
Posted: Sunday, March 22, 2009
By: Dom
Music Journo
Review by: Dom
BIOGRAPHY
The Rabid Whole has developed a lot over the two years they've been together, the up-and coming Canadian act have much to get off their chest. Their music is emotive and aggressive in equal measure, and lead singer and songwriter Andreas Weiss' lyrics tackle personal conflict and reflection in new and refreshing ways behind a strong backbone of heavy rock, provided by guitarist George Radutu and percussionist Alex Ready, and blistering electronics (Weiss and Ready both program, and Sheenah Ko plays keyboards). Now, with the help of Left Spine Down's Synthetic Entertainment label, they have the chance to unleash their unique melodies upon us with the release of their debut album, Autraumaton, and are taking full advantage of every opportunity available by building a fierce reputation for themselves.

INTERVIEW
A lot of your songs seem to be based around personal experiences; what was the inspiration behind the tracks 'Faith in Yesterday' and 'Collapse' in particular?

Weiss: How do I do this without being too specific?

'Faith in Yesterday': Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you don't know who or what to believe in, and it can mess with your expectations in people and even make you question your past.

'Collapse': Dealing with the acceptance that most humans, including myself on occasion, feel they need to be with somebody – or even anybody – in order to be happy, and the hard realization of the reason you are still with somebody, whether it be for love or comfort. 'Collapse' is basically knowing something has crashed and burned while having an unwillingness or lack of energy to salvage it.

Your label mates and friends Left Spine Down enjoy remixes. Do you plan on working with them and remixing some material or working with other bands?

Radutu: We were talking with Denyss McKnight, our manager (and guitar player of LSD), and he suggested the possibility of having our music remixed in the next year or so. Although things are up in the air, I can't help but to fantasize my all-time favorite band remixing our songs (I don't want to spoil who). I would literally cream in my pants.

Your lyrics are easy to identify with, honest and raw. Do you feel that bands shy away from real honesty within their lyrics because they are afraid to be pigeonholed?

Andreas: Maybe. I can admit that I initially felt shy about sharing my music and lyrics with others, wondering if I gave away too much. At the same time, I can't write a song unless it's flowing naturally. Any time something felt forced, the entire idea was scrapped. Why fake it? Would you fake it in the bedroom? Autraumaton was written during all the 'extremes' I experienced in the few years leading up to its completion.

Your live shows have been described as epic. What are you most looking forward to about touring? Do you have any new ideas to expand the show?

Ko: What we're most looking forward to about touring is being able to share our live show experience outside of our province and to show what we can pull off as a newer band. We work really hard to provide our audiences with a unique and intriguing experience. Considering the good response we've received in the prairies, we're eager to see what will happen once we get out across the country, especially where our type of music is more thriving.

You are a relatively new band. Was your music always going to be rooted within the industrial niche, and will you continue in this direction?

Ko: We have an industrial edge but are more rooted in the electronic rock scene, making our sound easy to mesh into the mainstream. Our band also enjoys and is capable of performing different types of music.

Your influences appear to be many and varied. What three records were you listening to during the recording of Autraumaton, and how, if at all, did these affect the songs?

Radutu: I'll be the first to admit that the guitars in 'Selfish Nature,' which was the first song we made, are heavily KMFDM-influenced. Around that time, Hau Ruck was their newest release. Dre and myself were listening to that a bit.

Weiss: It's kind of hard to pinpoint exact CDs since it's been so long – years. I think I could say anything from The Greater Wrong of the Right by Skinny Puppy to Violet by The Birthday Massacre. Whether anything I was listening to directly affected the songwriting, I think for the most part it was subconscious.

Can you explain in as much detail as you can the personal significance of the title of the record to the band?

Weiss: It's a mesh of two words, 'automaton' and 'trauma,' automaton meaning self-controlling, doing something automatically on its own, and trauma meaning, well, trauma. Autraumaton to me was a word that could accurately represent the collection of songs I had written at the time, a feeling of being consciously aware of what you are continuously doing to yourself and others but being at a point where you are unwilling or just too exhausted to do anything about it.

You guys seem to be pretty productive. Do you know how you will be progressing from Autraumaton to your next record? Have you begun writing new material?

Ko: Considering all of us have day jobs, I consider us to be a very productive band, especially because each of us is so dedicated and work on band-related business on a daily basis. Once we have exposed Autraumaton to a wider audience, we will be ready to aggressively begin working on a second album, which to some extent has already begun.

What are your hopes for the future of the industrial rock and crossover scene in general the world over? Do you think that it will grow and evolve with the emergence of bands like yourselves?

Radutu: I honestly think that industrial rock will become more apparent in the next 10 years or so. When I think of the year 2017, I think of social unrest plus high tech utilitarianism, vegetarians wearing thick glasses and an Irish pub nightlife involving synths are quickly emerging all over the place. It's only a matter of time before – hopefully – genuine, conscious industrial rock music is accepted by the open-minded Generation O or as I would like to say, 'Generation Zero.'
- Regen Mag