John John Jesse of Nausea discusses the "Lie Cycle" EP
John John Jesse of Nausea shares the band's mood during the "Lie Cycle" EP and its brilliant grinding, industrial influenced title track:
Al/John/Roy Nausea - October 16, 1991 at The Wetlands, NYC
“We couldn't have been more divided at this point. Amy had just left the band days before at a rehearsal and photo shoot for Spin magazine in New York City. The remaining four members weren't getting along that great after some long tours in Europe that were big successes turnout wise but awful in our relationships with each other. I see why bands tour in buses. It helps separate the gang members so they can breathe a little and get some space rather than be packed in a van with tons of equipment, road manager, roadie (Jim Martin) and the five of us. Add in too much alcohol and you get the picture.
Victor/Al/John Nausea - October 1991 at ABC No Rio, NYC
On that day for our last recording at Wharton Teirs' Fun City Studios, some of us weren't even speaking to one another and there was a lot of tension. I don't think it affected the music as we were seasoned pros at that point and the music actually was our one unifying factor. Something we worked very hard at being the tightest and innovative band we could be within our genre.
The track "Lie Cycle" wasn't necessarily the sound we were going to change to. Yes, we were listening to a lot more stuff like the Swans and so forth but our previous release, "Cybergod" was where we were more headed sound wise along with our usual fast punk/metal songs. The EP came out on Al's (Nausea singer) record label Graven Image Records, but it came out after we had split. I remember not even putting it on the turntable for months after it arrived, as I was personally still heart broken after the split up. It was difficult for me as Nausea was my baby. I hand picked everyone in the group mid-'80s. It was my passion, the music and politics. I had a vision of what it could be and it surpassed that enormously.
95% of bands don't stay together no matter how well you are doing and we were no different. That's just life. I do have fond memories with everyone. I refuse to focus on anything negative. Never. I have love for everyone in our little gang. And without any of those exact members (Amy, Al, Roy, Vic Venom and myself), it would never have been right.”
Nausea band photo -- March 1991 - LES, NYC
Photos of Nausea by former Slug & Lettuce editor and NYC punk fixture Christine Boarts-Larson
