Shaun LaCanne or the one man death metal machine who drives the brutal Putrid Pile, performed at Quantic Club about a week ago, thanks to Axa Valaha Productions. We caught up with Shaun and discussed about his creative drive, inspiration, concepts and many more.
DinIntunerec: Hello, thank you for getting on board with this interview and welcome to Romania. How are you? What have you been doing recently?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, I’d like to start off by saying thank you for having me, I appreciate that very much. Romania is beautiful from what I’ve seen so far, it’s a pleasure to be here. I’m well, I’m a little bit tired from the road so I’m trying to get coffee in me and get back in the pocket, so to speak. Just recently we’ve been on tour. It’s probably like, I don’t know, maybe the fifth or sixth tour that I’ve done and maybe my third, I think, with Defeated Sanity and it’s going very well and, we’re all having a really good time. It’s a really good bunch of guys that are on this tour and it’s really been quite a pleasure.
DinIntunerec: Tell us a few words about the band. How did you decide to form Putrid Pile and what did you have in mind in the very beginning?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, actually I used to be in a band called Num Skull way back in the day. I didn’t release any recorded material with them, but I did play some shows. But some of the members had accidents and things just happened and we kind of disbanded. I was just getting into the underground scene at that time. I had been writing and I had a couple of songs written already (from writing in high school with the drum machine) that I didn’t really plan on doing anything with.
But, after Num Skull disbanded, I figured I would take those songs and just start writing a few more, to put out a demo and I really honestly only planned to play like my tri-state area. But the word got out and it kind of started blowing up and next thing you know I’m traveling all over the world which it was a dream come true for me. I’m still living that dream. Which is amazing.
DinIntunerec: How has your approach to songwriting and composition evolved since Putrid Pile‘s early days?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, actually, I’ve upgraded recently. I’m not very computer friendly, I have to admit. But I did upgrade just recently to Superior Drummer 3 and I plan on writing the new album with that. I used to work with an old Boss DR-5 Dr. Rhythm Section drum machine. When I play live, that’s just straight from the drum machine. Normally I write drum patterns most times, then I’ll write guitar riffs over the patterns. And I just kind of go by the feel. Whatever I’m feeling at that time or that particular moment. If I’m looking for a slam or if I want a grind or a melody, I just feel it out, I kind of paint it as it goes.
DinIntunerec: What got you into extreme metal in the first place and who are some of the bands that got you into this genre?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, I used to listen to Morbid Angel with my friends before school, Napalm Death, and then, all the greats, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide and things like that. Actually, when I joined that band we talked about previously, Num Skull, they had a Dying Fetus CD there and they would play that sometimes and that was kind of my introduction to the whole underground scene. Then, I started getting into bands like Gorgasm and Fleshgrind and Cephalic Carnage and Discord, things of that nature, and Devourment, and it just snowballed from there.
DinIntunerec: What is the story behind the name of the band? Why Putrid Pile?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, whenever I was thinking about my band, for some reason, I don’t know why, I was just thinking about a big pile of dead bodies. And I was like, well, what can I call it? Then, I realized, it’s a Putrid Pile. I liked how that rolled off the tongue, so I figured Putrid Pile. Indeed, I was thinking about the same thing when I wrote the song on my second album, because people would think it was maybe a pile of dog poo or something. I didn’t want to be confused with a pile of poo-poo. You know, I wanted it to be a pile of dead bodies because that’s kind of what I was singing about. So I just liked how it rolled off the tongue and I just went with that.
DinIntunerec: You have released six full-length albums with Putrid Pile so far. How do you challenge yourself with each new album?
Shaun LaCanne: That’s a good question. What I do is I trust my gut. When I’m writing, I try to make the album I’m working on better than the previous album. So, I always try to top myself, I always try to evolve and get better and be open and not hold myself in a box. And I try to push myself as a musician. I think I’ve done that in all the albums. The first one doesn’t sound like the latest, so they all have their different tones. That’s what I strive for… to just make something different and exciting and not just the same album over and over and over again.
DinIntunerec: Let’s take a journey back in time. Your debut album, Collection of Butchery, out in 2003, was the first step into your brutal journey. Tell us a few things about this album, the concept, the artwork.
Shaun LaCanne: The artwork, I was just kind of thinking of an Ed Gein-esque type of thing. Nothing too groundbreaking or anything. Just something to let the people know where I was going and what the subject matter was going to be, which is basically serial killers, true crime stuff. When I started out, I wanted to take the listener on a horrific journey and kind of write horror for the ears… Have them picture and look at things from a serial killer’s perspective: what they’re thinking and feeling and why they’re doing what they’re doing. Basically, the view of the serial killer. Not all of my songs are like that, but the majority of them are from the perspective of the killer, which was always very fascinating to me. You know, the fact that people could actually cross that line and actually do harm to others like that.
DinIntunerec: Your third album, House of Dementia, is again a killer. Though one might not expect that, judging by the cover and the title. Tell us about this album and what possessed you to create it in this way?
Shaun LaCanne: It was just, like I said, a moment in time when I wrote that. I wanted to write a little bit longer songs, which I’ve kind of veered away from in the later albums. But, it was just kind of a time in my life, I was about to have a child and everything, and things were changing for me, and I just wanted to go on a different journey.
I wanted to write songs that, riff-wise, would make people think and question if I was a real band or not, like a full band, and not just a one-man band. Because with regard to that album, a lot of people thought that I actually had live members playing with me when it was still all just me. But, I overdubbed real drums, real cymbals. I did all the cymbals at once, and then I did all the toms at once, and the snare. All at a separate time, then put it all together and layered the drums. I really liked how it turned out, and it really captured an aura of creativeness for me. It was a really good period of time for me, writing that.
DinIntunerec: Not many solos to be found on this album. However, the one around the middle of the song Involuntary Suicide blew my mind. What inspired this song, and how was the creative process for particularly this piece?
Shaun LaCanne: It was basically just like the others. I finish one song and I start another, because I have to really focus and get it done. Not sit and dwell too much on a song. I want to hurry up, finish the song, and move on to the next, so I can finish the album. I did put that solo in there, and I actually have played it live before, too. It’s been many years, but I have played it live before.
I wanted to put that solo in there just to kind of showcase to people that I can solo too. But, I don’t put many solos in my albums because I have to play a lot of this stuff live. Now, that I have six albums, I have more songs to choose from, so I could put more solos from now on. Yet, I really don’t consider myself a soloist artist, really. I’m more keen of the riffs. It’s all about the almighty riff for me. Nevertheless, sometimes I like to throw a couple gems in there with a solo here, a solo there.
DinIntunerec: Blood Fetish, out in 2012, has a lot of variation. I mean the riffing changes from one song to another, that it becomes unique. It doesn’t get repetitive at all, which is shocking. In a good way, of course, for a death metal band. What technical challenges did this album bring you?
Shaun LaCanne: Kind of like the others, it wasn’t really challenging. But I want you to be conscious of the fact that I didn’t want all my albums to sound the same. I might have been a little angry when I wrote that album or something. When I look back at it, it seems very aggressive and unique, as you said. And it’s one of my top-selling albums, and I really like it too, myself. It’s one of my favorites that I’ve written.
DinIntunerec: Paraphiliac Perversions is another step from your intricate journey. An impeccable album, in my opinion. Tell us how this one came about.
Shaun LaCanne: That one is really… I don’t know how much that one sold or if people even really… I don’t know if they overlooked it or not. But to be honest with you, Paraphiliac Perversions is actually one of my favorite albums that I wrote. Because it’s kind of diverse. I tried to make it to where you couldn’t predict what I was going to do next. To make it interesting to the listener and to hold the listener’s ear.
Indeed, that was actually kind of a challenging album to write. More so than Blood Fetish, which came easier and just flowed for me. Regarding Paraphiliac Perversions, I had to put a little bit more thought into it, so I wouldn’t repeat things. And I wanted it to sound different. For some reason, something happened with that album that I think really captured a special moment.
DinIntunerec: Finally, we got to your latest release, Revel in Lunacy, out in 2020. Again, a lot of aggressiveness and new elements. I think I even spotted a punkish riff in Savage Lust for Blood and a hint of black metal dissonance in Bone Digger. How did you get to that and what should we expect in the future? Will you explore more with black metal elements or punk?
Shaun LaCanne: Actually, I do like punk rock and that probably just came out because it’s part of my makeup. Anything to get a mosh pit going is what I like to do. Even if I have to add different elements of different kind of genres. I’m not very familiar with black metal as it’s not really what I’m into. But, it just kind of came out that way. I suppose I’m around it a little bit with the fans. A lot of fans like different kind of genres and I’ll hear it in passing sometimes, I’m sure. But as far as listening to black metal, I really don’t. It’s not that I don’t like it or appreciate it. I’m more of the brutal death metal type. I write the riffs and I play them, and if I think they fit, then I use them. If I think they don’t fit, then I’ll scrap that and maybe start over and try something new and fresh.
DinIntunerec: Tell us about the concepts and artwork of this latest release.
Shaun LaCanne: It just came to me at work one day. I thought, wow, this would be cool to have a killer, a caveman killer, so to speak. And show the devil inside of him. The things that are beneath the surface, beneath the skin. The horrors this guy endures on a daily basis. It just came to me and I thought, let’s try it, let’s see if it’ll work. I think it turned out really good and it’s actually one of my favorite artworks of Putrid Pile.
DinIntunerec: Generally speaking, I’ve noticed it took you between 3 and 4 years to release a new album. Your latest came out in 2020. Should we expect a new album soon? What future plans can you disclose?
Shaun LaCanne: Yes, I do plan on writing another album. There’s been a learning curve for me with this whole computer thing and everything. But I kind of learned the process and I’m working on writing new stuff as we speak. A lot of the reasons why it’s taken so long in between albums are that I tour a lot. I never really take time off from touring. Thus, I’m writing music and writing albums as I’m touring and playing festivals and shows. I work full time and I have a child too. So it’s a lot for me. I have a lot going on in my life. Also, I want my music and ideas to come at me when they’re ready. I don’t want to force them. Actually, I don’t want anything to feel forced because then I’ll be unhappy with it. All I want is to be happy with what I release.
DinIntunerec: You mentioned something about working. What kind of work are you into?
Shaun LaCanne: Shipping and receiving. It’s not really a career so to speak. But, it pays the bills and it’s close to home. I’ve been there for 10 years and I don’t see myself going anywhere anytime soon. Hopefully, (knock on wood).
DinIntunerec: What inspires you to create and how difficult is it to be a one man band? Why did you decide to keep it like that? I don’t mean to sound offensive, but I’m going to ask you if you’re a control freak, a perfectionist or an introvert. Because I’m trying to understand why you chose to do it just by yourself, with no exception… though it might be lonely, difficult as creative process and with no feedback during the writing of new material.
Shaun LaCanne: It’s not offensive. Don’t worry, I’m not offended at all. I’ve actually been asked that question before. So, I don’t want you to feel bad about that. Also, it’s a legitimate question. However, it actually has nothing to do with control, to be honest with you. It had to do with me not having people that could play the style of music I wanted to in my area. Moreover, I’m not really into the long-distance band work and practice over the internet and stuff. I’m really not that way. I don’t write that way.
You guessed it right, I am kind of an introvert. Yet, this has nothing to do with anything and it’s not the reason for Putrid Pile being a one man band. To be honest, I’m not even able to indulge myself into being an introvert, because I’m the face of the band. So, I have to be out there and take pictures and see the fans and listen to their stories. I’ve actually broken out of my shell because of that.
To conclude, it all basically has to boil down to the fact that there weren’t people that could play as fast and things of that nature as far as drums were concerned in my area. I have a lot of metal to give, I have a lot of metal inside of me. And I have to get it out, because I can’t keep it inside. So, I just kept on with the one-man thing. I thought about getting a full band, but then members are always coming and going. And I figured instead of wasting time having to teach new people the old material constantly, I want to put albums out and tour. So, that’s just kind of what I did. And I just didn’t look back.
DinIntunerec: Isn’t it a bit strange or even lonely to play alone on the stage? How does the audience perceive such an experience?
Shaun LaCanne: To be honest, it’s very lonely, but it’s fun at the same time because I can do what I want. And if I want to control the crowd and get them hyped up and scream at them and get them moshing and get them excited, then that’s what I do. It all boils down to me wanting to just play for people. I want to give back what they’ve given so much to me.
DinIntunerec: Conceptually and thematically, Putrid Pile explores different forms of violence and sickness. How do you translate these disturbing, yet complex themes into a cohesive musical experience?
Shaun LaCanne: What I do is I try to think of the craziest shit that I possibly can. Watching true crime documentaries, it’s kind of a mixture of both fantasy and then true crime as well. What I try to do when I write my lyrics is paint a picture that the listener can visualize as they’re listening to the music. Basically, telling them a story and letting them visualize in their own mind the surroundings, the place, the blood, the people and what’s going on. I try to basically write little short stories that they can see in their mind.
DinIntunerec: Each band has defining moments, or turning points… What are the key events that shaped Putrid Pile into what it is today?
Shaun LaCanne: A lot of what it is, it’s due to the fans really. The fans are what make me keep doing this. There’s been times where I’ve had almost like a religious experience on stage where I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. It was really something. Sometimes, I get the chills from the people and the energy that they give me. That’s what keeps me coming back… the energy and the love that I receive from the people that admire me and look up to me.
DinIntunerec: What were the main obstacles that you had to overcome during your activity?
Shaun LaCanne: The main obstacle was just being able to play the songs and sing at the same time. That was the hardest thing for me and took a lot of practice. It didn’t come very natural to me doing that, so I had to work hard at it. But I think I’ve done a pretty good job at nailing it down, if I can even say that.
DinIntunerec: What is the main driving force behind this project? What drives you forward?
Shaun LaCanne: What drives me forward is the fact that I want to be an inspiration to people. I want them to know that they can do the same thing that I’ve done. All they have to do is practice hard, and they can see the world too and experience all the wonderful things that I have as well.
DinIntunerec: What makes you more wired up: writing new music or performing life? What’s the best thing for you about performing live?
Shaun LaCanne: Writing music is something unique, it’s like a legacy, like leaving something behind, for the whole world to enjoy. However, for me, personally, live shows make me more wired up. I love performing. The studio is very stressful, and I lose sleep at night. It’s very frustrating at times, as well as rewarding. But, playing live for people is the main thing for me. That’s really what drives me… bringing smiles to my fans’ faces and getting them happy and letting them enjoy being alive.
DinIntunerec: What are your favorite performances? Or a special memory, something which happened while on tour or during a live show?
Shaun LaCanne: Well, there are a few which come to mind. But the ones that stick out the most are anytime at Obscene Extreme Festival, because the fans there are completely amazing. They like to have fun, and that transmits to the bands, and it transmits to the people across the world who watch the videos. Another one that comes to mind is when I played at Hammersonic in Indonesia. The mosh pit there, when they were kicking up the dust cloud, was just a huge mosh pit and so many people. It was really something to behold.
DinIntunerec: As a musician, what is the most important life lesson that you have learned so far?
Shaun LaCanne: What I’ve learned as a musician from doing all this is we’re all in this together, and we’re all a family, and it should be treated as such. Indeed, we should all be there for each other and help each other out. Instead of pitting people against each other or different genres of music, we all need to learn that we’re all in it for the same reason, and that’s the music.
No matter what genre you’re in, it’s still art, and we should treat it with the respect that it deserves and know that all the different genres and all the different music is out there for everybody to enjoy, and there’s not one that’s better than the other. I feel we’re all equal and we’re all in this together, and if we could just come together, we could make our scene so much stronger. Instead, all these people are breaking off into subgenres… There’s nothing wrong with subgenres, but the fans need to realize that bands which play music that they don’t like and the bands they’re listening to are probably friends. So, if we can all just come together, that would make such a stronger scene for everybody, for the bands and for the fans.
DinIntunerec: Thank you for your time, any final words for our readers?
Shaun LaCanne: I would like to thank you for this wonderful opportunity, and I thank the readers for their time in reading this interview. Also, I hope that they found it insightful, and I hope to see them all at a show sometime in the very near future. Thank you very much.
