By: Chris Stead

The Narcosis Design is a group out of Orange County, or the OC. In a relatively short time this group has had an interesting journey. I would write an introduction to The Narcosis Design, which would detail their beginnings, how far they have come and what they are all about, however I think that Andy, in his own words, tells the story better than I could.

Gothic Angst Webzine (GAW): How did The Narcosis Design get started?

Andy Whorehall:

A young lad in the heart of the deepest darkest corners of the deepest darkest county in the deepest darkest stayte, screamed slamming his fists on the walls repeatedly in a large abandoned hospital until a wave of lightning shot amongst the children of Orange County. This wave called to the like-minded. They fled to the boy and he began writing poetry of 13th century literature which converted into song for lost souls of the future as a gateway to help him and those alike.

Or .

I started needing music in my life when I was about 8 years old and ever since I saw The Wall & The Crow. A darker part of me realized itself and wanted my life to revolve around a guitar or music of some kind. The project has taken a few different faces and names, but only until TND did the music actually feel worth anything. Michael Draven and myself were the original members, he controlled technical junk while I focused on the writing. Now I’m melting in the technical lava since he took off. (Laughs)

I found Corey Hollow, Matt Ury found me, and our Roadie/certifiable psychopath, Scott Geil, decided to jump on Bass finally because our bassist situation was just out of control. Since 2004 I’ve gone through… 4 bassists, 5/6 drummers, half a dozen guitarists, and I think I’ve fallen off the face of the earth about 37 times. So this is my 38th time around getting this band off the ground. 2006 IS WORKING!

GAW: What encouraged you to choose the name?

Andy:

I fell in love with the concept behind the entire phrase. To me it’s undefined. You have to hear the music before you can have an opinion, unlike these band names that refer to the Seasons or feel the undying urge to use words like: Ashes. Bloody. Tombstone. Death. From Hells gates with crying dolphins under the scars of my lost bloody romances in a winter razor blade torn by cut scars bloody scars.

Oh god. I should stop. I’m going to get myself in trouble, after all. I do live in Orange County.
(laughs hysterically)

If we ever want to make music like INXS or U2, we will be able to with TND, because we don’t HAVE to be dark and broody and evil and roar at bloody gates in autumn or any crap. We can write a Burt Bacharach song or something if we wanted.

The one thing that The Narcosis Design, alludes to is… something confused, maybe lost, or something experimental. Narcosis is a word that means “the feeling of being under the influence of Narcotics.” Well we’ve never been hardcore drug addicts and I’ve never written music while on drugs so that’s even more confusing, but the music is the drug.

Ok. I just think it’s a nice twist on “God’s Great Design”. Ok the end, band names are a bitch to figure out! None of us hate this one. Hurray!

GAW: You have a unique sound for Southern California, considering there is so much Pop-Punk here. How did you find your sound?

Andy:

Well that is comforting, I don’t know if you noticed by the last response, we are not too fond of the majority of OC’s music scene. Some of these guys are wonderful people. I just don’t see where they are coming from. I believe music is ART. Not just some fucking way to get laid. Not some way to finally be cool. Not some way to continue being the STAR QUARTERBACK now that high school is over. The Pop Punk scene is just for shits and giggles compared to the eyeliner obsession wave going on right now.

I am seriously pulling the trigger with a gun in my mouth saying that so early on in my career, but I can’t help it. I’m a bitch. Being that we don’t just sound like every other fucking band in this area, we have the hardest time finding great shows or finding a damn venue that will promote. It’s very difficult for us to finding management that we can trust and will believe in us.

Hence violent stage shows, making it even more obnoxious. It’s like a train wreck. You don’t want to look, but you have to. I’ve seen video of myself on stage and I was horrified. I cringed I dug my fingernails into my skin. I was confused. I expected that from PUNK. I expect that from these scary looking guys with all black and tattoos. But it’s a huge facade.

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE some of these guys. I know a portion of them personally. I do everything I can to avoid music discussion. They don’t mean harm. Maybe it just makes them happy and I’m the douche bag.

I DO KNOW the Majority of the music scene in OC is about following trends, making money, looking good, and ultimately: Destroying Art in Music.
The answer to your question: We found our sound by following ourselves and Narcosis wants nothing to do with the Downfall of Art.

GAW: I see that you’ve played with some pretty big groups for instance PIG and I’ve heard a rumor that you have also opened for Nine Inch Nails. How was your experience with them?

Andy:

Oh Christ.. This sucks, because I really wish I could just say. IT WAS GREAT. The truth of the matter is. TND was set to be the opening band for PIG. However PIG cancelled their tour, which was crushing for us. All of us! That night at the whiskey I broke a mic stand, nearly killed my keyboard, tore the power supply out of Matt’s amp, and nearly blew out their PA (literally I thought I was going to have to pay a grand to fix it.) I ended up getting cleaned up/taken care of by some kind of angel.

So PIG night was horribly depressing. However it was probably our best show. The entire band was completely chaotic and it’s all on DVD!!! Hurray for “be a rockstar” package deals!!

I do not know where you heard we played with Nine Inch Nails. We’ve see them plenty of times, but no, we’ve never had that kind of exposure. Not yet.

TND opened for The 69 Eyes, STAYTE, The Last Dance, New Rising Son, Program The Dead, and a few others. Those were all great. The 69 Eyes were totally cool to us. I got off stage and got hit in the head by a T-shirt from the lead singer. If that’s not welcoming or reassuring, I don’t know what is. That was the first time we felt a real crowd and a REAL show.

Maybe there is a mix up of stories or rumors? I’ll hint to some new junk that can go around.

1. I am currently writing lyrics for a new project that consists of members who were in a band that, years ago, Trent Reznor was considered the “new kid on the block.” That is the closest I’ve ever been to NIN unless I was in the audience. P.s. the music is phenomenal.

2. My partner in the revival of any kind of “experimental darker rock music” Joshua Bradford is the lead singer of The Revolting Cocks, Stayte, and Simple Shelter. He also did a duet with me on a TND song called Revelance. There will be more of that soon. I promise.

GAW: Being that you are all from Orange County or “The O.C.” how would you compare living in the real O.C. to the popular T.V. show?

Andy:

Gross. Wait no! I mean well, no that is a true statement. I think. Okay hang on a second. I can’t just hit backspace and revise my original response. That’s cheating. Uh… Let’s see. HA!

First off none of us watch Television with the exception of certain cartoons… Call us crazy. I do unfortunately know what The OC and those related Laguna Beach TV shows have in them. Oh my god are they sickening.

I don’t know what is scarier. The thought that Orange County is NOTHING LIKE THAT or the thought that, EVER SINCE those shows came out, The OC is turning into that! Dear god.

Okay lets be honest with ourselves. Anyone involved with TND, fans, musicians, friends, maybe even family? We DO NOT MAKE SENSE for Orange County and vise versa. Ha. We can’t afford plastic surgery and I doubt we would get it out of pure vanity. I want to see Paris Hilton rolling down a mountain inside of a glass jar.

Maybe I should answer one of these questions properly for once this interview. I hope I haven’t made myself out to be too much of a jackass. OC is beautiful. I love the natural scenery. There are places, if you try hard enough, that you can find which bring you peace of mind. It’s not as corrupt as Hollywood, yet. So that’s refreshing for the time being. I do not want to defend OC honestly, except for the land.

It is the closest thing that any of us have to a home. It’s a feeling of safety yet disgust. We can exist. We have been here long enough to know how to dodge Paris Hilton’s bullets. One day I’m sure we’ll find a home that would suit us better. If anyone reads this and relates, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

However, me personally, I’d rather just Exterminate this horrible fucking disease that fills OC. I’ve lived here the majority of my life. Who cares if I spent it in my bedroom or in the shadows? It’s my home too. I want it to be that way. I hate running from problems or issues. I’d rather eradicate their sickness from MY home. Create a better Orange County for those kids who are growing up the way I’ve grown up. We’re completely fucking lost and rejected and that’s bologna. It’s our turn to have a home. The Barbie and Ken dolls can live in the dumpsters for a few years and that includes the ones disguised in skull ridden tattoos.

GAW: I know that you play in LA and the OC area, are you planning any kind of a west coast or larger tour?

Andy:

Well if anyone ever takes the time to read this interview, I think we’ll have to tour unless I want to be shot.

But seriously, hell yes! That is our priority for the band at the moment. West Coast tour to start I’m sure. Then scoot over to Arizona/Texas/Nevada whatever. Anything and anywhere, one day I promise we’ll be all over the place. Pissing everyone off! If not TND, I’ll see you soon and shortly after that. I’ll come home and bring TND with me!!! I promise!

GAW: When do you expect to put out your first album?

Andy:

We released a 100 disc run of an ultra-mega demo LP called Falling Through the Flame on January 1st 2006. It contains classic hits, such as “Judas Kiss”, “I’ll Make You Understand”, and “Schizo Jailhouse Blues”!!

The record was co-produced and engineered by Clayton Worbeck (The Revolting Cocks & Stayte). He and Joshua were the reason why TND even took form. Those two pushed us and especially me to get off my ass and really attack music full force when I was laying face down in a mud puddle outside of an Orange County Mall parking lot.

The demo is decent. However the writing is pure crap compared to the new tracks we’ve been working on like Silent Stalker, Death Of The Dolls, and especially Red Angel. A lot of rumors are going around in our own heads about producers and possibilities of releasing our first REAL album in 2007 sometime. I pray that happens. A record contract/Distribution is what we’re hoping to stumble upon. We’re not looking to get rich. We’d prefer distribution and promotion rather than fast cars and pre-bought women. Touring will help though. So it’s all tricky, I create art for myself yes, however I also want to do for people or for some kid, what Skinny Puppy or Pop Will Eat Itself did for me. Ya’ know? Just reassure me that I’m not alone and keep me from blowing my head off.

Oh Yeah. THANK YOU Gothic Angst! Seems as if my prayers are being answered!

(Editor’s Note: You’re most welcome Andy, it was our pleasure!)

GAW: Is there anything else that you would like people to know about The Narcosis Design?

Andy:

Yes.

TND may have started with the creation of Andy Whorehall, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to stay that way. The rest of the artists/musicians involved with this little outfit will eventually muster up the courage to create and say what they need to say as well. At least I hope so. So in the studio sure, say you like my work, but especially on stage I’m not the only one up there. They add their blood, tears, and sweat too.

Finally, for those of you who read this whole thing. You’re amazing. Thank you so much. We do appreciate it. We will somehow pay you back one day, I don’t know how. Maybe by playing huge concerts and you can all come and dance your pain away! Like the Fraggles! We love you guys, really. We won’t turn our back on you if we get a break. We’ll bring you with us somehow. I swear to whatever god there is. You’re the most important ones! You know who you are. You are the first ones! Maybe there is a place for The Narcosis Design in the world, but that will be because of you! Thanks again and don’t forget… anger is an energy…

Visit The Narcosis Design online:

MySpace
TheNarcosisDesign.com

Listen to The Narcosis Design:

Judas Kiss
Schizo Jailhouse Blues
Silent Stalker