David Cooke (Robespierre): The flower in the Garden of Hell

Liverpool’s Robespierre was one of the mysterious NWOBHM bands for over three decades. Many fans didn’t know them at all until the compilation “Die You Heathen, Die!” came out in 2011. Even Malc Macmillan’s encyclopedia, the bible of NWOBHM, has no mention of Robespierre. But 7 years ago the band finally emerged from the underground and released its debut full length album literally a few days ago. The frontman David Cooke has kindly agreed to share his stories about the past and the present with “Axe Crazy”.   

RUSSIAN VERSION

Hi, David! Did you already get any feedback about the album “Garden Of Hell”? Do you care at all about reviews and opinions of your music?   

As the album has only just been released, we are still waiting for general feedback. Yes we want people to like it, but if they don’t, well, it is what it is. I think it’s better to be loved or hated rather than people being indifferent.

Tell us a bit about the making of the album. I know you worked on it quite a long time, so was it an advantage which you used to make the songs better or was it a stress factor?

A very difficult process. Time consuming but I wouldn’t say it was stressful. Challenging for sure. If something gives me stress I won’t do it. We recorded the album twice. We made lots of mistakes first time around. Second time was so much better – and fun.

I heard only a pair of songs off the album and they kill! Can you comment on some of the lyrics of the songs and stories which influenced you to write these tracks? Are there any lyrics which are based on real events? 

“Dwelling” was written about someone I know who never does anything in his life but troll on the internet, yet he thinks he’s fantastic. He has such an empty miserable life so he tries to make everyone else as miserable as him. “Black Mirror” is a simple cautionary tale about meddling with the dark side. The themes of the lyrics are quite general. Some people thought we were Satanic, but that is not the case.

How do you work with Gordon these days? Do you discuss arrangements, lyrics and everything related to the songs? 

The way it works is that I come up with the lyrics and the basic chords and riffs. Gordon takes what I have done and moulds and reshapes it. He basically gives the song direction, tone and atmosphere. With the addition of Rocky (Roger Clegg) on bass as a proper member (we are now officially a trio), we are looking forward to the added dimension his skill and creativity will bring to the next album.

Did you feel any pressure because of the fact that this will be your first official release in many years?

Not at all. Not being big stars or having anything like a ‘profile’ meant that we have more freedom than most musicians.

Tell us, please, about the cover of the album. What’s going on in there, basically? Who is the creature in the centre of the cover? 

There is a song called “I Am A Flower (In The Garden Of Hell)” closing the album. The cover (painted by Raul Gonzalez) is based on the lyrics of the song. The creature in the centre is a man who has been consigned to Hell for the terrible deeds he has done. The man does not believe he has done anything wrong and cannot understand why he has ended up there. He could be a businessman who has amassed a great fortune, oblivious to the lives he has ruined by doing so. The interpretation is up to you.

The album has been released via Shadow Kingdom Records and as far as I know this deal was ruled out by your fan and a friend which is awesome. Were you interested in business side of the album? Did you consider any other labels like High Roller Records for possible cooperation?

The album is released as a limited edition. Labels are keen to release old NWOBHM material but not on the latest recording by such bands, so we did very well getting a release at all. We don’t do any of this for financial gain and have a realistic outlook. Should any label express an interest in the next album, we would certainly look at what’s on the table.

Your first live appearance took place two years ago at Brofest. How did it all happen? Why did you decide to give it a go?

The Brofest organisers approached us via Facebook and it went from there. I thought it would be a lot of fun. I didn’t think I would be able to sing and play guitar so I was hoping for two guitarists. We only got the one so I played rhythm. Worked out okay. A wonderful experience and we would love to do it again.

Tell us please about the guys who helped you and Gordon to play at Brofest. How did you find them and will you continue to work with them in the future?

Rocky is now a full time member. Roo played lead guitar and did a great job but he does his own thing. Gordon knew them from previous bands. Robespierre is our baby and you don’t let anyone in without careful consideration. Rocky fits the bill on every level. A great guy.

During the show at Brofest you used a kind of corpse paint like black metal bands do. Who came up with this idea? Did you like the feeling during the show?

I came up with that idea. It gave us an air of mystery and a certain presence. I liked wearing it. It certainly grabs the attention of the audience. If we play big shows in the future we will wear it. I am always working on design concepts. Initially I thought it would be like a mask to hide behind, but after a few minutes you forget it’s there.

What are your plans for the future? Do you have any wish to record another album and play more shows?

We are already demoing the next album. The songs are very ‘us’ but it’s a definite progression. It will NOT be "Garden Of Hell" version 2. We want to play more shows for sure, especially festivals. Waiting for the invites.

Who came up with the name Robespierre? Why were you so interested in his persona and stuff related to the French Revolution? By the way, don’t you want to record a concept album about this event? 

My first exposure to Robespierre was as a very small child. The Addams Family had a cousin by that name, which my dad found very amusing, and that always stuck with me. We have no great fascination with him, other than the basic school history knowledge. The next album has a concept to it (mostly). I think we would find it difficult to do a concept album on Robespierre as the songs (such as “Robespierre”, “Decapitation”, “Punish Oppressors”, “Men Of Violence”) are on other records.

Robespierre (the revolutionist) terrorized people and scared them to death with his Reign of Terror. Do you want be like him and scare people with your music?

I am a big fan of horror films and I approach our music in that vein. We are far from scary people. While a lot of the lyrics contain violence and gore, I don’t feel that it’s a celebration of it. We would like people to enjoy the energy and atmosphere of our music in a positive way.

What do you think about Louis XVI? Did he really deserve to be executed?

You will have to ask the people of France at the time. We must be careful not to judge with a 21st century perspective. History is littered with dark times and actions. The question is 'did France benefit from his death? If they did, the answer will be 'yes' and if not, 'no'. Many of the poor have been executed or murdered at the behest of the rulers. Savage times. Sounds like an album title.

Some of your early stuff like “Backs To The Wall” or “I Am A Cannibal” has punkish vibe. Were you into punk rock at the time?

Not so much me, but definitely Gordon. They are prime examples of what he brings to the table. Without him my music would be safer and more predictable for sure. We are a great team.

By the way, what was the music scene in Liverpool like in those days? Were there any fights between metal fans and punks? What music was the hottest in the city? 

I don’t recall any fights but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t happening. There was a tiny rock scene, but punk and New Wave more or less dominated the city – due to the famous club Erics. I used to go to Erics now and then and always had a really good time. Strangely enough, it was less threatening there than in some of the ‘rock’ pubs at the time.

What are your best memories about the recording of those two demos? Did you write the stuff for them quickly? I bet some beers were involved in that process!

The material was written very quickly. Virtually everything was “first draft”. The room studio was next to an “off license” so canned lager helped fuel us. The best part was listening to them afterwards and smiling a lot.

Robespierre were one of the mysterious bands for a long time. Was it something that flattered you or was it a kind of mistake that you missed the time when NWOBHM and metal music in general were on top?

Until late 2010 we had no idea that anyone had heard of us. In hindsight maybe we should have given it a proper go, but at the time we didn’t think it was a real “goer”. We were in other bands that seemed to have greater prospects. Was that a mistake? Possibly, but there’s not a lot we can do about it now. We are just enjoying the fact that here we are in 2108 and talking about Robespierre!

I wonder how did the people from Buried By Time And Dust Records found you at all as the band was totally obscure? 

When I discovered that we had a certain popularity I joined some Heavy Metal forums. That would have been on the 21st December 2010. I gradually revealed myself to being part of Robespierre and I received private messages from forum users calling me a liar and threatening me. Seriously! One or two were sane and pleasant though. BBTAD pounced on me and by 24th December plans were afoot to release the demos. Yes, it happened that fast.

What did you thinks when the label approached you to re-issue the demos? Are you proud of the fact that people still want to listen to your music today?

Gordon and I were so excited. This all came out of the blue. Nick and Russ at BBTAD are so dedicated and did a beautiful job, as did Bart Gabriel at Skol with the CD reissue. We are delighted that people like what we did – and hopefully what we do. Shadow Kingdom describe us (on the CD sticker) as “eccentric”. We were not trying to be anything different – we are just being ourselves. Having said that, Gordon and I are a bit “different”.  

Do you and Gordon have other bands and projects outside Robespierre?

Nothing major. Certainly nothing that we approach with as much passion as Robespierre. We help out here and there. Once a week I go to a “jam night” locally which is enormous fun. Gordon and I are looking to form a little “power trio” with Rocky – playing rock covers just for fun.

Feel free to share anything you want to round up the interview.

Some interesting questions there! Been a pleasure. Maybe one day we could play Russia – if we get to be famous enough. 

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