It’s midnight. You’re out of gas. As you veer from the country road, your headlights scan the empty field. Suddenly, a lonely, masked figure fills the light. You try to scream, but all you hear is your pulse in your temples as the Toxic Avenger yanks the rip-chord of a rusty chainsaw.
The Toxic Avenger (a.k.a. Simon Delacroix) is a man of many talents: A twisted-electro producer; a world-renowned remixer, (Ladytron, Peaches, Late of the Pier, FF5, Chromeo, Benny Benassi featuring Kelis) and a DJ in demand. In addition he’s a diabolical hero in his own right.
This Parisienne – who takes his name from an all American cult character who fell in a vat of toxic waste and was transformed from puny weakling into a disfigured monster/hero – takes no dance-floor prisoners, with his ruthless beats, punky electro edge and gut wrenching crime scene noir imagery.
Previously named as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Artists to Watch, the story of The Toxic Avenger is only just beginning…
We stuck him seven toxic questions to test his metal…
Your video for Angst one is pretty startling. What was the thinking behind it?
Well as you may not know, angst is also a German word, that symbolises a duality between anger and fear… antagonism … and the music video is just representing the antagonism… love and hate.
You’ve played with a whole host of diverse acts does anyone in particular stand out?
Well I’m on tour right now with The Subs, and I might say that they know what they are doing!!
The Vinyl District is the official blog of Record Store day and a site for all things vinyl. Whilst we support music in this digital age I must ask, does vinyl have a place in your heart?
It does! I’m a huge vinyl collector… since I was… wow, something like 13 years Old. I particularly love to put an old Tommy Dorsey vinyl on at night with a cup of coffee. It makes me feel like I’m in a Woody Allen Movie! I’ve got some super rare pieces in my collection… like a David Bowie Heroes LP, sang in French … and it’s … pretty bad I must say! (” On peut etre des heros / juste pour un jour”)
Name three massive tunes that influenced you.
Morrissey – ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’
The Streets – ‘Too Much Brandy’
Sufjan Stevens – ‘John Wayne Gacy, Jr.’
What’s the plan for you for the rest of 2011?
Finally release the album (mid may), touring the world with my live formula (I play synths / guitars and I’ve got a guitarist and a drummer )
Are you coming to the UK soon?
May 6th in Glasgow. But I guess the UK doesn’t like me a lot!
You and Sasha in a celebrity death match – who’d win?
Guess ?
Discover an unreleased track “Angst : Zero”, genesis of the LP “ANGST”, in exchange an email address HERE
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