Infected Mushroom – Erez Aizen and Amit Duvdevani (aka Duvdev) are an iconic force in the global Psy-Trance scene with their signature bad-ass grooves and infectious melodies. They’ve played and sold out venues including Brixton Academy in London, Toronto’s Koolhaus and Avalon in New York and Los Angeles. A friend lent me “Converting Vegetarians” in 2003 and from then onwards, the Infected Mushroom sound defined the pinnacle of electronic music. When the lineup including Infected Mushroom was released for Earthcore 2003, it was a date with destiny.

Come 3 a.m. Sunday morning, the party was full swing. Massive outdoor system, thousands of people dancing, the dust rising from pounding feet. Off in the distance the thunderstorm began and the lightning mixed with the incredible laser light storm which was Earthcore. Fat drops of rain began falling from the sky….and Infected Mushroom hit the stage. Collectively, it blew the minds of 5000 people who were there, creating a seminal moment now regarded as one of the greatest outdoor electronic sets in Aussie doof history.

Speaking to Duvdev l in LA (where they have been based for the last 2 years), he recalled the gig. “That was a really crazy outdoor event. This was a good day to play a party.” It’s a long way from humble beginnings in Israel. “I think now Los Angeles is my home. I only go back to Israel three times a year but the truth is I spend most of my time in a plane. LA is cool place to produce music – there are a lot of musicians around here. “The main reason we moved was to collaborate with other artists; some on this album, including Swollen Members and we are planning to collaborate with Linkin Park in the future. We have also worked on remixes of The Doors.

How does an Israeli Trance outfit get to remix one of the best-known names in music history? “Our manager used to manage The Doors. He thought about this project, we made a remix and sent it to the band and they really liked it.” The Doors remix will feature on the 2008 release. “We got the original files of Jim Morrison… getting hold of this material was really great. We did four tracks of the original vocals, Ray Manzarek (the original keyboard player of the Doors) came to play with us in the studio – it was a really nice experience.”

Seeing Infected Mushroom at the Metro in 2005 and Earthcore in the Park 2006 in Melbourne included witnessing the “new sound” – more vocals and hard-core electric guitar right up front. Those who loved DJs such as Tsuyoshi Suzuki, who regularly drop Metallica remixes warmed to it straight away. “This all came about from us being a little bit bored on stage. In the beginning we added vocals, then a guitarist, then a drummer. This is how we like to see ourselves – a live act, not 2 two people tweaking keyboards. When it comes to production, it is just me and Erez, but we play as a band. In the future this may change and help add to the creativity of the project.”

“Many people ask why did we add guitars? I was in a rock band before… this is actually going back to our roots. I come from heavy metal and punk music. I am now going back to the stuff I came from before. Original Metallica, Pantera….Cowboys from Hell is one of my favourite albums of all time.”

The Metro Gig of 2005 also stood out in DuvDev’s mind. “I have really good memories about this one – is one of the best indoor parties I have played in. Really rocking, the crowd really went all the way for us. Our live show now is pumping – this time will be better.”

“I only remember good times from Australia as the crowd is really into it – its why we come every year.” Indoors vs. Outdoors? “If the crowd is going mental and don’t care if it is in a bunker, a club or a forest. If they are not going mental, then I have a problem.” How about those purists who weren’t so keen on seeing a heavy metal guitarists? Duvdev is fired up with an answer before the question is finished. “Let me tell you something….some of the electronic fans are too up tight. When I started hearing psy trance in 1991, I could not listen to anything else…I was so into it. If you made me listen to rock ‘n’ roll or anything else I would say “What the fuck is this shit? But after so many years I began opening up to other kinds of music. Electronic fans take every change really hard. Me and Erez are quite used to it. When we put out Supervisor they butchered us, Converting Vegetarians they butchered us…. but now they say it is their favourite album.”

Infected Mushroom have come a long way, from being Psy Trance heroes (the “underground of the underground”) to selling over 300,000 albums and being number 12 in DJ Magazine’s 2006 Top 100 DJ list. “I never would have imagined 10 years ago that Infected Mushroom would even be half as big as it is now. So I am really happy. But as an artist, you are never really satisfied. You always want to do more, to reach more people. We feel we have stayed loyal to our music. I have just had a month of which after so much on the road… I am ready to go again”.

“Right now we are touring like crazy. Doing the Doors thing, working on collaborations…. busy busy busy all the time. We are working at the moment on our new album. Vicious Delicious (scheduled for release March 26 2007) which has come really late after Supervisor…. problems with record companies… the next album will be released hopefully a year from now”. For which Infected Mushroom fans are eagerly awaiting.

The new Album, Vicious Delicious, is due out on EQ Recordings. Distributed by Stomp, late March 2007. It’s got a bit of everything, from Flamenco guitar to Hip Hop, to Thrash-Metal. Featuring Gil Cerezo, lead singer of the Mexican star band ‘Kinky’, “Artilery’ that blends hip-hop beats a-la Infected style and ‘Suliman’.

Tickets are selling fast for the Easter 2007 tour of Australia, so grab one and get into what will go down as one of the greatest parties of the year. Look for me, front and centre.

TOUR DATES:
Thu 5th APRIL HOBART Syrup Nightclub
Fri 6th APRIL MELBOURNE The Metro
Sat 7th APRIL BRISBANE Mayhem Event
Sun 8th APRIL PERTH Metro City
Fri 13th APRIL SYDNEY Metro Theatre
Sat 14th APRIL CAIRNS Fogarty Park