No-wave, post-punk, harsh noise, electronic pop… have we thrown enough buzz terms at you yet? American outfit Health fit into the ‘all of the above’ category, and more. They formed in 2005 and have maintained a steady growth ever since, releasing three cult albums and touring with acts as diverse as Crystal Castles, Nine Inch Nails and Of Montreal. Their live shows are apparently something else entirely, and you’ll get the chance to experience it for yourself – if you’re game – when they tour the country this month. ITM emailed a few questions off to the band and got these answers back.

First cab off the rank, how did you settle on the band name Health?

We wanted a name that was an everyday word that also looked cold and
futuristic.

Tell us about the genesis of your unique style and the musical influences that led to it.

When we began we were playing much more traditional music. Unsatisfied, we scrapped everything and started trying any idea we had. Over time this evolved into the sound we have now.

As a mutation of experimental electronica and industrial noise rock, the musical aura of Get Color is distant yet enchanting, beautiful yet harsh. How would you describe the sound that you were trying to achieve with the album?

“Abrasive Sad Clown (in Space)”.

Conceptually and stylistically, how does Get Color distinguish itself from your previous work? Has your sound matured?

I would consider the first record “Abrasive Evil Clown (in Cave)”, since then we’ve matured. It’s now more melodic, streamlined, and I believe more effective. With our first album we just trying to create this sound or idea and just pull it off, with Get Color we knew our sound and identity and could focus more on the songs.

The lyrics in Get Color are frequently vague. Do you see songs as cryptic puzzles to be deciphered by each listener, or are you just plain mean?

We weren’t trying to be mean! We felt the lyrics on Get Color were pretty clear, we set a lot of lyrical mandates, but I think the issue is no one can make them out. Possibly time to print the lyrics…

The independently created film clip for your recent industrial-disco track Die Slow is frightening and gruesome, yet sexual at the same time. How did you come up with the concept for such an original visual feast?

We were reading Helter Skelter and the video concept was loosely inspired by the Manson family, that they would just be living in their own alternate reality on the ranch, having drug fueled orgies. There was a chapter where a guy who’d been hanging with the family for a while ends up getting decapitated by the Mansons during the middle of some partying and orgying. But the main focus is we wanted a video with staged performance… like in Smells Like Teen Spirit [Nirvana].

You have toured with post-punk superstars Nine Inch Nails and collaborated with experimental electronic wizards Crystal Castles. How has this affected your notoriety?

I don’t know how it’s perceived, but I think it’s positive and has really been beneficial to the band.

What is the funniest or most shocking experience you have had while on tour?

A man tried to violently rape me in my sleep. It wasn’t funny.

Since the release of your last album, have you noticed a transformation in the make-up of your live audiences?

Yes. In America, the kids are rowdier and younger now. I like that.

As a collective, you are renowned for your eccentricity. What inspired you to give away locks of hair and posters signed in your blood as prizes in your most recent album?

Willy Wonka for the idea of tickets and prizes, and the hair and blood and thing because we felt we should limit the prizes to be band related and personal, literally from the band, things that would make the contest personal.

Tell us about your expansion into the worlds of fashion and television.

There’s not much to tell at the moment. All of these things are in the works and we don’t wanna do them poorly so at the moment its baby steps. We’ve been doing more and more video-ish content but the Health TV show idea is more about making a real show with some production value. Just trying to juggle these things with touring.

Your three albums have each been released with indie label Lovepump United. What is the benefit of being attached to an independent? Would you ever switch over to a major label?

Total freedom and control. We wouldn’t want to endanger that in any way.

Health play the following shows this week:

Feb 24 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Feb 25 – The Step Inn, Brisbane
Feb 26 – Oxford Art Facotry, Sydney
Feb 27 – Beck’s Music Box, Perth

Check out this video the band put together ahead of their Australian visit: