Review Fix Exclusive: Porn’s Philippe Deschemin Talks Goals for 2020 And More

Review Fix chats with Porn’s Philippe Deschemin aka Mr. Strangler, to find out about the band’s origin, goals for 2020 and new album.

Review Fix: How did this band get together?

Philippe Deschemin: It all started in 1999, I ( Philippe Deschemin ) was studying psychology and sociology and decided to create my own band. I bought a very poor guitar, and ask a friend to show me how it works. I was strongly influenced by bands and artists like The Doors, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Type O negative, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Killing Joke… I started to write music and the first songs came…

From the very beginning, the concept was simple, to create aggressive, sexy, powerful dark and dangerous music. Something like a beautiful fruit with a razor blade inside. The aim was always to get closer from reality, spill the guts and start to create a life-long work. 

The name of the band is a tribute paid to The Cure’s iconic album Pornography, and a way to express the radicalism of my thoughts. 

Review Fix: How was it named? 

Deschemin: The Cure, Robert smith ‘s band had a big influence on my early career. Our name came from their album Pornography. I am impressed with his ability to create a dark emotional song and happy pop songs too. I love his voice. PORN is a strong name, a radical name and maybe be the best way to express the radicalism of my thoughts. A lot of people hate us because of our name. Not only from prude or conservative people. We get a lot of hate from the rock and metal scene because of the name, and I love that. 

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Deschemin: Life, humans… Our new album, to be released in March is the final of a trilogy about a fictional Serial Killer: Mr. Strangler.

The Ogre inside – Act I is an album about inner struggle, about dark desires, how society can oppress your will. This is a fight no one can win, the Ogre that devours you from the inside always wins. The album is an invocation, a way to set the Ogre free, embrace your ”true” self and allow your darkest desires to express themselves. It’s an incitement to action. It’s the childhood of Mr. Strangler. It is him struggling with dark desires, understanding that he is a killer. The Ogre inside won this inner struggle, giving birth to Mr. Strangler.

 In Act II: The Darkest of human Desires, Mr. Strangler, by embracing his « true-self », expresses his dark impulses without limitations and has no boundaries. With his crew, Mr. Strangler commits murders and massacres. He also invites everyone to take a step forward and act, invites you to express your darkest desires and join his death cult. For Mr. Strangler and his team, the Ogre is released! Let the massacre begin! Let the darkest of human desires be: murder.  

 In Act III, Mr. Strangler gets caught, sentenced to death. It’s an album about imprisonment. How he deals with the imminence of his death. But it’s also a way to express what a lot of people feel. To be imprisoned in your job that you hate, a toxic relationship… Sometimes the jail is in your mind.

We are working on a possible comic book based on Mr Strangler and his crew. 

 I am a writer too, wrote a Syfy novel and short stories. I am working on a new novel, a prequel of my first novel: Contoyen. So I love to create the character and built stories, even in my musical work.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Deschemin: We do rock music with industrial, gothic and metal influences. But it’s just rock’n roll.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Deschemin: Live shows are more rock, more organic. We use a lot of samples in the studio. Live are more rock and powerful I think.

 Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Deschemin: In this final act of the Mr. Strangler Trilogy and No Monsters in God’s Eyes album series, the convicted serial killer Mr. Strangler is facing his death, imprisoned and waiting for his execution while also being studied by psychiatrists. Even though he knows he is doomed, Mr. Strangler is escaping his cell mentally, trying to figure out how he can physically escape and get his revenge. For him, if there is a will, there is a way and that’s why for him it is a lovely day. This is a song about hope and perseverance. A little hope can enlighten a miserable day. 

Review Fix: What’s next?

Deschemin: We will release some remixes of this final act. And are already working on a new trilogy. No more Mr. Strangler. A new era will begin for PORN in 2021. 

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Deschemin: We are PORN, you are PORN! Thank you for your support.