Interviews
The Last Dance
Interview with: Jeff Diehm, Rick Joyce & Peter Gorritz from The Last Dance at EuroRock 2002 festival.
2002-08-02
Interview with: Jeff Diehm, Rick Joyce & Peter Gorritz.
"Lucky" Ivan Dominguez
Feb 24, 1968 - Aug 3, 2002
While viewing your show – I’ve notice that you sound more like a gothic metal band than your gothic sound in your albums. What do you think ?
We like to play live music. When we play live we play with a lot of energy.
Is it the first time you are playing in Europe?
No, we played in a few places before: Holland, Germany and others…
How was the response of the European audience?
Great, except for one time when the crowd didn’t come because of some confuse they though that the show was canceled while it moved to some other location.
We played in Austria in a festival and many people came.
What are you plans now ?
We are working on new album.
What are your music influences?
Jeff: When I was 14 year old I’ve listened a lot to a local California bands.
Rick: The Cult, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Ultravox and more…
I can say that Wayne Hussey & Peter Murphy are 2 people that I saw and made me want to play dark music.
Do you have influences from heavier bands?
Peter: our drummer Ivan and I like bands such as: Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Doors and more…
About bands that cause me to play music: Missing Persons, Duran Duran. I like music since the 70’s hard rock till the 80’s bands like The Cult & The Mission.
What is the difference between performing the U.S. and performing in Europe?
It is similar, but in Europe its more into light sound.
In the U.S. – east coast people like more old dark stuff and the west coast people like more new stuff. The people in the south are more into now days goth.
In every place there some things are always the same.
Are you looking for a new label?
No, we just signed a deal with a label from Atlanta - called “Seven Sin”, a Metropolis distribution. This is only for America, and Apolion in Germany.
Metropolis are distributing “Seven Sin” in Europe.
Where are you recording?
Both in studio and some parts at home studio. We are also the technicians.
Did you learn it ?
Yes, some years ago.
Have you been in Israel?
Jeff: I was in Israel on 1985 with my uncle, he went with a group of church people. I was 15 years old at that time.
I think is a fascinating country.
In some other time I will be happy to return.
Do you have plans to release a live album?
Jeff: Maybe, I will be happy to release some live material.
Peter: Some of my favorites albums are live albums.
At this momenent Jeff was called about their drummer – Ivan. He was very sick.
They played the EuroRock show with other drummer.
How was it to play with a drummer that you just met?
Our drummer Ivan pushed us not to give up the show because of his condition.
It’s part of the band’s spirit, so – We found a professional drummer that wanted to help us. We gave him a few hand signs during the show and he followed our body moves.
What do you think of now days gothic bands?
Rick: I like a good band from Virginia – Bella Morte.
We like the music of Switch Blade Symphony, The Cascades.
Petter: Last time in Germany I saw Zeraphine – the band of the singer from Dreadful Shadows, Tanwut, In extremo & Project Pitchfork.
Day later – we found out about the tragic death of the band’s drummer - Ivan Dominguez.
The band have released the following statement:
Dear Friends. It is with great sorrow that we have to report that our drummer, Ivan Dominguez, died on tour in Belgium on August 3rd, 2002. A sudden case of pneumonia resulting from an illness yet to be determined is all we know of the cause of his death. Ivan played his final show with us on July 31st, 2002 in Leipzig, Germany. Funeral services will be held Friday August 16th at 9:00 am at Rose Hills Mortuary (1625 Gisler Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 540-5554, off Harbor Boulevard and the 405 freeway). This service is open to the public. We plan to honor and continue Ivan's love for music and touring with a Memorial Show on August 17th at Bar Sinister in Hollywood, CA. Bar Sinister has decided to dedicate all proceeds of that show to a memorial fund being set up in Ivan's name to provide opportunities in music for children. TLD's fees for the evening will also be donated to this fund, and our fans are invited to donate as well. Details on how to do this are posted below. The family has requested that donations be made in lieu of flowers. This is an extremely difficult time for us all. The outpouring of support from his friends and fans so far has been overwhelming. Ivan was an amazing drummer and the best kind of friend and bandmate we could ever hope for. He will be missed every day by all of us. As TLD continues to make music, it will always be with slightly heavier hearts than before. His inspiration to our music, as well as everything that we do behind the scenes, will always be present. You will be missed, my friend. Ivan's cousin recently wrote that he does indeed "believe in angels, and Ivan is the greatest of them all." We could not agree more.
Sincerely,
Jeff, Rick, Peter
The Last Dance
