THE JUGGERNAUTS Since this would also be the day of reckoning, we could finally announce with some pride that everyone present, and every individual who has supported us and believed in us over the past years, could rise with us to a better world. We would perform ‘The Juggernauts Are Coming’ for the last time, but this time with the words "No need to hide, No need to run"..."You are the chosen ones!" You’ve been a DJ since the early '80s, starting out around 1984. With influences ranging from The Human League (Travelogue) and The Sisters of Mercy (The Reptile House) to Joy Division (Unknown Pleasures), Liaisons Dangereuses, and Front 242 (Geography and No Comment), and spinning as a resident DJ at BodyBeats events. That’s 41 years of taking the turntables by storm. After all this time, is there anything you still hope to accomplish or experience as a DJ? As a DJ? I'm humbled and incredibly happy that I've been able to introduce my friends to fantastic music all these years. And no, I'm not talking about my own music... Caution: unpopular opinion will follow. I have mixed feelings toward DJs in general. We live in times when DJs apparently consider themselves more important than the music and artists they play. Especially since every track you wish for can be downloaded/played with just one click without even having to buy it, let alone an album. When you pay to enter a party with no live bands whatsoever... Do you ever think about where your money goes? Wouldn't you rather give it to the artists who wrote your favorite songs than to those who just press play? I can honestly say that I've lost more money during my career as a DJ/ organizer than I've ever earned from it. That's the difference between having a challenging passion and earning a easy side income I guess. In an age where every song is now just a click away, what does it still mean to you to hold music as an object — an album, a vinyl, a CD? And beyond that, while you sound critical of today’s scene, do you also see positive evolutions that give you hope? I still believe that showing respect to your favorite artists is best done by supporting them—buying physical merch items like CDs, vinyl, T-shirts… and maybe most important these days: Go out and see their concerts! On a positive note, there *are* still people who come to live shows,buy merch,and thank you personally for the great music or show you’re giving. They are the ones who make it worthwhile to keep putting effort and time into creating new music. Did you know that out of more than 700 million Spotify listeners, fewer than half pay for their account? This means that over 300 million www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be - 18 - so-called music lovers today even consider €15 per month too much to enjoy their favorite music. €15 for access to almost all music available today… In the past, you’d buy exactly one CD for that amount! The Juggernauts’ debut album, ‘The Juggernauts Are Coming’, first unleashed in 2016 and now resurrected as a limited edition digi-pack including the ‘Phoenix’ EP as extra tracks, delivers 15 club-ready, minimalist tracks built on beats, sequencers, and shouts. How do you remember creating this album, and what led to the decision to re-release it now? Mainly because both releases have been sold out for some time now, and fans keep asking for them at the merch table at our concerts. Secondly, at the time of the original release, we didn’t have the time to finish and include the lyrics and artwork booklet, which was also a recurring request from fans. The word“juggernaut”originally refers to the massive, unstoppable chariots in the Hindu Jagannath processions, crushing everything in their path. Figuratively, it has come to mean any overwhelming, unstoppable force. If The Juggernauts were to harness such unstoppable energy, which of your musical heroes would you summon to join you in turning back the tide of impending doom through music? Oh, many! First of all, I would resurrect my all-time favorite artists and inspirators like Frank Tovey (Fad Gadget), Jock McDonald (The Bollock Brothers), and Douglas McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb), so they could join Portion Control and Cabaret Voltaire. And yes, don’t worry—Front 242, The Klinik, and Skinny Puppy would also get a kick in the butt to reboot and be invited for this crusade! The 2022 EP Fear was celebrated for reaffirming your place in the Belgian EBM scene while carving out a distinctive identity, with industrial textures, tight drumming, and piercing synth lines. As this remains your most recent work, can fans expect a new chapter —new music—in The Juggernauts’relentless journey? We are working on our new EP, Immortal, as we speak and will gradually incorporate new songs into our future live sets. This way, we can test them on a live audience. We hope to have it released sometime in 2026. Keep your ears and eyes peeled! Hayley CLX Photo © Alex Jung/Borg The Juggernauts on Facebook >>>>>
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