Curing Cancer the Industrial Way
They say that life’s a bitch and then you die, but anyone who has gone through extreme physical trauma and come out on the other side knows that’s just not the case. Jim Semonik is one of these people. The frontman for electro-industrial band Rein[Forced] and general key promoter and figure in the Pittsburgh industrial scene was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008. Throughout his treatment schedule of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (as well as having a portion of his digestive system removed), he continued to draw strength from the music he loved. While convalescing and on his way to recovery, Semonik began reaching out to people from the industrial community in order to compile the four-disc set Electronic Saviors. It was a project that not only gave him focus through what was a physically, mentally and emotionally draining time and saw the industrial community – a consistently maligned musical subculture – come together and grow stronger for it, but will also give back to those that helped him. The proceeds of the 83-artist compilation featuring the likes of 16 Volt, Combichrist, CHEMLAB and Leæther Strip will go to the Center For Cancer Research and Wellness in Harrisburg, PA.
We like that despite the cold, brutal, hostile sound of industrial, those involved still have a sense of humor about it. Take, for example the song titles “I’ve Sold Your Organs On The Black Market To Finance The Purchase Of A Used Minivan (I Don’t Want Those Organs If There’s Cancer In Them Mix)” by Everything Goes Cold, and the last track on the album, “Jim Made Cancer His Bitch” by Caustic. Which, of course, Semonik did.
Semonik took some time out to speak with CMJ:
Why did you decide to name this compilation Electronic Saviors?
I have a very passionate nature. Industrial music and all of its sub genres have been a huge part of my life since the end of high school. When I was diagnosed, I buried myself in this kind of music. Anything that could distract from the physical pain of chemotherapy and radiation should be held in high regard. I have been living my life with this art form revolving around me at all times for 16 years. I strongly feel that it was this love and passion that saved me from the negativity that cancer created in my life. Each and every artist on the compilation is a savior to me, so the title is quite personal.
How do you feel compiling this CD helped you get through your experience with cancer?
I strongly feel that when one is diagnosed with cancer, it is important to have a goal, something to strive towards that will endow hope upon the mind and body. It is easy to fall into despair and allow depression to over run your life. If one is able to still work while in treatment, I encourage it. It is very difficult to do this because the body does need a great deal of rest to deal with the treatment. Mental health is extremely important.
Positive thoughts and feelings can cause wonders and being around those who can nurture those feelings in a cancer victim is fantastic. I wasn’t always around the most positive people and it had a terrible effect on me. Every time I received a new track for the compilation, I felt reinvigorated. I know it is strange to find a silver lining here, but if I hadn’t gotten sick, all of this wonderful music would not exist. Every song brought hope and the thought that tomorrow was a brighter day, filled with more industrial music for my soul.
Do you feel that music has a therapeutic element? If so, what was your own personal experience with music and the way you ‘used’ it when you were going through treatment?
When I would have radiation, the nurses told me to bring in my own music to listen to to pass the time. I could lay there and listen to my favorite album by Chemlab or 16 Volt. Music is very spiritual. I have chosen to dj this form of music because I want others to feel what I feel when I hear a great EBM or industrial song. This music is way under exposed. I used it to sleep. I used it to drive. I used it to work. People don’t know what they are missing. Those who think industrial music is stuff like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry…well, let’s just say there is so much more than that.
I think the diversity of the genre is what helped me because it covers every emotion and state of mind that a cancer patient feels: anger, fear, sadness, hope, joy, serenity etc. I related to it and it helped me every day. I consume it like food.
83 artists ended up being involved in this project. Tell me about the process you went through to reach out to all the musicians and compile the entire CD.
Many of the artists on Saviors have been through Pittsburgh on tour at one time or another. I have played with some of them with my own band Rein[Forced]and have a hobby business under the name Distortion Productions and have brought a few of these guys through at one time or another. I have become friends with many of these artists over the years. I have also been in the music business a long time and know many of the people at the labels. Some of the tracks were provided by the labels because they felt it was a worthy cause. The labels and bands in this scene are some of the most sincere and brilliant people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and if it weren’t for Dave Heckman at Metropolis Records, none of this would even be possible. He helped me realize my dream. I just hope I can meet him in person some day. Life is short and fragile. The spirit of these individuals astounds me.
The compilation is divided into 4 discs – diagnosis and insurance, chemotherapy and radiation, surgery, and recovery. How did you decide which artists would go on what disc?
I tried to pay close attention to theme and the lyrical content in the songs. I wanted to present a kind of gradual journey through the comp for the listener. If a cancer survivor is listening to it, I want them to be able to relate. The bottom line is, that I am finding that everyone knows someone who has been affected by this horrible disease so I dedicate it to everyone who has ever had to deal with this. People are dying, I feel it is my duty to do what I can to prevent that and this is the best way I know how.
What other ways can we help support your cause?
Please spread the word. Talk about it. I am tired of industrial music getting such negative press. The nicest folks and my best friends call this music genre home and it is time we stood up, collectively, for what we believe in. This is my way of changing the world and making some people see things a bit differently. Industrial music help me cure myself now I want it to do so for someone else. If I can just reach that one person and help them, it will be worth going through chemo and radiation to produce this piece of work.
www.myspace.com/electronicsaviors
Tags: Industrial, Jim Semonik
