Keith Caputo, of 20-year-old New York alternative metal/rock act Life of Agony, released not one but two solo albums, A Fondness for Hometown Scars and Dass-Berdache, last year. Following chart success, he’ll be coming to Budapest on September 15th to perform on the A38’s roof terrace. You won’t need to wait that long, though, as Life of Agony are playing at the Sziget Festival on Sunday August 16th (or should we say Monday the 17th, as they are on at 1 a.m….) at the MTV Headbangers Ball – Rock Stage. We caught up with the legendary voice in the middle of a busy tour schedule.
You left Life of Agony in 1997 and the band split up in 1999. Why did you decide to reform a few years ago?
That’s very difficult to answer. Actually, I don’t even think we are a reformed band, as we are not a band. We f*** off, everybody does his own thing for a while, music, marriage and kids, and then we get together for a couple of weeks a year to play music.
So what would you call yourselves if not a band?
A dysfunctional family. It’s like when you divorce your husband and only see him when he visits the kids.
Your last album with Life of Agony, Broken Valley, came out in 2005. Is a new album among your plans?
No, definitely not.
And your solo career?
It started 12 years ago. The love of music, the ability to change and carry on playing music closer to my heart as well as meeting and working with new, interesting people made me go solo.
Where do you get the inspiration for your lyrics?
Life. Good and bad things, the unknown…
Could you name a few of your favorite bands or artists who influenced your music?
David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Pink Floyd and The Doors.
Do you prefer playing festivals or small venues? In other words, Sziget Festival or A38?
Definitely small venues. It’s like having sex without a condom, while playing festivals is like having not one but double rubbers on.
You’ve had quite a few gigs in Hungary recently. What do you like about playing here?
I think I‘ve played five times in Hungary. Hungarians have gotten the hang of our music. It’s genuine. And it’s always nice to play in front of people who appreciate and understand your music.
How do you like touring?
I don’t know if I really like it anymore, to be honest. 10 men on a bus, always on the road – it’s tough. Hard work that wears you out. It largely depends on the company though. What I like about it is that you get to see loads of places and you step out of society’s narrow boundaries. I love absorbing the city I’m in and looking into people’s eyes. It’s beautiful.
How do you recharge your batteries after a tour?
One or two days of sleep and good food work wonders.
What are your plans for the future?
I don’t really have a future… I mean, for me, the only moment that is real is now. Past and future don’t exist, only the here and now. I don’t really see tomorrow and I’m not trying to escape the present; which takes away nervousness. I wanna be peaceful.
To answer your question, I wanna make new music, new records… I’d like to work with interesting people, look for new management and publishing contracts. Boring stuff, really.
Interview by Gabriella Emszt