I had to look it up, but Artrodese means a fusion between joints. why was this name perfect for your project?
Hey Paul! Thanks for taking the time to do an interview with Artrodese.
Really appreciate it!
The name Artrodese refers to a fused artificial joint. I have a couple of those in my body because of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I thought it would be a fitting name for the things I do with this project.
Coming from a fast thrash background (as far as I know — sorry if not!), why move to a totally different way of expressing yourself through music?
Yes! I’ve been making fast music since the early nineties. Most people know me from bands like Jesus Cröst and Sick of Stupidity.
Because of the Rheumatoid Arthritis, I wasn’t able to play fast music anymore, so I decided to do something different.
Rotterdam, my hometown, is famous for its electronic dance culture especially in the nineties with Gabber. There were also a lot of drum ’n’ bass parties around at that time. I went to many of them and fell in love with jungle and drum ’n’ bass breakbeats.
It had the same energy as punk: rebellious, raw and intense.
I got a MIDI keyboard for my birthday and started making beats, which eventually turned into songs.
That was in 2024. Now, two years later, I’ve released two EPs on Bones Brigade Records (digital) and Haunted Hotel Records (tape), plus a full-length album that will be released very soon on Give Praise Records.
You’ll be playing Obscene Extreme what kind of response do you expect?
It’s a huge honour to play Obscene Extreme again. The last time was in 2008 with Jesus Cröst. We were also supposed to play in 2014, but Jesus Cröst split up a month before the festival. In 2015, Sick of Stupidity played, but I was in the hospital and couldn’t make it to that show.
This year I’ll be doing three drum ’n’ bass/jungle sets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (the OEF afterparty) in the Beer Tent.
I hope people will check out my set in between all the grindcore, powerviolence and death metal bands and just have a great time!
Is ARTRODESE just you, or do you perform with guests as well?
I started the project by myself, but there are lots of collaborations and people involved.
At live shows, Anouk de Ruiter does guest vocals. Most of those are local shows. For tours and foreign shows, I usually perform alone.
I know this is a cliché question, but what influences you? Personal influences or bands?
Back in my grindcore days, the main influences were bands like Magrudergrind, Cephalotripsy, Ulcerrhoea, Yacøpsæ etc.
Artrodese is very different. The influences now come more from personal experiences in life. Besides drum ’n’ bass acts, some influences are Sleaford Mods, Crass, Noisia, but also bands like Mew and Portishead.
I know your old band Jesus Cröst was themed around football. Do you still follow it? Are you watching the World Cup?
Haha! I still watch a lot of football.
Both my kids play football too, and we have season tickets for Sparta Rotterdam.
At home we’ll probably watch a lot of World Cup matches.
You’ve been working really hard on this project. Touring and releasing music constantly. What future plans do you have?
Thanks Paul! Hopefully hard work pays off..
Last year’s Southeast Asia tour with Code Error and Warhound was amazing.
Both bands were great company and super easy people to travel with.
Go check them out if you have the chance!
Maternal Disaster helped a lot with organising the tour.
I would love to return to Asia in 2026 or 2027. Returning to NYC in 2027 is also on my bucket list.
Next month we’re playing Oerol Festival A huge arts festival on an island in the Netherlands.
The festival lasts a full week and attracts around 50,000 visitors, so we’re really looking forward to it.
Of course, we also have the three shows at Obscene Extreme Fest.
Thanks again, Paul, for the interview. I’m really honoured to release the TILT album through your label!
