Spark

Spark. Well, if I am going to start sharing some thoughts with you motherfuckers then I should at least give you an introduction. When did industrial spark for me? What brought me to this dark, barren but rhythmic wasteland? I would have to say the bass-laden seed was planted at an early age. It was planted before I knew what industrial music was, during a time when I was only looking for a direction for my anger, a target for my displeasure, a method for my madness. My family was beyond broken and I never did fit when it was whole. I was asking too many questions and biting the hand that fed me. I was a little black girl who just couldn’t get with the stereotypical program. And soon, my classmates would introduce me to this wicked aural journey...spark. 

“It's something wrong inside dimensional uncivilized
to search for attitudes being absolute
to search for enemies in your space without a room
totally disguised afraid of your might
Building up a sanity you're unable to criticize
stand up and fight - wake up inside.” – Overgod – Steril

Spark. It began to grow within me. I listened night and day. I was driven to study it’s rhythm, it’s teachers. With industrial behind me, I felt more able, more powerful, and unapologetic about questioning society’s norms. I packed my bags and moved out of the family home. I was beginning to “wake up inside”. Spark. Eventually, I was inspired to move away, far away. It brought me pain, loneliness, and so much strength. I could hear Pankow whispering in my ear…”gimme, gimme, gimme more, much more”. I wanted that and I wanted to be a part of that. That was the industrial scene and its artists and its fans. My desire to dwell within the genre’s black wings made me fearless. I would go to any club, near or far, by myself. I would volunteer for anything I could to help the sickness spread. Industrial music had made a home inside of me. 

And I come here, still dedicated to you, my scene. Carrying the flag for bands like 16volt, Chemlab, Birmingham 6, Steinkind, Leatherstrip, Psyclon Nine, Sheep On Drugs, Klangstabil, Skinny Puppy, C.A.T., Modulate, Caustic, and the pounding list goes on and on.  Welcome to my world and my love of industrial music. 

“No one is allowed
to stand out from the crowd
today is the day
to move a step ahead

to show them what we can do
to show them where to go
we can do it right now
we found something to die for.” – Long Live EBM, Klutae


-Toya Holliday

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