Christian Death was highly influential in the development of deathrock, as well as on the American gothic scene. On April 18th, the documentary screening as well as a star-studded lineup of former band mates takes the stage at the United Theater in Los Angeles. Rikk Agnew and Gitane Demone were gracious enough to fit some time into their busy schedules and answer a few questions about Christian Death, Rozz, their musical journey and what’s coming up.  

With the upcoming Romeos Distress documentary and reunion coming up, what are you looking forward to most of that night?   

Rikk: Playing the Only Theatre of Pain songs with James McGearty, especially. It’s been a long time. 

Gitane: playing Catastrophe Ballet, Ashes selections with David Glass, Kenton Holmes, 

Patrik Mata, William Faith and Paul Roessler. 

And of course, watching the documentary! 

How has the scene survived and evolved through your eyes?   

The goth/deathrock scene has definitely survived- there are club nights all over-even in the desert. Usually the same-ish collection of songs from the earlier days- not so progressive there, but live there are bands with new elements, styles that fit the genre. Batnoise, V.E.X. are avant-garde and refresh the scene. 

What is your favorite memory or unknown fact about Rozz?  

Rikk: Rozz impersonating the Price Is Right game show host Bob Barker on tour in Montreal. 

Gitane: He tried to help me drive- he doesn’t- I was sick, we were stuck in a forest in Amsterdam. He used his hands on the clutch pedal and accelerator on the floorboards. So endearing, but to no avail. We ended up half the night by a lake, cold & watching ducks fly by in the moonlight. 

 You have both been in numerous defining bands over the years Adolescents, Pompeii 99, Christian Death, D.I., Social Distortion, Detours, 45 Grave and the list goes on, which recoding means the most at present time?   

Rikk: Detours, in ‘77 to present. 

Gitane: Recording “The New Young Kings of Midnight” with Paul Roessler, our ‘24 release.  

Congratulations Rikk on the UK vinyl release of “All By Myself” any plans for Frontier to release in the US? 

Rikk: Actually, it IS released on vinyl in the U.S. 

“Dream Home Heartache” is an amazing album Gitane, what do you remember of the album’s reception besides the riot? 

Gitane: The album was embraced; it was said we “invented” a Cabaret Noir genre (of that I’m doubtful). Playing it live was interesting, we made a kind of salon atmosphere with table and chairs, lamps, candlesticks, drinks, and took turns singing. People liked it or didn’t. 

Are there any plans for a Gitane Demone Quartet tour?   

We’re rehearsing, but no plans until Rikk is recovered from his illnesses. 

The Agnew film is an amazing story. Are there plans to be released across the US? You and your brothers have left a legacy in the scene, which song are you most proud of you wrote? Which song is the most fun to perform?   

Rikk: The filmmaker Gabriel Zavala, would like to show it everywhere. Otherwise, it will be streaming at some later point. 

All of em I’m proud of, and all of em are fun to play! 

What or where do you find inspiration now?   

Rikk: Flowers, the planets, coz they’re pure. 

Gitane: Ancient life, and dreams of it. 

What bands do you see keeping the scene alive? 

Rikk: New bands. Otherwise it would be rehash. 

Gitane: Old bands or artists that have survived with artistic integrity and continue developing, and new bands that have the same integrity with something original to offer. 

What’s next on the horizon? 

We’re rehearsing, but no plans until Rikk is recovered from his illnesses 

Final question you both played a part in amazing bands, had success as solo artists and impacted so many musicians and fans around the globe, what do you want to be remembered for creating?   

Our children