Lisa Hammer

marta014@yahoo.com (Marta) — Sat, 21 May 2005 16:50:08 -0400

ICE QUEEN: Lisa Hammer (maiden name Lisa Houle)
BAND: Mors Syphilitica
ORIGIN: New York City, USA
GENRE: Gothic/Darkwave
ACCOMPLICES: Eric Hammer (plays all instruments)
DISCOGRAPHY: "Mors Syphilitica" (1996), "Primrose" (1998), "Feather and Fate" (2001).
SIMILAR ICE QUEENS/INFLUENCES: Requiem in White (their first band), early Cocteau Twins.

IMHO: MS was one of the first darkwave bands I discovered thanks to this guy that I met on the Portishead mailing list. I think his name was Patrick, but I don't remember where he was from. He sent me three mixed tapes that I still have, and the first one, first song, was MS's "Below the Baleful Star". So, if you're used to pop, trip hop and other conventional genres, so to speak, it is like a culture shock to hear something like that for the first time. I got that album right away and still today it mesmerizes me.

FAVOURITE SONGS: "The Woman Who Believed", "Dreams of the many".
FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Mors Syphilitica".

WHAT OTHERS SAY: "The history of NY's Mors Syphilitica dates back to the goth scene of the mid-80's. Guitarist Eric Hammer and vocalist Lisa Houle first played together in Requiem In White, whose mix of dark, swirling sounds and operatic vocals won them a huge following. After moving to the Big Apple from Boston, they played shows with nationally known bands like Biohazard and Type-O Negative. Eric and Lisa, now married and sharing the same surname, formed Mors Syphilitica {two years ago}. Unlike other bands who rely on pre-programmed backing tracks, the group includes a live rhythm section, which helps them stand out among their peers. Lisa's vocal range can hit high C or dip into the bottom range. Not only does she have the pipes, but she knows how to use them creatively. The end result has drawn comparisons to Switchblade Symphony or Dead Can Dance, but Mors Syphilitica has their own thing going." from the band's page at Projekt

Ice Queens - Lisa Hammer

Lisa Hammer