Intergalactic Glam: The Medullary Paralysis

The spaceship has landed, the extraterrestrials have arrived and their language is ... glam rock. No, The Medullary Paralysis aren’t really otherworldly. They’re an Italian trio clad in pale makeup and purple latex, blasting stratospheric guitar grooves and industrial beats. They may be human, but their approach is alien — not only in their quirky performances, but also their sci-fi style motto (and debut EP title): We Don't Drink, We Don't Take Drugs, We Don't Have Sex, We Feel Compassion. Frontman Valentino Coletto tells us what inspires their intergalactic theatrics, and why they squeeze into those latex jumpsuits.

Why avoid rock star vices?
If it's your birthday we can drink some good red wine with you. What we can't stand is the idea of being in need of something to feel more alive or to be accepted by a group. We can certainly say that in 2007 we started a process of detachment from all of that when we started this band.

What’s with the purple latex?
This is not a fetish, latex for the love of its feel on skin. We wanted to use the most "transgressive," and “sinful,” material imaginable. Then, add to it the rejection of “sex, drugs and rock and roll,” cliches, and our critics became confused and angry. It's another ingredient of our unique mix, don't you think?

You’re working on a new album. How is it out of this world?
It’s a mix of The Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson and the ‘80s.

Dave Urwin of Live-music-scene.co.uk wrote in a review of your EP: "I don’t have a clue what they’re singing about." Please enlighten us with a few specific standout lyrics.
In our song, “Where is the Silence”:
“Where is the silence
You are not satisfied with the sound
Of your voice…
Where is the violence
Of your lies
Your stage is turning into a cage…”

He also criticized your EP title, We Don't Drink, We Don't Take Drugs, We Don't Have Sex, We Feel Compassion. He said, "…everyone is entitled to their life choices, but there’s no need to boast about them, and to suggest that those who don’t share your virtues feel no compassion." How do you respond?
The word compassion shouldn’t be interpreted in haste as “pity.” Its etymology is much more complex, it is more to do with “feeling together.” It’s empathy, rather than looking down from above.

Your image, sound, and even most of your answers to these questions, feel like something from a sci-fi flick. Do you worry about alienating fans with such an offbeat style?
The most shocking thing for our fans is when they discover, after the show, that they can joke with us and that we are good-humored people. Then they don't think we are like aliens. This is exactly what we wanted.

The Medullary Paralysis perform at MAO Live House on June 15 at 9.00pm, and at Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar on June 16 at 9.00pm. For more information visit maolive.com or themedullaryparalysis.com.

Photo: mask9.com