Corpus Delicti: "We are eternally grateful for young people who consider us an influence"

Just before taking the stage at the Death Disco Open Air Festival, Corpus Delicti spoke to Rocking.gr about their return, the atmosphere of darkwave, and how they perceive music today. An interview with Sebastien Pietrapiana, Christophe Baudrion, and Franck Amendola, conveying the passion, mystery, and irresistible allure of the dark sound, in the unique way that only a band that shone in the '90s and returned almost thirty years later can do-staying true to its roots but also, as you will see, with an eye on the new generation and sounds. Enjoy them.

Hello and welcome to Rocking.gr! How is this interview finding you today?

Sebastien: Well, I feel good and really excited by the new album coming with great gigs.

Looking back at the early '90s, what was the spark that ignited Corpus Delicti's formation in Nice? And what was, let's say, the first album you ever bought that started it all?

Chris: For me, the shock was watching the video of the Bauhaus concert "Archive", I was more into punk at that time but then I understood that it was this universe that I wanted, and there had previously been the album of Siouxsie & The Banshees "Juju" as well as The Cure "Pornography" which had made a very big impression on me.

Franck : I'd say : "Seventeen Seconds" - The Cure

Sébastien: Echo And The Bunnymen "Ocean Rain"

How did the French gothic scene shape your sound, and did you ever feel isolated from the UK/US post-punk movements?

Chris: I think we didn't ask ourselves too many questions, we just wanted to make the music we liked, and at the time the fashion was more grunge and techno so we were always going against the grain but we didn't care.

Franck: I don't think we ever thought to have a French or uk or us sound.

Of course we ve been inspired by uk bands for 90% but we just sounded as we did naturally. It's a long conversation but alternative scene in France never been "mainstream" so yes we felt and still feel isolated in our genre in our country .But, it is what it is. We don't really think about it.

Cinema has no doubt had an influence on the way we picture our music

Your music has often been described as cinematic-do you draw inspiration from film or visual art when composing?

Sébastien: Maybe it's because our songs also tell stories - often personal ones, but probably universal as well. Cinema has no doubt had an influence on the way we picture our music, but it's not something we really think about while composing.

Franck: maybe unconsciously, but we like to create an atmosphere, playing with the dynamics, and keeping a tension all along the songs.

There's a poetic melancholy in your lyrics-how do you approach writing about darkness without falling into cliché?

Sébastien: This is a question that makes me happy, in the sense that I've always tried to avoid clichés in my writing and things that feel too obvious. I've been writing a kind of poetry since my teenage years-it's a form I've always felt very sensitive to. My aim is to create deeply personal texts; for me, they're like a diary. But like any diary, they're tinted with secrets and elements that only I can truly understand. At the same time, I hope others can also find something in them, that they resonate with their own lives.

What role does theatricality play in your live performances and visual identity?

Sébastien: For me, it really is close to a theatrical performance. I step into the skin of a character who is not the "me" of everyday life, but who is still a real part of me-one that only exists on stage. That's what I enjoy about it.

Franck: hard to answer. We are totally natural and ourselves on stage . We don't Work on it. We re 4 members with 4 different personalities, and 4 different ways to deliver our own energy, passion, 100% involved in our sound, our songs.

If you had to describe the Corpus Delicti aesthetic in three words, what would they be-and why?

Chris: I like the term "flamboyant gothic"

Franck: Melodies, intensity, truth

We rediscovered the real joy of playing together

After a long time apart, what made 2020 the right moment to reunite?

Sébastien: At the start, it was just a simple idea thrown out by Roma, our drummer. Something that was floating in the air, worth trying. And then, being the four of us together again in the same room after almost 30 years felt so natural... We rediscovered the real joy of playing together, and with it came the desire to share it.

How has your creative process changed since the '90s, especially with modern production tools?

Sébastien: We tried composing with the tools of 2025 - sending files back and forth to each other - but we quickly realized that nothing works better than the four of us together in the same room.

Franck: mmmm , it didn't change as much in the composition. Most of the time we composing all together, rehashing. Same as 30 years ago. So, we only went from a 2tracks tape recorder to a zoom (laughs) to record new material when we rehearse. Today, I'm producer in my FATS studio, so it's easy to record and mix. We can spend more time, less money, and control everything. That's what changed a lot .

Your recent cover of "Dancing In The Dark" surprised many-what drew you to reinterpret Springsteen through a gothic lens?

Chris: the challenge!! the universe of the "Boss" is so far from us, it was much more interesting as a challenge, we hesitated with a title of The Doors but it seemed to be too obvious for us.

Franck: when we received the list of the songs from Cleopatra , it s been quite obvious. What a better way than to cover the boss?

We are deeply moved by the words of these young people-musicians or not-who tell us how much our music means to them

Do you feel a sense of responsibility toward younger bands who cite you as an influence?

Sébastien: I wouldn't call it a responsibility, but rather an eternal sense of gratitude. We are deeply moved by the words of these young people-musicians or not-who tell us how much our music means to them. Of course, we don't want to disappoint them, but we continue to compose without really thinking about it, simply doing what we enjoy, and hoping that this audience, along with others, will follow us.

What's the most unexpected place or moment you've encountered a fan of Corpus Delicti?

Sébastien: I was doing some shopping in a supermarket in my hometown when someone stopped me to congratulate me… But the most incredible moment was in one of the biggest squares in Mexico, on the very day we arrived. We were just out for a walk when a young man, trembling with emotion, recognized us. It was surreal to be recognized on the street, so far from home. And in Mexico, it happened quite often.

Chris: yes, without a doubt in the central square of Mexico City!! It was quite crazy to be recognized so far from home

How do you define success now compared to when you first started out?

Sébastien; It's definitely more significant now. We are listened to much more than in the '90s, and those numbers keep growing steadily.

The big difference, though… in the '90s, if you sold 10,000 CDs, you had a nice amount of money coming in. Today, we reach around 3 million streams a year-and that brings in almost nothing. But we're not chasing any kind of financial recognition - it's just a simple observation. The advantage of streaming, too, is that many more people get to listen to us and come to the shows.

Franck: Time tells the truth. It made it. It means that what we made in the past was good , and crossed 3 decades, ending bigger Thant it was . I feel lucky and rich in my heart today.

"Corpus Delicti" is not our band anymore. It's our fans band

What does "Corpus Delicti" mean to you today-not just as a name, but as a concept?

Sébastien: It has become an important part of our lives - quite an unexpected revival. We've shared so much happiness on the road these past three years, along with beautiful moments between ourselves. This renewed interest in our music was something we didn't expect at all, and we never take it for granted. We're fully aware of how lucky we are to be able to travel the world thanks to our music.

Franck: before the first show of the reunion, we knew that many fans came from many different countries. I felt really nervous but I didn't know why I was so anxious Until I realized that "Corpus Delicti" is not our band anymore. It's our fans band. That's why every single time we go on stage we deliver 100% of ourselves. Same in studio. They deserve it. Nothing else.

If you could collaborate with any artist-living or dead-who would it be, and what kind of track would you create together?

Sébastien: I won't be very original, but working with Bowie would have been an absolute joy… I came pretty close though, since I had the chance to work with his legendary pianist Mike Garson on three tracks for my solo project Kuta.

Today, the two names that come to mind would be Idles or Slowdive… though honestly, I'm not sure what we could come up with together :)

Chris: For me it would be a collaboration with Budgie, the extraordinary drummer of S&TB to make an incredible tribal title

Franck: my dream would be to do a track with Robert Smith and Trentemoller. Trippy, spacy, emotional, melancholic. Hopefully one day - who knows.

If you had to cover a bubblegum pop song, which one would you choose and why?

Franck: Freeez IOU . Don't ask me why ?

Sébastien: Well, I do like a challenge… so it really depends on what it is. If it's a bubblegum pop song… I'm not even sure what counts as one, but the first that comes to mind is "Sandy" from Grease. Maybe because I once ended up singing it during a rather sordid karaoke night - and, to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it.

What would you choose - coffee, absinthe, or red wine?

Chris: red wine

Sébastien: beer

Franck: ristretto black coffee definitely (but I can have all of them)

What is the most unexpected item in your tour bag?

Chris: ..um... an armband for tendonitis

Franck: a stone from a beach I use to go since I born.

If your music could summon a creature, what would it be and what would it do?

Sébastien: Sylphes maybe? Strange creatures living among the trees.

Franck: a black cat eagle, it would catch the audience forever and purr.

Do you have a pre-show ritual? Are you excited to perform this ritual now that an appearance in Athens and Death Disco festival is approaching?

Sébastien: No particular ritual, but personally, I like to take a few minutes of calm before going on stage. Then, at the very last moment, the four of us usually come together for a little group hug to wish each other a good show. Sometimes Chris picks up his bass and I warm up my voice backstage while he warms up his hands.

Franck: I always have a couple of shots of vodka before the gigs. That s my ritual.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions! Please send a message to your greek fans!

We're really happy to be coming back to Athens. We already loved the city back in 2023, and above all, for me, our show at Death Disco is still in my personal top 3. The crowd was just incredible. We really hope it will be the same this time. Léo, the organizer, had already told us back then about his wish to have us play at this festival later on - and now he's made it happen, and we're truly grateful to him.

Franck: I loved the time we had in Athens last year, love the place, the food, and fans were really hot. All what I like ! Can t wait to be back .