In the late 90’s, a new shock rock band known as Rackets and Drapes hit the scene and turned many heads. Mostly that of Christians, as they were well-known in the Christian metal circles since they played the Cornerstone Festival a few times. They were met with much hate, but the love that the fans (that they call Therapy Patients) showed was much greater. After 16 years of inactivity and silence, Therapy Patients got quite the shock treatment when K. Kane came out of the blue and announced the return of R&D. 
Reverend Leviathan: Well, first of all let me thank you for doing this exclusive interview with DGM.
K. Kane: I appreciate the opportunity. Love your work.
Reverend Leviathan: Why, thank you! So, Rackets & Drapes is not an unheard of name in the realm of shock rock, especially in some small Christian metal circles. However, for the sake of some of our readers, could you give a brief history of this project?
K. Kane: Well we started out in 1994 as Human Soup. After finding out that name was taken by 100 other bands, we wanted to create a name that couldn’t possibly be used. Rackets and Drapes was born. We changed our image up to match what we were making musically. Dark and heavy. It was quite different for that time. We really had no idea what we were, to be honest. Gothic influence I think helped a lot with our image. Type O Negative was a huge influence as well. By luck we were doing a festival and HM magazine just happened to be there and put us on the cover once. That really pushed us out there.
Reverend Leviathan: And Rackets hit the scene with the debut album Candyland. What kind of reactions did you receive?
Rackets and Drapes debut album, Candyland
K. Kane: Exactly what you could imagine. It was love hate. So that’s why we don’t call listeners fans. Those who got what we were doing became family. Those who didn’t, we were evil and a Marilyn Manson copy.
Reverend Leviathan: Well now I know why you’re fans are called Therapy Patients!
K. Kane: Took you this long?
Reverend Leviathan: [Hides in Shame]
K. Kane: Yeah, that’s why.
Reverend Leviathan: The last album you released was Love Letters from Hell in 2003, and that was around the time you came out as transgender. What was the response from fans regarding the album and you coming out?
K. Kane: Exactly the same thing. Love hate. Songs are too dark or sexually saturated. I was lost and no longer saved. I admit, the album is quite different. All electronic. But the songs were still the same as before, it’s just some couldn’t hear or see that over my coming out. LLFH is the most scriptural album we ever made. And yet so many couldn’t see it. But this happens every single time we put out an album. I think we struck a nerve.
Reverend Leviathan: So now it’s 2019 and you surprised a lot of people with this resurrection of R&D. What inspired you to reopen therapy so to speak, after 16 years?
K. Kane: It’s all by accident, honestly. I have been doing electronic stuff now since the last album. Trance, industrial, etc. I just got sick of it. So I made a riff and it sounded pretty good. I saved it and over the next couple of weeks I would go back and add drums and keys. Played around with it and came up with the sample and just knew, yeah, it’s go time. So I reached out to some long time friends who are great musicians and here we are. It’s not a continuation. This is a rebirth. And it’s something great.
Reverend Leviathan: Has the response to the rebirth been exactly the same as when you first hit the scene?
K. Kane: Every album, same thing. Even 16 years later.
Reverend Leviathan: I guess history really does repeat itself. I know that you’re the only original member of the group. What can you tell us about the musicians you felt were worthy enough to carry on the name?
K. Kane: It’s a rebirth. A fresh start with a different attitude. No one is ever unworthy to play in a band. Just a new look. There won’t be any more Marilyn Manson comparisons after this.
Reverend Leviathan: Oh wow. So compared to your previous releases (Candyland, The Sick and the Beautiful, Trick or Treat, Love Letters from Hell), what can fans – er, Therapy Patients – expect from the new album?
K. Kane: We have a couple of scratch tracks out there so they should know this isn’t 1998. It’s aggressive in all aspects. Something right out of the heart and soul of Silent Hill. It will be the heaviest to date. And will continue to have that creep factor, but just so much more intense than before.
Reverend Leviathan: You all were labeled a Christian band even though you prefer to be called Christians in a band. Lyrically speaking will there still be that spiritual influence?
K. Kane: Since album one, we have never called ourselves a “Christian” band. To me, there is no such thing. Do four or five Christians in a car make it a Christian car? No. I don’t like labels. Labels are for soup cans. But if some bands want to label themselves with that who am I to tell them different? And vice versa. It’s just how we view it. And yes, I am a spiritual person so of course the lyrics will be. Take a look at the world around you. There is so much anger, hurt and pain. I will write the same way I always have. Allegories. They can be seen two different ways.
Reverend Leviathan: Very cool! Got a title and release date yet?
K. Kane: We are still in the process of recording. We want to release the single “Top Hat Black” within the next few weeks. There are some contractual things we have to look into before and actual full release. When and how are TBA. The name is The Boogies Are Coming. Also allegorical.
Reverend Leviathan: Definitely a Rackets and Drapes appropriate title.
K. Kane: I thought so too.
Reverend Leviathan: Any talks of live performances after the release?
K. Kane: Everyone at this point is good for that. We aren’t planning on anything at the moment. But if it should come up, we are good to go.
Reverend Leviathan: As a Therapy Patient who never got to see you live that’s pretty exciting!
K. Kane: I hear a lot of that, so it’s worth it then.
Reverend Leviathan: Well, I will end this with my usual final question: What’s been your greatest challenge in this process? And what final words would you like to leave to your listeners?
K. Kane: Time. That has been a killer. For the last 16 years I have been so busy and every single time I tried to do this, life kicks in. Now things are much quieter and I have the time to focus on it. I am a people person. I love to chat and get to know what they are doing in life. So when I don’t respond to a question that is not about music on a music page, don’t think I won’t answer. Message me. Email me. I’ll answer anything you ask. I just like to keep the R&D page about the band and not my personal life. But I want to answer one question that is the biggest. Am I a Christian anymore? Just because I don’t like the term “Christian” doesn’t mean I don’t have God in my life. I am spiritual. I hate organized religion. I am born again and have been since 1989.
Reverend Leviathan: Awesome stuff. Well thanks again for this amazing privilege, and as a Therapy Patient of 17 years I must say that I am extremely stoked for the new album!
K. Kane: Thank you for your time. You are an inspiration in a lot of ways. We are stoked too. The shock is back!
Keep up with K. Kane and Rackets and Drapes news via their Facebook page here!
March 17, 2019
Lol! I would much rather spend my money on records and concerts than sitting in an office talking to a shrink! “Oh woe is me, woe is me… Thanks for listening…. Here’s your hundred bucks.” “F*ck that!” Music is the best therapy for us headbangers of the world. Best of luck! Looks like you have yourself a good cult following and a daily dose of love hate to scratch that nagging psyche.