Welcome to our planet of fuzz,the planet where we dedicate and pay respect to the latest and best rock, earth just can not handle! If you like your
music fuzzy and dripping in acid,come in and orbit the place where rock has no limitations, just domination. Kick back and enjoy the Journey Into Outer Space!
Could you tell us about the release of your latest CD - Do you still enjoy playing together after all of these years?
Our latest CD came out of nowhere, as far as I can tell. The guys at Ripple Music somehow found us and made contact a year or so back with the idea of a double Vinyl /CD project using a lot of unreleased music. Some of it was really old stuff and a couple were really new, like it's Not My Fault and I've Been Waiting, (the song is old but the version is from 2001). Todd and John put together a really cool album with really psych swirling yellow/green vinyl. It is quite psychedelic.. Great job Ripplers! The three of us would play together more regularly I'm sure if Jeff lived closer but whenever we have the chance we are playing and recording whatever comes out. As long as we have new ideas I suspect we will continue to have fun playing music together.
Could you name some of the bands that have influenced the sound of JPT Scare? Who are some of your favorite blues artists?
Vanilla Fudge, John Mayall, the Blues Breakers, Yardbirds, Clapton, Winwood, Canned Heat, just to name a few of my favorite blues bands. I think Led Zeppelin pushed me over the edge though. Jimmy Page and the gang put out some of the best music ever. Totally blues based heavy ass kicking rock and roll.
"JamVapour ' is an example of the band's freeform nature, sometimes-do you enjoy experimenting with a progressive sound?
Progressive? Man, I am not tuned into the label thing; we just play whatever we are into at that moment. Not sure of how I would categorize it but it surprises me to hear us described as a proto metal band too. I just thought we were playing rock and roll as hard as we could play it.
What guitars do you guys play?
I have 1972, 4001 Rickenbacker bass. I bought it new with a left hand body and a right hand neck since I usually turn a right handed bass over with the big string on the bottom. I played this on all the old stuff and on Rumdum Daddy. I have a chopped up headless Ibanez with some EMG humbuckers and a bunch of active EQ stuff on it. I use this one on a lot of our stuff like Jamm Vapour and at our live gig at Crosstown Station. I also have a nice SG Gibson short scale bass that sounds very cool too. I also have a Hoffner but it tends to feed back really bad when I turn it up loud.
What has kept the band going for so long?
We're brothers from another mother and we love playing music together. The stuff we do doesn't come out unless we play with us three. And that is a fact, Jack.
Do you find that the audiences have changed from the 1970's onward?
No, not really. Popular music has changed but back in the 70s when disco reared its ugly head we kept rocking, just like we continue to do now, regardless of what the popular norm may be.
One of your songs is called "Wino"- have you had some troubles with alcohol over the years?
No, nothing too dramatic anyway. The song is pretty cool though and it really hurts when we play it. Poor devil!
What lies in the future for the band?
I'm in the process of doing a blitz of media to regional colleges hoping to get enough airplay to enable us to get some gigs booked with our buddy Rocky Rude at the Knobs, showing the kids how us old guys roll. Who knows, maybe they would dig it?
Any stories about playing live or being on tour?
We really do enjoy working together STILL. In fact, July 22, 2011, JPT Scare Band played our first concert in 38 years. It was an incredible event for us and for those who came out to support us. They seemed to really dig what we were doing up there. Lots of noise between verses and songs. It's hard to hide real enthusiasm and it fed into what we were doing up there on stage. After it was all said and done I talked with Terry and Jeff about their experience up there in front of a crowd and we shared a similar story of having a very surreal experience. It had been so long since we had an opportunity to perform that we were all up there pinching ourselves for the first few songs. It just didn't feel real! It felt very psychedelic however, all of us fell into that place where our brand of madness tends to arise.
Interview by Adam Walsh Hello Pacior and thank you for your time. The new album is called "Sorry Eye", what's motivation behind that title?
Album is titled after one of the songs. It's not a common phrase, it's just a combination of words that somehow correspond to the lyrics in that tune - a piece about a despised guy, that everyone feels sorry for. We found it to be unusual enough for an album name.
You guys have a lot of different influences apparent in your music, what bands inspire you, old and new?
It's hard to pick just a few of them, really. Kyuss is an obvious choice, and all the stuff they did separately, after splitting up. Stoner/fuzz rock scene, bands like Fu Manchu, Dozer, Clutch and so on. Some late 80's/ early 90's alternative rock, like The Afghan Whigs, Helmet, Sonic Youth, Melvins, 16 Horsepower. Older bands like Budgie (amazing riffs and my personal favourite 70's band), Hawkwind.
I don't hear much music coming out of Poland, what bands have you shared the stage with or should we know about, is there a big scene there?
Well, Poland is mostly associated with heavier stuff, great "big" metal bands like Behemoth, Vader, Decapitated, there's also a very strong post rock/metal scene, but when it comes to stoner, fuzz or rock music in general, we're still pretty much in the underground. But for two or three years now the scene is growing rapidly. We all try to keep in touch, and that's also pretty cool. Some bands that are definetly worth mentioning: Blindead (more post rock and sludge oriented) Psychollywood, Octopussy (Dziablas's other band) Vagitarians, Satellite Beaver, Major Kong, Elvis Deluxe, Luna Negra...to name a few, and we've shared the stage with most of them.
Most embarrassing/worst gig?
Once we've waited too long for our turn to play, and our bass player drank about 6 or 7 beers (in Poland they're twice stronger than in the States) - he was having trouble keeping himself straight, and at one point dropped his bass on the floor. But it was all good, clean fun, and I can't say we were embarrassed back then.
Best gig?
Recently, release party for The Sorry Eye - we've headlined the show,a lot of people came and everyone had a blast. Basically, gigs close to our home town are mostly really great, we have our audience, that we can always count on, sometimes they sing the lyrics with us. It feels good.
The track "Pull in Like a Black Hole" off of the first EP is one of my favorite tunes. What was the inspiration behind that song/writing process, or the process you guys use for all of your song writing?
Thanks! When we wrote songs that ended up on the EP, we mostly worked on the riffs and vocals individually at home. Then we brushed it up in our rehearsal space, and arranged it together. When it comes to "Pull In...", I remember that Dziablas came up with the bass riff first, but we couldn't take it any further for a long time. One day I was just improvising stuff over that part, and accidently grabbed a slide. I recorded my part over the bass line, and it basically inspired Dziablas to write the chorus and verses for the song, in one evening.
We took a different approach with "The Sorry Eye", one night we just jammed a lot, and recorded everything, and then we took the best parts out of our jams and turned it into songs. 90% of the album was written together in our rehearsal space.
How long did it take to record "The Sorry Eye"?
Recording drums took about 2 days, guitars and bass about 5 days, same as vocals.
"The Sorry Eye" has a real epic feel to it, and the production is top notch. Where was it recorded, and what kind of equipment do you guys use?
Thanks again! We recorded, mixed and mastered it at Sounds Great Promotion studio in Gdynia. Dziablas works there as a recording engineer, and he did all the tracking for the album. We used a "vintage" approach to recording - most of the drum sound comes from just two microphones, we also used some really old mics for recording guitar and bass. We used Gibson Les Paul guitar through 1978 Marshall JMP and Orange Rocker amps, Fender Precision Bass and Premier drumset. Most of the work was done by our friend and owner of the studio, Kikut, who mixed and mastered the album. He used modern pre-amps and consoles, but for mixing he "compressed" all of the separate tracks into just four, and that really made a huge impact on the sound of the album.
A lot of bands from around the world sometimes sing in their mother tongue, is there a reason u choose to sing in English over your native tongue?
That's true - we obviously play for Polish audience, mostly, and sometimes we face the accusations of being "false", by not singing in our mother tongue. I don't agree with that at all. There are several reasons why we sing in English. First of all, we feel that it fits our music best. We treat rock music as a heritage of English and American culture, and English language is a part of that heritage, just like the electric guitar. Playing stoner rock with Polish lyrics would be just weird to us.
Dziablas is quite fluent in English, his foreign accent is not so distinctive, so we think it sounds natural and not forced. We've heard the opinions from native speakers, that he sounds like an American, so that's pretty cool. Hopefully, we can reach out to much bigger audience that way. Maybe someday we'll be in the same league as Dozer or Truckfighters - and I don't think they'd achieve what they did, if they had their lyrics in native Swedish.
If you had one wish what would it be?
To be filthy fucking rich...then we could rent a nightliner and tour Europe and the States, just for fun...
Where do you see yourself(s) in 5 years?
On a USA tour in a nightliner, hopefully. But more realistic, recording our fourth or fifth album, maybe with backup from a good label, and gigging - a lot.
Do you guys make enough to survive playing music, or do you have day jobs? If so, what are they?
Today, when music comes free with an Internet connection, it's really hard to do. Right now we do it only part-time, and we're happy when the band's profits can balance the expenses. We all have day jobs, Dziablas works as a recording engineer and graphic designer, Seba is a sales specialist, and I'm a civil engineer.
Favorite expression/swear words?
Polish is a really beautiful language when it comes to swearing, and a simple "kurwa"(whore) or "jebac"(fuck) can have a lot of different meanings, depending on the context. I don't think I could ever pick just a few of them
Previous bands, members have been in?
Mostly just loose, no-name projects - Broken Betty is our first more serious band.
If you could tour with any band in the world, which would it be?
Tough choice...I'd probably go for the Melvins or Helmet - we idolize them and yet they seem to be very cool and down to earth guys, so it might be fun.
This last position is reserved for you to say anything you'd like to. Rant, rave or vent.
Thanks a lot for the interview, and thanks for taking the time to check us out. We can promise some new material, sooner than you expect, so be sure to keep us on the radar!
Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer these questions; I love the new album. Good luck to you guys!!
HeavyRock from Italy
Void Generator - Message From The Galactic Federation (edit)
Interviewed by Tobias Beament
Tobbe -Hi guys! Can you introduce yourselves? Sonia: Hi all! Well, what may I say? I play bass guitar since I was 12, at the beginning (in the 90s) I tried many genres, especially with post rock and progressive bands, and then, at the end of that decade, I started to improve my experimental side with electronic equipment (Roland JD800 and others). Year by year, I kept listening to German cosmic music as an inner soundtrack for my musical needs, until I reached a clear vision about what I wanted to do with my instrument and music in general. At that point, I founded Void Generator with Gianmarco. GM: Yeah, many years ago Sonia was a keyboardist and a former member of the band. I am guitar teacher here in Italy but I do another 'official' job that I prefer not to mention here, too far from music! I am the guitarist and the vocals too are mine on the last record. Cristiano is the keyboardist and Marco the Drummer, they are far from home at the moment and I am answering in behalf of them as you can see...
Tobbe - When did you start off as a band, and have you had the same members since the start? Sonia: As I've just told, I'm a founder of the group since 1996. GM: There have been many drummers, 4 if I don't get wrong, Marco is the last one since we started many years ago. We even had some guys on bass, well; in short, I am the only one from the beginning. Sonia: At the beginning, there was another keyboardist beside me, his name was Massimo...He played in the first two VG albums.
Tobbe - How many albums have been made so far? GM: Some early compilation, our first eponymous ep (2004 - 4 tracks, almost unavailable), a full length named We Have Found the Space (2006) and our last Phantom Hell and Soar Angelic here reviewed. We are going to appear on an American compilation from 272 Records with our 'classic' Sidereal Connection and more things are to come for the new album. Sonia:I played bass into VG track "God Of The Space" for the first compilation called "Fuori dal Centro" for Fluido Distribuzioni; it was in 1996, then I went away for 10 long years to follow my intellectual carrier and, at the end of this period, there has been our reunion as co-founders in the late 2006, when Gabriele, Maurizio and Massimo split off; the year after, we worked to the musical material that would have formed Phantom Hell And Soar Angelic. The CD, in which I play bass guitar, was published, at least, on May the 6th 2010. Now an EP called Collision is about to be published, with a lot of guest musicians in it... GM: yez, Collision is just a new ep of 2 songs made with a live track and an old recording - something different from the Phantom. We felt something different and wanted to publish that as an independent release. I think we'll do more things this way in the future.
Tobbe - What equipment do you use? GM: A plethora of vintage instruments, from Sunn O))) to Fender, Marshall, Hiwatt and a couple of beasts speakers named Dragoon. Many effects like space echo and old synths like MS-10, surely I am forgetting something. Ah, Gibson guitars, of course. Sonia: I've been using for a long time a Warwick Corvette bass; now I'm playing a 1978 Fender Jazz Bass, with a Fulltone modified bass distortion pedal (USA imported), Ampeg and Sunn O))) amplifier. Cristiano plays Minimoog too.
Tobbe - Have you got good response of the new album? GM: Many very good reviews all over the world, and a good response from the market, radio broadcasting here in Italy, USA and Russia too. Sonia: Silence means wonder: our fans, during the listening of the album, must have pronounced lots of "...!!!"...
Tobbe - I'm curious about one thing. Why is the last track on "phantom hell" hidden/untitled? GM: well, we discussed a lot if we could put it or not on the album so we settled down the question trying to create a sort of surprise; just think about the attack of the song: this is the main reason. We wanted to create an excess all over the Phantom, matey...The title is not so significant as the emotion, the feeling. Sonia:the main declared reason was to destroy every kind of stereo hi fi because of the unexpected guitar/bass/drums explosion at the third minute...
Tobbe - Have you ever played outside of Italy GM: Nope, we had more than a chance but it is difficult because of the low budget many have, and we are not so young anymore...
Tobbe - You are looking for gigs in Europe (or worldwide?) for the moment, any success? Sonia:As Gianmarco told, we received many invitations, maybe in summer...
Tobbe - Are you happy with your record label? Sonia: Of course: it's ours!!! We do what we want in it! We don't have to follow any command by anyone; we freely compose the music we play. There are lots of other musical productions in this project too, check it out at www.phonosphera.com...
Tobbe - Do you pay for the studio costs yourselves, or does your label pay for it? GM: He He! Yes, we have many instruments and collaboration that allows us to drastically reduce costs.
Tobbe - What influences do you have, and what music did you grew up to? GM: Ehm, all the seventies, hard rock, heavy metal, space, prog, electronic, stoner, avant...and so on. Sonia: I grew up with Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Can, the polyphonic Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd, Amon Duul, Genesis...Cosmic, krautrock, electronic, psychedelia and progressive over all. Nowadays, I exercise myself into a meta-analytic style of listening about contemporary classical: my favorite ones are Penderecki, Gorecki, Takemitsu, Part, Berio and, of course, Stockhausen.
Tobbe - Any hobbies (besides the music), families, jobs etc. ? Sonia: I write about poetry, literature and philosophy, studies in which I spent the most of my life. My personal blog is http://criticaimpura.wordpress.com/ . If you want to keep in touch with me and get a look....In my life, I'm a teacher. I love wandering throughout artistic places such as museums and churches and I adore dogs. GM: I am a pusher of...music, this is my hobby...
Tobbe - Is Italy a good country to live in musically or in general? GM: Is still there something for which Italy is fine? let me see...food, sun, then sun, food...and so on. That's all, I think. Sonia: for many reasons, musical, political, social, absolutely NO! My only consolations as an Italian are Caravaggio...And Carlo Emilio Gadda.
Tobbe - Any future plans? Sonia: Steve Jobs docet: I want to stay hungry, stay foolish...And keep playing, writing, living the Beauty I see all around myself with all my heart. GM: A new album and more live acts.
Tobbe - The floor is open, is there anything you would like to add? Sonia: Another brick on the floor... (!?!)
Tobbe - Thanks for the interview...I wish you all the luck! Sonia: thanks to you!!! See you soon mate! GM: You are officially invited to the sunny Italy for...food! What are you thinking about...?!
HeavyRock from Sweden
The Graviators - Storm Of Creation
Interviewed by Matt Frighetto
Matt - G'day guys, can we start with giving a brief description on how you guys met and what's been happening to date?
Hi Matt! -Martin & Johan grew up together and have known each-other forever and sometimes even get mistaken for brothers. We all come from the same place in the south (woods) of Sweden so we've known each other for quite some time. Martin and Niklas started to collaborate and recorded some songs between 2007 and 2009. Things were moving along pretty slowly when suddenly Transubstans Records contacted us after hearing a demo of the song Back to the sabbath and offered us a record deal. We became a four piece in early 2009, recorded the album in july and in august the video for Back to the Sabbath was shot. Tomas Tjader did a wonderful job on that one. Check it out on youtube!
Matt - the Record has fantastic production, where did you record it,how long did it take to record and was it costly?
We recorded in a studio called Sound Palace which is basically located in our backyard. Not literally, but it's located in the middle of the woods where we grew up. That's a big part of why we chose that particular studio, because it felt like home. Also the guys who ran it had a good reputation and we were familiar with their work. All in all we were there for about two weeks and it cost us dearly! (laughter)
Matt - Can you tell us about the label you are on Transubstans Records?
Transubstans is a label that has a great love for 70's rock and Doom Metal. They are based in the south of Sweden (Skane). We reminded them of Pentagram and that's basically how we wound up on their roster. We are obviously very flattered by this comparison and we couldn't be happier with them!
Matt - What is The Graviators song writing process?
The song writing process is usually Martin and Niklas getting together and magic happens! Both provide riffs and work out vocal melodies. Lyrics are divided up between Martin, Johan & Niklas. We could get into a whole page of who wrote what but if you buy the album it's all credited in the booklet. We all agree that the drummer does nothing! Ha Ha!
Matt - You guys have a massive yet vintage sound, what equipment do you guys use?
Martin uses a 100W Marshall Superlead from 1973 along with a Gibson SG. Johan uses Orange amplification and a Fender Jaguar. Henrik uses Ludwig Classic Maple drums. Niklas uses a SM 57.
Matt - I guess it's easy to pigeon hole bands and put them in genres, but what are your main influences and how would you describe your brand of rock?
We have alot of influences. Everything from Pentagram and Black Sabbath to Italian movie music, to great new bands like Swedens finest and label mates, Graveyard. We don't like to be tagged as a stoner band. There's more to our music than that. Call it heavy 70's influenced groovy rock or whatever. It's up to the listener to decide what to call us. Hopefully they think it's groovy, heavy and cool. We'll settle for that!
Matt - I guess you be pretty busy promoting record at this stage, what's the plan for tours etc?
Our dream is to get out there on the road and tour like crazy and live off of it. But we don't have a booking agency yet, so let's see what the future has in store for us.
Matt - Is The Graviators your only project or do you guys have other bands?
Niklas and Martin has a band called Nymf, and they're releasing their debut on Tranubstans in September. Henrik has a psychobilly band called Mondo Trasho and is also about to launch a country music band. He's a good ol' country boy!
Matt - Is music your lives or you guys work? If so what youguys do for work?
We can't make a living off of our music. Niklas is a nurse assistant. Martin works as a caretaker at a home for people with all types of psychological disorders. Johan is a kindergarten teacher and Henrik works as a machine operator in stainless steel.
Matt- How do you see the current music scene? Do you guys catch many new bands coming up the ranks?
We try to, but we're mostly into the old stuff. 60's and 70's music. When music meant something. It's a lifestyle for us.
Matt - Who would you recommend checking out that you have heard lately?
We're four individuals that listen to different music but as a collective we can recommend our Swedish friends Graveyard. They sound vintage, they look vintage. Their music is real and pure, and will probably blow your mind.
Matt - What's playing in The Graviators stereo at the moment?
Henrik's stereo is full of country. Gram Parsons, The Byrds (Sweetheart of the rodeo) Merle Haggard, George Jones, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Dillard & Clark etc. Johan always listens to Hawkwind. Martin is into Mastodons "Crack the Skye" and various progrsessive 70's bands. Niklas is listening to old school doom!
Matt - What can people expect when they catch Graviators Live?
They can expect to be run over by a runaway freight train! It's always a joy for us to be on stage and that's something that we want to share with our audience. We will take you on a journey, and it will leave you happy, and you can't wait to get on it again. You are the deer, we are the headlights!
Matt - What's the best Graviators gig so far?
The best gig we ever did was at the party celebrating the release of our record. Our label was there, they loved it, and it was just beautiful! We had great sound and we were very well rehearsed. Everybody had a great time!
Matt - What was the worst?
Our worst was probably at a local festival. We showed up right two minutes before ShowTime, some of us nursing a hangover from hell. Martin busted a string in the middle of a song so everything came to an awkward halt, and we got cut short. "Sorry guys, you're out of time". No shit. Another time, we played a gig, and there were 7 people in the audience. Or the drummer busts the kick drum head. But we've had more successful gigs than disastrous, that's for sure! Sometimes circumstances or twist of luck gets the better of you.
Matt - Given chance to jam with anyone dead or alive to form a supergroup who would that consist of?
We'll jam with anyone, dead or alive, as long as it brings us joy, experience and/or beer! Henrik: Actually, the biggest reason I joined the Graviators was that I have always wanted to jam with Martin. He's as good as they come and I had already been in a band with Johan seven years earlier, so I'm already in my supergroup!
Matt - What's the plan for the future?
The plan is to grow as musicians, write better and better music, and above all: Get out there and play for all of you lovers of real music!
Matt - Any Last words before I wrap this up?
Yeah, be on the lookout for a sophomore effort from us later this year. We'll keep you posted on our MySpace page!
Matt - Thanks so much for your time, your new record slays and wish you all the best for it in the future...
It's been a pleasure. Thank you Matt! All the best.
StonerRocK from France
Coffin On Tyres - Time Machine
Interviewed by Matt Frighetto Matt - G'day guys, can we start with giving a brief description on how you guys met and what's been happening to date?
Bapt: Hi Matt. In June, 2008, I contacted Fab via Myspace. His on-line compos got my blood flowing. We hit it off right from the start and looked for other musicians to complete the band. In February, 2009, Coffin On Tyres was formed and ready to work, compose and record with Geoff as singer, Sylvano behind the drums, Matz on bass and Fab and me on guitars. We didn't know each other before. Fab: Like at the beginning of all bands, it took a long time to form a pack. Being a good musician isn't enough, there must be good vibes between all the members. On this level, we're all on the same page- good vibes and good music. Geoff: as for me, I had posted an ad on a well known music site. Matz told me about it and suggested I audition. Things went very naturally and smoothly. Everything seemed to fall into place. Sylvano: Before meeting Geoff, the very first stuff we played was "Green Machine "from Kyuss... we were really into it hardcore, with the same urge for energy and volume. The same thing took place when Geoff arrived. I think this common need for energy helped create our chemistry. Matz: As soon as I listened to the songs, I signed on immediately, it was obvious for me.
Matt - Your new record "RED" Is a Musical Masterpiece where did you guys recorded and when?
Matz: Masterpiece ? ... Wow thanks man !!!! It's cool that you like it. "Red" album is an important stage in the Coffin On Tyres young life... The recording and the mix took place over several months, from July till October, 2009, during weekends. Without money or equipment it was really hard to produce the album ourselves, but Fabien hooked us up with a studio outside Paris and then we had to try to juggle everyone's schedule to record on the weekends. At the very beginning, we had just planned to record a demo and, quickly, the conditions and motivations were there, so we decided to make it into a 'real' album.
Sylvano/ Fab and Bapt were the "conductors" from the beginning to the end. Geoff, Matz and I were here to validate the artistic choices. Geoff: It was a really fulfilling and exciting experience; taking part in all parts of the recording process allowed us to feel deeply implicated in the creation, not only of the album, but also the Coffin on Tyres experience. Fab and Bapt are very instinctive and hardworking, their talent was essential during the prod.
Matt - Was it expensive to Record and was it Self Funded?
Sylvano: As for myself, I paid for burgers!! Now that you mention it, you owe me 5 bucks each, muthafuckas! Bapt: If we had to calculate the work which we put in to produce "Red", we wouldn't have been able to do it. That's the good part about it being 100 per cent autoproduced. So, we didn't even have to bang anyone to get what we needed, such a fuckin' pity... Geoff: Yep, it's a pity but it isn't like we didn't try! Seriously though, we didn't break the bank, but that doesn't mean you should download us illegally, guys! Matz: Or at least come to our concerts to buy a T-shirt! ... or an awesome mug !!
Matt- Is "RED" a Self Release or Are you guys planning to shop it around and see if any Labels bite?
Geoff: Yes, we are going to sell it on the internet, there are some sites which take the risk of selling autoproductions, and during our future concerts. If a Label is interested in our music and our universe, we are ready if, naturally, the conditions are clear for everybody. Sylvano: We're totally open to a record deal. But we're gonna do all that we can to spread the music and try to sell it however we can. Fab: We all know that it's probably not possible to live off our music. So, find a Label, why not, but our priority is to do what we really want to do- make music and have fun. It's exactly what we've done with "Red".
Matt - What is Coffin on Tyres song writing process?
Bapt: We usually start with bass or guitar riffs most of the time. But, on "Red", we more or less created new songs with a heavy Coffin On Tyres feeling from bits and pieces Fab and I came up with previously. Everybody plays a part somehow or other in the songwriting. Geoff: According to the songs, the method changes a little bit, but in general, the vocals are especially guided by the drum patterns and the progressive side of Sylvano. At least that's how I see it. Fab: It's really funny to listen to older versions of certain songs. That's when we can really tell that each musician brings their own personal touch to the song, and things really come together. Matz: Songs like Winter of Life or Mexican Standoff were directly brought on by Fab and Bapt. Nevertheless, Safe Place, for instance, came about during a jam session. At the end of two hours, it was a done deal. I should add that the vocals were added last and many songs took quite another dimension when Geoff put the melody on.
Matt - You guys have a unique sound, What Equipment do you guys use?
Bapt: That reminds me my small vintage amplifiers which went up in flames in recording session. He would have been almost 40 years old today and we experienced some beautiful things together : R.I.P. Randy (it was its nickname) ... Actually we do what we can with what we've got. The recording session was just what we needed for what we had to do. Fab: For myself, I play on a semi hollowboby electric guitar and a small polish hand-made amplifier sent in a huge 2x12. Other than that... nothing very exotic: wha, fuzz, delay and tremolo Matz: I also played on several bass guitars to go with the various atmospheres of the songs. The whole sprinkled with Big Muff, of course. Sylvano: The sound of the drums was strengthened during the mix. Otherwise, I play a French brand of cymbals, Velvet. They give a powerful and rich harmonic sound that go well with the songs.
Matt - You guys have a distinct French sound; I think back to the late 90's a lot of bands who were on "Water dragon" Records and so forth, what are your main influences to produce this great sound?
Bapt: Ahhh dammit !! We wanted to sound like Red Necks, dude!! ehehe.. In fact, what you say is funny cause our main influences are rather american and scandinavian: Hermano, Clutch, Brant Bjork and the Bros, Nebula, Monster Magnet, EODM, Spiritual Beggars, Honcho, Down, QOTSA, Masters of Reality, Dozer and " globally " all the Sons of Kyuss! However, on this album, we really wanted to give a sound identity to the group. We see it like a rough draft, a test in laboratory to see what we are able to create all together, in the same room. Geoff: It also amazes me that you find that we've got a " frenchy " sound. Sure, most French rock bands have a recognizable sound, but I think that we veer away from it, especially on the combo Bass / Drums. Fab: We wanted a pure sound, without too much embellishment. Gotta think outside of the box. What influences me is the sound of the 60's. The Beatles, Hendrix, the first Lynyrd Skynyrd stuffes, etc. These guys didn't have any technical equipment like we have now and couldn't "cheat". The imperfection is a part of the sound. I think it's like that we make a song live... This french sound, we did not look for it. During the mix, we just did our best with what we had.
Matt - Do you guys get many gigs; have you been gigging for a while?
Bapt: Coffin On Tyres is a very young band and for the moment we've been focusing mainly on the writing and recording. We've jumped at the chance for a few gigs, we wanted to see if our sound could make the stoners headbang, and it was a fuckin' experience, man! Geoff: We haven' t had a lot of gigs, but, the ones we did were cool. It was awesome to go on stage for the first time with a band and realize that, without having prepared too much, everything works and everything is coherent. Personally, it's the first time that I've experienced something like it. Sylvano: The feedback we've gotten has been really rewarding, I think that the stage experiences of each C.O.T. musician is significant. But it's really what we miss most now, we want to go on stage! Now that the album is almost finished, we have a fucking hell of a gig hunger! Matz: We're looking forward the album to come out in order to back it up with blood sweat and tears on stage, to see how it sounds live and, of course, to know what the people will think of it.
Matt - Any Bands you guys have supported we might know?
Sylvano: Not yet but we hope it'll come soon ! Matz: We' ve played with a celtic stoner band named Stangala.
Matt - Any Bands you guys could recommend checking out who are from your area?
Matz: There are very good bands which have been out for a few years now. I think in particular of ZOE, Mudweiser, Glowsun, OFO of Am (the fans of Planetfuzz know) and obviously, others and others Sylvano: Hangman's Chair, the OXP experience
Matt - What was your best gig to date?
Bapt: Le Caveau in Paris. Fuckin' awesome atmosphere on stage and down in the audience. Geoff: It was in a small basement of a bar, the conditions weren't great but there was something ... There was a fuckin' tension in the room, an almost tangible energy, even though few people knew the songs. Sylvano: I'm right on with Geoff ! Matz: My fondest memory was of our very first concert, we drove 1200 kilometers in order to play 45 minutes and it was awesome! Then, we have celebrated it as it would be! Yep! Fab: As Matz, playing 600km far from Paris, being five people in two cars with guitars on your knees and amplifiers behind was monumental. How far is France from Australia?
Matt - And your worst?
Bapt: Matz: For now-....nothing ! Sylvano: Even if I liked our first gig, I was sick as a fuckin' dog and I puked all night, so, it wasn't the funniest party, man !
Matt - Given chance to jam with anyone dead or alive to form a supergroup who would that consist of?
Geoff: I would be interested in a side project with Danny Carey, Tool drummer, and Trey Spruance from Mr. Bungle. Hell Yeah ! Sylvano: Tom Morello, John Paul Jones and... Jim Morrison ?
Matt - Have you guys played in other bands before Coffin On Tyres? Also are you guys in any other bands outside the Coffin On Tyres?
Bapt: I played several years in Bangcock (Indus) as guitarist and now I also play in Big Ground Kick aka BGK (Indus) a kind of reformation of Bangcock. Geoff: I played in quite a lot of bands for several years. Projects of mine and " collaborations " with others, mainly on bass and sometimes on vocals; mainly metal / gothic type things like Locked and Twitch and jazz bands as Hooaah Corporation or Axoloth... I also played with Flaming Pussy, a girls band with whom we played electro/pop with metal tones. Now, I've played for several years with The Marshmallow Dykes, we already have an album and a maxi. It is very different from C.O.T. (much more second degree) we call that "Black Surf", see what that evokes to you ... I am on a new project with my buddy Arnaud, that is called Drown in Emptyness (DIE), a very dark and very hypnotic sound, but we are still composing. Finally, another one with Rascal, Marshmallow Dykes drummer, named Dead Inside Project. Lot of works ! Sylvano: Quite a lot of bands in the past. Today I also play with Contreband, a french rock band. We have autoproduced an album, Le Cauchemar de Kipling, which is about to come out. Fab: I played in two or three bands before Coffin On Tyres but I never put my heart in it as much as now. With my job and the band, I wouldn't even have time to take up a solo project! Matz: Idem. I played in about ten bands (metal, hard rock, etc.) as guitarist, singer, bass player before joining Coffin On Tyres. This time, it's well done, Buddy !
Matt - What is in the Coffin Stereo at the moment?
Bapt: Lots of Clutch, The Atomic Bitchwax, Them Crooked Vultures ..........
Geoff/ For the moment, I'm into Kyuss, Mark Lanegan and...Dire Straits (sometimes, things are hard to explain...) Sylvano: House of Broken Promises, Tool, Them Crooked Vultures, Coffin on Tyres. Fab: Them Crooked Vultures (they rules !!!), The Doors, Rage against The Machine (for ever !) and some songs of Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Hendrix, etc... Matz: Mr. Plow (it kicks !!), House of Broken Promises and Black Mountain (album "In the Future") but my playlist changes every week.
Matt - What hobbies do you guys have outside of music?
Bapt: I like drinking with my buddies ...Getting wasted! Geoff: Idem. I like good food too. Fab: C.O.T. is my favorite hobby ! Matz: Drinking, eating, wine, snowboarding...sheep. Sylvano: I love erotic stamps...
Matt - Is music your lives or you guys work? If so what you guys do for work?
Bapt: I'm a sound engineer Geoff: I worked in broadcasting and as a manager of theater. For the moment, I dedicate my time to music. Sylvano: I work in IT. But as many amateur and fascinated musicians, I wish I could live on music. Fab: I am an assistant in a recording studio, that's how we were able to record "Red" for cheap. Matz: I'm looking for job as engineer in micro and nanotechnologies. Can someone help me please ?
Matt - Any last words to the readers?
Bapt: Keep on fuzzin' Geoff: I hope people will enjoy listening to " Red " and will succeed in finding the light at the end of the tunnel...but no that's not a sex reference ! Sylvano: Thanks for surfing webzines like Planetfuzz who are there for the cause ! Come to visit our myspace, and hope to have a beer with you after a gig ! Fab: Thanks for your interest. Hope you'll headbang to " french stoner " music! Matz: Enjoy stoner,and keep in touch with us.
Matt - What is the plans for the Future? Where do you see Coffin on Tyres a year from now?
Bapt: A new album, tons of gigs and if we still enjoy playing together, it will be perfect ! Geoff: We are proud of our brand new album and we want to play it live everywhere as long as possible. After that ... well... again. Sylvano: Gigs, gigs and gigs. I see a new recording, maybe a Label also. Matz: Yep, full of concerts everywhere in France, in Europe even farther. As for myself, I shall really like participating some day to the DunaJam or the Roadburn, that has to be a beautiful experience !
Matt - Finally I just want to say a big thank you for sending over this truly RAD record "RED". I wish you all the success in the future and hope you guys venture Down Under some time real soon...
Coffin On Tyres: Matt, Thank you very much for your interest in our music and for all the good work supplied on PlanetFuzz: long life to you, hope to see you soon in Australia maybe ! Cheers man !
When was Cosmic Trip Machine formed and what brought the members of the group together?
Will Z.: It was in early 2008. Majnun and I played together in a band.We planned to record an album at NoHype Studio, but the group split up. The day it happened, we made two decisions, we decided to carry on alone because the studio was booked and we found the Cosmic Trip Machine name, rummaging through my records.
Could you name some of your influences in music and film?
Majnun: We are horror, exploitation and B-movies fans. We love movies like Wicker Man, Suspiria, More and The Holy Mountain to name a very few, including their soundtrack. Morricone 70's giallo music is another inspiration.
Could you tell us about Vampyros Roussos. Was it intended to be a concept album like Lord Space Devil?
Will Z.: The funny thing is Lord Space Devil wasn’t intended to be a concept album first. The first idea was to record two separate EP. Majnun had some musical concepts and I had Lord Space Devil, a never-completed project started in December 2000. Quickly, we discovered the songs sound great melted into and make a good LP: the concept came after. It was the opposite for Vampyros Roussos. Since the beginning, this album was an imaginary soundtrack to an unmade film.
Are the members of the group inspired by occult subjects?
Will Z.: It intrigues me how the brain is fascinated with the mysterious and the unknown. It’s pure philosophy and poetry.
Majnun: I'm interested by the way people try to reach different states of consciousness and by the strength of the will.
Do you improvise during your performances and do you enjoy playing live, giving the audience and light show-visuals?
Majnun: We improvise a lot during our shows : that's a good way to find new ideas for others future projects and something very natural to do, trying to connect with others and yourself.
What future projects are planned?
Will Z.: Two versions (CD & LP) of our third album, The Curse of Lord Space Devil, will be released, during December, on the great Nasoni Records label, so we’re very excited. We’re touring with a formula we called Kosmische Kraut Maschine, devoted to the experimental rock scene appeared in Germany during the sixties, with vintage drum machine sounds (the Harmonia and Kraftwerk one), Moog, organ, mellotron and glissando guitar. We have recorded a new version of Mantra song (on Lord Space Devil album) for a psychedelic compilation with only Belgian bands. We’ll begin to record our fourth album during December.
Is there currently an interest in psychedelia from the 60's, and what makes this music so popular, that it survives to this day?
Majnun: Well, personally, I'm not involved enough into today musical scene to tell you if there's a big interest in psychedelia, but I can tell you this music pass the test of time. Curious and music lovers will always find something in there. It has such a unique vibe and attitude.
Why do you combine an interest in film and music?
Will Z.: We have a cinematographic approach. Our music evokes images to our listeners.
Majnun: It seems natural to us. All the things you are come to light when you play music.
Do you enjoy the films of such directors as Alejandro Jodorowsky and what you may call «trip» film that provides the audience with a trip-like feeling?
Will Z.: Yes, and that’s why our music is heavily influenced by this kind of movies. Lord Space Devil had strong references to giallo, western and horror B movies. Vampyros Roussos was an imaginary 70's psychedelic erotic horror soundtrack inspired by Vampyros Lesbos, Psych-Out, Suspiria, Carnival of Souls, The Holy Mountain and many more.
Majnun: Jodorowsky is a great inspiration to us, with also El Topo. A true master in visual arts.
Could you give us a list of your favorite albums of all-time?
Will Z.: It’s a difficult question because there are so many albums I love… Pink Floyd, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn / Beatles, Abbey Road / Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath / Love, Forever Changes / Zombies,
Odessey and Oracle / Magma, Mekanik Destruktiw Kommando / Led Zeppelin, IV / Pretty Things, SF Sorrow / Beach Boys, Smile / Gong, Camembert Électrique / Doors, Waiting for the Sun / Can Am Des Puig,
Book of AM / Analogy, Analogy / Ramases, Space Hymns / Frank Zappa, Läther / Miles Davis, In a Silent Way … and hundreds more !
Majnun: Mahavishnu Orchestra, Inner Mounting Flame & Birds Of Fire / Led Zeppelin, I & IV / Miles Davis, Bitches brew / Deep Purple, In Rock /Jethro Tull, Thick As A Brick / Cream, Disreali Gears / Magma, MDK / Frank Zappa, Overnight Sensation
What's it like to be back together and on the road after 8 years?
Rob: It's cool, nothing has really changed, except we have removed a couple of chemicals, and it makes a lot more sense without those chemicals
Why did you actually break up back in 2001?
Rob: Mainly because of us mixing chemicals together, and some didn't mix well and shit blew up. I didn't realize until a year after that we broke up, honestly (laughs) and that's true.
Are all 3 of you living in the same city now?
Rob: We don't know..Since we got back together it's doesn't seem like anybody is living anywhere, we're on the road, it's difficult to explain. We live in different cities i guess.
You must be working on a new album, I think I've heard 3 new songs there! Is it gonna be similar to the previous albums?
Rob: Yeah! Well that's a weird question cause I don't think anything has changed with us 3 musically, you know, we all like what we like. It's gonna be Karma to Burn.
We've been fucking around with the recording and it's been going really cool, it sounds the way we want it to sound!
When do you guys plan to release the new album and when are you going into the studio?
Rob:Oh my god, sometime in 2010, probably around april, april-isch..We were in the studio right before we came out here.
What about other bands you guys have been playing in the last couple of years, might that give problems for Karma To Burn?
Rob: No. We don't really think about it too much I guess, we just play and everything works out the way its supposed to work out. We try not to think too much about the future 'cause there's enough shit to do right now. Playing with other bands was a learning experience, you know, I haven't killed anybody. And this what we're doing is really effortless, it's real easy to do.
I heard something about Will doing a project with The Sons Of The Alpha Centauri, what can you tell about that?
Rob: Yea he recorded with them! I think it was 1 or 2 years ago. He went over to the UK and did some recordings, like a collaboration, they wrote some songs together. Back in june-july of this year we played with them.
When was the last time you were in Europe?
Rob: We were here in June-July, so I'm really happy to be back. We played at Duna Jam, that was amazing! It was like nothing I've ever experienced, it was in the middle of nowhere , beautiful, 150 people there, all there to see the music. It was like a vacation. It was kinda bizarre 'cause that's how we started the tour. Probably one of the coolest places I've ever been, we played on the beach which was great!
Stoned from the Underground was really cool too, nothing like Duna Jam, it's not a festival, it's basically like a houseparty in the middle of nowhere, it's really low key, hard to describe.
Any news about the next European tour?
Rob: Yea, I love Europe, we plan on coming back around April 2010. I always have a better time in Europe (laughs)
Any final thoughts for the readers of Planetfuzz?
Rob: Yea I wanna thank everybody for their support, it's been a blast seeing old friends, and it's been a blast meeting new fans, really cool, really happy to be doing this.
StonerRocK from Sweden
Ponamero Sundown - Live The Lie
Interview by Tobias Beament
hi guys... identify yourselves!
Anders: Guitarist... That's it I guess.
Oliver: Male, caucasian. Play 4 thick strings and carry ten fingers
Peter: My id has expired nowadays so I'm a bit lost. Do I exist or do I not? Or am I just
ironic... Oh well, I used to be a gentleman with the ambition of finding the perfect resonance
of a drumhead......so I guess that still stands.
Nicke: Singer and sexsymbol.
When did you start as a band?
Anders, Peter and Ola (Our former bass player who left the band a couple of months before
the album was released) had previously played in a band for little more than a year and a half.
But that band was mostly filled with arguments and strong stubborn opinions than a healthy
musical atmosphere back then. I don't think that we even did a single gig with that band. And
after we broke up, the three of us decided to continue down a more rock-orientated road.
Everything just fell to place at once when Nicke joined the band and within a year we had
released three demos and played our first gigs.
Oliver(Most recent member) - I was originally intended jump in for a live gig in Lindesberg.
Nicke, whom I had a history together with in thrashmetal outfit Stressfest a few years back
gave me a call one day and asked for the favour. I was working on a solo project at
home(Still am), hadn't been in a band for almost a year and most of all hadn't performed live
in two years(which is quite depressing) I didn't hesitate for second!
The vibes were great, the guys are great and so I asked if I could stay.
What equipment to you use?
Oliver: ESP EC-254AT Black, Warwick Streamer Stage One 1986 Fretless(Couldn't afford
frets...). Hughes and Kettner & Trace Elliot amps.
Assorted pedals, some nice analog Chorus effect, Overdrive, and a white Crybaby blah blah
Anders: 2 BaCH Lps on gigs(and occationally a Gibson Explorer), a Matamp NEC, a Biyang
Fuzz (but I do change the dirt pedal quite often), a Silver Machine wah + a small selection
Peter: Green sparkle Ludwig drums with a 26" kick, suprasonic snare, DW double pedal and
Paiste 2002 cymbals...and don't forget the cowbell!
"I've got a fever....and the only prescription is more cowbell!"
Nicke: I just sing and dance!
How many demos have you made, and did you get good response of those?
Up until the record we have recorded 4 demos. Well I do think that we have most of the time
received good reviews of our demos. I mean there are some sites that always give us bad
reviews. But that's fine cos� you can't please them all, can you... But most of the time the
words have been positive about our music!
How did you get in contact with Transubstanse records?
Well, let's put it like this: The devil gave us an offer that we couldn't refuse.
Which pretty much means that we sent out some emails and later on a pre-mix of some of
the songs from the record to a few labels and Transubstans gave us an opportunity to come
onboard.
Did they pay for the expenses and in which studio did you record 'stonerized'?
As slaves to the music we stood for the expenses ourselves this time. We didn't know where
or how the record would be released when we went into the studio. But I guess that that's the
way to do it nowadays. First record then find a label. At least for us newcomers haha!
The record is recorded and co-produced by Robban Axelsson at Ljudion here in Stockholm.
what do you think of the 'so called' swedish scene?
Hmm, well yes there are a lot of 70ies/fuzz/groove/heavy rock/stoner bands here in Sweden
in various directions. Just look at the releases this year. We got new albums from
Truckfighters, Deville, Mangrove, Abramis Brahma among others. Blowback and Asteriod are
coming with new records soon. Numbah Ten have new material recorded etc. Plus that there
are a lot of new bands turning up here and there.
Can hardly call it a scene but we are aware of each other which is a good thing. Most of the
bigger ones are constantly touring outside Sweden since it's hard to get good gigs here. And
the rest of us are struggling the best we can. Trying to trade shows, helping out with gig
contacts and so on.
It's not like there are hordes of people showing up at shows or buying records hehe.
That's one way to look at it...
Many gigs lately?
Since Oliver just recently joined the band we haven't been able to book any gigs. But we're
working on it again which feels great. We played our first gig together at a punkfestival earlier
on last month and there will be a few more this fall. It's not like we are an all the time-touring
band because of our families but we're trying to gig on, for us, a regular basis(which means at
least once a month lol).
A little birdie whispered in my ears that you�re gonna do some gigs with numbah ten and the goddamned,can you tell us something about those plans?
Ever since Numbah Ten and Ponamero Sundown played with Grand Magus in Stockholm in
2008 there has been some talk to do something together again. And it so happened that they
knew The Goddamned, whom we played with at a biker party a couple of years ago. Well
we're thinking of doing some shows together as a package. A night filled with fuzz, 70ies hard
rock and psychedelica. I mean it can't get much better than that.
have you ever been to sweden?... hahaha, just kidding. Have you ever been outside of sweden with your band?
Well yes. We did a short tour last fall and played some shows in Germany and Belgium. And
we have also been in Denmark and in the UK. No massive touring but a show here and there!
what influences do you have, and what kind of music did you grew up with?
Oliver: Some diverse bands that shaped my youth(for the better): Rush, The Cult,
Coroner...Skinny Puppy!
Anders: I always tend to come back to these four for some reason: Iron Maiden, Ramones,
Bruce Springsteen and Black Sabbath.
Peter: I've got a lot of influences.....I listen to everything that I consider good with a fondness
for hardrock. I grew up listening to the old dinosaurs of rock.....and will never stop either. The
great thing nowadays is that it's much easier to find lost treasures from the golden 70ies (and
other)...there's so much! And on vinyl!!!
I've also always been fond of the harder school of rock. My double kick is pretty much a result
of that. Nothing beats a double bass roll...
Nicke: Punk and HC
any hobbies besides the music?
Oliver: "Beer snob[Bier;'n'b]", meaning I ruin myself every now and then buying rare beer
imports from around the globe. Some for direct consumption, others for safe storage in a dark
cellar for future treats and hangovers.
Anders: No, not really. I'm not totally sure if that's a good thing though...
Peter: Well...I guess that would be movies & football...though not together. Football-movies
usually sucks.
Nicke: Drinkin' Oliver's rare beer collection.
do you all have families and jobs, or are you slackers who drink beer all day long and beat the shit out of your neighbours?
Oliver: IT Consultant by day, bass player by night. I enjoy a few beers now and then(refer to
question 12), knock on any neighbours' door and offer them into beating the shit out of me,
singing Christmas carols off key.
Anders: Well I'm as far from a slacker as you can get. I got three kids and working my ass of
as a teacher in Pre-School.
Peter: Slave to the code...rider of the magic keyboard....inventor of superior things...
Nicke: Work work work and two teenage daughters which means more work
what do you think of sweden in general, good or bad?, or is it a disaster?
Geographically, it's very long country, larger than anyone probably believes, and contrary to
what anyone thinks...We do nurture our young under the snow the first 3 months. It's a nice
place.
Any future plans?
Well, we are starting to make plans for our next release. It's still a bit early but it wouldn't be a
surprise if we started the recordings sometime next summer. We have just begun to write
new material but we're usually a fast working band when it comes to that.
There are also some plans for some shows in Europe as well. But we're not totally sure
when...But sooner or later...And as always we're looking for gigs here in Sweden. It seems
that we're heading down to Gothenburg this fall which would be a blast if everything goes our
way.
Thanks alot for letting me harass you!... by the way, keep track of your computer next time you're out traveling;-)
Slick move...are you implying You're the one who stole it at the luggage claim last week at
Arlanda airport?!
