GADGET
Swedish Grindcore Monsters
By: Greg Alexander
Swedish grindcore monsters, GADGET, will soon enter the studio to record their yet untitled sophomore effort for Relapse. William, the multi-talented grind machine on guitar, drums, and vocals, was nice enough to answer a few of my questions about GADGET's first full length Remote and on the future of G A D G E T .
. .
Resound: First off, how is everyone? Is Rikard still unemployed? Maybe we
can get him a job by putting his qualifications in this interview!
William: Everyone is doing fine. Nygge is moving to a new (big) house in a
few weeks. Rikard is working as a cable-guy during this autumn. He actually
cut his hand at work last week, but we have been told it will not damage his
playing. If anything, a scar can be really cool. Emil seems as serene as
always and I am working quite hard and watching a lot of WWII
documentaries.
Life is good.
Resound: How has touring been for Remote?
William: The gigs have been kick-ass! The (only real) tour we did was
incredible, and the gig we did on the Brutal Assault fest (Czech Repub.)
just a few months ago was perhaps the most overwhelming experience so far.
Something like a couple of thousand people in front of the stage, shit-loads
of people screaming our name in unison. It just felt like a lot of people
there really liked what we where doing which always warms my heart. Then on
the other hand, we have done embarrassing few gigs. We have not been touring
enough, as a result of different circumstances. After the next album we will
make sure to make touring serious matter.
Resound: You are currently in pre-production for your new record. Is the
whole band involved or are you just laying down everything to have a rough
mix for the band to hear?
William: This first session of pre-production has included everyone. In
fact, all of the songs so far have been fitted in the rehearsal with the
whole band. The recording session has just been to make my guitar parts fit
and to start working on the lyrics. I think on this next record the
material will be ³evenly generated². I¹m as curious as you.
Resound: When and where are you recording the new record?
William: It is a studio here in town called The Overlook where I have been
working fulltime for a couple of years now, recording loads of different
stuff. It¹s a nice studio, and the advantages of doing it ourselves, at
home, are quite obvious. We are booked for the 10th of December to the first
week of January. Mixing will be done in the first week of January, but we
are still not sure if we will do it in The Overlook or if we will rent time
in a bigger studio.
Resound: Are you producing the album?
William: Yes basically. We all work on ideas regarding the production, but
I will be doing the engineering and also most of the production. Engineering
and drumming is a difficult match, but we will get some help from a friend
during the first days. He will be playing the drums for me while I work on
the buttons and faders. Rikard might be working daytime while we record,
which means I might have to record the drums without cue-guitar, but that¹s
how I usually do it.
Resound: I heard there were heat issues with your last recording session? I
wouldn't think that would be a problem in Sweden. Do you foresee any
problems with the new session?
William: It was insane. People in the States think Sweden is a cold
country, but when Sweden gets warm, hell is upon us. Our country isn¹t built
for heat. We don¹t have white houses like Greece, we don¹t have air
conditioners as a
standard, and most of all; our brains are genetically built for temperatures
around 0 degrees Celsius. That particular summer it really started boiling
right in time for our departure for the studio. And it was a nightmare. This
time we are recording during Christmas, and if anything we¹ll be complaining
about the cold.
Resound: Do you have any song titles or tentative album titles you can
share with us?
William: I don¹t think I can give you much yet. One suggestion for the
title of the album has been The Funeral March. The songs all have working
titles so farŠ such as ³SYL-låten² or ³Nygges nya² or ³Slayer-låten².
Resound: I know that Rikard is also in Diskonto. Do other members of GADGET
also moonlight with other bands?
William: I used to play in Withered Beauty, but I quit a while ago. We had
been standing still for years, but I think the others are officially not
broken up. Emil is doing some vocal-sessions with Radioskugga, but only for
a recording. Fredrik doesn¹t really have the time right now since he has a
kid and works a lot, but he has been a big figure in the local death metal
scene since he was young.
Resound: Someone in Diskonto called Rikard, "Drunkard". Are their any other
funny nicknames you have for each other?
William: Rikard is also known as Blixten, which translates into ³the
flash². A nickname he has been given for his incredible lack of speed.
Resound: Have you found it easier to get the ladies since you cut off all
your hair?
William: Well I have had a girlfriend for about a year now, so it¹s nothing
I am concerned about, but a lot of people have been positive to my new
pretty-boy-look. Not girls in particular, but more like a majority of the
human race.
Resound: One more serious question before I end this interview. Do you feel
you have to step it up a notch with the loss of NASUM? How has this loss
affected GADGET's lives and the Swedish Grind Scene?
William: It¹s just a damn waste, Mieszko was naturally a big part of the
scene here in Sweden since he had so many bands and also the Soundlab
studio. His death was not only a loss for his family and friends, but also
for all the people who worked with him, played with him, and anyone who
listened to his music. Nasum defiantly paved the way for extreme music in
the broad masses here in Sweden, and it seems like they will leave a big
empty hole now that they are
gone.
Resound: Have you set any goals to attain with GADGET in the new year?
Hopefully one is coming to the States!
William: Fuck yes! We have sworn to make the most vicious album known to
man. We are going to put the apocalypse into action. We are also going to
tour the living crap out of the new record. Coming to the States seems like
great fun, but I¹m not too picky as long as we get out and tour...
|
|
|