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Hey Lars! First of all I want to congratulate you for your fantastic CD. It really rocks, perfect.
Your sound shows me as timeless hardrock can be in 2008. I´m very excited. I hope all is good in rockin Sweden so far and your doin pretty cool!? So, here we have a bunch of questions for you.
S.T.: .Of course we want to know something about NEONDAZE. Please introduce us a little bit to the band.
L.B.: Neondaze is a hard rock/metal band from Sweden. We’re a four piece band; Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums played by Marcus, Lars, Jesper and Hampus. The concept is:
Very good and catchy melodies with a raw and heavy rhythm section and loud guitars!
S.T.: The Name NEONDAZE sounds like the big 1980´s. Where are your roots and how would you describe the sound of the band?
L.B.: We all have our different roots but personally mine lies in the 70’s like Ufo, Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Rush etc. My songwriting is more of the 80’s though. The sound we’re looking for is as hard and heavy as possible combined with extremely catchy melodies. My goal is that every song should have a hit potential!
S.T.: I think the name NEONDAZE is pretty cool. Can you tell me something about the idea behind it and the cover-artwork?
L.B.: I tried to find something that would fit the music. I like the word Neon, you know like Black Sabbath song Neon Nights. Then I had Neon Days but it was in some way to normal. Daze is much cooler! So there it was, Neondaze, in one word that is! The record company came up with the cd cover. Really lots of Neon in it! Looks like a Las Vegas sign. Maybe we can have our show there someday!
S.T.: Your debut-CD sounds really powerful and solid, can you please tell something about the record-sessions. For example: Have you recorded the songs as a band (direct and live) or did you prefer to play part for part separately?
L.B.: When we started Neondaze it was really just me and Marcus and a drum machine. Drummer Magnus Fritz was willing to play the drums so he could try his new studio. Since Marcus lived a long way from me and was studying we had just a couple of days to record the vocals. The rest I recorded when there was time for it. So it really was a bit by bit recording. The next record I guess will be totally different since we’re a real band now.
S.T.: You heard about Marcus in a TV-Show. Was he the only one you’ve tested in your auditions or were there any other singers?
L.B.: Yes he was the only one. From the beginning I was in a metal cover band that needed a singer and we tested him. But when we auditioned Marcus I knew right away he was the right guy for Neondaze.
S.T.: My favourites on the CD are for example “Intoxicated”, “Million Miles” and “Live 4 Tonight”. Can you tell me a little bit about the lyrics (perhaps generally for NEONDAZE)?
L.B.: Lyrics for me doesn’t have to have a story or message. To me it’s more important with the right sounding words. It’s rock n roll you know. Like Be bop a lula….
S.T.: What are your plans for the future after releasing your CD?
L.B.: Our hopes are to tour in Europe asap. Personally I could be on tour for the rest of my life… That’s what rock n roll is all about. But of course we will continue to make good records.
S.T.: Well, there are so many talented bands in Scandinavia. Can you tell me, why there are so many fantastic musicians for example in Sweden?
L.B.: I think that the music export with Abba, Europe, Roxette meant a lot to the Swedish kids. They wanted to do the same. They saw it was possible even though you didn’t come from USA or England. And another thing is that in Swedish school at the music lessons the kids get a chance to try drums, electric guitars etc. There are big possibilities for the Swedish kids.
S.T.: How did you get in touch with MusicBuyMail?
L.B.: At first we tried to release the cd ourselves but we needed help with the distribution. We found Artist Service/Music Buy Mail who offered us to do the release so we let them do it.
S.T.: I think, the internet is as good as bad for musicians today. What do you think about the new way to spread the word?
L.B.: I think it’s more positive than negative. We got our deal through MySpace….:)
With Internet everyone can make themselves heard. The negative could be that good music can be hard to find since there so much out there.
S.T.: What did happen to POLE POSITION? You´ve made two cool CD´s so far, but I guess 1993 when the first one was released was the blackest time for any kind of melodic rock. The second one was released 10 years ago. Perhaps today it would be better. Is it possible to hold a new CD in our hands some day?
L.B.: Actually we had our cd ready in 91 but Nirvana came buy and suddenly heavy metal was dead! In 93 a Swedish label wanted to release it. I think sold about 10.000 copies in Japan. 98 we released the second one, Bigger. But the people at the new label didn’t like it so I got tired of music and started study instead. But I don’t want to look back. Now it’s Neondaze. I think we have a great potential.
S.T.: OK, now you have the chance to say some words for the German Fans and the readers of our webzine:
L.B.: We’re gonna do everything we can to come down to you and play live. But we need your help, spread the word around, Neondaze! Together we gonna rock n roll all nite and party every day! So, see ya all on tour!!!
Well, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I wish NEONDAZE all the best for the future to come. Take care and rock on!!!!
Stefan/Sleazejunkee
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