Η συνέντευξη που παραχώρησαν οι SHOTGUNZ, στην Κατερίνα Μπουδούρη για το Firebrand Magazine, τεύχος Ιουλίου 2014
Μπορείτε να διαβάσετε την συνέντευξη εδώ http://issuu.com/rickpalin/docs/issue_21/11?e=0/8456512
SHOTGUNZ
from Thessaloniki, Greece, representing the Greek hard rock scene.
Their name is as strong
and powerful as their music!!!
They literally blast us
with it. But it is safe to approach them; your life is not in danger from their
bullets. The only risk you run in getting to know SHOTGUNZ is that you won’t
ever be able to let go.
Their homonymous
demo contains four songs, and at present they are in the studio preparing their
first album. We met them during one of their breaks and they kindly accepted to
speak to Fireband Magazine.
- Hi
SHOTGUNZ. Welcome to Fireband Magazine !!!
Hello! Greetings from Greece!
Hello! Greetings from Greece!
- First of all,
tell us what the name means and why you chose it!
We wanted a name that represents our sound … so we picked “SHOTGUNZ”! We believe that our music sounds as hard and loud as the sound of a shotgun! We always make clear that we don’t like guns and wars!
We wanted a name that represents our sound … so we picked “SHOTGUNZ”! We believe that our music sounds as hard and loud as the sound of a shotgun! We always make clear that we don’t like guns and wars!
- How did
you first get together?
We ‘ve known each other since high school. In 2004, Johnny Bakas (vocals), Giorgos Daskalopoulos (guitar) and Aggelos Mauropoulos (drums) started the band! A few years later, Giannis Mourtezas (guitar) joined and in 2011 Asterios Tolis (bass) completed the line-up!
We ‘ve known each other since high school. In 2004, Johnny Bakas (vocals), Giorgos Daskalopoulos (guitar) and Aggelos Mauropoulos (drums) started the band! A few years later, Giannis Mourtezas (guitar) joined and in 2011 Asterios Tolis (bass) completed the line-up!
- What are
your influences?
Our common influences are all the great rock bands from 70s, 80s and 90s … such as: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine and many more…
Our common influences are all the great rock bands from 70s, 80s and 90s … such as: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine and many more…
- Although
you’ve been on the rock scene for many years, it’s only now that you’re in the
process of producing an album. What delayed your decision for so long?
For many years, we have been searching for the exact “sound” of SHOTGUNZ. A lot of musical experiments took place in our studio and there was a time when we composed our songs with Greek lyrics. We decided that the English language fits better with our music and now we are pretty mature to produce a good album.
For many years, we have been searching for the exact “sound” of SHOTGUNZ. A lot of musical experiments took place in our studio and there was a time when we composed our songs with Greek lyrics. We decided that the English language fits better with our music and now we are pretty mature to produce a good album.
- You’ve
covered many hits, always giving them your own special sound. Do you like
experimenting in general?
We believe that music has no boundaries so except rock; we also listen to other genres and we have fun mixing elements from various styles!
We believe that music has no boundaries so except rock; we also listen to other genres and we have fun mixing elements from various styles!
- You’ve
appeared on the Greek stage beside several notable artists, but you’ve also
supported foreign bands on two occasions. Which were these?
We had the opportunity to warm up the stage for Grim Reaper (UK) and The Black Rain (IT).
We had the opportunity to warm up the stage for Grim Reaper (UK) and The Black Rain (IT).
- Would you
like to play to foreign audiences outside Greece at some point, or doesn’t it
bother you?
An advantage of English language is that a lot of people around the globe can understand what you are talking about. That’s one of the reasons that we chose it. So, the answer is yes and we hope that one day we could play outside Greece!
An advantage of English language is that a lot of people around the globe can understand what you are talking about. That’s one of the reasons that we chose it. So, the answer is yes and we hope that one day we could play outside Greece!
- Do you
follow developments on the international rock scene? What’s your opinion?
Of course we follow the scene but we are sad to say that nowadays, bands that get promoted don’t have the same quality as the ones from older eras.
Of course we follow the scene but we are sad to say that nowadays, bands that get promoted don’t have the same quality as the ones from older eras.
- In your
careers so far, what are the difficulties you’ve encountered?
The majority of the Greek audience doesn’t listen to rock , and prefers Greek pop music. That’s why it’s difficult for a rock band to promote its work. Another thing is that in Greece there are laws that are against live shows and they don’t let musicians express themselves. Finally, our financial situation as a band isn’t the best and this makes it harder for us. Although the difficulties we are trying to do our best, because we love it!
The majority of the Greek audience doesn’t listen to rock , and prefers Greek pop music. That’s why it’s difficult for a rock band to promote its work. Another thing is that in Greece there are laws that are against live shows and they don’t let musicians express themselves. Finally, our financial situation as a band isn’t the best and this makes it harder for us. Although the difficulties we are trying to do our best, because we love it!
- What is SHOTGUNZ’
strong point?
Our strongest point is that apart from being band mates, we are friends. We were and we will be! Nothing compares to performing among your friends on stage!
Our strongest point is that apart from being band mates, we are friends. We were and we will be! Nothing compares to performing among your friends on stage!
- And where
do you see your weaknesses?
The truth is that we lack in Public Relations, a very important factor in the music industry.
The truth is that we lack in Public Relations, a very important factor in the music industry.
- What
themes do you like to deal with in your lyrics?
Most of our songs talk about love. Also we write about the social problems that we face.
Most of our songs talk about love. Also we write about the social problems that we face.
- Will the
album you’re preparing hold any surprises in terms of sound?
Forgive us but we won’t reveal that!
Forgive us but we won’t reveal that!
-Ηow many
songs will it have, and when can we expect it to be released?
It will contain from 10-12 songs and by the end of
this year, we expect that we will have our first album in our hands.
- To close,
I’d like you to send your own message to the readers of Firebrand.
Make rock, not war! As soon as our album is finished, we will wait for your opinion!
Make rock, not war! As soon as our album is finished, we will wait for your opinion!
- Thank you
very much, and good luck in all your future plans.
Lots of thanks to you! That was our first foreign interview. It was fun! We wish you the best!
Lots of thanks to you! That was our first foreign interview. It was fun! We wish you the best!
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