Birdflesh: We are like normal people, sometimes
This interview is kindly given to MOLOTILKA by Smattro Ansjovis from swedish carnivalgrind band Birdflesh. This interview discovers some themes about band forming, musical preference, carnival grind origin and much more. Read, enjoy, wonder and listen to... Birdflesh music. Let's begin!
Мolot> Hi, Adde! Thx for agreement to do this interview. And there is first question. Why U had choosen grindcore as a genre of your music?
Smattro> Because we like the old school grindcore so much and because that's the only music we are able to play.
Мolot> I've browsed birdflesh.net and there is not any info about band bio.
Let's discover this mistery :). Tell about band forming, first steps,
line-up troubles ect.
Smattro> We started the band when we were in school. It was in October 1992 and we wanted to start a extreme band. And we thought we were really extreme, but in fact we played some kind of shitty punk. But we kept on playing and making songs and we entered the studio for the first time in 1993 to record three songs. One song ended up on a local cassette compilation. The same year we did our first live performance in our home town. 15 people came but only three payed to see us. And since then we have played around the world, released some demos and records. We have only changed one member since the beginning, except for some guys coming and leaving the band in the very early days. And it's the bassplayer I'm talking about.
Мolot> What bands had inspired Birdflesh?
Smattro> In the beginning it was bands like Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Brutal Truth and Napalm Death that was our biggest influences. Later onIngrowing, Dead Infection, Macabre, Rompeprop and many others has inspired us.
Мolot> What music do Birdflesh members prefer to listen to?
Smattro> We listen to almost everything. Like pop, punk, rock, heavy metal and all kinds of extreme music. It depends on the mood for the moment.
Мolot> What are your and your bandmates favorite bands?
Smattro> I'd say that we all like bands like Napalm Death, Repulsion, Iron Maiden, Manowar, Accept, Macabre and Slayer.
Мolot> Birdflesh is bizzare [odd] name for grindband. Gorebands
have horriblefunny names, political subgenre has a serious ones.
Birdflesh is combing both pats of named genres as for me. It's serious
and funny in the time.Tell me please about name of your band and origin of it.
Smattro> Actually we had the band name before we even started to play. I came up with the name when I wrote down some typical death metal band names 15 years ago. Everyone agreed on having Birdflesh as our band name. We thought it sounded really brutal and cool.
Мolot> As well as name tell about band funny logo and design of it.
Smattro> We are three guys responsible for the logo. It was me, our former bass player and our recording guy called Slask. We all came up with ideas for the logo. We wanted to include all the important stuff in it. Like the inverted cross, the pentagram and the hand that makes the sign of the horns.
Мolot> What's the conception of Birdflesh brand genre? What 'carnivalgrind' is for
your opinion?
Smattro> It's all about having fun. Carnivalgrind is funny grind. Not to take everything so serious. We are absolutely serious with Birdflesh but the most important thing is to have fun.
Мolot> U have a odd scenery image and use mask at the concerts. Is it a part
of band concept? Where do U find ideas for showsuits?
Smattro> Since the first gig we have used masks and other strange outfits on stage. And it's also just to add more fun to the show. We were bored of watching bands that look all the same, you know. Black jeans, black t-shirt and long black hair. It's boring, we think. So that's why we started to wear crazy stuff. And we are still doing it, 14 years later. And we can't stop now. We have bought new dresses, that I found on a market in Greece this summer.
Мolot> Did music become only your profession? Do U work somewhere else?
Smattro> Unfortunately we can't make a living on our music. At the moment we don't have jobs, but sooner or later we will have to find jobs because we need money for food and rent. We are like normal people, sometimes.
Мolot> How modern grindcore scene will develope for your opinion? What's the reason of it?
Smattro> I have no idea. I don't think grindcore will ever be like mainstream music, but hopefully it can be more accepted in the music industry. I guess time will tell. I think there will always be bands playing this kind of music. I hope so.
Мolot> What do U think about grindcore fests such as Obscene Extreme, Fuck
The Commerce ect. Did U take part at any grind fests?
Smattro> I love these kind of festivals. It's wonderful that people put up festivals and shows. I know it takes a lot of time and hard work, and I really think that these people are great. They are truly dedicated to the music and they support the underground to 100%. We played the Obscene Extreme Fest in 2004 and it was the best. I hope we can go back there very soon. Great atmosphere and great people. We also played at Giants of Grind in Germany and Grind your mother in Italy, Brutal Assault in Czech and some more fests. It's always great to play at grind fests.
Мolot> What the Birdflesh albums can U espessialy note?
Smattro> All albums absolutely. I think the best are Alive Autopsy LP, Night of the ultimate mosh CD, Trip to the Grave EP and the split with Carcass Grinder.
Мolot> What can U tell about your latest album "Mongo Musicale"?
Smattro> Well, it contains 25 songs. It's crazy and fast but also a lot of groove and melodies. It is Birdflesh. Everyone should get it.
Мolot> How do U compose your songs? Who compose music and who writes lyric?
Smattro> Sometimes we make a song in the rehearsal room and sometimes we do a song by ourselves at home. We all make the music but mostly it is Achmed and me who make the riffs. I do all the lyrics.
Мolot> What are your plans of musicmakin'in the nearest future?
Smattro> We are writing new songs right now. Probably for our next album. We have two splits coming out soon. With Splatterhouse and Hatebeak. The Splatterhouse split has been delayed for 1564 times so I really hope we will get it soon.
Мolot> Sweden is the greatest metal country. But not so much swedish
grindcore bands is known in Russia such as Birdflesh, Regurgitate, Nasum, Gadget.
What the great swedish udeground bands can U note?
Smattro> All the bands you mentioned. Other bands are Exhale, Obligatorisk Tortyr, Splitter, my other band Jigsore Terror. We have a lot of bands here but I think the grindcore scene sucks. Not many shows or festivals like in the eastern Europe. Especially Czech and Poland.
Мolot> Do U know some russian metal bands? What can U say about their
musuc?
Smattro> No, I don't think I do. But I really want to hear some. Can you give me some recommendations of good russian bands?
Мolot> Do U wanna visit Russia with 'carnival grind' shows?
Smattro> We'd love to come to Russia sometime. I have heard good things about Russian metal fans. So hopefully someone are willing to pay us to come there. Or maybe we can come on a tour in the future.
Мolot> And What would u wanna say (wish) to all your russian fans and extreme
music and grindcore fans?
Smattro> If you haven't heard Birdflesh before, you should check us out. You won't regret it. Keep on grinding and take care.
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