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Hi,
first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album. To
new fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it
all?
Gino -
Thanks. ;=)
CHÂLICE
is a Rock/Hardrock band from Hamburg. Working on an international basis. The latest album “Shotgun
Alley” is the fifth recording of the band.
DISCOGRAPHIE
(so far):
IN WONDERLAND (1995)
PERSISTENCE OF TIME (1998)
DIGITAL BOULEVARD (2000)
CHAMELEONATION (2002)
New:
SHOTGUN ALLEY (2005)
How
has your new album been received by the media?
Gino -
We are very happy at the
moment as we get very good reactions from everywhere.
I
know artists don't like to put a label on their music - but a
spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and
is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to
an alien from another galaxy?
Gino -
Heavy guitars, rough and
straight with strong melodies.
If
your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
Gino -
Rage and optimism.
Who
and what inspires you when you write a song? Walk us through the
creation of a song?
Gino -
It is the life itself that is
the biggest inspiration for us writing our songs. Usually one of
us is coming to the rehearsal-room with an idea, together we are
working on it and in the end it has nothing to do with the
original idea ;o)
Which
subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them?
And what inspires you when you write your lyrics?
Gino - Normally
I (Gino Naschke – Lead Vox) write 95% of the lyrics. The rest is
done by Steve (Bass, Background Vocals). Topics are everything in
life that touches my attention. This time I wrote about our
superficial society, the problems people are talking about by
getting older, beauty operations, stupid and arrogant leaders of
the world and... take your time to read the lyrics and invent
your personal story...
Who
has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
Gino
-
Again, we worked together with
Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra, Michael Kiske etc.). He also
produced our last album “Chameleonation”. We like his style
and his way of working. He is a very nice guy and at the moment
(to me) he is definitely one of
Europe’s best producers for this kind of music. Especially with this
record he gave us the sound we were always looking for, rough and
heavy but clear. Translating our sound from the stage into the
studio. We are very happy with the result.
Who
has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have
a great cover?
Gino
-
The artwork was done by our
guitar player, Oliver Scheer. It is the first time that he has
done the artwork completely! In former times he always cooperated
with a friend of the band who’s profession is the graphic
design. I like the new artwork very much and I am very impressed,
as Oli has never done things like that before.
Do
you have any touring plans?
Gino
-
Oh yes! Within the last weeks
we had the confirmation for being the opening act for all German
shows of the fantastic double headlining tour of DEEP PURPLE and
ALICE COOPER. We are going to play 10 shows in
Germany
in February 2006 in venues with capacities of 7.000 –10.000
people. We are really happy about that and looking forward (with
respect) to entering the stages...
Let’s
speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your
own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
Gino
-
It looks like we made it,
doesn’t it?! ;=)
We
are really happy with this situation. To me personally BON JOVI
also would have been an interesting slot... And we hope to
continue with touring the rest of Europe.
How
do you feel about the co-operation with your label?
Gino
-
It is alright, so far. They do
what they can. But it would be stupid to expect miracles from
companies in these times. Nobody is willing to risk big money. But
money is all you need to work successful on a career. Especially
in times where you are forced to promote an album without any
support from TV or radio. It is a shame, but it is hard to find
somebody who is really able to take the risk to spend a fortune to
get things done. We need to pay a lot of things out of our own
pocket...
The
internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do
you use the internet and how important is it for you and other
bands?
Gino
-
Indeed, it is getting more and
more important everyday. We try our best to work together with our
agency that is promoting the album to get as much as possible done
in the net. It is fast and it is the best way to inform people
about bands and their music. Again, we are very lucky that Oli is
looking after our homepage (www.chalice.de),
that’s why it looks so awesome... ;=)
And
how do you feel about the metal scene in general at the moment?
Gino
-
The scene is getting stronger
again. It was always a strong community, but at the moment you
hear back again that kind of music we always liked that much and
that was hidden that long - the music we were making all the years
and that we still play... Maybe we get another chance.
Which
song do you consider to be the best one you have ever written?
Gino
-
That’s very hard to say! To
me personally, one of the best was “Turn into” from our last
album “Chameleonation”. I like the music and I like the lyrics.
A song about the difficulties to find the right words whilst
writing a song. ;=)
Name
an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your
life … and why?
Gino
-
Album: Journey –
"Escape" =>
I still like the whole album, the strong melodies and the
fantastic voice of Steve Perry.
Persons
(private): my two little girls and my girlfriend =>
They give me the power to go ahead, always finding good words for
strange situations...
Person
(music): Doro
=>
It was very nice to meet DORO. I was deep impressed by the way she
treats her fans after all those years.
Which
music do you listen to at home?
Gino
-
All kinds of music. Nothing
special. I still have all the albums from my favourites like
JOURNEY, RAINBOW, and WHITE LION etc. at home. But I also listen
to launch and jazzy music, as much as various Rock + Pop stuff. As
long as I can find melodies, I am happy to listen to. But don’t
bore me with “vocalists” that grunt like an animal... I
can’t listen to that for more than five minutes. I always need
good or interesting voices.
Vinyl
has had a small comeback lately – do you still prefer “the old
sound” or are you a CD/DVD kind of guy?
Gino
-
To be honest, in the meantime
I just have CDs and DVDs left in my living room. My vinyl is
stored somewhere. It’s easier, to take away music on this little
formats. I also love my little I-Pod. But if you take some time,
it is still the greatest pleasure; sitting down with the cover art
of a huge vinyl version of a record you love and have a look at
all the details whilst listening to the music...
Last
question - do you have any famous last words for our readers?
Gino
-
Go out and see us on tour. We
are looking forward to entering your local stage! In the meantime
go and have a look and listen on our homepage www.chalice.de... see
you!
Best
regards,
Gino Naschke
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