Interview
with PONTUS NORGREN by Andrew Paul
Humanimal
has been very well received, are you pleased with the response?
I'm more than pleased!!
People
have made the assuption that Humanimal is Talisman by any other
name. In fact, as I understand it, you were the driving force
behind the band. Correct? And if so, what was the genesis (
sorry) of the band?
Yes I formed the band, everything was my idea from the beginning.
I asked Marcel if he would be interested to write an album
together with me. We wrote all the songs for the album in 12 days
when I had some days-off from the Thin Lizzy tour.
Originally,
I believe it was viewed as a Swedish "Phenomena" type
project-so why the change to one singer? And why Jeff?
After some research we decided to go with one singer, we also
thought it would be easier for the listeners if we only used one.
Why Jeff...? We went trough all Swedish singers that we could
think of, some were busy and the rest didn't fit in to the way we
wanted the project to sound. Jeff was the one: Simple, isn't it?
Why did
you go with Z Records? Were there any other offers on the table?
Marcel asked Mark Alger if he wanted to pay for us doing a
production with me and him, and he said yes. He signed it without
listening to one song, I think that's good!
Does the
advent of technology make the logistics of having a singer in the
States less than a headache than maybe it once would have been?
I have to say one thing. GOOD BLESS INTERNET!!!! It doesn't
matter at all now a days ´cause to possibility to send files
over the net. We couldn't finish some of the vocal tracks when
Jeff was here, so he took some back grounds of four songs back to
the states, and then he just mailed them to me so I could get
them ready for mix. A lot of things has happened sins the 2"
tapes!;-)
The album
has been selling well, and I believe you've been getting airplay,
does that suggest the climate is better for rock bands?
I think the climate has change in a good way, people want good
songs again not only riffs and groove with something called
singing on top!?
Has the
airplay made Z Records actually consider a single to push the
album further?
We have gone in on some A-play lists on radio stations in
Scandinavia, and I think it's good to release a single when that
happens.
If the single does well, wouldn't it be a sensible course to put
Humanimal on the road with say a Thin Lizzy? After all the
package one-shows appeals to the die-hards and not many beyond?
That would be possible, the only thing that makes touring hard
now a day's is that it is so f.....g expensive.
Your solo
album seemed toget a little lost in the shuffle despite some
great songs, and performances. Not enough promotion or do people
generally regards solo albums by guitarists warily?
Not enough promotion as always! I've heard so many fans being
surprised that I delivered so many good songs not only solo
staff, and I think that is a good review.
Any
possibility of another solo album?
Actually, I'm just in the middle of finishing all the songs for
production. I will start recording the new album in August, so I
hope it will be released early next year.
You
successfully auditioned for Accept-ever consider doing something
in such a power metal vein? Points as a metal god!?
You never know, quit a lot of metal is running in my veins.
You'll be surprised.
So, how do
you see things developing over the year or so for you musically ,
another Humaninmal album and for the wider scene in general?
I've been involved in so many things the past years, so you just
wait and see.
Signed: /The "Metal Good" from now on.........
Thanks for
taking out time to answer these and best of luck for the
Humanimal album and beyond?
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