Interview Highrider

Artiest: Highrider

Geïnterviewde: Andreas (zanger/bassist)

Label: The Sign Records

First of all, congratulations on your new album! It was an immense pleasure to be able to write this review. The result, as you may have seen, has been very positive.

Thank you very much for your kind words. It´s always nice to see someone put an effort into listening and reviewing songs we have worked hard to write and record. Much appreciated!

What were the first responses to Roll For Initiative?

There has been a generally good response I would say. People seem to find the record fresh and a little different from other releases and that’s a compliment we’re very proud to receive. It is very difficult to stand out and be noticed. There are many talented bands around and many records released every month. Of course there has been a few bad reviews also but I don´t mind them at all. We realise that our music might not be for everyone and its ok not to like it. What I personally dread the most are the 5/10 reviews, when you fail to make any kind of impression and there hasn´t been any of those yet.

What does the future look like? Will you be going back to the studio to work on your next album, or are you planning a tour?

We just came back from tour a couple of weeks ago. We did nine shows in Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic with our friends in Fredag den 13:e. It went very well for a first tour I think. I think we turned some heads at least. We are all used to play small punk venues since way back and I think some people were surprised to see a keyboard on the stage. Right now, we are trying to regroup a little and plan ahead. Probably the will be a tour sometime next year and also, we are getting started on writing new material. We haven’t been doing that for a while which is unusual for us. I think writing is the most essential thing in a band so I´m very excited to see what comes out of it.

Will it be possible for us to see your work in Belgium or the Netherlands soon?

Hopefully we´ll be coming to western Europe sometime soon. I´ve played both Holland and Belgium with other bands before so I look forward to coming back. As I said, we are looking into it and if anyone wants to help out, feel free to send us a message!

Who is the biggest creative talent amongst you? Or is there an equal input from everyone?

We have a lot of talent within the band I would say, Christopher (keys) is a very talented musician and comes up with great advanced stuff in a way I don't. Peter (guitar) is also very skilled and Axel is a great drummer. The basic concept of the band was my idea, using keyboard and mixing the different styles, but now we do mostly everything in a combined effort. Usually I´m more rock and doom oriented. I´m not very skilled theoretically, I do most things from the gut and then the others have to make order out the mess.

What kind of audience are you trying to reach?

The rich and the powerful of course, we are in need of their support to get this thing moving! Joking aside, I don’t think we have a specific group or type of people we want to reach. If I have to give an example I would say that our main audience is the metal crowd, but we´re also playing a lot f of DIY-punk and hardcore shows. That´s our home turf, were we come from. I want to look at it like we can play almost anywhere if there is fast and heavy music on the menu.

When performing in various countries, do you notice a difference in how people respond to your music?

Generally, I think there are more similarities between countries than differences when it comes to how people react. First they don’t know what to think and then we play, and if we do a good effort they usually think it´s alright and a little different. Sometimes people expect certain things because we're from Sweden, they want so see a typical Swedish hardcore/metal band or something. The biggest difference I think is if you play in an area where not many bands tour, people really give a little extra when bands makes the effort to come to their town. We felt extra welcomed in Slovakia and Czech Republic this time around.

How would you introduce yourself to the audience that doesn’t know Highrider?

Haha, yes how would I do that..? I would say we´re like if you combine Venom, Motörhead with a little Slayer and a lot of Deep Purple and Uriah Heep. Not to say that we are as great as any of those band but I think that would give you an idea.

Which artists/bands have had an influence on your musical career?

I would say Iron Maiden and Metallica when I was young and impressionable, and of course Slayer and Megadeth. Later also hardcore and punk together with black and death metal. Victims, Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Entombed, Marduk. If you asked me again tomorrow the list would be different. I´m not into just one thing. Who is really? New York hardcore and metal will always be special to me also.

Is there one ultimate band that would make you drop everything you’re doing to be able to play as their support act?

I would die on the spot if Joey DiMao gave us a call. To tour the world together with Manowar would be fantastic. I don’t think they have support acts though if I´m not mistaken, they don’t really need it.

There’s a mix of thrash, punk doom and heavy metal on your album. Was this the original plan or did a lot of this happen during the recordings?

The plan was to do something with a keyboard and just one guitar instead of two because I wanted more options when writing songs. I had no idea how it would come out in the end. But I guess it makes sense when you look at who we are and what we´ve done in the past. I for one like all those types of music you mentioned and why not play the stuff you like.

Last question. A young band listens to your album and is inspired to get into a studio asap and live the musicians’ life. What advice would you give them?

Just do it and have no doubts. Practice hard and if you are not happy with the result try harder next time. Everyone makes mistakes, the thing is to move forward.

Thanks for the interview and good luck!

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