Hi guys… Congrats on “Times They Change”. As you already know we have chosen it as the Best Album of the month on Grande-Rock! This is an excellent follow-up to your debut album. First of all, can you tell me why did you name the band 91 Suite? Who’s idea was?

A: Well, It was just something unexpected. We simply liked the sound of the words and what they meant. It was something that we put on the desk the very day we chose the mane of the band.

Although that you are not coming for a country that has a big history as it concerns rock and metal music you finally managed to make a break with your second album! Do you believe that if you weren’t from Spain , you would have more chances to made that breakthrough earlier? Does the musical background of each country matters in the end?

A: Everything cares, and sure, we haven’t a proper musical background here in Spain . But Melodic Rock is just a minor musical movement nowadays, here and in many other countries in the world. Of course, we have to fight with the fact that we come from Spain and we do some kind of Melodic Rock, and even more, sung in English.

OK, so let’s say some things about the album. “Times They Change” and things becomes worst or better for some people? What are you trying top tell us by this title?

A: We try to tell people to change their views about everything, especially in what music and MR (Melodic Rock) is concerned. We manage to do something we have always loved with an up-to-date twist. It does not have sense for us to play the same music other bands did in the past. We look for an evolution in our music, and this second album shows the way this evolution is taking effect on us.

I consider your album as one of the top three albums of 2005. Generally people love this album a lot. Do you think that from the time that hard rock music resurrected we will live a second 80s era or not? Finally is rock music very popular nowadays or it’s just our imagination?

A: Now is a time for multiple music styles, not necessary hard rock or MR, but simply rock. People use many words to describe the music they love, and nowadays, we have millions of names referring to those styles. 80s era was a time for Hard Rock, Heavy Metal but also for Pop, Dance and so on... and now, is just that all those live together.

Do you had in mind when you were recording this album that it will be the record that’s gonna make you popular and one of the hottest new bands in rock music today?

A: This second effort is something that we counciusly thought during these past three long years. We spent many time writing songs and arranging them the best way we could. We started from zero, we had to show that we are here to stay. That’s why we did our best to bring people the better songs we were able to write at the moment.

We don’t know if this is enough for being considerated popular, or a real good band, but we don’t care anyway. We do what we do because we love it.

Can you make a comment about each song of the album? Just a line or two.

A: “Intro”:It just opens the album creating a proper atmosphere to listen to the whole.

“Seal It With A Kiss”: The first single from the album and one the strongest tracks from the album. A song about the importance of compromise.

I Wanna Be In Love”: A song about the feeling of being in love. A song that moves from dark to light.

“Tell Me Why”: We mostly care about relationships when they broke up or end up. It’s just like sand slipping through your hands...

“Far Away”: It’s a song about recovering from a difficult situation. There is always someone in whom you can trust...yourself. Be sure of what you are looking for.

“Times They Change”:  A real positive song about what is life. Ups and downs are a constant and you better get through them thinking you are not alone. There is always someone near you, helping you... God.

“Every Day Goes By”:  Sometimes we have to face the end of a relationship, let it go. Two persons, two different behaviours, two separate ways with almost nothing in common.

“Hopes And Dreams”: Everyone has a dream or hope to fight for. This is about that, you’ve been kicked in the face but you have to stand tall. A song of hope.

“Another Reason”: “This is a song about the power of faith and how you can change all the things you dislike, If you’re ready for that, take a listen to what I say...”this is the fisrt verse of the song and you can imagine the rest of it.

“Wings Of Fire”:  An adventure song, an invitation to leave in order to start a new life with a person. Another positive song with a very strong rythmn section.

“Stand Beside You”: A declaration of love, an statement made between two persons. A personal experience.

“Hard To Forget”: The very first song we wrote for the album and one the favourite ones. We don’t have any guarantee when we start a relationship...

“Will You Ever”: Sometimes we are afraid of our dreams. Suddenly, wake up and thank God for being just a dream. It seems to me that we don’t take into account some significant signs. And finally, it is too late to turn back time.

“Remember The Good Times”: It is like a Bruce Springsteen’s hymn. It has the same feeling. Two people tired of living their lives in the same city, with the same people, doing the same things. A break up with all that to start a new life in a new place, with the person you love. We are still alive, let’s do it!

How would you characterize the music style of your band? Some people say you play AOR, some others say you play hard rock, others say melodic rock etc... I say that you play melodic hard rock music with many AOR influences!! Is that much better? J

A: Well, it really doesn’t care. Do you like it? That is the main question. You can call it whatever you want to. We are not looking for a particular style when we write songs.

Are you totally satisfied with the album? Do you think that you have pushed your music to the edge this time or there is more to come next?

A: We are really proud of the result, but of course, there is always something that you would have changed. That is what makes it great, we guess. If we bring a perfect album to the audience, it will not be bidirectional. We want people to feel free to give their opinion about it.

Do you plan to release any videos or singles to promote the album? And if yes, which song will it be and when it will be released? In general are you totally satisfied from your music company or you feel that you need more support from them?

A: “Seal It With A Kiss” is the first single released from the album. We expect to release some of them, but depends on how many people buy the album. Regarding Vicous Records, we are really satisfied with the result of the album management. They let us do what we have to do.

Are you going also to support the album by playing gigs in Europe and America ? And if yes which places are you going to visit?

A: Well, we would be pleased to play outside Spain , any country, any place. But, again, it will depend on how many people buy the album and where... To play the States, Japan , Europe ... that would be amazing!!!

I know that you made the production of the album? Do you have any knowledge on such matters? The production is flawless and very dynamic. Why did you take the risk to make the production on your own?

A: It was something unexpected. It was the record company that invites us to do the production stuff. It was some kind of a challenge for us, we have the opportunity to so something really big for the first time. We had time, some money... so we did not let the chance slip away... and we put our hands on it.

Who is the producer that you want to co-operate with in the future and why?

A: Well, we all have many names in mind, but we are not thinking about the future. We are working hard to promote the album. We are rehearsing the shows, arranging some new ideas for the songs, and all that stuff right now. That will be a matter of the future.

What are your expectations from this album and what should we wait from 91 Suite in the future?

A: We want people to know 91 Suite, this is their album. We want people from all around the world to know our music, what we have to say... We want to people enjoy our music as well as to have a good time. We have no plans at all for the future, we go step by step on the way. Tomorrow, who knows...

How far do you think that you can go with 91 Suite?

A: As far as people can take us... we have only a one-way-ticket to wherever...

Are there any details about the album that you would like to share? Funny stuff, way of recording it?

A: There are many things to tell you about the recording process of the album, but that will not be serious hehe...maybe...ok...let’s go, just a few days before the end of the album the computer based system almost crashes...you can imagine our faces...after 7 months of work. Finally, we managed to recover it.

The reaction from the press must have been glorious, right? Have you been expecting it?

A: We are not worried about this fact. It is just something to take into account but not to take it too seriously. We, sure, thought to find positive reviews but also negative. We hope you like the album for what it is but not for what other people may think.

You are a young band… how did you find the resources to compose something so mature, despite your young age?

A: Thanks, but we are not so young... anyway, the important thing here is that you have something to say, both musically and lyrically. And history of music is full of pages written by young people. With this second effort we took some time to think about many facts, lyrically, and to move to a higher level, musically.

Which are those bands that have influenced 91 Suite?

A: We, of course, have been influenced from classic bands such as Journey, Survivor... to other more modern bands like Dream Theater. But also jazz, soul, fusion... we try to give our own vision of it. We try to mix up all these styles to offer something new to people.

Big, early success usually blinds young musicians leading them to false movements in the future (see Angra). Again, sometimes, after a glorious first or second album, record companies start pressing for more and more releases, leading the bands to the trap of repetition. Are you ready to face these challenges?

A: Definitely, sure. We have in mind our goal, our challenge. Through these five years we fought many poblems. It is not easy to play AOR music for a band like 91 Suite as you might imagine. But we try to be true to our beliefs and do what our hearts ask for.

Catchy melodies, hard guitars and funny lyrics are all that are missing from the music industry today... they feed us too much with their trendy shit called music… What do you think of that?

A: Well, we try to write songs and to play them live. We prefer not to give any opinion in relation to the music industry nowadays. We try to change the fact from the inside.

And some weird Questions now!!! Which kind of rock music do you prefer the most?

A: All kinds of rock music, as well as other types of music. We open our ears to almost everything, and try to learn from all of them. It is so sad to listen to only one or two styles because you are missing the truth of the matter.

Do you believe in luck and in coincidences or do you believe that the human mind and will can affect all the things in life?

A: We think that both of them are important, you probably may have some luck in life but surely, you will not have during your whole life. So, of course, you need a balance between knowledge/mind and luck. And also if you work hard, at the end, you will be rewarded.

What would you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of hundreds others that are being released every month?

A: We would simply say... listen to it carefully... then, if you like... buy it!

What would you do, if you had supernatural power?

A: Better not say that... not serious... hehe…

If you were obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which would represent the whole human music… which album would it be and from which band?

A: Impossible to choose only one album. Six people with different likes... better luck next time. Maybe it would be better for him not to know music at all... hehe…

Do you believe that internet has helped the bands to become more popular or has caused many problems?

A: Both of reasons, on one hand, bands have a way to promote their music without spending so much money. But on the other hand, it lacks some kind of regulation.

Which band do you consider that can take a leading part in rock music in the future?

A: We cannot foretell the future, so that, we will not give any opinion. Furthermore, we think that there is not any leader band into the rock scene. From time to time, we have a best selling band, but this does not mean anything. You can be a mid-class band and also to sell millions of albums, as history proves every day.

Which are the things that piss you off from today’s music industry?

A: Maybe the fact that classic bands are being fire off just because of sales rates. We pay so much attention to business and not so to music culture. We better help to save this world and not to destroying it as we do nowadays.

If you could go back in time and see any band live in their prime & open for them who would it be and why?

A: Many of them, Journey, Bon Jovi, Europe... and so on. Needless to say why...

Imagine that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for herself an expensive ring. How would you react? J

A: Arrgggggggggggggggg!!!!!! Better not think about it, I would leave her anyway...

That’s all for now dude. Thanks for the music, please leave a note to Grande Rock readers... Take care!

A: We would like to tell all of you... thanks, thanks for your support, we hope to see you soon out on the road.

by Thanos Aggelakis