Hi
Alex… thx for the great hard
rock dynamite that you offered us. Since it’s the first time that we talk
can you tell me why did it take you 5 years to release a new album?
A: Because I recorded
for the first time all the guitar parts I really wanted without the pressure
of time and money (all the guitar parts are minimum doubled; exceptionally the
solos). Therefore I bought studio equipment and pre-produced the album at my
home.
You know… I consider your new
album as one of the best hot melodic hard rock albums of 2006… ‘cause
it’s in the same vein with albums that were released back in the late
80s/early90s. What are those elements that make this release so good in your
opinion? By the way the album’s artwork is great! I think that is even
better than your debut’s artwork.
A: We try to combine
power and melody. Also we simply try to make good songs with strong hooks. I
think the album is very versatile and I also love the beauty legs on the cover.
Can you tell us why did you name
the band Hotwire…? Whos’ idea was?
A: I think it was
Tom’s idea. Hotwire is a fantasy word which means translated: Hot guitar
strings.
OK let’s say some tings about
the new album. Firstly why did you name it “Devil In Disguise”? Do you
believe that the only “devil” that really tortures us here on Earth is
every woman? Are they are indeed Devils in Disguise?! J
A: Men know about women
so little and can’ t understand how they think so tend to believe from time
to time they are devils in disguise; but there are many other devils here on
earth; perhaps men in general…they fight wars …..
So, please tell
us some things about each one of the song? Just a line or two…
“Waterfalls”:
Power & Melody – the Hotwire philosophy; hear the demo version on www.hotwire-rock.de; for the album we changed especially the drum groove and recorded 1000
additional guitars.
“Devil
in Disguise”: The title track comes with a strong hook; I composed the intro
riff during a holiday at the East-sea.
“Hot
Love”: Cool and groovy cover of the T-Rex classic.
“Wonderland”:
It took 5 minutes to compose the song, but we needed months to record it.
“Ride
the Night Away”: The original song has an acoustic vibe; we made a solid
rock tune out of it.
“Feelings”:
Only Andy’ s voice and my guitar; really strong emotions come true.
“Skytrain”:
That’ s my favourite; this live killer makes much fun to play. Also a great
guitar-solo ;-)
“I
Know”: I love the combination of the minor (sad) verse and the major (funny)
chorus.
“Here
I Am”: The idea for the song came from Andy; the words are about his
girlfriend.
“Escaping”:
A bit of power-metal. You can hear 32(!!!) guitars at once.
“Everytime
You Want It”: Listen to Winni´’ s coolest bass groove on the CD.
Can you tell us a few things
about the composition and recording of the new album? Have you been again the
mastermind behind song-writing?
A: I write the songs
together with Andy. For the most of time I take my steel-string to compose.
Later we arrange the songs with Tom and Winni in our practicing cellar.
You have chosen to co-operate
with Lausmann for the production of the album. Are totally satisfied? Any
things that you would change? With whom producer would you like to co-operate
in the future?
A: We are totally
satisfied with the work of Chris. He has done a superb job and is a nice and
easy going guy. But the next CD should take half of the time, I hope. Rick
Rubin is one of my all time favourite producers.
Can you tell that hard rock music
is here again stronger than ever (if we also consider the fact that most of
the big 80s hard rock bands have re-united again)… or hard rock music has
passed to a new more “modern” path than in the past?
A: The old days are
finally over (and will never come back again). But you can find some kind of
hard-rock influences in almost every style of music. Nowadays music seldom
brings new surprises. It has all been done in the last century.
Although
you released your debut album in a “weird” time period (grunge music was
on its rise back then) you managed to survive all those years and all those
“trendy” 90s grunge bands have gone for good… How difficult was for a
band to experience a change of music in the mid-90s and how hard was to keep
it up all those years?
A: It’s very easy: We
make the music we love and hold on. A band has to grow and define their style
over the years. The trends come and go; you have to make it your own way to
get satisfied.
Even
though I like your debut album a lot… I think that the singer that you had
back then couldn’t offer that fresh rock edge (his voice was kind of weird)
that the band was needed… I just wish that you had released that album with
Andy on vocals. That’s another reason why I think that “Devil In Disguise”
is the band’s best work to date.
A: I agree; now we have
the ideal band constellation and we are very happy with this situation.
Perhaps we will record a live album with Andy interpreting the “old songs”.
Now that the press and the fans
have given you a great feedback (did you expect it?) what are your further
plans? What are your expectations from this new album?
A: The response of the (old
and new) fans is really awesome and a pleasure for us. We take a big piece of
motivation out of it. We like to play a lot more live the next year (2007);
also we work on new material for the next CD.
I’d always like to hear from
you what have been your main influences and inspirations? Or the band’s in
general?
A: I’m a fan of good
song-writing and timeless songs (like the other guys of the band). We like the
Beatles for example. But for sure I also like all the great guitarists out
there. Mainly Gary Moore, Django Reinhardt, Albert Lee & Dan Huff. But
this changes from time to time.
Are there any plans for a tour?
Will you play in any big Rock Festival this summer?
A: Yes, we try to make a
tour and play some festivals for the next year. We are back on stage!
And some weird Questions now!!!
How difficult is t survive and to succeed in a music world that is ruled by
irrelevant people that promote shit-wannabe-good pop music all the time…
without caring about music’s quality?
A: I wonder myself how I
survived over the years. Fact is the consumer determines what is successful or
not.
What is missing from today’s music industry and most albums are missing that quality that they used to have back in the 70’s and 80’s?
A: Inspiration.
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: That’s not possible…
but I would give them the “White Album” (The Beatles) and the
Metallica’s “Black Album”.
Do
you believe that internet has helped the bands to become more popular or has
caused many problems?
A: Internet is a great
tool for promotion. And it shows that no one needs the big commercial oriented
labels anymore. You can all do by yourself.
Which
band do you consider that can take a leading part in rock music in the future?
A: I don’t know, but I
can’t see any uprising new stars that will last for a decade or even longer.
Which are the things that piss
you off from today’s music industry?
A: Money, money, money,
it’s a rich mans world (ABBA). That’s sadly true.
Which is the most overrated
band today?
A: All industry produced
bands which have no own history and musical potential.
What was the first tune you
ever played on guitar?
A: The “House of the
rising sun” melody on acoustic guitar.
Who are your all-time favorite
guitarists?
A: Gary Moore &
Django Reinhardt. Everyone who plays with soul and has something to say.
Do you believe that is so easy
for a band to differ in today’s music industry than in the past? And if yes
what shall it do in order to achieve it?
A: You must rely on your
own power. Today it’s possible to manage yourself via internet and modern
medias.
Have
you listened to a very good album lately that surprised you?
A: I really like
“Stadium Arcadium” from the RHCP.
Imagine that your wife/girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for herself an expensive ring. How would you react? J
A: I would sell the ring
and buy a new girlfriend J
That’s
all for now Alex... Thanks for everything!! Please leave a note to
A: Thank you Thanos for
the interview and your support.cA special thanxxx goes to our fans all over
the world: You keep us going!!!
Rock on!!!
by Thanos Aggelakis