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Interview with Tommi Holappa
of Greenleaf
March 2008 by Metal Mark |
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Greenleaf have been around for almost a decade
and have featured a number of different members, many of who are
also in other bands. I recently got to interview guitarist Tommi
Holappa (who is also in Dozer) to find out more.
How did the idea for this band come about?
Well it all started sometime in 1999 when me and Daniel (drummer)
were out drinking beer at some shitty pub here in our hometown of
Borlänge (Sweden). I had known Daniel for a few years, he played
drums in Demon Cleaner and we (Dozer) have done a bunch of gigs with
them so we were good friends. So anyway, one night at the pub we
were talking about how much we love good old 60's and 70's rock! The sounds, the grooves, the simple "just have fun and play whatever you
feel". So after a whole bunch of drinks we decided to start a band.
What are you currently working on?
Currently there is not much going on with Greenleaf. Oskar
(singer) is busy touring with his band (Truckfighters) and I'm busy
working on the next Dozer album. Greenleaf has always been a side
project for me...whenever I have some time over from Dozer (after
tours etc etc) that's when I work on Greenleaf stuff. But no worries
I love Greenleaf so there will always be time to make more music and
do a couple of shows...it just might take a bit of time:-)
There have been numerous musicians contributing to this band. Was
that the original idea or has it just turned out that way?
That was the original idea! We make the basic songs (guitar, bass, drums) and then we invite some friends over to be
on the record.
This band has been referred to as a “super group” or an “all-star
band”. Do you think that either of those labels is appropriate or
not?
Hehehehe...I don't know if we can call it a super group....none
of us are famous!:-) But yeah there's some members and guests on the
records that are in very cool bands!
Truckfighters, Lowrider, Witchcraft, Stonewall Noise Orchestra etc etc.
Do you use any vintage gear or equipment when recording to help
give it a more authentic 1970’s sound?
Not really...Most of the stuff is recorded with cubase and modern
gear...except for a couple of old amps, speakers and effect pedals.
It's all about the money...if we could afford it we would definitely
record on 2" tape and only old gear but...yeah...give us
money!! Hahahaha! But I think we have done a pretty good job in
making it sound vintage. |
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How do you think “Agents of Ahriman” was different from your
previous albums?
The core, the idea is the same...just make songs that we like and
a whole bunch of cool riffs! I think we put a little bit more time
into writing the songs and tried to make a bunch of songs that would
still be good after hearing them 50 times. Other than that it's good
old Greenleaf taking a little step forward.
Whose guitar is on the album cover?
That's my baby! I have 2 firebirds that I love to death! Bought
my first one 15 years ago and since then I have been in love!
Where do you get the inspirations for your song topics?
Oskar wrote all the lyrics on the latest record I really know
where he gets his inspiration from. But on the older stuff it was
really simple...Fredrik (singer on the 2 previous records) comes to
the studio and sings his |
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melody idea he
has and then we just sit down and write lyrics for 10 minutes and
yeah...then it's done. So the lyrics are about everything and
nothing at the same time:-) On 10.000 years of revolution (from
Secret Alphabets) Fredrik just improvises the whole thing...so there
is a whole bunch of made up words there:-) Whole idea about
Greenleaf is about riffs and grooves so the lyrics are not really
that important...To me the vocals are just another instrument.
What is the music scene like these days in Sweden?
There's a whole bunch of cool bands if you are into 70's rock :Witchcraft, Graveyard, Elope. Abrmis
Brahma, Blow Back, King Hobo (just to name a few) But other than that
the scene is not so good in my opinion...not so many good clubs to
play in...if you find a club that will let you play they almost want
you to pay to play...which sucks ass! Anyway there is still
hope...Lately there has been some new clubs opening that bring hope
to smaller bands...so ask me again in a year and I tell you if
things have gotten better:-)
What do you hope to accomplish in 2008?
Maybe after we have recorded the next Dozer album I will have
some time to concentrate on writing some new songs for Greenleaf...I
have a couple of riffs ready to be made into songs so let's keep our
fingers crossed!
What other bands are the current band members in?
I'm in Dozer and Dali (a new band I have with Daniel).
Oskar (vocals) is in Truckfighters. Erik (drums) was the first drummer
in Dozer. Peder (vocals) is I Are Droid and Lowrider (r.i.p)
John (vocals) is in Stonewall Noise Orchestra and Mother Misery |
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How is this project different from other bands that you guys have
been in?
I can only speak for myself but Greenleaf is more easy going...we
play whenever we have time and we do it just to have fun.
Has this band played live or is it strictly a studio band?
Most of the time we are a studio band but we have done a handful
of shows in Belgium, Germany, Finland and Sweden. It's always fun to
play live with these guys but at the moment it's hard to get our
schedules to match.
Pick the band from the following pairs that
you prefer and
why.
Captain Beyond or Sir Lord Baltimore
Hhmmmm....I like them both, but if I have to choose one...Captain
Beyond.
Lynyrd Skynyrd or ZZ Top
Wow! This is even harder! How am I supposed to choose one? They
both are awesome!
Alice Cooper or Kiss
Damn! I love both! I grew up on the early Kiss stuff. Ace Frehley
made half of the Greenleaf solos...hahahaha!! So I guess I have to
choose Kiss
Black Sabbath or Blue Cheer
Ok...Blue Cheer rocks like hell but Sabbath wrote the book of heavy
riffs!! So Sabbath it is.
Is there anything else that you would like to say about your band
or your music?
Yeah...Bengt should let his beard grow :-)
***Thanks to Tommi for doing the interview.
Visit Greenleaf at:
www.myspace.com/greenleafheavyrock |
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