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Interview with Toxic
October 2008 by Metal Mark |
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Toxic hail from Norway and just released a
strikingly solid album called "Fear". I recently interviewed the
band to find out more.
Please introduce your band members and tell what instrument you
play.
Trash Hamer: Vocals, Guitar
Geir Ove Bernhoff: Guitars, Vocals
Daffy: Guitars
Rolf Lura: Bass, Organ, Cello and Double Bass
Kristian Moen: Drums
Tell us a little about the history of your
band.
Toxic was founded back in May 2003. We soon started to make our own
songs. We released our debut album "Intoxicated", and made a video
called "Chronos" that was broadcasted on several TV stations all
over the world. It also received a Gold Medal in the Euro Film
Festival. Toxic was signed by the UK based label Rocksector in the
spring of 2008. Our second album "Fear" was released in September
2008. This album have already received several good reviews, and the
songs from that album is spinning on several radio stations around
the world.
Who are your musical influences?
We are influenced by band from the 70's up to today. Some bands that
I would like to mention are: Led Zeppelin, System Of A Down, Queen,
Black Sabbath and Judas Priest + many more.
I enjoyed your album “Fear”, but it took me a few tries to really
get into it. How would you describe your music?
Yes, I have heard several people say that, and they've also said
this: Once you'd got Toxic's CD spinning a few times, it's hard to
put it away. The album is very exciting. It has a lot of variation,
both from song to song and within the same song. It also has both
soft beautiful parts, and really heavy ones. So it's something for
anyone with a taste for rock music. But there are several "straight
in your face" songs on the album, that catches you immediately. You
won't get bored.
What are some of the songs on your album about?
Toxic do not have those "love and kiss" lyrics. The lyrics often
trying to point a finger on things that are negative in the world,
like greediness and unfairness. Both the song "Greed", "Every
Beating is a Lie" and "Feed my Bitch" are made with such lyrics.
Where do you get the topics for your songs?
Both from reading a lot, and from experiences in every day life.
What are some your favorite tracks on your album?
And why?
Lucifer: It's got an unique and stunning riff, and also a mystifying
and diabolic part with organ and cool singing. I am the Fire:
Straight in your face kick ass rock'n'roll
Tinnitus: A interesting song including a various number of cool
themes. Such as Norwegian folk music and some beautiful cello
playing.
How did you come to get signed by Rocksector records? How has that
relationship gone so far?
We spotted Rocksector, when we were out surfing on MySpace, looking
for someone to help us booking a UK tour last year. Rocksector has
done a splendid job for us. It's not so very easy to find someone to
trust 100%, in this cruel business. |
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What is the music scene like in your part of Norway? Is it fairly
active or not?
There is a lot of bands here in Stavanger/Norway, but the live scene
ain't that good. Everyone sits on their own shelf, there isn't any
cooperation at all.
Are there any great unsigned bands in your area that you would like
to mention?
I would like to mention a band called "12", they're cool:
www.myspace.com/nr12nr
Will you be playing in Europe or anywhere else in upcoming months?
We played in the UK in October, and we're gonna do some
gigs here in Norway. We also have several good contacts in the USA,
that are trying to sort out an US tour for us. So, we're hoping to
do a US tour next year.
What are you doing that sets your band apart from other bands
playing the scene these days?
I've heard from several people that we've managed to make our own
unique sound. You can of course hear influences from other bands in
our music, but still we have something special. We're combining
melodic soft parts with hard and groovy ones.
In what aspects do you think that need or would like to improve
upon?
We'll need to get out and do a whole lotta gigs, to show the world
who Toxic are.
If you could only listen to three albums over the next month then
what would you pick and why?
System of a Down: Any album. Their albums just grows with every spin.
Judas Priest: Sad Wings of Destiny. It's their second album and
they're still got their feet on the ground +Rob Halford sings like a
God. Queen: Queen 2. It's their second album and they're still got
their feet on the ground + Freddy Mercury sings like a God.
Is there anything else that you would like to say about your band or
your music?
Check out our MySpace, it's worth it:
www.myspace.com/toxicnorway |
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