Chrome Division

(Agosto -2008)

Welcome to The Murder Inn. This is our first interview ever with Chrome Division, would you like to give us a bit of information about the band?

Yeah. We started up in 2004. After a number of nights out on the town, talking about starting up a Rock ‘n’ Roll band. In the beginning it was Shagrath on guitar, Lex Icon on drums and me on bass. Solely as a side-project, trying out this way of making riffs and songs. It was working out great, so we added more members. Eddie Guz on vocals and Ricky Black on lead guitar. After a little while we had to replace Lex on drums with Tony White. From there we’ve been this line-up. We’ve recorded two albums now, so you can safely say that it’s not a project anymore, but an alive and kicking band.

You released your first album Doomsday Rock ‘n’ Roll in 2006. Looking back, what do you think about it? Is there anything you would do differently now?

Not really. That album was very spontaneous. We went in the studio just after we’d finished the first five songs. Then we went out to rehearse more songs for the rest of the album, and went back immediately when they were finished. Some of the music was even made in the studio. That way the album is very much alive. Of course there are always some things here and there you want to pick on, but all in all I think it still kicks ass.

To me, Doomsday Rock’n’Roll sounded very Motörhead-oriented with a couple of excellent Black Label Society-type elements; which are your main influences?

Well, we like both of the bands you mentioned. But there’s a whole lot more. Basically I would say that the bands that were big in the end of the 70’s and beginning of the 80’s, is a big influence when we make music for this band. You know, this is music we listened to when we grew up, and are still important to us, and we still listen to it once in a while. Bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, AC / DC and so fourth, but the funny thing is that we always get the Motörhead-tag on us, even though we don’t try to sound like them or something. It just gets that way naturally.

What’s your songwriting technique? Does it all start with a beat, do you jam on riffs or do you enter the studio with everything ready to go?

We do it the old fashioned way. By rehearsing and jamming. But it always starts with a guitar-riff. So it’s basically Shagrath or Ricky who presents some new stuff on rehearsals, then we’re trying it out and arrange the music all together. It’s a nice and democratic way of working.

A couple of days ago, your new album Booze, Broads and Beelzebub was released. Would you say it is a natural sequel to Doomsday Rock’n’Roll?

I would say so, yes. It’s much of the same style, but we have incorporated some more elements this time. Like more Metal stuff and some Punk energy. So it’s a continuation, but with small improvements. And that’s very important for every musician, to set a goal to get a little better for each time you release something. The sound is also more powerful on this album.

Your first album had a strong street or biker attitude. What are the lyrics on Booze, Broads & Beelzebub about?

The same, he he! No big changes there. It’s about 50% sex, 30% drinking, and 20% devilry.

Who writes the lyrics? How much of what you write about comes from personal experience and how much is just plain fiction?

Eddie Guz writes most of it. He did the whole first album, and on this one he handed a couple over to me. Eddie is a guy who writes almost exclusively from own experiences. I like more fiction type of lyrics. Comic book stories if you like.

There is also a ZZ TOP cover on Booze,Broads & Beelzebub. How come you chose ZZ TOP?

ZZ Top is also a band I grew up with, and still listens to. I remember I was driving around in my car with “Eliminator” on, and I got curious on how a cool, yet old song like this would sound like with a modern and powerful sound. We tried it out. Speeded it up a little bit and repeated the choruses a bit more. It turned out great, so we kept it.  Not just for a live treat, but for the actual album. I think it gives the album a good balance.

Chrome Division are mainly a studio project, also because of your main bands’ tight schedule. Do you think you might manage to do a tour sometime in the future??

Hopefully, yeah. I know that Dimmu Borgir are going to slow down their touring activity in the fall / early winter, to start making new material, so then we have the opportunity. We’ll see…

TMI supports the underground music scene in Italy and abroad. Do you have any suggestions for new bands starting out?

There’s a lot of work. If you want to succeed, you have to make sacrifices and really go for it. But the most important thing for me personally is to feel well and comfortable with what I do. I’ve been involved in some bands now and my experience says that if you don’t have any fun and don’t believe in your own songs. Do something else. However, if it works out great, go for it big time.

Do you know any Italian bands?

Not many. If any at all…? I’ve got the impression that Italy has got a lot of good Power Metal bands. Unfortunately, that’s not my cup of tea.

We have reached the end of our interview. This is the part where you have complete freedom to write whatever you want to say to fans and readers. Go for it!

Awright, Italian Rockers! I’ve heard that there’s a good Rock environment in Italy. I hope we can come and play there one day. In the meantime, you can enjoy our new album which is just out. Play it loud in your car, at a party with friends, alone at home… Either way, it will cheer you up.
Thanx for the support.

(Commenta nel Forum)

Realizzata da Stefano.