Interview with KRAMP
!!!SPANISH HEAVY METAL!!!
We had a conversation with Mina (Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
1. Tell us a few things about KRAMP (Members, Starting Year etc).
We're KRAMP and we play Heavy Metal.
2. Your last work was the EP ''Wield Revenge''. Have you prepared anything new since then?
We've been working on our first full length, GODS OF DEATH. Right now, we're in the mix/master phase.
3. Label or DIY and why?
Both, why not?
I'm a big DIY person for everything. I manage everything in the band and I'm sure I'll still do it even if we get really big one day, but obviously, if a label puts love and effort on their side, I can concentrate in more different DIY appart from paying a physical release. There are always many things to do for a band other than releasing music.
I'll still painting my own artwork, doing all the graphics, etc...
4. Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I consume all of them... most of my collection is digital and I'm not afraid to admit it. Many people criticize this on modern society and I don't get it: maybe they have infinite incommings and a degree in archeolgy, but most of the bands I love have few material out there, it's nearly impossible to get or costs hundreds... and yes, there are many reissues, but still many bands that will never get to my shelf. I love vinyl and being a graphic designer I have mixed feelings: on vinyl I can put greater details on the artwork knowing it'll be appreciated, but on CD I can create a great booklet. Also, CDs are way confortable to listen cause I don't need to get up and flip it, hahaha. I fucking hate Digipaks, that I can tell you.
5. Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Regarding to Heavy Metal influences: I bet you can hear some MANOWAR, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, OMEN or RIOT on my music...
6. Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
I can only speak for myself. Maybe spoiled kids that doesn't need a job and can buy their place in concerts and be bored in 5 years of playing, doesn't know what's the fight. Of course, if anyone want to take serious their bands, they need to practice and accept that there aren't such things as enough practises or lessons, time spent on composing or rehearsing, and that not every song done is going to be good to use.That sometimes they need to use their personal time to become better, that perhaps they won't be able to separate their personal life from the band, because it's way more than "a job" and your way of making a living (if you're lucky) becomes your way of living. I'm a fighter and I didn't had the best of lucks at...well, anything, so I build it up for myself.
Maybe it's not about sacrifice but adaptation. Or maybe it is sacrifice, but I refuse to play the victim I moved to a different city without knowing anyone there just to find musicians to rebuild the line-up of the band. I've put the expenses of the band before any other personal needs, cause I prefer to be poor than not fighting for my music, and I've put my music before my health many times. Yeah, I can say that I lost many things for my band, but to earn a greater satisfaction with myself. This life is not for cowards or conformists.
7. Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
My ideal live show is every time I can play live, actually. If there aren't technical problems, hahahaha. But yeah, I make the most of every live experience, and I honestly could be playing in an empty room and hear the crickets as a response and be happy, but of course, watching people enjoying the songs, chanting along and going wild makes every concert the best.
8. Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Attitude. There's a bunch of faint-hearteds out there that won't have a personality ever.
There are many bands that are great musicians and have a personal sound, but they lack strenght on their personality, and that brings shadow to their music. There are, on the other hand, some bands playing the same old riffs but believing in what they're doing, and they are fresh. Attitude goes first. If you have that, you'll do whatever you want and that will become your trademark sound and image, even if you heard it thousand times before, because you're raising your voice and saying “HEY, WE'RE HERE TO DO OUR STUFF AND WE DON'T CARE ABOUT OTHERS”.
9. Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
YES! It surely does.
First of all: internet allows your music to get to places you couldn't imagine. Many bands feel discourage because their local scene doesn't show much enthusiasm for their music and then they found out that in some country somewhere, they're crazy about them... that shit happened to bands like Manowar or Manilla Road decades ago... and this kind of platforms are helpful to not just be able to get music from anywhere, but for the bands to be concious that someone cares about their music. And even more: you can be in contact with your fans.Bandcamp for example, works as an online store and this is really important. Many bands doesn't have the sources or experience to put together a website for their products, in other cases, they just don't have the support of any lable and can't release their material in physical format, so they find a great tool on this kind of platforms to distribute their music and in some cases, make money of it. Youtube is the future, but it's the present as well. Most of the bands in my collection, old and new, I found them through Youtube. There's so much material that's impossible to follow everything.
10. Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Spain (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
It's quite strong nowadays, many bands are rising with energy: War Dogs, Witchtower, Hitten, Red Sharks, etc
Some dedicated metalheads putting the good old paper on the streets, as Metal Slavers or Heavy Metal Fire. I don't know many webzines, actually, and the big ones are not of my interest... but I do follow some podcasts, as Forjando el Acero or Imperio del Metal.In the Metal Clubs area I think this country is blessed. Many complain, but I've lived in an area where there's not activity or people interested in metal at all, so thinking in clubs like Pouding Metal, Xauenbangers, Heavy Metal Espectros or Metal Bats (there are more!) it's just amazing.Sure the crowds aren't huge, but we're really fortunate to live this time in the metal history. Even some big festivals are trusting in underground heavy metal bands!
11. Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I'm a big fan!! As I'm writing this, I'm waiting impatient to come back to Greece for Up the Hammers.
I love many Greek bands: Wrathblade, Crush, Validor... Also, it's amazing to walk by the streets of Athens and find so many record shops. You have amazing labels there, like No Remorse or Eat Metal. Hail to Hellas!
12. What are your future plans?
Kramp will kick some serious asses presenting GODS OF DEATH and we'll be touring for sure. In the mean time we're preparing the songs for the second album. No rest for the wicked! Hahaha. I have some other projects that I'm working on right now as well and hopefully there'll be a new album this year.
13. Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for your support! Be tuned and ready for the GODS OF DEATH to arise!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
KRAMP CONTACT:
https://krampmetal.bandcamp.com/