Interview with SCHOOL OF ROCK - FILTHY DOGS OF METAL

17 Nov

!!!DIRTY HARD 'N' HEAVY METAL FROM RUSSIA!!!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about SCHOOL OF ROCK (Members, Starting Year etc).

To all Hellenic metalheads, hello from the Bear country! In 2006 me and bassist Petrovitch had left local legendary band “Black hearts” and later at a regular drinking party of guerrilla regiments from Velikie Luki city’s Army of Rock we decided to form a vocal-instrumental ensemble of singing and dancing. With involvement of drummer Kazl, who played with “Tiran” at that time, we went into the offensive on the local musical front line. We gained experience by raiding metal scene of our city, shaped and polished accumulated musical material and in 2012 poured forth our first album on CD “Let’s Play Rock and Roll”. And then our bassist left the band. His wife forbade him to play heavy music stating that it was created by Satan. Luckily his fellow musician Tiran came to our aid and fixed a breach by taking place of the fallen comrade. In 2017 we gave birth to “Heavy Metal Monster". And then our drummer got struck by a midlife crisis. He decided to leave for the woods, far away from people to blend with nature and find his own Zen. Nobody has ever heard about him since then. But still the world wasn’t void of madmen willing to merge their veins with steel of the School of Rock’s iron riffs. It was irrestrainable energetic drummer Bidon. He was the final piece of a puzzle that became a vibrant reinforced-concrete heavy rock-record: “Hellblock 13” released in 2019 on 10” vinyl. That's all for now. Stay tuned...

In 2019 you have released your EP ''Hellblock 13''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?

Very diverse. But listeners don’t badmouth it as they did with the previous two albums. Yes, they point to issues with sound and vocals, but such things can never stop a metal-zombie!

Label or DIY and why?

Labels are better since they provide more benefits. Interviews, ads, etc. But in the beginning I started as DIY without any complaints.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?

I love all formats. Each of them has its own unique sound. And I have small collections of records in each format. But my favorite one and closest to my heart, ears, and soul is vinyl. Especially records from 1960s and 1970s. Their heavy tube sound is particularly pleasing to my auditory receptors.

Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)

My favorite bands that influenced me and my music the most are Black Sabbath and AC/DC. Obviously, there are a shit ton of amazing bands and songs, so a lot of them influenced my music. In my songs I can hear influences from guitar players from Motley Crue, Deep Purple, Hendrix, creepy Alice Cooper and other bands.

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?

People sacrifice something for something. On the other hand, I do metal because I love crazy dances with a guitar on a stage. Play, drink, have fun, you only live once. Have I sacrificed anything? I lived for music and spent all my time and money on rehearsals, recording music and alcohol. We were rehearsing practically every day. You can say that I placed my health and life on the altar of Rock. Ha! I’ve got nothing else anyway!

Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?

It's when you give it your all on the stage and a bunch of metalheads jump around in metal fever thus giving back the energy you send to the audience. It’s definitely better that the first sex!!! And yes, I’ve experienced that. The ideal show, I mean. It’s a rare occurrence but happen sometimes. Just like sex.

Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?

To have big balls. And create trends, not follow them.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?

I’m sure it helps. It’s thanks to such platforms that people listen to my music in places where small Russian band shouldn’t be known at all. And the ideal way is to take advantage of all opportunities. I’m talking about labels, magazines, and platforms.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Russia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)

In all honesty I’m not the best metal scene reviewer. The only thing that impressed me in the last few years was album “Hex” released by Siberian trash-monsters “Coffin board” in 2017. Also, in 2019 I was delighted to see resurrection of the “Stay heavy” fanzine and their new cover arts in style of Iron Maiden. And otherwise in the last couple of years commotion in the metal community has been slowed down by brain-eating COVID-worms.

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?

No, I don’t.

What are your future plans?

Replenish band’s lineup and make some noise inside and outside of our city. And to shake my ass and head until both fall off.

Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.

The pleasure is mine! Thanks for the interview. All hail Metal!

By Steve the Filthy Dog.