Interviews: SERPICO

We have had the opportunity to interview the Sleaze Rock band SERPICO from Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

Vee Dour: Actually our former drummer named our band after that surname because he was and still is an ambitious movie freak.

Snake: Yeah, we didn't think about it too much. Serpico is a cool-looking dude so it's a good fit for a band name.

(Referring to the movie "Serpico" and Al Pacino's character Frank Serpico)

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Snake: Well, I (and the rest of the band) have been listening to hard rock pretty much my whole life, so it might have something to do with the music we're playing.

Vee Dour: It's in us because of our childhood, I mean the things we thought were best in music on those days. That's why it's quite natural to us to play music like that. We just love to put our own sauce in it and make it unique in our way.

Jani Serpico: I got all of my idols & heroes from rock n' roll or related to it, so it makes sense n' feels natural.

Matt Gee: Rock n' roll music has always been a big part of my life. So it's kind of natural selection.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Vee Dour: I and Jani have been friends since we both were well under ten years old, that is almost from the cradle, yeah. With Jani, we formed our first band and we've been playing since our teenage times together. I used to be quite a good guitarist, you know but I left it only for composing after I met Snake. He was so good a guitarist that I was amazed. With Snake, we became friends after I turned 23 years old. I worked in a local culture house and Snake was hanging around there and playing his guitar... Every time I saw him outside of the building he tapped on his thigs with his hands some rhythms and hummed many kinds of tunes. This guy was odd, almost like a beast in his long black hair. On one day we met outside and he asked if I could sing high notes, I guess he meant singing in falsetto... So I sang a traditional child's tune in a bad way if we are totally honest, but fortunately, he had heard me singing before in our former band with Jani. That's the way how Serpico started its story. And with Matt, we used to hang in the same bunch with Jani.

Snake: We have been through quite a bit of line-up changes, so no, I didn't know every band member beforehand. I and the original Bassist and drummer were friends before Serpico. And had some bands together.

Matt Gee: I've known Vee Dour and Jani since elementary school. Snake and I haven't met before I joined the band.

Jani Serpico: Nuthing to ädd!

4. Each band member favourite band?

Snake: It´s a gruesome task to go through all my favorite bands, there are so many. But for Rock, I must say Guns 'n Roses. Nothing comes even close to how impactful that band has been to me. Maybe Metallica and Gary Moore come after.

Vee Dour: There are so many good bands to pick only a one but if I have to highlight only a one I'd say that I just love Alice Cooper's early productions, the times when they were the band.

Jani Serpico: I just love blues/rockabilly/pop/rock n' roll/metal from 30's to 90's, I don't know... My Top3 faves are maybe Hanoi Rocks, GN'R & Motörhead... So many of 'em to choose only 1 or even 3.

Matt Gee: Too many good ones to name just one. But I was a big Mötley Crue fan already in kindergarten.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Vee Dour: I have to say people or some kind of feeling or something particular word that fascinates me.

Snake: My biggest inspiration and my idol are Benny Andersson. My writing may not resemble Benny and Abba at all, but Bennys approach to writing music is something I try to, for lack of a better word, mimic.

6. Where was your last gig?

Serpico: At Porispere festival, summer 2021 in our hometown.

7. Where would you like to act?

Vee Dour: I know I'm dull saying this but all over the world.

Snake: All is good.

Jani Serpico: Whiskey a go go would be cool!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Vee Dour: I would like to climb on the stage with Robert Plant, he's a well-known gentleman and I look up his work in music especially Zepp times.

Matt Gee: All the big names in rock are very welcome

Jani Serpico:Aerosmith! I would like to play "Let the music do the talking" with 'em.

9. Whom not?

Vee Dour: I'm open to suggestions.

Jani Serpico: Maybe I'd be ashamed to go on stage after Benny Greb... Haha.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Snake: When you are calm as a cucumber before the gig the show will be well shit. If you are not at least a little bit anxious about the gig then that is a sign you just don't care. And it will show. So yes, a little stage fright is always a positive. A couple of beers helps, just don't go overboard. Then your fears will manifest.

Vee Dour: I suffer from stage fright before every gig we play but, in a healthy way. Keep your focus on your gig and enjoy your time on the stage. All those people who have arrived to see your gig didn't come there hoping you to fail.

Jani Serpico: Yeah, sure! But I just love the feeling, my body goes all wired up n' into a relaxed state.

Matt Gee: Not that I know of... just do your thing and try to enjoy it, I guess

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Vee Dour: Do I begin from alphabet a?

Snake: I dropped some bands a few questions back.

Jani Serpico: There's so many of 'em that... Maybe Thin Lizzy, GN' R, Motörhead, Hanoi, Stray cats, Queen, Roky Eriksson... I don't know... Aerosmith...

Matt Gee: Motley Crue, Kiss, Twisted Sister... i also like all the alternative stuff like Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, etc

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Vee Dour: Can you buy me food?

Matt Gee: Haven't met the fans yet.

Jani Serpico: Haha... I prefer not to say...

13. What do you think of your fans?

Serpico: We salute you n' you are the most important to the band! We love you!

14. What do you think of our site?

Serpico: Great looking professional webzine/magazine!

15. Something to add?

Jani Serpico: Yeah, keep following us peeps and you'll stay true to rock n' roll!

Matt Gee: Hope to see ya on gigs soon!