Interviews: Denigrate

This is a new interview with the Metal band Denigrate 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?

Sepi: The idea came from the lyrics of Carcass'Heartwork album "A canvas to paint, to denigrate". It just sounded good.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Sepi: I did not think of any genres when I started this band. I just wanted to play metal, but not a certain genre. This came out naturally. I listened to different kinds of bands such as TestamenT, Iron Maiden, Katatonia, Opeth, Sentenced, Sepultura, Death, Pantera, Morbid Angel, etc in that time.

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

Galzi: Blackguard is my first effort in this band, we got to know Sepi when he joined Dead Shape Figure where I've had a home for almost 20years. But Denigrate guy immediately became my long-lost sibling!

Sepi: I knew the bass player Pekka and I met Tipi (the drummer) quite soon. 

Pekka: Went to the same high school with a bunch of guys but not all the members knew each other back then

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Galzi: Always too many to name obviously but I always like to get stuff out of the genre we do, so my choice for today is Massive Attack. Also, I've been into this one metal group from Sweden back in the late 90s called Ebony Tears.

Sepi: It is hard to pick one. But now I have listened a lot to Vola´s new album. 

Tipi: I don't have one certain favorite. I like a lot of bands/artists from different genres: Iron Maiden, My Dying Bride, Bowie, Cradle of Filth, Animals as Leaders, Belphegor, etc, it all depends on which mood I am In but I think Iron Maiden is the one that has influenced me the most.

Pekka: So many of those, still mostly from the metal sector. Would highlight Iron Maiden, Death, and Sentenced to name a few important ones.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Galzi: Lyrically I scrape a huge selection of books, stories, lyrics, newspapers, and magazines just to get one song written. I know it's way too much text I go through each time but I just simply love to get into any great text or story and start gathering something new.

Sepi: Life.. I write a lot and sometimes it is just a great tone or weird tone that I play with.. sometimes just playing riffs with guitar or keyboard.

6. Where was your last gig?

Sepi: We played our last gig with Micko about five years ago.

Pekka: Blackpool Järvenpää? No idea.

7. Where would you like to act?

Galzi: it'd be great to have a gig in Ulan Bator, Cuba, Iceland, and Barbados. There are a few places to spread the good Denigrate word I'd say.

Sepi: I would like to have a gig in Europe and of course the USA.

Pekka: Some big metal festivals abroad would be nice. Wacken maybe?

Tipi: Wacken or Rock In Rio 8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Galzi: I'd love to get a co-operation with Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox and Pink just to tell them how much I love what they do. And of course Axl Rose.

Tipi: Bruce Dickinson

9. Whom not?

Galzi: Johnny Rotten, Glenn Danzig, and Varg Vikernes, simply because I'm afraid of them.

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

Galzi: It's not frighting and I guess none of us has experienced that but this special rush before the gig is there before every show. That's something you can't have from anything else you do in life. To get comfortable on stage is to get comfortable in your own skin. Three things are in order and you'll be fine: You know what you're doing. You're not the center of the universe. You give all you got, otherwise don't bother.

Sepi: It´s good to have "butterflies" in your stomach before the gig. It kind of means that I am taking seriously this gig and trying to give my best to the audience and to my bandmates. Three things are in order and you'll be fine: You know what you're doing. Do not think what others think, just do your thing as good as you can. Take the audience.. do not play to your feet.

Pekka: I guess it’s normal to be a bit nervous before gigs, keeps you alert and easier to focus on what you’re doing. Keep doing gigs without too long breaks.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Galzi: A vast variety of artists: Tom Waits, P.J. Harvey, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith...Metal stuff I admit I'm into the ones I listened to 20years ago Napalm Death, Samael, Septic Flesh, Babylon Whores..

Sepi: Anathema, Katatonia, Faith No More, Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, Opeth, Testament, Death...

Pekka: Probably some of the more technical ones, that have an inspirational member playing my own instrument. Death, Dream Theater, etc...

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

Galzi: Somebody asked if I could weld his' bike frame since I'm in a bike business. Not a bad request though.

Sepi: Can´t remember...

Pekka: To sign my autograph into their butt cheek

13. What do you think of your fans?

Pekka: So cool to have them and know that there are actually people waiting for our next release already.

Sepi: More than important to have them... Keeps us doing our thing.

14. What do you think of our site?

Pekka: Such an important shit to bring up non-mainstream bands to listen to

Sepi: Like Pekka said.

15. Something to add?

Sepi: Check out our new album!!

Pekka: Cheers folks