Interviews: Alconaut

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Stoner Metal/Doom Metal band Alconaut from the island of Corsica (France). 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 come out just like that?

The band's name comes from our drummer, Antoine-Joseph, and it's a mix between "alcoholic" and "astronaut" We thought it was fun and sounded nice, so we never looked back but please dear readers, stop calling us “The Alconauts”

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It's a genre we all like to listen to, and we liked that massive sound you can hear on famous records like Black Sabbath's Master of Reality, Sleep's Holy Mountain, or Monolord’s debut album, Empress Rising Before we started to write our own material, we used to jam a few of their songs and as time went on we quickly started to write our own songs.

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

Yes, we were already friends before the band and I think sometimes we don't think and act like a band but more like friends who enjoy playing loud music

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Georges: I would say Lynyrd Skynyrd, they made me want to pick up the guitar and include a lot of blues in their playing They also have a few acoustic tracks that have more of an Americana feel, and a lot of catchy choruses that I used to listen to when going back home from college

Antoine-Joseph: For me, I think I would have said Opeth, but just recently I discovered the Belgian band Brutus, and that's the one that suits me the most. So I'd say this one now, it inspires me to compose and play differently.

Kevin: For me, it's Rush, not a stoner but I will forever love the bass parts of Geddy Lee, the groove and the precision of the late Neil Peart, and the solos from Alex Lifeson, add to that the prog part and keyboard sounds and you get the best band ever !

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

First, the island we grew up in, is Corsica. But it is also nice to dive into one's inner challenges and write it out as a journey in an unknown land

6. Where was your last gig?

At a place called “La Salle Gueule” in Marseille, it’s a nice DIY venue with an underground scene Just a week before that, we played an awesome gig at the Supersonic in Paris.

7. Where would you like to act?

Wherever we can meet new people, and other bands with the same mindset that we have any festival would also be great

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would absolutely like to open for our favorite bands touring in Europe, maybe Clutch, Monolord, or Fu Manchu Besides meeting the bands that made us start our own, it would be an opportunity to play to a bigger audience

9. Whom not?

Any band who will play louder than us or outdrink us after the gig

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

Yes all the time but, when you know your songs and enjoy playing them, there is a moment when you forget about them and feel free. If we had a tip to give to beginners it would be that: Don't worry about making mistakes and enjoy your time on stage

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The bands that have inspired us from the very start were Sleep, Monolord, Mars Red Sky, of course Black Sabbath like most of the doom and stoner bands. We like ASG a lot, The Sword and Elder too but we like to say that we are a little bit influenced by thrash bands like Pantera of Power Trip. We like to include some fast and groovy parts in our records.

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

We’d rather not tell

13. What do you think of your fans?

They have great taste in music and we love them

14. What do you think of our site?

We like the fact that it’s very accessible and you did an awesome referencing of the bands, It’s easy to find bands from everywhere and it helps growing bands to be seen

15. Something to add?

Support your local bands ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ