NYMPHO
"That's the mean reason for big labels not signing new bands."
(Interview mit Chriss, September 2009)
http://www.myspace.com/nymphovip
Hi
Chriss, cool that you take some time for answering our questions. Compliment for
the Nympho-Debut-CD.
I'm the one who should thank here, it's always a pleasure to talk to people who are willing to support not only our music , but also true rock and roll. And thanks for the compliments on the Nympho CD. It was a lot of work doing it , a lot of money and time spent on something we'd always wanted to do.
Tell
us a little bit about the band members.
The
band was formed four years ago by myself (Vocals and Rhythm Guitar) and Pablo
Pinheiro (Drums). We gave it a shot with two other guys and soon after that we
welcomed Dick (Lead Guitar) and Olavo Barroka (Bass). Everyone gets along great
in the band, and most of our musical influences are quite similar, so it's kind
of easy working together. Of Course it's like being married to three other
people, we have been having a good time together, we got to release our album
"V.I.P." on Perris Records U.S.A. last march, and we play every
gig that is offered to us.
We
don't know so much here about the Brazil Music Scene, so please tell us a little
bit about it...
The
rock scene is dead here. Yes, there are lots of bands that are fighting for
their lives, playing gigs, recording demos. But no one realy takes it seriously,
not to mention the lack of support to Rock N Roll in general. If you're not
playing modern rock with the song lyrics in Portuguese, and if you don't already
have the money to invest in your own band, you're nobody. Record Labels are not
really interested in good music, they're interested in how commercial their acts
can be, in how many CD copies they can sell. Especially now with this download
fever, big labels really think twice before signing a new artist.
What
was the first concert you attended?
It was Bon Jovi, in 1990. I was 13, but i'd been a music collector since the age of 6. I had such a blast getting to see some of my childhood idols play live that it was clear to me that it was exactly what I wanted to do with my life, even though it's nearly imposible to achieve what Bon Jovi has. But the point is not Giving up when the chips are down.
Any
plans for concerts in Europe?
We'd love to play in Europe! We only wish that some promoters would give us a try. If I were one i'd certainly give it a shot when booking a famous band. It's always interesting checking a new band out, when it has really something to say, something to stand for. And that's our case – Nympho stands for good, loud Rock N Roll music with 80's influences. It's not only about the looks, but mainly about the music.
Any
plans for
a new CD ?
Sure! I've already written about 10 new songs for a second Nympho CD. It's basically a continuation of what we did on "V.I.P." - loud guitars, big hooks, some agressive stuff, sing along choruses, heartbreaking ballads and two songs that could be seen as a progression in our own style. I've been demoing some of them and we'll probably hit the studio again early next year, and maybe release the new album sometime in 2010.
You
were the lead singer of Bastardz. What happened to the band?
When
I was invited to join Bastardz we were meant to be the first ever glam band in
brazil. And i mean the music, the looks and the atitude, everything should be
very 80's oriented. The first year and a half were great , but later things
became a nightmare . The other four guys wanted to change the band's direction
into the "New Glam" thing that was happening at the time. And I didn't
want to be in a band like Hardcore
Superstar! Little by little things started getting really out of control, and
the band and I decided to record a 6
Track EP, especially to see if we could really keep on working together. I produced the recordings and they hated them. They wanted to
sound like modern rock, and i wanted to sound like if I were in some 80's band.
We'd had good times for sure , but the tension was too big and, soon after the
sessions were completed, Bastardz
and I parted ways. They did Re-Record 5 out of the 6 Tracks with a different
singer, with different production and mixing, and released them as their first
EP. I have no bad feelings towards them, I wish them all the best. That's how
i've had "Bastard Barbie", these original recordings, kept for myself
for years, when i finally had the opportunity of releasing them.
"Bastard Barbie" is mainly the 6 Tracks recorded with the band Bastardz, not a solo project. When I was looking for labels to release the Nympho CD, I came across Retrospect Records, and they were interested in releasing "Bastard Barbie". I thought it would be cool including some bonus tracks - 3 Tracks from another project I had played with , and one brand new one, a reamke of Kiss's "Love Gun", which had been recorded right after the Nympho CD, with the guy that helped me big time with the Nympho material, Brazilian Producer and multi instrumentalist Franklin Villaca. We did it in his studio, and he played all the instruments, and I did all the vocals . It was so cool that it had to be on the CD. Franklin and I may record a Kiss Tribute CD together some time. It's great working with him. No solo projects I want to focus on Nympho only.
Do
you've any favourite tracks on the Nympho-CD and why?
Yes,
I love "You Gotta Love", which has that Poison-Like feeling. And as a
ballad lover, I do love the ballads on the CD. "Say It" is, without a
doubt, my favorite track on it . "I Ain't Over You" is also very
special – i had recorded it about 10 years before a solo CD, with some other
lyrics in Portuguese. I also like the heavier stuff, like "Resurrection"
and "Reason To Rock", they're really kick some ass. We couldn't
include our version of Judas Priest's "Living After Midnight"
on "V.I.P.", due to Copyright reasons, but it is also one of my
favorites. I still wanna have the idea of having a Nympho Album with a
cover on it, maybe we can do it next time around.
Yes,
you always love some voices, wich can be called your influences and inspiration.
Paul Stanley (Kiss), Bret Michaels (Poison), VIince Neil
(Mötley Crüe), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), Steve Summers (Pretty Boy Floyd) and
Alice Cooper could be named as my biggest influences. But i'm also a big Melodic
Rock Lover, so I really admire singers like David Coverdale (Whitesnake),
Michael Bolton, Bryan Adams, Mitch Malloy, Michael Sweet (Stryper), Jon Bon Jovi,
Ron Keel (Keel)... and I think my favorite singer ever
is Mark (Marcie) Free, formerly of King Kobra. He had a voice like
nobody else.
I
love playin' all the Nympho Tracks Live, that's for sure. But the guys and I
also love playing covers. We have such a good time playing them. We love playing
songs that do not have much to do with our own music, and we give them new
versions, very Nympho-Style. We played Alice In Chains's "Man In The
Box" in the past, and right now we're rehearsing some Black Sabbath and
Motorhead... It's always funny to see the audience's faces, because they never
expect us playing such songs! And we do love playing Kiss tunes.
Well,
most shows are good. And the bad stories are the same as every other band's.
Sometimes we play our hearts out to a small number of people, and that sucks. I
remember what I said before about the lack of support to new bands? That's what
happens. Not everybody buys our CDs, Which is even worse. Most people who attend
the shows prefer to spend their money on drinks instead of buying the music. I
can't really understand it, you know. The CD is selling OK, but it could be
better if we only had more people buying them at the shows.
Hahaha,
any big band would do. Can i mention "Kiss"?????? "Mötley Crüe"??????
"Poison"?????? Hahahaha
What
was the last CD you listened to?
The last CDs i bought were Lillian Axe's "Sad Day On Planet Earth", Channel's "s/t" and Steevi Jaimz's "My Private Hell". A friend had downloaded the new Kiss's and Ace Frehley's albums, and they really rock hard. I can hardly wait to get mine, as soon as they're released. I ordered Ace's last week. I really don't download anything from the internet. I still think the whole CD Artwork is worth buying the original CD. Downloading is like having those old crappy cassete tapes in my opinion.
How
do you spend your time when you´ve no concerts to play?
Actually
I make a living by being an english teacher . The guys in the band also have
side jobs, it's impossible not to work with music only, at least for now. When
i'm not working or playing gigs, i'm pretty quiet and reserved guy. I'm not into
going out very much, I don't drink. I'd rather stay home listening and writing
music, watching movies or music DVD's, reading a book. People would be surprised
id the knew that i'm a pretty regular guy. I'm not the type that wants to live
like Mötley Crüe just because I listen to their CDs quite often.
Let’s
talk a bit about the music biz… What do you think personally about the whole
download-thing?
I
think it sucks. That's the mean reason for big labels not signing new bands. I
only download songs from CDs that i'd never buy. Downloading one complete album
is something that i've never done and I think I never will.
In
our QUESTION PIT section at medazzarock.ch we’re actually asking how important
myspace for a musician really is…. Your opinion?
I think it's important, as everything on the internet nowadays . We're very,very sorry for not having the money to invest right now in myspace or a decent webpage, but we will soon. People get to know you today through the internet. Nobody buys magazines anymore. If you're not on the internet, well, you may be leaving on the top of a faraway mountain. We're going down ours, as soon as we can afford to!
Can
you spend a living from your music?
Not
yet. But we can never do it, we'll keep on trying
What
are your future plans?
Playing
everywhere and anywhere. Also releasing a new Nympho CD, which will be twice as
good as "V.I.P.". I also
have plans, but not for the near future , to record a
Kiss Tribute CD and another solo CD,
mostly with acoustic songs and acoustic cover songs.
At
the end of our interview we sometimes have some kind of a game. I´ll give you
some words and you tell us what comes to your mind…
Brazil: Beautiful Country, but music here sucks. Nice place to visit for sure
Caipirinha: I haven't drunk it for years now, i really quit drinking about 7 years ago D
Stevie Rachelle: Great singer, graet songwriter. Had the chance to meet hime some years ago when he came to brazil with Steve Summers (Pretty Boy Floyd). Very Nice Guy, Powerful vocals. And he lokked a lot like Bret Michael in Tuff's earlier stage
God: I believe in God. I'm not a religious Freak, but i'm sure he exists, for his power,love and mercy. I just wish he could be looking after me a little more
Family: Important. I really do not have any plans of having children, but i do think about getting married one day
War: Stupid and pointless .
Internet: Great tool to spend some time when you have nothing else to do. I'm a little fed up with it right now, but it's extremely necessary if you live on planet earth.
Money: Important, but not as a goal, but as something you use to make your life better. I'd never work my ass off for it. It really helps one have a better life with confort, but peace, love and music are much more important than that
Holiday: A day off.... everything
Well
that´s it... Any final words to our readers?
I'd
like to thank you all at medazzarock.com for the chance to talk about my band
Nympho. Please everyone , Check us out on our myspace and we'll have a website
in the future, that's for sure . Also, anyone who's interested in supporting
Nympho purchasing a CD, please contact me at mrsexx@compuland.com.br
or Perris Records (www.perrisrecords.com).
As for my "Bastard Barbie" Solo CD, please order it directly from
Retrospect Records (www.retrospectrecords.com).
I'll reply every E-MAIL, i promise!
Rock on, everybody! Be cool, stay glam.
CRISS SEXX
NYMPHO
Thanks
for the Interview.
You're
very welcome, Buddy!!!!
(Interview by Patrick)