RHINO BUCKET
"I have a tattoo on my dick that says, "Welcome to Jamaica, have a nice day!"
(Interview mit George, Juli 2009)
Hi
George, welcome to medazzarock.ch and congratulation for the great new record.
Thanks,
I'm really proud of new record. I think it's the best one yet!
You're
not so popular in Europe, so please tell us a little bit about the Band.
Well,
we've been together for over 20 years. We did take a little break there in mid
90's. We have done 5 original albums and a couple compilations. You can get them
at our website which is www.rhinobucket.com We're just four guys who play
straight ahead, no bullshit, rock and roll!
It's
great that you do an World-Tour. Is it the first time Rhino Bucket will play in
Europe and what do you know about the Metalheads in Switzerland an Germany where
you’ll play?
We
actually played one gig at the Marquee in London back in 1992, I think. And we
did an Australia tour with the Angels that same year. We're really looking
forward to playing all over Europe.
If you want to see the tour dates then again, just go to www.rhinobucket.com
All my friends that have played in Switzerland and Germany tell me that the
scene is strong and that the
fans over there really know their metal.
I
will see you guys live on stage in Uster (Switzerland). What
kind of show can I expect?
Loud,
sweaty, honest . . . We've played every stage we could get on over here in the
States for over 20 years so we know what we're doing at this point. I hope. :-)
I
bet you´ve already listed to the new AC/DC record (“Black Ice”). How do you
like it?
I
haven't actually heard the entire thing but what I have heard, I think is great.
How could it not be great? It's ACDC for fucks sake.
How
long did it take to realize the new CD and where did you record it?
The
actual songs came together quite quickly. We did have an issue with the original
producer and, thankfully, Rick over at Acetate Records stepped up and took over.
I'm really pleased with
the end result. We recorded it at Brian's house for the basic tracks and then
finished it up at Rick's studio.
Is
Simon Wright officially the drummer now or will Jackie Enx return sometime?
Simon
actually just did the album with us. He has commitments to DIO that I would
never ask him to break. Jackie will not be returning to this band as long as I'm in it. Nothing personal, great
drummer, but we tried and we just don't seem to agree on much of anything. The
great news is that for this year, and more I hope, we're playing with Tony (Tiny)
Biuso (Hed PE, TSOL). He's an
old friend and we've done gigs with him in the past and he fits right in. It's a
rocking line-up!
You
guys have written great songs for movie soundtracks (for example Waynes World).
Anything in the making for future movie soundtracks?
We're
always working on new songs and Acetate Records is always looking to place our
songs into movies and television shows. Sometime you get lucky and they pick you. We
just had the song "Welcome To Hell" on the new Mickey Rourke movie
"The Wrestler". The movie won a Grammy here in the U.S.
Your
vocals have changed over the years. Do you feel this is a plus for the band? Probably
helping to give your sound an own identity?
It
probably sounds like I've changed quite a bit when you listen to the new album
but when you seem us live, you'll see I still have the lion's roar in me. I've
always felt that I had my own identity,
especially lyrically. I know quite a few people have said I sound like Bon
Scott, but if you listen carefully, I don't really. But some reviewers are lazy
and when they hear the straight ahead
guitars and our solid rhythm section against my vocals, it's an easy and cheap
shot to just say we sound like ACDC. I've always thought we sounded more like
The Angels. :-)
When
Brian Forsythe joined the band as guitarist, were there also other auditions or
was Brian your first choice?
Brian was the only person I ever contacted about replacing Greg in the band. He walked in, plugged in, and it was like he had been in the band for years.
How many more times do you think you will get married? :-)
Haha,
this last one is the charm! We're both from Finland so we understand each other
completely. It's also nice that she's beautiful! ;-)
Rock’n
Roll means Tattoos! Do the guys have any special/favourite tattoos?
I
have a tattoo on my dick that says, "Welcome to Jamaica, have a nice
day!" You need quite a bit of available space to get all that in . . .
Just kidding.
Is
Rhino Bucket the first band in which you was?
It
is the only real band I have ever been in. And the only one I will ever be in.
What
was the first concert you attended?
I
saw a band called Warrior at the Troubadour in Hollywood.
Tell
me what kind of kid were you in school? Rebel or more the “nice guy”?
I
think I was absent more than anything else. School didn't mean much to me.
Do
you´ve a favourite singer?
Jacques Brel and Ismo Alanko
What
is your favourite track on “The Hardest Town” and why? Don’t tell me, that
every single one is great ;-)
I
like "The Hardest Town". It's a song that Reeve brought in and just
pumps, you know? We start the set with that song and every night it gets me
going.
What
is your favourite track to play live on stage?
It changes all the time. Sometimes it is one of the groove songs, sometimes it is of the faster barn burners. It really does depend quite a bit on the crowd and how they are reacting to the show. Although I do have to admit, singing the song, "Smile", is always fun 'cause the lyrics are dirty. :-)
Tell
us any highlights or painful stories from your Tour/shows?
Jesus,
I could write a book .. . . Hey, that might not be a bad idea. Nah, never mind,
the legal ramifications would be endless.
What
was the first and last CD you bought?
Seriously,
you have to remember that I grew up in Helsinki, Finland right? The first LP I
ever bought was ABBA "Waterloo". The last CD I bought was GUNS N ROSES
"Chinese Democracy".
So, that's two strikes right?
Right
:-) What are you
doin’ when there are no concerts to play?
Playing
guitar, watching anything and everything I can that has to do with Manchester
United, maybe having a beer or two with the gang . . ..
Let’s
talk a bit about the music biz… What do you think personally about the whole
download-thing?
It
is theft. Do you want me to come into your house and take your TV? No? Then stop
stealing my music. I need to pay rent just like everybody else and this is how I
make my living.
In
our QUESTION PIT section at medazzarock.ch we’ve asked a few months ago how
important myspace for a musician really is…. Your opinion?
It
can be a very effective marketing tool just as long as you don't get too caught
up in it. I cancelled my account after I realized that it was distracting away
from the Rhino Bucket page.
Can
you spend a living from your music?
You
can, but it is a huge amount of work. This band doesn't get vacations, we don't
have health insurance, and sometimes the rent is late. But, still, we get in the
van, night after night, because
we still love music and we still love playing. This is not a career for lazy
people.
What
are the future plans for Rhino Bucket?
Tour,
tour, tour, and then another album . . . Repeat until you die.
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…
Switzerland: My best friend growing up was half Swiss. His father, Mr. Bruhwiler, was our soccer coach for years. Nice people.
USA: Where I call my home and a country which has given me the chance to live my dreams
God: My mom always said that if you can't say anything nice . . .
Family: Is who you chose it to be.
War: Is daily proof that we really are just a bunch of dumb animals.
Internet: Has taken the world forward much as the telephone did 100 years ago. But they could do something about all that porn. I mean seriously, how can anyone get anything done?
Money: Is not important until you don't have any. Then it becomes very important
Holiday: What's that?
Barack Obama: The best chance America has got to get it right.
Well
that´s it... Any final words to our readers?
Please
check us out and buy our new CD, "The Hardest Town". I'm really proud
of it and, if you can, come see us live. I promise you that you will not be
disappointed.
(Interview by Patrick)