interview with Statues on Fire
How was the band formed? 2 members of Hc punk band named Nitrominds after they stop playing, Andre Alves lead singer and guitars + lalo, Bass.
Andre Curci , solo guitar used to play with Andre Alves another side project with Andre Alves, named Musica Diablo + the drummer Alex.
Can you tell about your band? Punk rock melodic, just released the debut album called Phoenix in Germany on vinyl by Rookie Records, Protest Lyrics, Metal riffs sometimes, good solos
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band?
We are all from São Paulo, Brasil.
Andre Alves – lead Singer and Guitar
Lalo – Bass
Alex – drums
Andre Curci – Solo guitar
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? Basicaly none, Release the record on vinyl, and we did, maybe, playing music is enough for ambitions I might say
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Melodic, powerfull punk rock, catchy chorus all over the songs, people might say we sounds like Propagandhi or Strike Anywhere
Where was your first gig? Last year, 2013 in São Paulo City at Hangar 110
Where was the latest gig? By the way were at Hangar 110 at the release cd party, last month, before we were in Europe, april
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? Andre alves Mostly
Who has the best since of humor in the band? We´re all on the best mood ever
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? There´s no bad so far till now, we are playing together and everything is going wel
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We´re punk rock , so mostly are prostest
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Never cover songs
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? Yes, one record, named Phoenix, release by Rookie Records in Germany, you can find it via Cargo Records/Distro In south America, by Thirteen Records
Do you have any clips on YouTube?
Sure, many live ones and official video clip from the song You Can´t Tell The Reason
You can find at the official channel – www.youtube.com/statuesonfireoficial
How old are you?/What got you started in music? I´m 41, AC.DC got me into it
At what age did you start playing? 10 years old
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage?
I was 10, my first gig, played the drums just one song, cuz my instrument always was the guitar
Second was in a birthday party when I was 14
What year was the band started? 2012
Best/worst gig you've played? Hard to say the best, cuz were so many, especially last European tour. I think in Berlin at Tommy Haus in April Worst show was in Schleswig, party was awesome, show was crap.
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future?
August 30rd Santo Andre, @74 club
Spetember, 06th, Belo Horizonte @Matriz
Witch band is the best you´ve seen? Ratos de Porão ( Brasil) Voi Vod ( Canada)
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Release Party at Hangar 110 São Paulo
Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? Next year, we have a call for a tour with Down by Law (USA) in Europe
How big crowds do you usually play for? Not much, 100 people to 1.000
What are the plans for the rest of the year? We just record one new song for Converse at the Converse Rubber Tracks, we still on tour to promote our debut Album Phoenix, that´s how it goes
Where do you usually play? South, southwest of brasil and Europe one a year
How do you get psyched up for a gig? 100% ready
What are your goals with your music?
Years ago when we had the other band, play professionally and pay our bills for the band money, well, the goal was keep going to get bigger and bigger.
Nowadays if I have some fun playing , itps fair enough
When did you decide to go all in for the music? In 2000, when I left my last job and started making money for living with music
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Older always, there´s nothing new I could get inspired
What are your sources of inspiration? life
What's the first step when making a new song? The guitar Riff
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I feel ok, cuz people do it anyway, I buy vinyls when I can, cds when there´s something really special
What would be your dreams for the band? Get a road manager and do my job
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? I like very much 60´, 70´s style of rock n roll
What would be your greatest fears for the future? death
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Nothing, I ´m ok doing what I do, if something get wrong, well shit happens
Have you been part of any other projects? Yes, Musica Diablo, thrash Metal band with Derrick Green of Sepultura
Have you been in any other bands? Yes, Nitrominds for 18 years ( 1994-2012) Musica Diablo still in
What do you work with outside of the band and the music?I´m Tour Manager and Prod Manager
How important are your fans? Very important,they give us the support we must need to go on
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Called me Uncle!
How often do you rehearse? Not much, once a week at least
Where do you rehearse? We have our private room
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Statues on Fire and Free Sample
What do you feel is the best live band you've seen? Ipm tour manager, so, i´m sick of seeing show lately
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? I[m not very good in tips´, I think do what you like and everything will be fine
Do you have any webpages?
We use now facebook page to promote our shit
www.facebook.com/statuesonfire
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Love for music, that´s all we have left
Describe your show, visually and musically Very energetic, really good live sound , beatifull back drop make us feel younger and nice light show
How do you view the musicindurty of today? Majors are failed, small labels struggling to survive, there´s nothing left if we say something about sellings, independent bands has their own spot, but is hard to spread your music around, sometimes touring is not the only solution and massive promotion on facebook just make people piss off with you.
What advice would you like to give other bands?Love for music, that´s all we have left
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Find the right promotion and distribution for your music
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? If you don´t bring your own gear probably you ´re screw up, bad PA, bad mixing decks are always the biggest shit
Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? We are still promotion the album , brand new band with old members of Nitrominds, since that band no longer playing is the only chance you have to see this line up together
Whats your Pre-show ritual? Drink beer and smoke ciggarets
Do you have anything to add? Great experience answer it