interview with Violent Queen
How is it that you started playing music?
Eric: Grabbed guitar when I was 11 and thats how it started
GertJan: When I was 14, at 16 played my first band
Vincent: Sarted when I was 15 with guitar, started bass at 16 in a band
Willem: Started when I was 18, started playing in bands when I was 21
Have you had other previous members? Yes, several 2nd guitarplayers and singers
Where are you from? Netherlands
What year did the band form? Started in 1991
What's your style of genre? old school 80's hardrock/heavy metal
What inspires you? Dio, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, King Diamond, Queensryche
How often and where do you reherse? once a week
How have you developed since you started with the music? Especially technique improved with the years, which resulted in better songs
Do you have other interests of work outside the band? Studio engineer
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? Yes, we are. If they are good bookers (the right gigs with the right bands) it can really improve your PR
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? If something will cross our parths we wont say no :). Labels are hard to find and usually recording the CD is for your own cost
What made you decide to make this music? We wanted to be like the bands on TV, especially in the 80"s all those 'glamrock'
What are your songs about? Darkness, demos, asylums etc
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Eric and Willem
Do you start with the music or the lyrics? Both
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? Willem: prefer my livingroom. Eric: It is more the state I'm in
Have you done any covers live? No
What language do you sing in? English
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? least: 15 , most: 200
What ages are most of your concert attendants? all ages
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? Some songs always come back, the people know them. Others vary on the time we have to play
Do you have a regular place you play live often? Mach musiccafe
What was your first gig like? as first band of a festival for a handfull of people
What was your latest gig? Venue in Schoonhoven, Netherlands called de Bastille
Have you had to cancel a gig? No, never
Where have you played live this year? Hellevoetsluis, Schoonhoven
Where do you plan to gig the comming year? Everywhere we can
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? No merch yet. The band started this year with a new guitarplayer. There are cd's though
Where can people buy your merchandise? Not yet available, at gigs
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? people who really like your music WILL buy the cd's. As non professional band we are not dependend yet on income from music
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? Everything will change. CD's will prob not go away, since people still want them. In this mobile world providers like spotify and itunes will become more popular. The industry will adapt
What do you think of my work? nice, curious if it will make a difference
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Not sure
Do you have any role models or idols? several, like Dio, Lemmy.. the usuall for each instrument
Why do you think that they exist? Or they are really good, or they were at the right place at the right time
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Def the older bands.
What have been your biggest obstacles? writing your own music etc means the people dont know your songs
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Do what you want to do.
How do you get psyched for a gig? We dont, the enrgy comes from the crowd
Do you have any new material? writing for a new album, recordings start in 2016
What are your web sites? www.violentqueen.com
How can people reach you? Facebook is the easiest way, please like us. https://www.facebook.com/Violent-Queen-539745209499132 or search for us, Violent Queen
What are your plans for the future? record new album, gig as much as possible and foremost have fun!
Do you have something to add?
discography:
killing a fantasy
dark perception - full album
Psycho
Purity - acoustic songs