Georock WebZine - Interview with Flash

GEOROCK: First of all tell us how you're doing. The "Non Stop Rock 'n' Roll" album is going to be released in January 29th in Europe. Any feelings?

FLASH: Hello!! We’re all doing very well thank you. It’s a busy schedule but we enjoy it. We are of course very excited about this release. You’ll never know how the reception is going to be, but so far it looks like the media have positive comments on it.
 

GEOROCK: I believe that the hidden ace of the band is the ability to write melodic, catchy tunes. It's obvious that everybody is expecting such tunes. Could you confirm if this expectation is well-founded and give us a short description of the album?

FLASH: I confirm! This album has also more variety than its predecessors. There are big hooks, dark power riffs, anthem choruses, soft ballads and children choir just to mention some elements. It’s an album which has more substance to it. We’ll also spend much more time and effort in songwriting and recording this time.
 

GEOROCK:  What bands are usually after, is to write fresh, well-written, well-executed songs and mature from album to album. Do you think that "Non Stop Rock 'n' Roll" meets these requirements? Is it in your opinion a step forward for the band? 

FLASH: Absolutely! We have simply become better at what we do. The songs are much more authentic and mature to use a non rock’ n roll phrase. Should rock ’n roll be matured? Well. The band has in some ways anyway. And when it comes to producing, it’s obvious that Teeny has come a long way and can easily be compared to any producer in the business in my opinion. When I listen to this album, I believe it will be the one which can be picked up in 20 years and still sound fresh.
 

GEOROCK: How do you think that "Non Stop Rock 'n' Roll" compares to your previous releases?

FLASH: This album is obviously more thorough, and recorded much better as the equipment still gets better. The producing has improved as well as songwriting. The first album was recorded on our own expenses and without a record company. The second one was made very quick, but they both still have many strong cuts and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.
 

GEOROCK: I really enjoyed the cover of the album; it reminded me of past rock 'n' roll eras. It was something like "Beware! We’re comin' to get ya!". Was that what it's all about? Who had the idea of the guitar car? 

FLASH: I think you perceived the idea correctly. We had a different title for the album to begin with, but it didn’t work out. We had the title track, so we really had the album title all along. When we decided on the album title, the ball started rolling. I think Glam came up with the idéa of the monster truck guitar, and I called up a good friend of mine who’s an artist. He came to us with an outskirt and we started exchanging ideas. In the end we got another guy to actually draw the cover.
 

GEOROCK:  Let's go a few years back when you appeared in the 2005 Eurovision song contest. Many people think that Eurovision is a bad joke or something. But, the thing you can't ignore is the exposure. How come you decided to join the completion and for what reason?

FLASH: It all started out as a joke at first. We wrote a song together and sent it along without any hopes of being one of the contenders. Just to try something new. After an unforgettable audition for the executives with a lot of laughter, we were one of 12 contenders and ended 3rd with “Crazy Things” in 2004. Next year we were invited directly in the final, and the rest is history. Without any doubt it made a huge difference for us. We suddenly had lots of gigs with better pay. If it was our participation in the ESC which made our break, didn’t mean much to us. We weren’t looking for any credibility anyway.
 

GEOROCK:  Most of the members of the band have been busy with other projects, live shows etc. Was it hard to find the time needed for the completion of the album?

FLASH:  Indeed! The first time we tried to get started was January 2008. But one of us had obligations when the other one was free, so finally we found time last summer.
 

GEOROCK: I believe that sometimes, when the members of a band participate in other bands, project or similar, they might carry some elements of these bands' music to their main band. Did this happen in "Non Stop Rock 'n' Roll"?

FLASH: Hard to say, but I would be surprise if we’ve stayed clean of any influence of what we’ve worked with. There has certainly been no bad elements which has influenced the record. Whatever it might have been, I think it made the record and the band better.
 

GEOROCK: It seems like Japan have become huge in your hearts. This year you're given the chance to tour there since your 2007 performance. What's so special about live shows there? How important is for you to be given the chance to tour there?

FLASH: The reception we’ve got the times we’ve been there has been overwhelming. They really know how to make you feel at ease, and do whatever they can to make your performance be as good as possible. They really make you feel like a star. The live shows are really inspiring. The crowd shows an enthusiasm which is hard to find elsewhere. And the Japanese marked is huge. If you make it there, you’ve got it made.
 

GEOROCK:  What Wig Wam is well-known of is their live shows. Are you eager to present your new songs to the crowd?

FLASH: Of course! We want the set-list to include the whole record. But we know the fans want to have some of the oldies as well.But we have at least 6-7 songs on the show so far. As the tour moves a long we get a stronger feeling of which songs do well, and visa versa.
 

GEOROCK: Except from the Japanese Tour, are there any other gigs scheduled?

FLASH: There is, and it is really rolling these days. We want to play our cards right, because the record is released world wide. We’d like to keep the opportunities to play more abroad this year and gigs will be announced through our website among others.
 

GEOROCK:  Thank you for your time. Good luck with your new effort. Any message you'd like to pass to your fans around Europe?

FLASH: Thanks a lot. I really want to make everybody aware of this album. If you’re into a classic rock ’n roll album with a “in your face” attitude, and a bunch of well written songs with big hooks and loud guitars, I’m sure this one will put a big smile on your face. There’s no fancy effects or overdubs on this one. Just great tunes played by a band on fire. Hope you’ll enjoy it, and to see you out there soon.

Posted 28.01.2010
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