interviewpage
Silence the foe - interview May 2000 |
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This have to be the best interview I've done so far! These guys were very
cooperative! I love you guys!
Victory:Please tell me shortly about yourselves and the band's history. StF:Our history is quite complicated, but we'll try to sum up the best we can. It started in late February 1998, when Anders (vocals) abd Roland (guitar) formed a band called Termos. They played a number of shows in Tronheim (our hometown) and some others in the rest of our country (Norway), including the 1999 dp-festival (biggest Christian underground music festival in Scandinavia). At that time Fred Strand, Ruben Hakkebo and Tommy Winsnes Stroem played in the band (drums, guitar, bass). In August 1999, Fred and Ruben quit to concentrate on their main project;Lionheart Brothers. Then Ambjoern filled the bass, Thomas was hitting hard on the drum-kit and Tommy started picking up the guitar. In January 2000, the band took a "concert-break", to make new songs and develop both musically and spiritually. The result was a name-change and brand new sound. In many ways you can say that Silence the Foe started in March 2000, (since we all started all over again with a new name, new sound etc...) Today's line up is: Anders Voldroenning (Vocals), Roland Livar Kjenstadt (Guitar), Thomas Oevrevik (Drums), Arnbjoern Joar Styrkor Marklund (bass). Victory:What are your musical influences? StF:I think we get it right by saying that we play "in your face" hardcore, mixed with crazy rock&roll and noisy emo. We try to find our own music-style and sound, but (of course) bands such as Overcome, Zao, Spitfire (The one from US), Refused, NIV Warlord and also Tantrum of the Muse has inspired us a lot. Some bandmembers are very much into Emo, so we do have a lot of emotional parts in our songs. And also, the movie Matrix inspired us to make a really noisy concert-intro. So our influences are not only music, but movies, emotions and basically our everyday life. Victory:You guys have a great name on your band, from where did you find it? StF:Thank you for liking our name. After we decided that a name-change was necessary, we tried real hard to come up with a good name. Silence the Foe is taken from the Psalm 8, and describes the calling upon our life, both as band-members and individuals. StF:We think tattoos as art, a way of expression and describing your emotions. A tattoo is a very personal thing, and it will stay on your body for the rest of your life (that's actually the half of the idea). We will encourage everybody who is thinking about getting a tattoo, to think strongly about what motive you are going to get. All the members in our band, except Roland, has several tattoos, but we will recommend that you'll find a motive which you can identify yourself with. We who are Christians, could for example tattoo symbols or motives who reminds us about what Christ did for us! Victory:What is your main goal with StF? StF:All in the band are born again Christians, and belives that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. We want the world to see Christ in us and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us on our way through life and inspire us to do the will of God. We also do have political opinions and stand points, but we have decided to focus on the most important thing, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it's important to know that we consider ourselves as musicians, not preachers. We want the people to see what we stand for through our actions, and not just through what we're saying. Victory:Have you released and CD's, and if you have; where can you get it? StF:We have not released any CD's but have recorded a two-song-split 7'' with another hardcore band called the Hellbanned. It will distributed through the bands, some minor distros here in Norway, and perhaps in the US. The release in sometime this summer, but it's limited to 200 copies, so you'll be lucky if you ever get your hand on it! Victory:Any gigs in the near future? StF:This summer, we're going to play at the west-coast of Norway, hopefully some in Trondheim and at the dp-festival. Maybe we'll come to Finland some day! That would be nice! Keep your eyes open, maybe we'll see you at a show! Victory:Finally, name your five best CD's StF: Here is five great albums, in no particular order: (with my comment afterwards) Zao - All else failed "The beginning of greatness" Selfmindead - At the barricades we fall "Afer a classic comes another classic. Smashing hits and brilliant ideas!" Tantrum of the muse - The heart is a two headed sperm "The birth of something new" Overcome - Immortal until their work is done "Maybe the band who has inspired us most" Brainston - Fallen star collection "Best emo ever?" Victory:Thanx a lot it have been a great pleasure to work with you! Love and respect from Silence the Foe |