MUTINYZINE INTERVIEW
ALOUATTA
by Christer Davidsson | July 21st, 2008
A couple of years a go, after the demise of his former band Coyote, singer/guitarist Karl Buhre found himself sitting on a bunch of songs he felt he really had to try out with a new band.
"I had a bunch of songs that didn't really fit the Coyote sound, and I had an idea of a band where having fun, and being musically open-minded, was more important than good looks and smart career decisions", Karl recalls. Luckily for him he also had a bunch of friends who wanted that same thing. Karl turned to his friend Fredrik Eriksson, formerly the guitarist/singer of Swedish punk rockers Twopointeight.
"Karl introduced me to the whole idea in 2005 and said he wanted me to be in the band. I was flattered. I know Karl's music, his guitarism and I knew it couldn't be anything but exactly what I was looking for". With that said the two started playing together and after some time looking for people to fill in the other vacant spots the band finally got their act together.
"Robert, who also was in Coyote, is a really good old friend and a unique bass player" says Fredrik while telling me about the rest of the line-up, "Zet, formerly in the Heartattacks, is fantastic. He's a sheer source of positive, strange and quiet energy. There was never really any doubt in my mind from the moment Karl first asked me, even though it took some time to complete the line-up and really get to it".
With the line-up completed the band got working and in September of 2007 they self released their first EP "Manos Arriba!". Thigs started to move in the right direction and even though the band haven't played that many shows, things are looking bright.
"Things have been going great" says Eriksson. "It seems like many different kinds of people appreciate what we are doing, which is always very rewarding".
"We've only done about ten shows so far, but they've all been really good" Karl explains. "A lot of people seem to be interested, asking questions about the band, buying records, T-shirts, and so on".
I asked the guys to try and describe Alouatta's sound, which I find a bit different from what I usually hear in Sweden. "Intricate, yet straight-on, punkrock" says Karl. "I'd say it's a mix of all good punk and rock bands from the sixties until today". There's no bullshit on the new Alouatta EP "Animals" and Fredrik tells me the secret behind the band's sound. "Our sound is non-luxurious, vibrant and very airy. It breathes." he explains. "If you want to make something sound harder - you hit it harder, you don't add pedals".
When I first heard "Animal" I thought I heard some influences from bands like Hot Snakes and Fugazi and Karl tells me about his love for those bands. "Yeah, definitely. Minor Threat, as well as Fugazi, have always been favorites of mine. And Hot Snakes is probably the one band that everyone in Alouatta really likes. I mean, to me, they're the best band ever, period!". "Hot Snakes are pure genius, I never get tired of them", Fredrik agrees. "As a guitarist I am very influenced by John Reis and Rick Froberg, both in terms of sound and style/technique. I can't listen to any of their songs without wanting to pick up an instrument".
As I said, Alouatta's sound isn't exactly what you'd expect to hear from a swedish punk rock band nowadays. But what is it that makes the band stand out from the rest?
"Just genuine appreciation for all good music", says Karl. "We won't let ourselves be tied down by limitations in our influences. And when it comes to the sound I think it's just the fact that we use double Fender Telecasters, vintage-sounding amps, and no stupid effects. A simple, yet dynamic, sound. Like the good old days". "What makes us stand out as a band is what you just said, that our sound isn't exactly what you'd expect from a Swedish punk band", Fredrik fills in. "The way we play our instruments and use our amps, basically. And Karl's voice, no doubt".
I ask the guys what they think of swedish music in general. "I really don't know what to think. I have no idea whats going on at the moment", says Fredrik. "I don't know and I can't really say that I care. Sure, we meet great bands on the road, through MySpace, and so on" Karl says. "There are a few Swedish bands that I listen to and really like Knivderby or Stajnas Lobos. But mostly I listen to music from across the pond, like Hot Snakes, or The Bronx".
"So, what's the next step for Alouatta?", I ask. "Touring? Recording? Drinking?".
"Well, my answer is basically your question" says Fredrik laughing. "Yeah, we're rehearsing a lot of new songs right now" Karl explains. "The plan is to record everything we've done in a professional studio, including re-recordings of already released songs. That's about twenty songs. Then we'll release a full-length album and tour everywhere".
I ask the band about potential record deals and such.
"Well we've had a lot of words of appreciation, but no real offers yet" the singer says. "On the other hand, we haven't exactly been looking for label-contacts, but that could change in the future, so who knows?". "So far we've managed to do quite alright on our own" Eriksson fills in.
"Animal", the new 7" from Alouatta is a great example of good 'ol D.I.Y and I strongly suggest you all go look it up. Support the band and go check 'em out if you have the opportunity. I sure hope I get to see one of their shows soon. 'Cause if the band is as good live as they are on record we're looking at one of the best bands to come out of Sweden in a long time.
ALOUATTA LINKS:
MySpace ProfileDIRECT LINK TO THIS INTERVIEW:
http://www.mutinyzine.com/interview80.html(Photo by: Emma Söderman)