Rock Overdose's Giannis Koutsosimos had the chance to talk with ROYAL HUNT's Andre Andersen about their forthcoming live performance in Athens, their new album, DC Cooper's return and many more! Enjoy the conversation below:
Rock Overdose: Hello and welcome to Rockoverdose.gr. What are you up this period?
Andre Andersen: We are getting ready for the upcoming tour...
Rock Overdose: Let's start with D.C. Cooper’s return to the band. How did that happen?
Andre Andersen: It all started very simple without any “masterplan” in mind: D.C. and I started talking on Skype and such and after a few chats decided to “test the waters” - so to speak - and do a little tour, just to make sure if we could still recreate the vibe we used to have…and it worked out beautifully. So - obviously - the next step was to try and record an album and I ‘m happy to inform you that the whole process went down smooth and easy… so I ‘d describe this situation as permanent.
Rock Overdose: How did the fans react to his return?
Andre Andersen: Phenomenal… all concerts went on as smooth as possible, everybody performed great and the fan’s response was just overwhelming. Same thing with the album - nothing but positive and exciting comments, so we seem to be on a right track… and looking forward to the tour.
Rock Overdose: Your previous frontman was Mark Boals, a really great singer in my opinion. How did your co-operation ended?
Andre Andersen: Our cooperation ended in a very un-dramatic, straight up fashion: Mark has been informed about recent developments frequently and - being a real professional - understood the situation and our decision. He has always been very productive and very much in demand so we all wish him all the success in the world… he’s a great person, excellent musician and truly deserves it all.
Rock Overdose: You also have a new guitarist.
Andre Andersen: Our ex-singer - Henrik Brockmann - has recommended Jonas Larsen; he invited me to a Highway Jam’s show and convinced me that Jonas will fit in - on a personal level - into our little “RH family”. After watching the show I invited Jonas to jam with us on a few occasions and it felt right, it felt comfortable - he understands the sound and the style we ’re after and it fits his way of playing perfectly. His melodic approach to solos (as well as his tone) brought a little of that “vintage RH sound” back, I think.
Rock Overdose: Does the title have any special meaning? Did you want to state something?
Andre Andersen: The term appears to me more as a rhetorical question (or a cry for help, if you wish) and it all stated pretty clear in the lyrics of the song.
Rock Overdose: When you were writing the album did you have in mind that the songs will be sung by D.C. Cooper?
Andre Andersen: It all comes together quite naturally: any change in your line-up forms - to a degree - the style of your album. D.C. sings / sounds in his own specific way and that kind of creates your state of mind while writing / recording… as a producer you have to accommodate each member in such a way so their strongest assets are shining through.
Rock Overdose: In the same time you released the new album you also released a DVD. Would you like to tell us a couple of things about it?
Andre Andersen: Well, one of the things our fans were talking about for years was “1996” and “Closing The Chapter” videos which previously were released only on VHS and even in that form in very limited quantities and throughout very few territories… so we hired a company to digitalize those master tapes, improved both audio and visual parts and - on top of that - put a 50 minutes documentary (filmed in 96 / 98) in there to complete the package.
Rock Overdose: This year will be the 20th anniversary since your first album. Any special plans?
Andre Andersen: Lots: new album, tour, now the “best of” compilation’s coming out, vinyl versions of our most popular and recent albums, a box set and some more dates in the Fall, maybe even some kind of a new release before X-mas.
Rock Overdose: In a few days you are coming in Greece. Would you like to say anything to your Greek fans?
Andre Andersen: We ‘ve got a great line-up for you, a brand new album with a double DVD out and a show on the 28th of April in Athens - come on down and celebrate out 20th birthday with us, Greece! We love to see all of you again!!!
Rock Overdose: Will we listen to songs only from Cooper - era or from your whole career?
Andre Andersen: From our entire career, a bit from every album…
For RockOverdose.gr,
Giannis Koutsosimos
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