Backstage Pass - Chugger - Interview

ATP

What is the title of your upcoming CD? How did you come up with the name?

CHUGGER

The title of the new album is "Human Plague". Basically we were showing each others creepy pictures of plague doctors and thought that we should make an album based off of that theme. We name dropped a few alternatives for what the new album should be called, we then had a vote, and a loud argument, and then came to the unanimous decision to call the new album the Human Plague. (Fun fact: A few weeks later we decided on the name the first news about an Ebola outbreak was publicized).

ATP

Is this your first CD and if not, how is this one different from the others?

CHUGGER

This is not our first cd, we released an EP 2013 called Scars also. Human Plague is, however, different in many ways. Scars was recorded in our homes. I sat for a few days recording the bass in Roberts living room for instance. The drums were tracked at Endarker Studios (run by Magnus Devo Andersson, Marduk), and was the only thing not recorded at home. With Human plague everything is recorded in Gothenburg Rock studios (Run by Daniel Antonsson, Akani, ex Soilwork and ex Dark tranquility), so this is our first quintessentially professional recording. Also this album features a female vocalist, Maria Strand?n (ex Therion) in one of our songs.

ATP

Did you write all the songs before going into the studio or did you write them as you were recording?

CHUGGER

Yes and no. Well the outline was there and both Ignorance Devine and Rust are songs that we've performed live for at least a full year. But I'm starting to lose count of every time Robert changed the songs in the car on his way to rehearsal because he had an awesome idea. Having a well of infinite creativity is of course a great asset, but not knowing what a song will sound like because we're busy testing new ideas every time we meet in rehearsal can also sometimes be a burden.

ATP

Walk us thru the process of writing your music?

CHUGGER

Well Robert writes the lyrics and the music. He then distributes the tablatures for guitars, with placeholders for bass and drums, and also the lyrics. The tabs for bass and drums is then completely discarded and rewritten (mostly because Robert writes basslines for bass players with seven fingers and drummers with four arms, and there aren't a lot of those around). After that the creativity process begins, where we chisel out a song each tiny detail at the time.

ATP

Where did you record and why?

CHUGGER

We recorded Human Plague in Gothenburg Rock studios, we chose it because Daniel gave us a good impression, we loved the environment he had created and he was such a friendly and encouraging individual. This was a studio which we could easily create music in.

ATP

HHow did you pay for your recording?

CHUGGER

Daniel demanded payment in greased eunuchs, which he uses instead of a hard drive in the studio (he keeps them in a closed room and forces them to remember numbers). We found the entire idea a bit immoral and did end up paying him in equal amount in duck fur. I think he later used it to woo his girlfriend, they are engaged now.

ATP

Did you have a producer or did you self-produce? If so, what kind of input did the producer have. If your self-produced, why?

CHUGGER

Daniel Antonsson produced the album. He kept most instruments organic and added some effects. The entire record is, by today's standards, very organic in nature.

ATP

Did you try to capture your "live sound" or did you go for something else?

CHUGGER

We really weren't going for anything special at all, we just wanted it to sound crazy fat. Fat guitars, fat drums, fat bass and of course, fat vocalist.

ATP

Did your record label have any input into the music you recorded?

CHUGGER

They were very supportive and mainly popped in to ask us when it was due to start with promotion. In hindsight I guess they trusted us to pull through and make a really good album.

ATP

Are you pleased with the final product?

CHUGGER

Extremely! Daniels methods and experience is what lead us to the fatness and we're not gonna promise anything, but chances are that we're going back there to record the next album.

ATP

Where will we be able to pick up a copy?

CHUGGER

Well there are digital releases on Amazon, iTunes and bandcamp. Physical discs are best purchased via http://ginza.se, http://cdon.com or our webpage http://chugger.se, we ship worldwide!

ATP

Will you be touring to promote your CD?

CHUGGER

Yes! Spreading the decease tour 2015 is going through 10 countries in all over Europe! We're playing in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy to name a few.

ATP

Would rather be recording or playing live shows?

CHUGGER

That's easy, live shows! The anticipation before, the loudness and the look of an audience boiling with headbangers everywhere, the happiness afterwards when you get to meet the audience in person!

ATP

Anything you would like to say to your fans?

CHUGGER

Come to the gigs and introduce yourselves! Buy our merchandise! Have a beer with us! We're all about our fans and never be shy to come up and talk to any of us!