Old hand that's been playing for 10 years amongst the ska punk scene Freygolo is launching his new record Stereo Fighters. Massive sound, great songs, potential party hits, the boys from Nizza put their music up to a whole new level. Let's check out the details with François, the singer/ guitar player of the band...
How has the recording process been doing?
It hasn't been really great. We stayed much too long in the studio. We had quite a few technical problems, we had troubles with all the arrangements and the mix. In fact we had lots of ideas, it's the same old story again: we're such lazy ass guys that we don't work that much before recording, so we arrived with all the ideas in a jumble and with the stress of recording, things can get bad really fast. But in the end, it's the first time our record is released in such good conditions, and considering the record itself it's by far our best record so far, more elaborated and more complete.
There are some changes in this record: diversification of the singing, guitars that dare more things, but most of all slower tempos than what you were used to. I assume your new drummer has something to do with it...
Well, it's been a coincidence of things. First thing is that time went by, we haven't released anything in 3 years. I think it's pretty cool we've evolved because, otherwise, I would have had the impression of being stuck. As you pointed it out we have a new drummer he's got a different style than our former one, he's really making room for himself in the songs. All in all, I think we all wanted to evolve, to avoid doing the same thing over again. We don't say to ourselves we should sound more like this or that, we leave different options to ourselves... We like trying new things, that's what we like.
The record is out on Versus Label, can you tell me more about it ?
We first met Christophe from Versus Booking, then, one thing leading to another, we met Mika from Versus Label who offered to release the new record. The cd was gonna be well distributed. We were sick of hearing people telling us they could't find our records in stores. It was really important to us to get a good distribution.
Has the record been well-received so far? With this evolution and this label, you might get some sarcastic views, people will talk behind your back, aren't they ?
Yeah, for the moment the cd is pretty well received. There is always those guys that think it was better before, but it was the case for our previous records too. Every time one releases a new cd, he's exposing himself to gossip, but to tell you the truth, we don't pay too much attention to people passing remarks. Two or three guys talking shit on us on a crappy internet forum isn't gonna change our lives, you see? Some people are interested in Freygolo and that allows us to tour quite a bit and to put out records and so on ... that's all that matters.
Considering the lyrics, I think you're more disenchanted than before, aren't you ?? Still fighting but a little tougher...
Yes, you're right somehow. The older I get the more bored I get too. I somehow got the feeling that nothing is ever gonna change, because people are fighting for the wrong causes all the time, and they are really selfish. Well at least you're saying we're still fighting, it's not that bad. The day when we are only disenchanted and bitter, it will be about time for us stop!!!
You're going to Japan soon ?!! Will the record will be released there ?Yeah, we're going to Japan the 21st september, to play 8 or 9 gigs over a 2 weeks period. We're over excited, first because going to Japan is a complete new thing because of the distance and the change of scene... This tour has really been put out in the best conditions ever, we're gonna open for Less than Jake for 5 shows and share the whole tour with Authority Zero.Anyway, yes, the record will be out in Japan on the 26th September still on IN N OUT Records.
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