VAGH
1.First of all, tell us the history of “Vagh”?
The project VAGH was born september 2000. I was tired of never hearing hardrock in Swedish media. I wanted to hear that heavy sound again. I decided to make a statement in favour for the music I loved, hoping someone was to notice VAGH. I recorded some demosongs that I got great response on urging me to record a CD. I started to gather great musicians around me.
This lineup was put together summer of 2001. Jan-Ake and Anders is a real tight backline and Tom is a very talented keyboardplayer. The vocals are amazingly handled by Jonas and Noomi. I/m glad I had the chance to work with them all.
Jonas is a real pro with experience from recording with POLE POSITION, MAJESTIC and REPTILIANS.
2.Tell us some details for the cd “Sands of time”
It/s selffinaced and released through my own productioncompany Slick City Slackers Productions. We had to compromise a bit soundwise and went for a kind of livesound of the 80/s. I think we managed to do that , mainly thanks to Magnus Hedin at Steam Engine Studios in Norrkoping Sweden.
The members of the project had never met before the studio. But I think they did a great job considered there was a really tight budget and all that. Noomi Stragefors who sings on “Alison ” made a good job since she came into the project after the song had already been recorded. Unfortunately in a bad key for her.
The CD is recorded on analogue 2 inch taperecorders to get that warm heavy sound. We had some keyboardparts preproduced on PC that refused to sync with the taperecorders. There were many hard words spoken at that time…
3.Is there any feedback from the audience about the cd till now ?
It has been great response on the CD since we are absolutely newcomers.
We have sold almost a thousand copies of “Sands of time ” in four months and that/s cool for a new band. I think that/s pretty much thanks to all of you magazines and webzines all around the world. “Sands of time ” has got some great reviews, and that makes people curios. There are also fans out there who badly wants us to tour their country, but unfortunately there are no plans for touring right now.
4.Which is the procedure when you write the songs?
The older songs are written in a traditional way with a guitar, a pen and a paper, while the most recently songs are composed on a computer with drumsamples and all that stuff so you can arrange the song directly. All songs are written by me and then the musicians have their say of their way to play their stuff.
When it comes to lyrics obviously there/s a fair share of heartaches and pain, but also the fantasy genre is represented by “Book of Shadows”.
A subject really close to my heart is the fact that many Swedes got unemployed in the 90/s. People tend to look down on people with lower education. I am proud to be a working class man and that/s what “Blue Collar Proud” is all about.
5.Have you already played any gig?
No we haven/t. VAGH is a project with people engaged in other bands and projects. Jonas Blum, for example, is touring with a coverband around 100 gigs a year and he also records with REPTILIANS ( new CD out soon ). So there are simply no time for rehearsing and touring. With a budget and another CD out we would really love to put a great show on the road.
6.Your influences from the metal scene?
I really liked most hard / melodic rock back in the 70/s and the 80/s.
First it was PURPLE, SABBATH and ZEPPELIN, then I listened to the whole NWoBHM with acts like IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, DEF LEPPARD.
Also the German/ DUTCH bands like ACCEPT, VANDENBERG and SCORPIONS.
And of course I loved the Scandi school with EUROPE and TREAT.
I also had my fair share of AOR with STYX, JOURNEY and KANSAS.
7.Tell me you favorite album and your favorite band
It/s hard to say only one. I think I have to say Machine Head with DEEP PURPLE since it was the album that introduced me to hard rock.
8.Where do you come from?
I/m from Norrkoping, 150 km south of Stockholm. Rest of VAGH is situated in the south of Sweden nearby Malmo. We only get together during recording or photosessions.
9.Tell me your opinion about the metal scene in your country
Gladly it/s improving day by day. With bands like DREAM EVIL, HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES, EVERGREY and many many more there are a really heavy renaissance going on. I think Sweden is really well represented when you/re talking about progressive and power metal, but there are also some good AOR / melodic rock bands such as STREET TALK, BROKE[N]BLUE and, of course, VAGH…
10.Do you know anything about the metal scene in Greece?
No I/m afraid that/s not much. I think DREAM EVIL has a Greek axeman that/s really good. And then I know that you have several great magazines / webzines.
11.What are your plans in the future for “Vagh”?
We/re soon going into the studio to record a promo-CD. It should be ready by February. Hopefully we can raise interest amongst the labels so we can get to record a second album. It would be awesome to have a budget for once.
We would really like to get out on the road promoting a second album.
12.Is metal a way of your life?
I think, when you/re young it/s definitely a lifestyle. When you grow older and get your own family to take care of you have to deal with everyday things.
You have to give the children a ride to danceclasses and hockey / football practise and you have to stay at your daytime job to put food on the table. That doesn/t feel heavy…
But I/m still a rocker! And I will always be!
When you turn on that amp and strike a chord on your guitar then you/re alive again…
13.I found you through internet, do you think that the net can replace the
old underground days?
I think it/s a great complement and I/m glad for the opportunity to be noticed.
All this new technology has made it possible for more rockers to be heard.
You can compose songs on your computer and preproduce things to make life easier in the studio. But I still believe that livegigs are the best way to promote yourself as a band.
14.Thanks for your interview and close the interview as you like.
We/re running with the sands of time, stay metal !
Please visit, Thanks for having me.
