Mínus - Northern Killers / Interview with singer Krummi @ IMX

In the spotlight on the site http://www.blogger.com/www.icelandicmusic.is
Icelandic renegades Minus have been hailed as “the saviors of metal” and “the first great rock & roll gang of the 21st century” (Kerrang!). They’ve shared stages with everyone from Muse and Metallica to the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, and have raised hell with a stealthy selection of ‘fuck-you-core’ albums like “Hey Johnny” (1999) “Jesus Christ Bobby,” (2001) plus 2003’s slightly less bombastic yet undeniably thrilling “Halldor Laxness”.
Recently reduced from a five-piece to a quartet following the amicable departure of Johnny (bass) and Frosti (guitar) and the drafting in of new bassist Siggi (also of Future Future), the band are now back with their 4th album, “The Great Northern Whalekill”, to be released internationally on One Little Indian.
Recorded in sunny California with producer Joe Baressi (QOTSA, The Melvins), “The Great Northern Whalekill” heralds yet another new musical direction for Minus. Less bombastic and more melodic, yet still capable of the most blistering guitar-drum-voice fuelled onslaughts, it highlights a band fully in control of their destiny. IMX talks to lead vocalist Krummi.
The title of your new album seems pretty political…
The title is political and personal. Don’t kill for profit. Don’t destroy nature for profit. Dont be materialistic, just be free and beautiful!
Are Minus a political band beneath the surface?
Yes we are underneath. We have opinions on how the world works. How can you not be political, I mean look around. War, Genocide, Poverty, Pollution, Corruption and Starvation. We are out of control! This has to stop!
Do you agree with the press's description of you as the "saviours of metal"?
No because we’re not a metal band and we don’t need the press to tell us who we are. We are a group of friends making art together. It just happens that we play rock music.
Which bands would you regard as your key influences?
We are very much into 60s and 70s prog, blues and rock like Captain Beefheart, Allman Brothers Band and Bob Dylan. Our main influence is life, love and hate.
What do you see as the main difference between this new album and Halldor Laxness, sonically and lyrically?
The new one is sonically louder and tighter. Lyrically more mature and straight to the point.
You worked with Joe Baressi - what made you choose him, and how was the experience?
Our friend and engineer on the album recommended him because they are good friends. We wanted to work with a professional and he’s just that. a genius in his own right. Can’t go wrong working with Joe. The experience was something new. He pushed us to the limit and taught us a thing or two. It was not easy to impress him so that gave us the edge to try new sounds and play everything in the right pitch. He didn’t really work with me on the vocals a lot, so I did that on my own with the help of our engineer Husky who’s a super talented guy and he’s Icelandic, a brother. Overall a must experience for the mind and spirit.
You recorded in California, your first time recording outside Iceland – how was that?
We were locked in the studio the whole time so all I can say is this: Amoeba record store. In and Out Burger. Scorching hot and nice people. The studio was our world and what a great world it was. Analogue all the way. To keep it real you must record on tape.
The band has also seen some changes since the last album, how have these affected the band?
Well it was sad losing two members of the band but at the same time very exciting and the band has never been better. Being a four piece has created a lot of space for us to create new sounds and being focused as a band.
There's a kind of 'fuck it all' looseness to this record - is that how it felt to make?
Well we approach things with a bit of not knowing what’s gonna happen, always try new things and just play from the fuckin’ heart. We played this album by guidance of the heart, soul and spirit. That’s why it’s loose and cool and honest.
Tracks like "Futurist" seem a bit poppier than your normal stuff though - is that a conscious move towards a more accessible direction?
No, we wanted an anthem that would fit the words that I had written. We love to experiment and dip our toe into the pool of pop. We are very fond of the progressive side of the album, tracks like “Throw Away Angel” and “Weekend Lovers”. We love the more straightforward stuff as well like “Cat’s Eyes”.
You're now signed with OLI - how has that affected things?
We are very grateful to be able to release an album outside of Iceland and that has affected the spirit of the band a lot. It’s good to know that somebody has got your back. We the brothers in the band have got each other’s back of course all the time, but knowing that there is somebody out there that believes in this art machine like us feels good.
You have a tour coming up and the responses to the record have been pretty good - are you looking forward to being on the road again?
We can’t wait. I mean it has been three or four years since we have been out there. Meeting old friends and playing the whole catalogue of songs for the people will be amazing to say the least. We will be playing songs from all our four albums, a good mash up!
You’ve got an acoustic version of "Throw Away Angel" on your MySpace, which came out great. Will you do more of these?
You never know because we progress very fast and we love the quiet stuff with emotion and message. We will always play acoustic versions of the songs we have written over the years. We love stripping down the music and get sincerity and honesty. You know the song is good if it works acoustic.
What other plans do you have for 2008?
A new album will probably be out this year we hope. We are writing the music as we speak. Personally I will be playing a lot with my other band Esja, because we will be releasing our debut in June. But mainly we are gonna keep following our passion and be free as individuals and human beings.
www.myspace.com/minus