Verslaggever: |
Emiel van der Ploeg |
Op 24 mei 2007 brachten we een bezoek aan een concert van de band Master in het Metropool in Hengelo. Na aankomst konden we meteen backstage. Daar bevonden zich de leden van Master met het nodige aantal biertjes. Het interview is afgenomen met de bassist/zanger van Master, de legendarische Paul Speckmann.
1. What kind of bands/music are the roots of the music you create now?
"Back in the early days we had bands like, Minor Thread and Slayer that I was really into, so of course it had influence but in the end we just write one thing and don't look and sound like any other band."2. How does the song writing work? Who plays which part in creating new songs?
"I come up with most of the riffs but you know, every one does his thing. Mark came up with some really cool riffs for the new album, like the song "The Final Skull". I am writing all the time, I don't know how to do anything else. For one album we just write like 60 songs and the ones that are just not good enough don't make it to the album."3. What is the meaning behind the lyrics that you have written? The story?
"The lyrics are mostly about political subjects, like all the problem in society, like for example the youth that's being corrupted at early age, that the government claims that everyone has freedom, but it's only getting taken away from you more and more. Music is a good way for the young people to express what the problems are in society."4. What attracts you to metal? What makes you want to play it? What means metal to you?
"Metal is my life, it's what I do, it's a way of life. I'm always busy with metal, if I'm not on the road with Master then I'm working for bands like Benediction, Vital Remains and Testament. I work 7 months a year, metal means friendship, everywhere you go cause everyone has the same love for the music. There is no discrimination, no-one cares about how you look, it's the music that binds the people. Napalm Death sometimes plays a "Master" cover, it just shows that metal is brotherhood."5. Which band from Holland that you have heared do you think has lots of potential?
"I don't know any bands from this time, but in the early days there were bands like Pestilence and Asphyx. We played with Vital Remains at Vera in Groningen for an audience of 400 people. It was an amazing show as well was the tour. We played just for a slice of fucking pizza, but it was awesome."6. A frequently asked question: drinking habits? Is there, or has there been, any drugs or alcohol involved in the band?
"I usually drink whiskey, but today I'm drinking water and beer. I'll drink anything, whatever I can find to pour down my throat I'll drink it, but whiskey always has my privilege. Every no and then we like to smoke some weed, just a relaxing feeling to chill out a bit."7. Anyone married? If so, how does the music/band influence a marriage or relationship?
"I'm married and Mark is also married, of course my wife misses me. But when I come home with a bag of money, she doesn't complain, "ha-ha". The life that I have when I'm on tour and the life that I lead at home is a separate thing, that's how it should be."8. A last question: what does it take to be successful, what state of mind is required?
"It isn't about the money, that's the attitude you got to have. It's all about the people that listen and enjoy your music. I got friends all over the globe, it is just so great to perform and that the audience totally goes insane on the music that you play. Yesterday we played for about 30 people and they all went crazy, it reminded me that the underground is just still alive, and there will always be people that will keep it alive."Voor foto's van het concert: klik hier
Voor een verslag van het concert: klik hier
