Scrit: Did MeteorCity contact you directly expressing interest in releasing Gravity X in the USA? They�re a label that�s always had taste, for certain.
Dango: MeteorCity has had their eyes on us ever since we sent them our first demo EP, Desert Cruiser. I remember receiving a long personal mail from Jadd (the MeteorCity boss) where he said he liked it a lot. That was really cool for us as a new band, to get a positive answer from the fattest fuzz label on the planet. Even though it didn�t lead to anything at that point the interest continued with our next demo Heading for God�s Warehouse and the Fuzzsplit of the Century. With this background I think it came natural that Gravity X ended up as a MeteorCity release. The band has now evolved into perfection (?) and I guess that was what Jadd had been waiting for, also we have matured as a band and as individuals and toured a lot meaning now we really fit the MeteorCity team in my opinion.
But back to the question, it was the Fuzzorama guys who traded personal copies of Gravity X for Hermano�s Dare I Say album and out of this connection came the idea of both labels working together with Gravity X. Fuzzorama simply asked MeteorCity if they would be interested in releasing TF in the North Americas. Jadd had not even heard the new album at this point but was very positive, as he was a fan of the prior releases, and as soon as Gravity X arrived in the other end of the Atlantic Ocean, he was sure he wanted to do it. A summer and a lot of solved details later all was set for Gravity X to be released by MeteorCity, not only in the USA, but in all countries where Fuzzorama lack good distribution, including the UK. I think this is perfect for us to have two labels, one in Europe and one in the USA, both specialized in the fuzz/stoner rock. I hope this cooperation will lead to more in the future and that more people discover the fuzz and that both labels can grow.
Scrit: Will the American release differ in any way? Different artwork, track listing, etc? Or should we expect only the flaming MeteorCity logo on the spine and rear of the jewel case?
Dango: The artwork is slightly different; the new version has a red CD disc instead of blue and a different color on the disc tray background, and of course the MeteorCity logo. The music is the same. We though a lot about putting in a bonus track but in the end we decided to keep it the was it was originally intended to be, in our opinion it is perfect and adding a song just for the sake of adding would feel wrong as all the tracks fit together.
Scrit: Gravity X seems to have struck a universal nerve with a lot of people. Like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, and all things fat, desert, wooly, and bombastic all rolled into one. What kind of responses are you getting from reviewers and live audiences?
Dango: Most of the responses are very good, at least in the heavy mags/zines. Some distinguished �metal� reviewers don�t understand the greatness though, as well as the �normal pop music� ones who like three-minute hits. I suppose everyone who reads this is aware of the fact that we do not write single catchy hit songs and we do not follow any rules or pre-written song forms. Our ambition was to make a whole album, a unity, a journey through space, time, and mind. This is why you�ll have to listen to it from the beginning to the end and do it a few times before you will understand the greatness of it. Most reviewers do this and mostly we have got awesome critics. The others who do not want or dare to listen as much and active as it takes are somewhat out of the picture. Some say the album it a bit too long and I feel a bit sorry for their sake because it shows they have not yet fully understood. It is as long as we want it to be, there is not a single second without purpose or meaning. It will be very interesting to read what Metal Hammer, Rocksound, and Kerrang writes about it though (as it will be reviewed in all major UK mags in March/April around the release date there - March 27).
Scrit: Are you touring a lot currently to support the new album? Where�s the farthest from home you�ve played to date?
Fredo: We`re going on a tour to Finland and Great Britain in the spring. We`re also playing at the Stoned from the Underground Festival in Germany in July. Last year, when the record was released by Fuzzorama, we toured a lot in Europe. I guess the farthest from home has to be the gigs in Italy.
Scrit: Is there a chance, now that MeteorCity is also behind you, that Truckfighters might play some dates in North America?
Fredo: A lot of people want us to play there and we always listen to the fans! So there`s always a chance.
Dango: Yeah we will definitely do everything we can to make it happen!
Scrit: What part of Sweden are you based in?
Fredo: I guess you can call it the central part.
Scrit: Given the number of other Swedish heavy rock bands, would you say there is an atmosphere of family or competitiveness amongst you - generally speaking, of course.
Paco: Since there aren�t too many Swedish stoner bands then the competition isn�t too tough, and while touring we get to meet a lot of other bands and great musicians so I�d say that the atmosphere is pretty friendly!
Scrit: Are you serious? You feel there really aren`t that many other Swedish stoner bands? I`d always thought there were more of them than any other European country, any in South America either (and forgive if you were just kidding and I�m too slow).
Paco: You see the thing is that all the Swedish stoner bands have to play in countries other than Sweden. Cause the Swedish crowd ain`t that big. That�s why all the Swedish stoner bands you hear outside of Sweden are the only stoner bands in Sweden (you know what I mean). The Swedish music scene is a lot of shit. Like that Euro-techno shit. They play it all day long on the radio. I`m sick and tired of it...
Scrit: Who (which bands) would you say are some of your �brothers�?
Paco: Dozer, El-Thule, Firestone, Square, and Molly�s Gusher, among others.
Scrit: Is Truckfighters constantly writing, developing new material on the road, or is that process saved primarily for when studio time comes around?
Paco: Always! We�re always coming up with ideas of new ways to express our feelings and emotions through our music. When we get home and start to jam we take those ideas further until they reach your living room speakers!
Scrit: I heard Gravity X was recorded in an abandoned bomb shelter. Is that true?
Dango: Yes you got that right, there�s an old bomb shelter underneath a park in the western part of Orebro, Sweden. Nowadays it is a really cool studio simply called �Studio Bombshelter.� We love the place, the sound of the concrete is amazing, and it also a very natural rock n� roll feeling down there. No daylight whatsoever�
Scrit: Is the bomb shelter a relic of The Cold War, or does it go back to the era of World War II?
Dango: I think the bomb shelter is from the cold War, I can`t imagine it was ever used and nowadays no one believes it will be used ever, as a bomb shelter that is. So thanks to the long-lasting peace in our part of the world the studio can be where it is. BUT in case of wartime it will surely act as a bomb shelter again. So those who go in there will be able to play music:-)
Scrit: I�d read a comparison regarding the quality of Paco�s drums, likened to John Bonham�s. Then I heard the new album and I couldn�t agree more. They pummel like �When The Levee Breaks.� Can we chalk this up to the bomb shelter?
Dango: Well I would say I it is a three-part combination between the audio production, the bomb shelter itself, and of course Paco�s amazing drumming. He strikes with perfection, giving every single stroke the focus it deserves, controlling the dynamics of the drums completely. It can be so damn heavy and powerful, as well as soft and smooth and mellow. Also the sound of the drums is excellent as well as the recording. There�s enough low end to crack most subwoofers�
Scrit: Tell me, is Truckfighter your Christian name?
Paco: If you�re asking if we�ve always been named Truckfighters, then the answer is yes. We have all worked with other projects and bands before and around Truckfighters, but together right now we are Truckfighters!
Scrit: What I mean is, did your parents name you Paco Truckfighter?
Paco: No hehe... I wish they had though. Would be a lot cooler than my real name :)
Scrit: When you were youngsters, what band or album do you remember listening to for the first time that made you say, �Wow� listen to this. This is what I WANT TO DO.�
Fredo: I listened to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones long before I knew that that was what I wanted to do. In my teens I started to listen to �heavy� music such as AC/DC and Black Sabbath. That was when I understood what I wanted to do.
Paco: Soundgarden�s Badmotorfinger is the best album I�ve ever heard!
Dango: Nirvana�s Nevermind for sure. When I heard them, I decided to become a rock star some day. It was almost the only band I listened to at that time.
Scrit: Nice. I remember the time when all I listened to was Alice in Chains. Between the three of us, we have some of Seattle covered.
Paco: I can tell you that without the Seattle grunge scene in the early �90`s I wouldn`t be playing drums the way I do. I`ve been playing drums my whole life. But that`s when it really got interesting. After that I traveled backwards in time towards the heavy �70`s. I`ve got so many different influences.
Scrit: Do you get in the habit of soundboard recordings of your live shows? Because sooner or later, the demand for Truckfighters: Live at Budokan or Live at Royal Albert Hall will be here. The rumor is your live show is out of this world, so that is why I ask about soundboard tapes.
Paco: First of all, thanks for the compliment! Unfortunately we haven�t had the time or technology to record our live shows yet. It�s in our thoughts to sometime in the future release a live CD, but for now we try to at least get as much documentation of our shows as we can. However, the real magic of any live show can never be captured on video or CD, it has to be experienced in the front row!
Dango: Nice rumor :). I know we are a good live act, so hopefully we won�t disappoint those who read this interview� We have not thought so much about live recordings but it is a good idea. We did actually record the first TF show ever in 2001 (and also the worst TF show ever). Maybe that made us a bit afraid of the concept, ha ha ha. It was a funny first show though, badly rehearsed, hung-over, and only four songs to play � the only songs we had written at that time. But back to the present, I�m sure we will record some live shows and put them up on our website sometime.
Scrit: I was just talking to Stefan from Colour Haze about this. Den Bosch in Belgium is set up well for video recording. Five cameras I think. Hermano released an official live CD from a gig there, and Yawning Man`s about to come out with a live DVD from the same place. Perhaps that`s good venue to consider your Truckfighters: Live and Comin� Attcha! album.
Dango: Sure why not, it would be damn cool to do a serious live recording. We just have to get a gig there.
Scrit: Fellas� �Manhattan Project� is one of the coolest rock songs ever written. Somebody already described it better than me (the ingredients as to what makes it so tasty and flavorful), so I won�t attempt it. But are you even aware of its prowess? Or are you of the attitude, �Well, we kinda like most of our songs about the same really.�
Dango: Thanks. I would say we are more of the latter option. Of course we love �Manhattan project� but I think it is extremely hard to say if one of our songs is better than another. (It is always hard to do a live set list because of this). Maybe there are a few songs I don�t like just as much as others but all the songs we have recorded are cool in their own way. We never let crap through our filter. We are four people in the band, all with the power to say he does not like a song and that equals throwing it away or altering it until all are satisfied. While rehearsing, a lot of riffs disappear this way, and the songs often take a long time to finish. I am confident that if all four of us really like the final version it is a GOOD song. I think our way of working is a good way. It works for us. I know a lot of bands have one or two members acting as songwriters but we don�t do it like that. Everything is created while rehearsing, often jamming ideas up and down and around and back again.
Scrit: What bands were you in prior to Truckfighters?
Fredo: There have been a couple of different bands, but none has made it as far as Truckfighters. About ten years ago I was in a stoner band called Bombled Paris. After that I strayed a bit and played in the hardcore band Chiun. I returned to stoner rock with Truckfighters.
Scrit: Are the Truckfighers Do Square 7� vinyl and Fuzz Collection No. 1 compilation still available? As I am (among others) wanting to hear �Analougus� and �Frizzy Man pt.1 & 2.� Come to think of it, there�s also �Gravity X-3� on the vinyl version of Truckfighters vs. Firestone �
Dango: Yes they are all available. I think there are a few 7" vinyls left and also some of the Collection. The Fuzzsplit with TF/Firestone is almost sold out though so if you don`t have this it might be too late soon... Come to think of it, the 7" was only made in 300 copies so it might also be running out. I will ask the Fuzzorama guys and see... On the other hand when we will be as big as QOTSA or Monster Magnet all the records above will be rarities :-)
Our releases prior to Gravity X have a more dirty sound and more low-end distortion so those who truly worship the fat-fuzz will definitely like it.
Personally I think "Frizzy Man part 1 + 2" is one of the coolest songs we have made (only we didn`t, it was Square who did...) so it`s kind of funny (or weird) that it will not be on any CDs, only 300 copies of 7" vinyls. Hmm, I love �Analogous� too... And the rest of all TF songs ever recorded. If a song makes it the whole way to the recording stage it ought to be very good as we are four persons who have to like every second of it a lot :-)
I think part of the funny feeling about the songs (also "Gravity X-3") which are only on vinyl is the fact that I very seldom listen to it; I don�t have an LP player in the car for example...
Scrit: When did you kick Taco and Lingo out of the band? ;)
Paco: The day they began to use those awful stage-names! The rest of us got so cool names ;) hehe�
Scrit: Who would you ideally love for Truckfighters to play a show with?
Paco: Any of the Kyuss line-ups, cause I know it would be a hell of a show!
Scrit: Gentlemen, you guys are awesome and thanks for generously contributing to this. We look forward to seeing Gravity X clean-house in the States here too.
