Having just released another belter of an album in the shape of ‘Pure Heavy’ I thought it was about time Uber Rock got to talk with the band behind the magnum opus, so thanks to our good friends at Napalm Records I was soon put in touch with the band’s frontman Toschie to wax lyrical about his band’s influences, what their touring aspirations are for the new record, and above all what they would do if they were offered a 100 million dollars by iTunes. Read on to find on the answers to all of these questions plus much more.

 

I just wanted to start by saying thanks for taking the time to chat with Uber Rock today. ‘Pure Heavy’ has just hit the shops worldwide, what was the band’s objective behind the making of this new record?

 

We set out to make an album in the same spirit as ‘Youngblood’, an album that we wrote together in our rehearsal room, without making any detailed pre-production. We also recorded it live. These things made the whole process so much more rewarding for us, not only musically but also spiritually. The only thing we did different this time was to “produce” it a bit more. We did more overdubs this time, and also sampled different stuff. We did this because although we wanted to keep the live energy from ‘Youngblood’, we also wanted to take it a bit further and create a bigger sound.

 

For those reading this who maybe don’t know your backgrounds you had previous lives in Black Metal bands what was the catalyst that made Audrey Horne move more towards the Classic Rock sound that is your trademark today?

 

Well it is only Ice Dale from Enslaved who has that background, and even he does mainly listen to Kiss, Deep Purple etc, so to us this is quite normal. It is the kind of music we grew up listening to. A lot of people ask about this, but I think it is more the media who views us as a bunch of black metal heads.

 

You worked with Joe Baressi in the past, who was responsible for the crystal clear punch of ‘Pure Heavy’?

 

On this album we worked with Sir Duperman (Jörgen Traeen) and The Sun King (Iver Sandöy) as producers, they both were involved in ‘Youngblood’ too. Duperman mixed it and Sun King engineered it. This time they shared the producer seat. They also were involved in parts of the arrangements and in general the good spirit.

 

I compared ‘Pure Heavy’ to a colleague as ‘Music From The Elder’ if it had been written By Iron Maiden and Ozzy had replaced Paul Stanley on vocals.  How does that sound to you?

 

(Laughing), Brilliant. I love that comparison, ‘Music From The Elder’ is a highly underrated album, and was produced by Bob Ezrin, who we would LOVE to work with. I am also flattered that you compare me to Paul Stanley even though it is in no way deserved.

 

Well for me Toschie it’s your hugely melodic vocal twists that set you guys apart from the rest, what is the creative process like when you get together to write?

 

Thank you. I hope that is an important part of it. I come from a very diverse musical camp. I listen to all kinds of music. Today I have been through The Beatles, The Hellacopters, Lonely The Brave (a great band by the way), Beastie Boys, Tim McGraw, Snot and Slayer on my stereo, and I have a huge love for good pop melody lines. When we write music we do it together in our rehearsal room where we work out ideas and I just sing whatever comes to mind, both melodies and words. In the end I write the finished lyrics. Most of the guitar stuff is also worked out this way. We have this rule: All ideas have to be tried out, no idea is too stupid.

 

You did a Midnite Mixtape for us a while back (which you can read again – HERE) which featured everything from Billy Joel to Fucked Up. With that in mind your musical influence pool for this record must have been enormous, I mean I can pick out many snippets of bands that I grew up loving, especially on ‘Tales From the Crypt’ what were you listening to get you in the mood for recording?

 

All kinds of stuff, but prior to this album I must admit that Paul Stanley’s solo album from ‘78, and some of the old Van Halen albums got quite a few spins.

 

You’re due to play a run of shows at the end of November/early December that includes 3 UK shows what can your fans except from these shows?

 

Same as usual I guess, but tighter and better. We have worked on our live show both to make it better but also more entertaining. We will play mostly songs from our last three albums. Some people are bummed out because we don’t focus more on the two first albums, but to be honest, it is because we feel way more comfortable playing from the last three now. We have kind of outgrown a lot of the songs on ‘No Hay Banda’ and ‘Le Fol’, like it or not, this is how we feel, and we have to relate to that.

 

77 and (label mates of yours) Pet The Preacher play those shows with you that looks like one hell of a rocking bill.

 

Agreed!

 

I’d just like to ask you what your opinion is on the ‘Rock Is Dead’ comment that has been doing the rounds lately. I mean it’s never been easy to make it as a band has it? Plus when you see a bill like the one you have on your upcoming shows and you think “how the fuck can rock be dead?”

 

Well, Gene Simmons is too rich and has probably not been to a show by a band from the underground since he was in the underground himself, so I would not accept his claim that ‘Rock Is Dead’. It is highly alive and well. The changes in the business end of things have harmed those on the top of the pyramid, people like Gene. But it has offered enormous opportunities for new bands, they can release their music without a label, and promote it themselves now through the internet. Underground labels are more equal to major labels these days, so in many ways the business has been made more democratic I would say. Still. It is wrong that people don’t have to pay for our products. Now that is fucked up.

 

Actually I’d like to punch the man responsible for that ‘Rock Is Dead’ comment because when you played Hellfest last year I managed to miss your set due to all the traffic issues around the site caused by KISS. To have travelled all that way and then to miss you guys was truly gutting.

 

Send a bill to Gene. He can afford it. (Laughing)

 

With that in mind I was just wondering if you had any plans already lined up for bigger tours and stuff in 2015? Back at Hellfest maybe?

 

We are currently working on these sorts of things, but nothing is confirmed yet.

 

I notice that ‘Out Of The City’ was released as a split 7” single with Zodiac a while back, can we expect more vinyl releases from you guys? I would have thought that the old LP format would have been the one of choice for you?

 

We will release vinyl versions of everything we do. We are all vinyl freaks. The two first albums have not been released on vinyl, and we would love to do so, but unfortunately they were released on different labels, so it is a long way to get there. ‘Pure Heavy’ is being released on vinyl with two bonus tracks on a 7” that is inside the actual LP.

 

And talking of musical formats what’s your thoughts on band’s giving their music away for free…albeit with a 100 million dollar sweetener.

 

I think it is cool as long as they choose to do so themselves. It is when it is being done without the band having any saying it is a problem. Wait..are you talking about the U2 stunt? If so I think that was an embarrassing thing to do “Look, we are filthy rich so we are gonna give you our new album for free whether you want it or not!” They should have given us ‘Joshua Tree’ instead. (Laughing)

 

The potential for 100 million dollar sweeteners aside, what makes it all worthwhile getting up in the morning and doing what you do with Audrey Horne?

 

The pleasure of making music and hanging out with four amazing persons will do it for me. The kick we get from playing live is such a rush, so I would not trade that in for anything. And of course being compared to Paul Stanley. (Laughing)

 

Before we finish something a little tongue in cheek to finish.  If you could put together the ultimate classic rock band with you as a band member, who would be in it with you and why, what would you call yourselves and what would your rider look like. You can pick anyone alive or dead.

 

We would be called SO LONG CLEVELAND, and I would have Paul McCartney on bass, Dregen and Ace Frehley on guitars and Vinnie Appice on drums. Our rider would be a hot meal, lots of IPA and 5 warm blankets to get us through the night.

 

And to finish, anything else you’d like to say to your fans?

 

Buy our album, we do not give it away for free, and come to our shows. We can promise you a good time just like the nice lady on the corner told me this morning.

 

Cheers Toschie and thank you so much for this. All the very best with ‘Pure Heavy’.

 

Thank you sir! See ya!

 

https://www.facebook.com/AudreyHorneOfficial

http://www.audreyhornemusic.com/

Photographs courtesy of Oystein Haara

To pick up your copy of ‘Pure Heavy’ – CLICK HERE