Questions: Joana

Answers: Casito

Interview with José Oscar Teixeira Veiga Luz “Casito” by Joanna de Assis in April, 16th, 2009

When did you first get in touch with Heavy Metal?

Well, it all started back in 1969; I was in my mother’s womb listening to my cousins’ records. It was just pure rock since I was born. Heavy Metal came to me with Venom, Slayer, Exodus and Mercyful Fate in the early 80’s. I had my hair growing at that time based on the hippies’ style. Since then, I could never stop. Addicted.

How did the band WhitchHammer start? Tell us about the members and the band path until today.

The Witchhammer started with the fusion of three bands basically, The Witchhammer, Dartherium and Bloodier, in 1985. The original group didn’t have me as the bassist. When we came up with the first demo-tape, I was already a member and following that, we recorded our first 2 tracks on the compilation Warfare Noise 2. Witchhammer was then, Paulo Caetano (guitars and vocals), Leandro Miranda (guitars), Teddy (drums) and me on the bass, in 1987. The same group recorded The First and the Last (1988), our first solo album. Following that debut album, Mirror my Mirror (1990), counted on the amazing presence of Sylvia Klein, major soprano, internationally well-known for her work, starting the today’s widespread trend of lyrical singing and Metal blend. Blood on the Rocks (1993) had Arnaldo Jr., former bassist, returning as an awesome guitar player, for Paulo had gone to the U.S. Ode to Death (2007) is the symbol of resistance and passion we all have for Metal music. It was recorded with Paulo on the guitars and vocals, Casito on the bass, Teddy on the drums and Rogério Sena on the solo guitars. Nowadays, Witchhammer  has  Alfredo Malagoli smashing the drums. Along the way, we had various soul-brothers helping us on our intents, Alexandre Melo, Igor Farah were two guitarists who had their part in our history, and some others.

Which is your Witchhammer’s favorite album and why?

I love them all. Each one has its value and power. They represent what we were exactly that time of life. I like The First … because it’s raw and sincere. Mirror… because it’s trendy and provocative, with new elements for the music of the 90’s. Blood … is a lesson of Thrash, pure adrenalin. Ode to Death is our redemption as musicians, our freedom, the roof of our houses.

What can you tell us about Ode to Death and the band future plans? When and where was the best gig of the band?

Ode to Death is a mix of metal branches. The line who ties the songs is Death, in all its aspects, like, the death of art, death of values, death of ideals, death of friendship and real death. Our opening song is Oija Board, which is that board with letters and numbers we use to communicate with ghosts. With it, we simulate a talk with friends from Belo Horizonte who are gone and famous international metal musicians who are dead, using parts of their own songs as their lines in the conversation, to which we respond.

What do you aspect from Minas Gerais Metal scene now and how does it differ from the 80s?

I see the Metal scene in Minas Gerais with pure pessimism. Nobody is willing to cope any longer and the supposed Metal people are just fake. Everything will die soon around here. In the 80’s things were real, we were born into it, we were Metal.

I Am a big fan of you work, how is it to maintain Whichhammer alive for so long? Do you still keep the libertarian and social-politic themes in the lyrics and performances of the band?

Well, I know you really mean it, I know you well enough, don’t I? Thank you for all your great support along these years, you are family. It’s not easy to keep on moving here in the underground scene in Brazil, you know. People don’t care unless you are internationally well-known. Brazilians are stupid in this sense; they are fans of Sepultura and André Matos only. We’ve always been political activists and we just can’t write without mentioning politics in at least one aspect of its myriad.

How do you see and fell about the new fans?

They are always dropping here and there all the time. They are still very unconscious of the history of the Metal scenario in Minas Gerais and Brazil but they are very sincere and passionate. We’ve always been very close to our fans and nothing has changed. It extremely pleasant to see new fans enjoying our music through the decades.

Which are the favourite band, album, music  and lyric?

Slayer rules, you know. Hell Awaits, my friend.

I know you are an English teacher; we graduated together, by the way, (hahaha)... How is it to deal with work and WitchHammer at the same time?

Nowadays, I’ve been working at home, which makes things a lot easier. I have my own classroom and pupils. Even if I didn’t have time, I would add 6 extra hours to a day to play with the boys. 30 hours, sounds good, ah?

A statement and a dream.

Show must go on and I just have to play.

E-mail: show.witchhammer@gmail.com
Cel: (55) 31 2526-8683
http://www.myspace.com/witchhammerbrasil