..:: Cultura em Peso Underground ::..

Interview conducted by email.

Questions Cremogema
Answers: Daniel Bonfogo

1-From what history tells the Claustrophobia began to be formed in the fourth grade in Leme, SP, explain the beginning of the band, like metal and hardcore came so early in your lives?

Answer: Yes, I met Marcus a little before that time but it was when we started studying together,
emerged is that this "joke", we had 12 years of age. Particularly started to be curious to hear metal
because I saw the cover of Iron Maiden to an older brother of another friend. It was all natural, no one forced us to anything,
and this has been emerging bands like Sepultura, Slayer, Metallica, Ratos de Porão, etc..
We also heard many punk bands at the time. With the passage of time had the will to play, Marcus bought a guitar
and we were inventing a few songs plus some covers easier to perform. I played only one box and a hi hat haha!
When the business started getting more serious is that "jumped" to the bottom. The band had other training, but the present is from 1996.
The first record was a compilation called "Rock 3 Phalange" in 1994, did not participate because he was playing with other guys.
I returned in 1995 with drummer Ivan, who recorded the first demotape the band that same year, the "Saint War" with 4 songs.

2-How it was decided to input Caio in the band?

Answer: In 1995, drummer Ivan, because of some problems that had to leave the band. And inside,
Leme in which we lived at the time was difficult to find a drummer. Caio played bass in a punk / rock, Nuclear
but it was always in our tests, always played the drums, he had no idea and rhythm, all that remained the same practice.
Marcus then decided to do some tests on him, and did very well. Do not think twice, he already knew the band
and our music was very easy rapport, and we were brothers and friends. The first presentation was in the city of Americana
in 1996, was a decent debut and sealing its entry into the band! On the same shift, Alexander joined the band, because Marcus had already
moved to Sao Paulo with his family. But I kept the same living in Leme. Just moved definitively in 2003.

3-In 1998 was the year that the band geared? The show was opened with Soulfly for Claustrophobia?

Answer: The band was always a serious thing for us all, since he started this passion by music and metal. I will not say
geared, but this opening for Soulfly in 1998 was very important to really feel what it was like a big stage with a band and all
professionalism involved, and a large audience waiting. Until then, the concerts were in smaller, less public places. We had nothing officially recorded
this time, only two demotape (Saint War - Demonstrations and 95 - 96). Our first album was recorded in the same year, but
was only released in 2000. It was from this show that many people began to hear the band, this curiodade to see "the kids"
playing, we had not even 18!

4-Where did the expression on maloka metal band?

Answer: It appeared at that time we were recording the album Thrasher (2002) and was the brainchild of the CIER (the tribe Studios - who produced and recorded the CD).
And is related more to the style of the band, playing Brazilian metal footprint, the design of music, which differs from the Yankee bands for example.
It is this energy and "malokeiragem" of our sound I'm talking about, not because they are bandits or something haha! Everybody is crazy!

5-Claustrophobia, Thrasher, Fulminant and I See Red, from first to last, if you stop to analyze where you see points of improvement / progress / experience album to album?

Answer: In my opinion, each album was a step forward in terms of musicianship, professionalism and dedication.
Each has its history, its challenges and feelings. All are important, without exception. So if you hear the order,
know about the events of the time and work, see the continuous development, which will certainly also in all
albums to come. The ideas, the evolution never stops, there's always learning that is true, it is what we, as individuals and musicians.

6- Of the concerts outside the country that impressed you the most in the public gringo?

Answer: In the first tour in 2007, were the public in Switzerland and Poland. In Switzerland I particularly did not expect that energy,
and Poland, being a parent "poorest", the audience is much like that of Brazil, but not as animal haha! Belgium was also very nice and the people are very welcoming.
In the second, in 2009, was one of the best in Lithuania, a rainy Wednesday, was awesome! The shows were also good in Latvia, as well as in Bulgaria.
But in general, each country has its own characteristics and each show is unique. If you have ten people or a thousand, our show is the same!

7 - When did you Claustrophobia imagined that the band would be a national reference metal? The appreciation of the bands is as it should be?

Answer: Of course, when you have a goal, your goal is to reach it. And if we are a reference today is a result of our daily struggle
on behalf of the band. We're not in it for fun or for money. If it were so I would have stopped playing long ago and made a college for
secure my future haha! Of course money is important, it would be a hypocrite if I said no, but not just the band or live gigs.
We have to work out this to ensure our survival. As the metal is not as valued in Brazil, it's hard to live this kind of music.
The band has 16 years, all this is not a coincidence, or a mere hobby. It's history, is our reality.

8 - Quick Play:

Four national bands:
Exitem many and great, but I will mention Sepultura, Ratos de Porão, Subtera and Torture Squad.

4 international bands:
Then you take me haha! Impossible to say but come on only four: Iron Maiden, Slayer, Motorhead, Napalm Death.

1 cd:
Stormbringer - Deep Purple

Claustrophobia:
My life.

Family:
Without it, we would not be where we are.

Metal:
Lifestyle.

Leisure:
Friends.

1 show:
Iron Maiden - 2009.

A sentence:
"It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Want to Rock 'n' Roll)" - AC / DC.

9 - The band has always had letters in his compositions social / political, sweating revolt ... issues that are much discussed in circutio metal / punk / hard core, but how to do it get the mass media controlled?

Answer: Yes, our lyrics usually deal with these issues or personal feelings, things that do not enjoy it, injustices, etc..
But letters are not only negative, we always try to express in a positive way, trying to open their eyes or "clear" people's ideas.
We can not make the world hear our ideas, but knowing that there are many people who identify themselves, for us it is enough.
The goal is always to make our music comes in all possible places.

10 - Musical Influences / literary?

Answer: Each band member has different influences inside and outside the metal. Difficult to name them all. Go from the Rock'n'roll, through punk, hardcore, metal in general,
up styles such as blues, rap, jazz, samba, truth, etc., but of course the heavy music runs through the veins. The band is this mixture and leave it in the end you know!
Most of the songs come from the guitar riffs of Marcus and Ale, Caio puts the drums in the footprint and style that only he knows,
no rules to write, every song has its identity and influence.

11 - The band has partnerships abroad to disseminate / sell the material?

Answer: We have more partnerships here than outside the country Outside only the last album "I See Red" was released by Candlelight Records, a British label.
Our partnerships are here: Consulate of rock that makes all our merchandise t-shirt, Importer Pride Music (Jackson guitars), Willow Instruments, Guitars Cast, Orion Cymbals,
Capcase Cases, Cables Sant'Angelo, Sticks Alba, Kayowas Studio, etc..

12 - European Tour 2010, which tell us about it?

Answer: This year, unfortunately not materialized another tour, but next year for sure estates there. The expectation is always good,
always trying to grow and each one being better than another.

13 - Plans for the future?

Answer: Next year we'll release a CD with only letters in potuguês, especially for Brazil. It's almost finished and due out after the carnival is all
going well. As everyone knows, there is an entire album of music in our language, and the kids enjoy too! Wait punch in the ear!
But the English album is also in phase composition, as always, it will not change. This idea of the CD in Portuguese has existed for years and only now been realized.

14 - What is the strongest point of "I See Red"? Where the band had to sweat more than the shirt for the album was recorded as close as expected?

Answer: The strong point was recorded with the terms Cristiano Schneider (German) who is our sound technician about 10 years ago. He knows the band more than anyone.
It was very easy to record with him for friendship too. We recorded everything in 13 days and the result was better than expected. We went from an analog recording (Fulminant - 2005)
for a digital sound and gave another guy for the band, something we needed at the moment.

15 - The band already has 16 years on the road, the band already thinks about a dvd to tell your hitori?

Answer: Dude, we have a collection that gives a 10 to make DVD's haha! We have plans for the future with certainty, wait!

16 - Where to find / buy stuff / the Claustrophobia? The band's own channel for sale?

Answer: We have our contact, who can buy directly from us. Email is merchandise@claustrofobia.com.br
We have CDs, shirts, adevisoc, patches, etc..

17 - Message to the fans and contacts:

I would like to thank you for the space and opportunity! Thank all who follow us and inspire us to make a sound even better,
increasingly heavy and without borders. Without the fans, not people who support us and help us, none of this would be true.

Contact for shows: