Claymore

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Music
Interview : Janze from Claymore

When and how was your band created?
The early form of Claymore was founded in the year 1992. It had several names before Claymore like Untamed, Feaver and Beat Feaver. At first we started to play at school, but soon it became almost an obsession to be a real rock band. We played cover songs from Guns'n'Roses, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix and Cream.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
The story behind the name lies in a whisky bottle. We were trying to create a name for the band that looks and sounds good. And suddenly there it was. A Claymore whisky bottle, right before our eyes on a table. Our guitar player from that time had been saving some small coins in it.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
The reason why I started to play guitar was Steve Vai. I saw a couple of his videos. I was like on the 6th grade. Then we fooled around with my firends acting guitar players. A few years later I saw a G'N'R gig, I think it was from France. So that was a big thing for me. Especially Slash. And then of course there is Bon Jovi.

How could you define your style of music?
It's melodic, guitar oriented, big and energetic rock. Yeah I think that says it all.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
It has gone from hard rock to softer and more solid rock and back again.

How do explain these changes?
I think it's because of line-up changes why the same songs have sounded a little different in different times.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Songs are usually about things we've faced in our lives. Friendship, Love, Growing up.. you know.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It's hard to say. They all are your dearest children you know. But well 'Tytörakkautta' is a great song.... and of course 'Kello Tikittää'. And if I could say one more, it's the slow song 'Yksin Jäin'.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
In my opinion it is always fantastic when you have a great audience in front of you and you get feedback right away. You give much more when you get something from the audience.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Well I like to work at night, when it's quiet and everyone else is sleeping. But sometimes a good guitar riff or melody comes to your mind in the strangest places. Then you have to repeat it in your head or humm it in order to remember it afterwards.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listeningin your life the BEST song?
That's even harder a question than the one from your own songs, but I think there's something about Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On a Prayer'. It's just pure feeling.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It's a good tool when it comes to marketing your band. You can reach people from all around the world.

What are your projects ?
Right now we are marketing ourselves for the Festivals next summer, and we are also writing new songs for the next album which I hope will come out some time next year. And of course we are doing gigs all the time.

What "image" do you have of French music?
Well, to be honest I don't know much of it, but I think harmonica is often played in French music........Right?

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
I'm sorry, nothing comes to mind.

Visit our website www.clayrock.tk and remember Life Is Rock'N'Roll!

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006