The Slideshaker

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Jani from The Slideshaker

When and how was your band created?
We were friends already and been playing together for awhile and it was around 2001 when we picked up the name Slideshaker for us and that's about it.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
We picked it up from the magazine article about some old blues cat. I really can't remember what it meant exactly but it was something like playing blues is basically sliding and shaking.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
There are so many bands and artists that have influenced us but to name a few: Rolling Stones, Sly & The Family Stone, Pussy Galore, Ike & Tina Turner, CCR, R.L. Burnside, The Velvet Underground...

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
I would say that for the size of Finland there are a lot of people who like rock 'n' roll music but negative thing is that you really can't make it here if you are in a underground band. Magazines, radios and festivals are very much oriented by mainstream music.

How could you define your style of music?
We play rock 'n' roll that's very much influenced by American roots music. We are more toward the 60's and early 70's rock 'n' roll than rock 'n' roll of today. Many people say that we are a bluespunk band but I really don't get that. I think it's very misleading to say that…

During the years how has your musical style changed?
I think our music is much more versatile nowadays. In early days we had this punk style of playing but now we are much more relaxed. We like all kindsa music so I think it's just natural that our music is developing.

How do explain these changes?
When you're young you create those stupid limits or rules to fallow but when you grow older you got much more perspective and you just do what you feel like.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
I think it's not very wise to explain lyrics because it's better to leave it to listener to figure them out. Then maybe they can relate to them somehow. Basically our lyrics deal our own experiences including universal themes like love, death, happines and despair so it's not hard to relate to them. There's always some signifigance in our lyrics if you look under the surface.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I really like "Better Version Of You" because it's one of those songs that you like to play live but also listen at home. But I think my favourite Slideshaker song is "Bad Moon" but it's so new it's not even recorded yet.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Like most rock bands we prefer playing live. We really enjoy studio working also but we are definitely a live band.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
I think the best moment is when you realize that this song is going to be great. It's usually after the first time we've played it through.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening
in your life the BEST song?
I think this is impossible question to answer but I'll try. Well… It's a tie between "Jumping Jack Flash" by Rolling Stones and "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan. Or maybe "Blizkrieg Bop" by Ramones…

What are your projects?
The next "project" for us is mini tour with Sweatmaster in April. We have nine gigs in Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark. Check out the dates at www.slideshaker.com

What "image" do you have of French music?
My "image"of French music is very blurred. I really like Air but that's about it. For example I can't think any rock 'n' roll band from France.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Hmm, my favourite French song is "All I Need" by Air but actually it's not sung in French.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006