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Grave - Jonas Torndal

14/04/05 || Lord K Philipson

Remember Grave? You should. They have recorded a bunch of albums and the first 3 of those are classics. Me and fellow staffer Chazz decided to do the questions together, that way we could taking turns with being drunk while questions were being made.

After numerous line-up changes and drummers who exploded, Grave are back. Not better than ever, but they are slowly getting back on track it seems. This interview was supposed to be answered by guitarist/vocalist Ola, but after 3 months of not getting any reply (busy rockstar you know), he passed the questions over to 2nd guitarist Jonas Torndal. He put little effort into it and we definitely hoped for more. Then again, after a 20+ year career (or something) it might not be as fun to answer e-mail interviews as it used to be. Fuck it either way, this will just have to do. For some reason we have decided to name Jonas “A” in this interview. We still have to figure out why…

Lord K : How does it feel for you to have to answer this shit after Ola’s been holding us up for over 3 months? Happy to finally be talking to us, biatch? What the hell are you guys up to at the moment?

A: I’m just happy that I can be of service. If you call me a bitch again I’ll slap you silly. We’re doing shows at the moment and we’re pretty busy until February.

Chazz: Let’s cut to the chase and end some rumors and misinformation once and for all right now. I see everyone asking this question whenever Grave is mentioned on a message board or somewhere, and the replies are always different, meaning you are probably the one person who knows the real answer here. What kind of equipment were you using to get your classic guitar tone in the early days (on “Soulless” for example)? And out of curiosity, what did you use on “Fiendish Regression”?

A: We used a 30W Peavey combo with a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal for all the albums up to “Back from the Grave”, that’s kind of the standard amp in Sunlight. For “Fiendish Regression” we tried a whole bunch of amps, like Johnson, Peavey 5150, Mesa Rectumfier, but we finally ended up using our own Marshall JCM2000 DSL heads with just a little touch from a Ibanez TS-9 Tubescreamer and a Boss OD-1 Overdrive. We wanted the sound we create live on the album and it sounds like the amp from hell compared with the others.

Lord K: I’d like to thank Ola for introducing me to Jackson Guitars back in the early 90’s. Later on you rejoined the fold and I’m pretty sure you play Jacksons as well. I heard something about some kind of an endorsement from the company. What does this deal look like? And why haven’t you sorted a similar deal for me? Does the band have any other company endorsements?

A: Yeah, we got a deal with Jackson Guitars and it’s a pretty good one. We get a good price on guitars and other FMIC related products, plus the waiting list for custom guitars is a bit shorter for endorsees. They’ve been very good to us so far and we hope that it stays that way. Jackson has always been my favourite guitar brand and especially the RR1. It’s the best damn guitar I’ve ever tried and now I’ve got three of them. Hopefully I’ll have four next year. Looking to get a Reverse head RR1, the most brutal looking guitar in the whole world. Getting you a deal with Jackson? No way. These American babies are not ment for you my friend, they’re supposed to be played by men!

Chazz: I gather you have been playing guitar for a long time, even though you initially handled the bass for Grave. Who was the one player/band that inspired you to pick up a guitar/bass and learn how to play in the first place?

A: I started playing bass in school and got into a band two days after I bought my first bass. After a year or so I bought a really crappy guitar and started to play a little at home, but everybody knew that I played bass so I kind of stuck to that. The greatest inspiration has always been Black Sabbath, but I’m not sure if that’s what made me start to play.

Lord K: Let’s go back in time about 15 years or so… How low did you actually tune the guitars for the first demos you guys did? I know you didn’t use any tuners or anything, but you must have something close to an idea as to how low you went. Is it a must for death metal to be downtuned?

A: I know that we tuned in G-sharp (tror jag, Giss på svenska iaf, 8 band för oss vanliga dödliga). It sounded right and it was heavy as fuck. Kind of hard to play on a four string bass with the strings just hanging like worn out rubber bands but it was really brutal with a little (read a lot of) distortion. It’s gotta be downtuned and a little rough if you’re in this business.

Lord K: I know that J leaving was quite a change for you guys… With the answers in hand, would you agree that “Hating Life” is pretty much piss-poor, even though you don’t play on it, or maybe thanx to that? Did Grave ever consider calling it quits as J left? I mean, he’s not the easiest fucken vocalist to replace…

A: “Hating Life” was a two-man project and they wanted to do something slightly different from the old-style Grave albums, a bit thrashier I think. There’s a couple of good songs on that album and a bunch of good riffs, so I wouldn’t go as far as calling it piss-poor. I was actually involved in the rehearsals and the touring for that album and played a lot of those songs live and they kicked ass. I don’t think that Grave even thought of it after J left.

Lord K: You switched from being the bassist of the band to being a guitarist. You also quit once. What made you leave in the first place and why did you come back, this time as a guitarist? Who’s the better axe-man between the 2 of you? I bet Ola scores those overtones a lot better than you do. Fuck knows he’s good at those. But I’m better, care to disagree?

A: Better sort this “best guitarist” thing out first! I am probably the greatest guitarist alive! No one, and I mean No One can do overtones like me. I just keep ‘em coming, bending those notes and hanging like a monkey on that trembar. No man can be my equal! Back to the question again, I actually left the band three or four times, or maybe five, I don’t know anymore, I’ve lost track years ago. The first time I left, I was fed up with touring and didn’t feel comfortable with the lifestyle on the road. The situation at home didn’t help either – just got together with a perfect 10 and I was young, and you know those hormons won’t take a handjob for an answer. The last time I joined up, me and Ola had been discussing me getting in the band again and this time on guitar. Grave had already gotten themselves a new bass player so it was perfect for me ‘cause I really wanted to take a bigger part in the songwriting process, and trying to write songs on a bass sucks! Your lame overtones wouldn’t even impress a 12 year old!

Chazz: Between “Hating Life” and “Back from the Grave” a lot of years passed. What the fuck were you doing all that time? Were you in prison, or strung out on drugs or some shit? Did you keep up with the metal scene at all during that time?

A: All the above. No seriously, we took a break after the ‘96 tours and it just never took off again. We got stuck in our day jobs and it took a while to get things together. We actually did a gig at 44:an in ‘98 but we got back in the same ’ol pretty soon after that. We’ve always been around the scene and going to shows and so on, but it never felt like Grave was going to quit. We always had the intention to get back into rehearsals and start to write new shit.

Chazz: How did it feel to get back on the road in Europe and North America and into the studio after so many years out of the game? Did you notice any big changes compared to the last tour you did all those years ago?

A: It was great to be back on the road again! I’ve never enjoyed it as much as I do these days. I don’t know why, but the chemistry in the band right now is amazing. The biggest change compared to back then is that the sound guys are much better now, and they’ve probably learnt how to mix a death metal band in the years that passed.

Chazz: Where has your best audience and/or best show been on the last tour? Who are showing up for the shows, mostly old school Grave fans, or new fans? Are you guys too old now to get the chicks?

A: The last tour we did was with Exodus and most of the weekend shows were sold out, so I’d have to say one of those. If somebody found my Defleshed shirt in Belgium, I want it back! The people that show up at a Grave show are probably people with good taste in music and die-hard death metal fans, all ages and both old and new fans. BFTG gave us a whole bunch of new fans that never heard us before and they basically only know the newer stuff. You know, the chicks like experienced men, not beardshooters. We’re not a boyband anymore but the girls seems to like us anyway.

Lord K: You have played alot of fucken festivals throughout the years, who were the coolest band you ever met? Is there like any particular story that immediatley comes to mind when thinking of the tours you have done, as well as the festivals you have played? Anyone stick out in particular as a bunch of “rockstar” assholes?

A: Tricky question/s! The festival that really stands out for me and the rest of the band I guess, is With Full Force. We drank heavily from 11 in the morning till 1 o’clock at night, and then we entered the stage. That was both the best and the worst gig I’ve/we’ve ever done! Pissdrunk and about 10 000 drunken Germans cheering for us was a bizarre experience. Ola and Freddan hardly remember playing at all and I couldn’t remember the songs. The coolest thing about the festival was that we found out where Slayer had their backstage container and paid them a visit. They were the coolest and nicest guys I’ve ever met. Talking to East Bay Ray from Dead Kennedys was also a highlight from that festival. Most bands are rockstar assholes, and so are we, so who am I to point my finger?

Chazz: If money/schedules/egos were not a factor, who are the band(s) that you would most want to do a tour with? Put together your dream tour package and list it.

A: Carnal Forge, Defleshed, The Forsaken, Goatwhore, Vicious Art and En Vogue. That package would rule the earth for a long time!

Lord K/Chazz: Your first 3 albums are viewed upon as classics by many people, us included. Have you realized that you’ll never top those albums? How does that make you feel? A lot of people, no matter how good the new material is, consider a band’s “old shit” to be their best. How do you think “Fiendish Regression” compares to those albums?

A: I don’t give it much thought ‘cause I think it’s a load of BS. It’s cool that people like what we did 10-15 years ago and I think it’s great stuff too, but there are new people in the band and I think that you should respect their hard work and stop complaining about how it’s not as good as “Into the Grave” or “Soulless” and listen to the albums for what they are; good bonecrushing heavy as fuck death metal. I personally think that “FR” is a solid piece of work and I’m very proud of it. It fits my style of metal better than for example “Into the Grave”. I write what I’d like to hear on a CD and it’s just a bonus for me if somebody else likes it too.

Lord K: I know you guys heard the God Among Insects album in the studio while recording “Fiendish”. How much did our album inspire you guys and do you realize that this album beats the crap out of all death metal released nowadays?

A: It inspired me to go to the crapper a few extra times!!!

Lord K: To talk about something else but yer new album for a second… I know you have done some tours in the States. Did you ever happen to catch an NHL game live while being there? What’s yer NHL team man? Who’s the best fucken player in the league? This is what Global Domination is all about, NHL, with a few questions about music thrown in for good measure.

A: I couldn’t say that I did but we went to a AHL game in ‘96, Albany Riverrats vs Hamilton Bulldogs. That ruled! Best player in NHL, I’d say it’s Mats Thelin and best team AIK. There is no other team. What is NHL???

Lord K: Have you ever gotten any royalties from Century Media worth mentioning? If so, what did you buy with it? How many albums is Grave selling nowadays, as well as the numbers for the back catalogue would be nice. Seeing everyone lies about their sales figures, I’ll just divide yer numbers with 12, that should get us closer to the truth. Don’t give me any bullshit about “not knowing any sales figures”.

A: If I knew the numbers I wouldn’t give it to you. The Swedish IRS are probably just waiting for a chance like this!
Seriously, I never recieved a krona, cent, mark, yen or any kind of currency from CM. Don’t ask me why ‘cause I don’t know. I guess the other guys spent it on drugs and whores. As for sales figures, I don’t get statements so I don’t know, but I think that “Into…” sold roughly 12 000 copies while I was still in the band, “You’ll Never See” sold about the same I guess, “Soulless” clueless, “Hating Life” around 10K, “ERL” ???, “BFTG” around 10K last I heard (about a year ago).

Chazz: You fuckers have to be one of the longest running acts on Century Media, so I assume they are treating you pretty well… Correct? A lot of bands sign contracts for multiple albums, what’s your situation there? Are you committed to recording more albums? Can we expect future Grave albums for years to come?

A: We’ve been with CM for ages and they’ve actually started to treat us really well since Leif Jensen came in as A&R. We had some difficulties in the past but that’s all over now. We’ve got a contract for one more album with CM, so you’ll probably have to take another one up the ass from the Grave camp.

Chazz: Speaking of Century Media, who there had the idea to release “Extremely Rotten Live”. At that time did the label think Grave would never be back to record another album, so they were trying to milk the band for a little more money or what? I saw a show on that tour, not the one that was recorded, but it was a lot better than what they released on that album. Were you happy with the way it turned out? And how much of it was recorded in the studio – did you consider adding crowd noise towards the end of it when it got quiet and sounded like everyone left?

A: Label. Label. Label.The crowd was actually pretty good but the sound guy fucked the mics up. And everything else for that matter.

Chazz: Back to “Fiendish Regression”... What gave you the idea to re-record “Autopsied” on the new album? Are you planning on re-recording other older tracks as well in the future? I thought it was a nice addition to the album.

A: Just wanted to do an oldie and an oldie that wasn’t officially released yet. We’ll probably not do another oldie again.

Lord K: You have been in Sunlight Studio for the albums for well over a decade, with the new one you entered Abyss Studios. What made you decide on this and what is the biggest difference between the 2 studios?

A: We wanted to try something new and get away from Sthlm, and focus on the recording while in the studio. We’d also discussed this with Peter a couple of times over beer and so. The difference is that the equipment doesn’t break in Abyss.

Lord K: You guys are definitely picking up the shit again with the new album. How much input did the new guy behind the kit have to do with this? I heard some rumours about ex-drummer Jensa being fed up with playing fast and all, and with the new man there’s suddenly some blastbeats within Grave, which is a terrific addition to yer sound.

A: Pelle was asked to join ‘cause he could play the stuff we wanted to do and give us some new angles on stuff that was in process. There should’ve been some fast parts and songs on “BFTG” too, but Jensa refused to do it. You’ll definately hear more of that fast shit on the next album!

Lord K: Was Jensa fired or did he quit? Did Chris Piss get fired or did he quit? Will new drummer Pelle be fired or will he quit?

A: Jensa quit. Chris was very much fired. Pelle couldn’t leave the band even if he commited suicide. We’d strap him to the chair and force him to blast!

Chazz: The cover art on “Fiendish Regression” looks pretty killer, who did it? Did the band have any input on the artwork, or was it all the artist’s idea?

A: Some guy called Jacek or Jack. He’s Polish, so I couldn’t remember his last name even if my life depended on it. Basically a rough idea from Jacek and then a collaboration between the band and the artist.

Chazz: Typing out “Fiendish Regression” a few times here leads me to another question, where did the idea for that title come from?

A: Ola came up with it and it sounded good and fits the album very well.

Lord K: Would you agree when I say that “Breeder” is probably the best track you guys have written since the material on “Soulless”? Who’s responsible for this one and what song is yer personal fave off the new album? And while we are at it, which Grave tune of all times is yer fave? And naturally; which one is the worst song Grave ever wrote?

A: “Breeder” is co-written by me and Ola and “Heretic” is my personal favorite. The best Grave tune ever is “And Here I Die…” and the worst is “Bullets”, except for the slow part in the middle.

Chazz: One of the big changes to the metal scene in the 5 or so years you weren’t making albums has been the Internet and album downloading. Not only are albums available online, most albums are available before you can actually buy them. For example, “Fiendish Regression” is available to buy here in the States on September 7th and as of July 16th I’ve seen it available for download. What are your thoughts, is there a solution to this or do you think it’s actually helping spread new music? Or are you guys too metal to worry about such things?

A: Way too metal.

Lord K: Who would you consider to be the most promising death metal band in Sweden right now? Yes, you can pick God Among Insects.

A: I’d have to go with Coercion. They kick ass! If you can count Defleshed in the DM scene, I’d have to say them too.

Lord K: Has Jonas ever (yes or no)...

...Heard Ola do the “death metal growl” to talk to the crowd between songs? – Yes

...Fought a bandmember, with fists and shit? – Yes, all of them.

...Wished J never left the band? – Yes, but I left first, he’s just a copybog.

...Been too drunk to actually play live? – Yes, many times.

...Been thinking “I’m too fucken old for this crap” and thought about ending the music career to get a real job? – Yes, 12 years ago.

...Been asked to join another band? – Ha ha, are you serious?

- Enjoyed nu-metal? – Always.

...Thought about asking Flinta to be the new Grave drummer? – Sometimes.

Lord K: We usually do 30 questions for an interview, but we are kinda lacking good shit to ask here. Would you mind asking us something? I don’t even know how many questions we have lined up so far… Care to fill us in on this?

A: You’ve asked too many, that’s for sure. Question: Can somebody explain to me how the US can have an Army base in Cuba??? I’m dying to know!

Lord K: I don’t know. Luck? Ok, the new album is done and all. What’s next in store for the Gravers? Another album? Another tour and another year of getting no cash from the music you do?

A: Exactly!

Lord K: Anything else you think we should know about that we haven’t asked? State it now and that’s a wrap. Thanx for the fucken time man.

A: A good hard-on makes your cock longer. Thank you and next time keep it short, just like your dick K… short!!!!

With that we thank Jonas (also called “Tornet” (The Tower) is Swedish. Not becoz of his height but his last name) and wish them luck with their shit.

Interviews