Interviews
Rage
Interview with: Rage's Peavy Wagner
2004-05-24
Q. First, what is the band doing these days?
A: We’re working on a DVD /CD for our 20th Anniversary. It contains a complete Live Show we recorded on our last tour in January this year; also it will have a history film all our video Clips and lots of bonus material. Release is planned for September. Besides this Victor is working on a solo album where me & Mike also participate besides lots of guests. It contains all J.S. Bach compositions.
Q: I read that the band's fan club no longer exists, what's the reason for that?
A: We are concentrated more on our website, so Martin, who was doing the FC felt a bit forgotten by us. He’s doing lots of other stuff, so I guess it was all a bit too much for him.
Q. I know it’s been some time since the "new" album, Soundchaser, came out, but can you tell us about the storyline of the album?
A: Ii’s a SF Story about a biomecanical creature, the Soundchaser. Inspired by ideas from HP Lovecraft I explain the background of our Cover Creature. The story is explained in the CD booklet...
Q. Now, victor as we all know is also an established solo artist, and mike is also working on an album, how does the members' solo projects exist along side rage's activities?
Q: For the solo activities there was enough time these last months. The DVD work doesn’t need us all sitting beside the cutter...
Q. The band's artwork, especially in the last two albums has been amazing, who does the art, and what's the meaning behind the different symbols?
A: Our Art work of the last 2 albums was done by Joachim Luetke from Vienna. The symbols stand for each band member...
Q: During the prior line up, the band experimented a lot with the combination of orchestra, since victor is a classically trained musician, are there plans of incorporating such elements again?
A: We think about working with an Orchestra again but we have no detailed plans so far.
Q: Now that the band is comprised of professional musicians, all three of you veteran players, with years of experience, and having recorded three albums as of now, is the writing process easier, faster than before?
A: Yes, we collect our ideas and then we meet for combining them to songs. For the last album this took us about 5 days, it was very easy...
Q: What is the system of writing songs in the band, seeing as you we’re always the main writer in the band, to what extent do the other two members contribute in the current line up?
A: Usually Victor and I share the composing 50/50. If Mike has ideas, we try to build them in our songs...
Q: The soundchaser album had Helloween's Andy Deris guest singing on it, how did his performance on the album come to be?
A: We worked with Andy in his Studio on Teneriffe. He is an old friend of ours, so it was clear to ask him for a guest performance, which he enjoyed to do...
Q: (Not a really serious question, but I had to ask it) all three band members sport three very different hair cuts, Peavy- a shaved head, Mike- a frightening Mohican, and Victor – a full head of hair, is that planned in advance? A scheme by the band?
A: No, it just reflects our individuality. We do what we like and need no uniform. Besides this for me it was natural to shave, as my hair was growing too thin to keep it long...
12. The current line up has released an album each year, are there plans for a 2004 release?
A: This year it‘s just gonna be our DVD/Double live CD...
That's it! Thank you, Peavy, for taking the time answering my questions!
Alon Miasnikov
