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There is no denying
the fact that GROG stand as Portugal’s topmost as regards gore death metal
with creative lyrics and an absolutely devastating rhythmic section full of anthems
from the dark and beyond. Following the stagnant period the band went through
and in the context of their reawakening to the musical scene, Back to the
Grave held a written flow of thoughts with the band’s mentor and founder
member, Pedro Pedra.
BTTG – Back in black, after a few years of
silence. Since our last interview (1999), there were very many line-up
changes and the instability thereof. What is the current line-up and what
image do you think it conveys of the band as a whole? How do you perceive
GROG right now as a group?
We still honor our goals and never had the intention to follow any
trends and certainly we are not going to do that now, we play according to
our minds and emotions, that’s the way music should be done. The GROG Family
is: Alex (Bass), Hugo (Guitar), Ivo (Guitar), Pedra (Vocals) and Rolando
(Drums). BTTG – The band has been rather inactive as
regards concerts. Why has the audience been deprived of the torture of seeing
GROG live? Pedra – Because we decided to do it like that. Portugal is a small
country and after all these years we have played almost everywhere, in every
hole, regardless the conditions, but always giving the best of ourselves.
Looking back, I think that it was For instance, to rent a place to play or sound equipment is more
expensive than ever, even when someone offers you a show, the minimal
conditions are very hard to negotiate, so we prefer to do less live shows and
choose only those that are good not only for the band but also for the fans! BTTG – The other band members, however, are
not as still as the GROG’s live record for the past few months. Which other
bands/projects/activities are the other elements of GROG connected to? Pedra
– Well, to tell you the truth, the only one who is 100 % to GROG at this
moment is me, the other ones are involved in so many bands that I’ve lost
count of them all, but I will tell the most important ones: SIMBIOSE, FILLI
NIGRANTIUM INFERLANIUM, PAINSTRUCK, BLEEDING DISPLAY, NEOPLASMAH, NEPTHYS,
SACRED SIN, COMME RESTUS, and I think that’s enough. BTTG – Odes to
the Carnivorous was released by
the French ShockWave (now Pedra
– Releasing a CD is always good, but the result of this second one wasn’t
very clear for us, because the label never updated us on the number of sold
copies. For six months we didn’t hear anything from them, until last
December, when Dave Rotten informed us that Warpath Rec. had declared
bankruptcy. Need I say more… BTTG – Apparently, there is a new record on
the way. Are there any plans for the release? Does it have a body and a
title? Pedra – That’s right,
the songs are ready, we have 10 new ones and we are also to record some
unreleased material from the early days. The new CD will be recorded this
year, but I don’t know when, because we have to prepare it very well.
Nevertheless, we are going to record almost 20 songs, so be sure to bang your
head to the bone. The title is very crazy, but you have to wait and read it
for yourselves. BTTG – Are there live performances hovering
over the band's near future for promotion of future/ present releases? Pedra – We are negotiating
some dates, but for now the only one that’s confirmed is on the 27th
of March on the Lotus Bar in Cascais with SIMBIOSE. BTTG – Looking comparatively back at the early days
of GROG, would you say the band has changed in essence? Are the purposes the
same? How far are you willing to drive the band? What are the plans for the middle
to long future? Pedra - Like I said previously, we are in perfect shape and the proof
of that are the new songs. Without doubt, we made the most brutal and twisted
songs ever. Personally, we think that this 3rd CD will blast
everything and everyone. Concerning the future, I can’t tell you much, only
that there are ideas that have to be accomplished. Still, the best way to
plan the future is to live the present with both feet on the ground! BTTG – I know you like to update your
literary background. Which book(s) are you reading at the moment? Pedra – I just finished “O Diário do meu
Pipi” and what can I say…fucking monstrous by this sex maniac. Praise the
Cock & chase cunts and other dark holes!!!!! BTTG – Which writers (other than Marquis de
Sade) do you regard as major sources of inspiration for the elaboration of
the lyrical side to GROG? Which other sources other than the literary would
you name as potentially influential? Pedra – Besides Marquis de Sade, I name Stephen King, Nietzsche, Edgar
Morin and José Saramago as my writing style major influences, because they
represent the perfect combination between detail, imagination and healthy
lunacy! The other sources come from movies, strip clubs and the regular John
Doe that everyday crosses my sight! BTTG – Do you envisage the possibility of
writing a conceptual album (if you have not already)? As a (rather good)
storyteller, do you feel ripe enough to create your own macabre tale(s)? Pedra
– I have already though of that, but ‘till now I prefer to write single
tales. We shall see about the future. For now, for the upcoming CD we have 10
new tales, even more grotesque than those featured on the “Odes to the
Carnivorous”! BTTG – Which main reasons lie behind the
option for writing in English? Would you say the English language is more
appealing/ adequate as regards the themes and concepts you deal with? Pedra
– For me, English rules, because it’s more direct, creative, dynamical,
emotional, descriptive and also the grammar is simpler! BTTG – Imagine you were given the
possibility of organising the concert of your life. Which bands would you
invite to play along and for what reasons? Pedra – There you have it: §
BATHORY – Best Black Metal Band Ever! §
NAPALM DEATH w/ Lee Dorian – Best Grind Band Ever & Singer! §
SUFFOCATION – Brutal Death Gods! §
AUTOPSY – Masters of Sludge Porno Death Metal! §
SUBLIME CADAVERIC DECOMPOSITION – Super Sonic Blast Grinders! §
DEAD CAN DANCE – They Rule & would
help us regain our sense of hearing! BTTG – What image do you have of the
Portuguese metal scene? Does the word «Underground» still bring any positive
instinct into the surface? Which bands would you point out/ recommend? Pedra
– Nowadays the word “underground” stands for cliché, so the only thing I what
to say to all of you is, if you want to be respected you have to learn how to
respect!
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