I saw you guys at the Milwaukee Metal fest several years ago…
Five years ago, yes. That was our first show in the US actually.
What are your memories of that show?
We never played in the US and we didn’t know how it was going to be here. I remember the venue was very bad and all of the conditions were very bad. I think the show was pretty good. I can’t remember how long we played – 30 or 40 minutes – and we were surprised that there were that many fans for us. And I remember that we did a signing session afterwards and there was a huge amount of people there. It was an experience for us – everything was so different than if we were back in Europe or Japan. It was good memories though.
How does Are You Dead Yet compare to your previous releases?
It’s a little slower. It’s more aggressive. It’s heavier. It’s better I’d say.
You guys seem to do a lot of covers. Have you ever considered doing an all covers album?
Yeah, we’ve been thinking about it – to gather up all the covers we did for one album. That would be cool. I don’t know how it is with the rights – the law side of things – if we could even release all of the old songs like that. But that would be cool. We’re definitely going to try and do this.
Are you a big fan of the Ramones?
Not a big fan, no. But I appreciate them and I like their stuff.
What made you decide to cover their song Somebody Put Something In My Drink?
We just wanted to do something different. It’s a good band, and the song fits quite well somehow into our whole mentality.
How does Britney Spears fit into your mentality?
(Much laughter) It does not – oh I don’t know. First of all, it was a drunken joke. And then we went into the studio and thought, “Which cover should we do now?” Then we thought “Fuck it – let’s do something really crazy – let’s do Britney Spears!” And then we started to do it and it turned out pretty well. It sounds quite cool actually, but it’s just a joke.
Have there been any usual happenings while on the road for this tour?
Actually this tour has been very smooth compared to the others. We have our own bus. Janne (Warman – keyboards) was really sick for almost two weeks. He had a really high fever. He went to the hospital and got some medicine and the medicine fucked his mouth up so he couldn’t eat or speak for like one week. So he lost a little weight. But now he’s better and yesterday he was even drinking. So ten days without food or alcohol or anything – which was really weird.
Is Janne still doing his side project Warmen?
Yeah. I think the album should be coming out before the end of the year, but I don’t know where it’s going to be out. So far only in Finland and Japan I guess.
Do you have any side projects that you work on?
Nope. I have everything in this band that I want to do. I’m very happy and don’t have any interest in doing anything else.
How is Alexi’s (vocalist) side project Sinergy going?
Sinergy – they have been recording the album for one year now and they’re still missing some vocals and some guitar parts. Obviously they wanted to finish it, but since both guitarists are touring all of the time, it’s a little difficult. But they will release the album maybe in 2006 when they get it done.
What is your favorite CD of 2005?
What came out this year? How about the new Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama.
Why did Alexander leave COB and what is he up to now?
I don’t know what he’s up to now. But he left basically because he met a girl, fell in love, and got sick of touring. He just couldn’t be 100 percent in the band like he use to, and he said it was better for us and for him that he leave the band. And then he left, and we haven’t heard from him since. We replaced him with Roope our friend – he did some guitar technician things for us too. He’s a very, very good guitarist, so we asked him if he could help us out for awhile. And now he’s a member of the band.
Did he pick up on everything really quick?
He had like 20 days time to learn the whole set. The first show was in Moscow, and in 20 days he learned 16 songs. I remember before the first show he was so nervous, but it went well.
What can one expect from the Children Of Bodom show tonight?
It’s just an energetic aggressive metal show. It’s like nothing special – it’s just kick ass!
And do you have any messages for your fans out here in the Los Angeles area?
I just want to thank everybody who’s been coming to the shows. It’s always been great and hopefully I’ll see many kids here tonight as well – and in the future too.
Children Of Bodom Links
Children Of Bodom Hatecrew: Their Official Home Page!
Spinefarm Records: The Record Label for Children Of Bodom!
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