KAMINARI – Interview with Bernd A. Wick (lead guitar) and Roland

Hail my friends! I hope you are doing fine. The first thing I want you to tell me is a short bio of Kaminari to make this interview easier for our readers.

B e r n d: KAMINARI was founded in June 2001 by Timo, Pascal, Roland and myself. Already one year later, in May 2002, we recorded our first CD, which we considered our first claim to fame and therefore named it after the band! The CD was produced by Achim 'Akeem' Köhler who is one of Germany's top notch producers. He has worked for bands like 'Primal Fear' and 'Sinner'. Our first release was a six track EP and by no means meant to be a one trick pony – there's more to come ? After we had finished the CD, we hit the stage for the first time in June 2002. We gave our live debut at an open air festival.

R o l a n d: Our new bass player, Jens, joined the band in August 2002. He is a great gain for the group in every respect: Jens has a college background in music, plays several instruments, and he is a very talented songwriter. Furthermore, Jens has experience working as a producer. In September we started playing concerts and began to work on new material. We have played concerts together with renowned German bands, like e.g. Chinchilla and Cyberya and we always got very good reactions from the crowds. We got along very well with the Chinchilla guys and so they took us along on their Madtropolis Tour this May. As a matter of fact, we only just got back yesterday.

What does Kaminari mean?

B e r n d: 'KAMINARI' is the Japanese word for 'thunderstorm'. I am fascinated with Japan and the Japanese language. So when we contemplated possible names for the new project, I immediately thought of a number of Japanese words that seemed suitable as far as sound and meaning are pertained. 'KAMINARI' ended up being my suggestion and the band's choice. We also use the Kanji character as our band logo and we plan to incorporate it in every CD cover.

R o l a n d: We definitely wanted a name that is out of the ordinary – and out of this world, if possible – we wanted to avoid the usual metal cliches. 'KAMINARI' certainly more than meets that criterium – and I also think the name has a mysterious ring to it.

So you are in a style that most bands nowadays avoid because it is not “modern”. Most bands are into power metal or extreme styles of our music and classic metal is thrust aside. How did you decide to play this heavy metal style?

B e r n d: If somebody put a label on KAMINARI's style of music, that label would read 'classic heavy rock'. It is classic, timeless, and connected to the very roots of rock music, namely rock'n'roll. Our musical spectrum ranges from rock'n'roll based hard rock to classic heavy metal, which is certainly more of a stylistic stretch than many other bands could stomach. Some of our more metal-oriented songs even provide the listener with some progressive elements.

R o l a n d: First of all, it is the style of metal that we all like best! Secondly, every band should be true to their own tastes and likings and not try to copy other bands. You will always find 'clones' of bands that are totally in fashion at a specific point in time; these bands want to hitch a ride to fame in the slipstream of the originals. And that is the – artistic – kiss of death for every new band.

B e r n d: Moreover, our style of music works well with any kind of rock or metal music and therefore we can play concerts together with different bands coming from different musical backgrounds, which is quite an advantage.

Your influences come from many bands, but I would not like to name them. I would like you to do that.

B e r n d: Well, in a style as comprehensive as ours, there will be many traces of all kinds of bands. We all like different bands and I'm pretty sure that shows in our music.

R o l a n d: My personal influences are Whitesnake, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Van Halen, Pretty Maids.

Your booklet is very good with all the lyrics contained – something which is very important in my opinion. In “Stairway To The Galaxy” you have used Armstrong's words: “That's one small step for a man, One giant leap for mankind.” Do you agree with these words? Do you think that knowledge of space has made our lives easier or more complex?

B e r n d: I'm glad that you appreciate the provision of the lyrics in the booklet! To us that is important, since we are of the opinion that the lyrics of a song are an essential part of the entire composition. That is the reason why every song has a different topic. Some people compare Armstrong with Columbus, and the first landing on the moon with the discovery of America – so I guess we can agree on the fact that it was undoubtedly one of the major historic events of all times. Mankind is genetically geared to be hungry for knowledge – we are driven by curiosity and the will to move beyond our boundaries: space travel is only one example of that – and like every technological achievement it brought along a number of advantages as well as disadvantages. Furthermore I hope that KAMINARI will be the first band to perform in space: a lunar live event featuring martian metal.

On your CD you have a radio edit of “My black colors”. Why did you decide to choose this song for a radio edit. It is very melodic but has less power than other songs of yours like “Fire And Dice” for example?

R o l a n d: 'My Black Colors' is my favourite song on the CD, but it is also the one song that has the greatest airplay potential. The chorus really moves my soul and people love to sing along with it. 'My Black Colors' is also the one song that sounds different every time we play it – it has got some kind of magic.

What are the reviews you have received for your music? Have you contacted any label for a full length album?

B e r n d: We received enthusiastic reviews from webzines and magazines all over the globe! So far we got almost 50 reviews altogether (i.e. those I know of). We were featured in 'Sweden Rock', 'Mighty Magazine' from Denmark, Metalworld from Switzerland, and 'Heavy Oder Was' and 'Rock It', both from Germany. In fact we've been reviewed on every continent!!

R o l a n d: A number of companies are interested in our music and in a cooperation, but unfortunately I can't really give you any details at the moment.

Why should someone prefer to buy your CD rather than any other release?

B e r n d: Simple answer, Andrew, it rocks!

R o l a n d: There are a lot of bands out there – some are good, many are mediocre. I think that our songs are great and we try to give people – for what it is worth – something honest, something straight from the heart.

What do you think about nu metal? Bands like Korn, Linkin Park etc. have you ever listened to them? What is your opinion?

B e r n d: These bands deserve their place in rock history – if only for the fact that they brought a somewhat rock-oriented style of guitar-based music back in circulation.

R o l a n d: I like some of those bands and apart from that I feel that every style of music deserves respect – because we know what it takes to play in a band and how much you gotta give in order to get ahead.

Name the musicians that would make an all-star band.

B e r n d: vocals: David Coverdale; guitar: Yngwie Malmsteen and Michael Schenker; bass: Billie Sheehan; drums: Scott Rockenfield

R o l a n d: vocals: David Coverdale; guitar: Eddy van Halen; bass: Steve Harris; drums: Bobby Rondinelli.

What are your expectations from your CD and what are your future plans?

B e r n d: We hope to find a label soon and then of course to record new material. We will be back in the studio this summer to record five more songs – once again with Achim Köhler.

So, we are approaching the end. I want to thank you for your time and wish you good luck for the future. Closing is yours ?

B e r n d: This was our first interview for a music magazine from Greece – so I would like to say 'ephkaristo' for the opportunity.

R o l a n d: We hope to play a concert in Greece some day!!! I hope to see many of you out there.