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INTERVJU - LEO, GOTTHARD
It’s a bright sunny day when I go to Polar Studios here in Stockholm to interview Swiss hard rock band GOTTHARD. Both Steve Lee and Leo Leoni are here for promotion, but while Steve is otherwise occupied I sit down with guitar player Leo. Here is some of our conversation…
You are releasing a new album on September 4th called “Need To Believe”. Tell me about the meaning of the title and cover?
-It’s not a religious thing…you need to believe in what you are doing, believe in your dreams. If you believe in something you are going to make it real, somehow.. The cover shows a hand that is squeezing a stone. If you believe then maybe it’s going to shed some water. It’s very symbolic. It’s all about believing in your own capabilities, if you believe it you will find a way to do it!
What in your opinion is the difference between this album and the last album, if any?
-It’s a different album with different songs on it! I wouldn’t say there is a complete difference in style..There is a not a radical, desperate change.. Gotthard fans will love it! There are ballads, heavy rock songs, lots of guitars, nice melodies, good lyrics etc, there is something for everybody. You always think the latest record is the best and we think that this is our best so far. But we will see when it’s out and what the fans think about it. But we are very happy with it!
You have a lot of great power ballads, is that something you strive to do for the female listeners?
-Whatever comes out comes from the heart. And if the girls like it, then that’s great. Maybe we are more sentimental than other bands? If you do something because you think others will like it, it’s not going to be right..It has to be real and all our albums are.
Let’s talk about some lyrics… For instance the song “I Know, You Know” what is it about?
-Well ,Steve writes the lyrics but that song is about situations that are wrong in the world. The things that everyone knows are wrong, but nobody is talking about it. Like the girl that is beaten up by her father, everyone knows, the neighbor knows but nobody does anything about it. Or the old man that is working double shifts to get a piece of bread to eat etc. Everybody is keeping secrets and hiding things and nobody is talking about them…
You have the traditional 80’s classic rock sound.. What do you think makes it so special and so loved still today?
-Both young and old fans love it because it was/is fun, happy and not full of regrets and depression. There is nothing wrong with being happy, just think about 60’s music it was the same. There has always been a positive vibe around rock n’ roll, like back in the 50’s. Rock n’ roll has nothing to do with satanic or the devil, it is meant to be fun and happy.
What about the 90’s when the music scene changed so much and got depressing…How did it affect Gotthard?
-Well we actually started up in the 90’s. We just decided to fight for what we believe in. At our gigs I want to see people that are happy, not people that are fighting and hitting each other in the crowd you know! The 90’s was too much aggression I think, I’m glad it’s over.
When thinking of Switzerland the things that come to mind are the classics: cheese, chocolate, clocks, the band Krokus etc. Are there any advantages in coming from Switzerland or disadvantages?
-In Switzerland we have 4 different parts of the country with different languages. We are from the Italian side which is even smaller than the rest of Switzerland. Back when we started it was different and maybe more difficult than now. But like I said: if you believe you can do it, then you can! In a way it’s good because Swiss people are liked, we are nice and peaceful etc. At one point in the beginning of my career I wanted to leave Switzerland and thought ok, I want to go to Los Angeles like everyone else. Then I met Steve and we really clicked and started working together and I thought well America is still going to be there. Let’s do this and see where it takes us. And step by step we did it and now we have been together 20 years!
You have an impressing list of achievements: 3 x triple platinum, 4 x double platinum, 4 x platinum, 1 gold single etc. What do you think has made GOTTHARD this big and are you the biggest band in Switzerland?
-That’s an interesting question! Maybe we should ask the other bands what they think. But yes I think we are the biggest band in Switzerland. But we have always worked hard, we don’t let our fans down and we always make the best possible records. We have always put a lot of work into our band and I think the people can see that and are proud of us. Having the support of your own country also means that you can excel in what you are doing, you know.
The music scene in Switzerland is very much alive, there are lots of bands and artists. But many sing in German/Swiss German, in French, in Italian. And there are of course hard rock bands like Krokus that sing in English.
Touring…what are your feelings on it? Is it fun or a necessary evil? And what about touring here in Sweden?
-Well if we didn’t like touring we wouldn’t be here.. In my thinking the only thing you have to do in life is to die, everything else you choose. The tour dates seen on the webpage only go as far as December…then the tour continues next year with possible Sweden dates. Everything is still open and needs planning. Right now in the fall we will be touring Germany with Europe. We had an idea already two years ago to do a package tour with Europe but at the time it didn’t work out. Lots of musicians, incl. us have great respect for them, they made a piece of history with “The Final Countdown”. It is a co headlining tour and we will take turns playing last.
You will be part of a soundtrack to a movie next year called “Max Schmeling”, tell us about it?
-Actually it’s only one song that will be featured on the soundtrack. There has been some misleading information that it is a soundtrack but it is only one song. Max Schmeling was a famous German boxer during World War II and he was strongly against the Nazi regime. The movie is like a documentary on his life.
What are some of your musical influences, both personally and as a band?
-The Beatles !! Peter Frampton, all the bands from the 70’s from Deep Purple to Hendrix. ABBA songs for sure!
Current stuff, there is a lot I like from Italy. Some Swedish stuff…there is good stuff to be found everywhere.
The future for Gotthard…Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
-Hmm, headlining Sweden Rock?! You never know..
What about touring America?
-We have played twice in America, but it’s a hard market to break. You just have to spend so much time there (and money). It makes no sense to go there and play at a club for maybe 30 or 40 people like so many European bands do. We have been all around the world and if America one day wants us to come, then nice! But otherwise we are happy here. We want to continue to do what we do, keep achieving and let the people come to us. There is no point in pushing. If you are meant to be somewhere you will get there.
What are your feelings on downloading and the way it is changing the music business?
-You just have to like it, there is no point in fighting it. It’s like the old man fighting the windmill… the times are changing and you have to change with them. In some ways it is bad and in some ways it is good. New bands get the chance to be heard and you can listen to bits and pieces and decide if you like a band or not. It is a good way to be discovered which we didn’t have in the past.
So a final short question….those of our readers that have not listened to GOTTHARD before, why should they buy your album?
-Why not? There is so much crap out there so why not give it a chance? If you like this kind of music, have a listen and you might enjoy it! We have a great singer, we have good melodies, there is a little bit for everyone to enjoy!
And on that note we thank Leo for his time and look forward to seeing GOTTHARD live in the future. Meanwhile check out my review of the album (in Swedish)
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