Articoli di Giornale sui LAR/interviste

^ io penso che l'album sia veramente ben fatto
Alterna canzoni molto diverse, quindi non risulta monotono!

Ho trovato un bel po di nuove interviste piano a piano le posterò

The Music Freak interview with Steve Hewitt



Long-term former Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt has released the debut album from his new band Love Amongst Ruin.

After two and a half years spent channelling his energy into a very personal album he now returns as the rejuvenated front man of Love Amongst Ruin, a multi-faceted hard rock band with the crunch of a stone age queen, the crossover appeal of a parkful of linkins and the melodicism of the hardiest fighter of foos. Drop in twists of New Order/Depeche Mode electro-twangle, Can/Kasabian motorika, Cure atmospherics and hardcore Metallica riffage and you’ve got a bounce-back of potentially Gary Barlow proportions on your hands.

Brandon Flowers recently described going solo as "cheating on his wife." Moving on to your excellent new band, what are some of your preferred highlights from your time at Placebo?

Regarding the Brandon Flowers comment, my situation was more like coming home and finding your wife had cheated on you. I have two preferred highlights, firstly I'm very proud and always will be very proud of the great music that we made together. Secondly it has to be the fans. I met so many amazing people in my time with Placebo and a lot of them have become life-long friends. I will always be happy about all of that.

Tell me exactly what Love Against Ruin is about?

Well that phrase was just a very apt description of the place I found myself in after I was ejected from Placebo. My life, the way it had been, seemed to be in ruins but I got a lot of love from fans and friends and family. People rallied around and really helped me to find my way back.

What was your first gig in Camden's Barfly like?

Amazing, really, really amazing. First off, the place was rammed, secondly it was filled with the three types of people that made this possible. The friends, the fans and the family. The fans had already heard the internet broadcast of our show from the Eurosonic festival in January. They knew all the words already, it was amazing.

Drummer to frontman. Phil Collins an idol?

NO. If we have to make comparisons let's use Dave Grohl and let's leave Phil well out of this.

Your debut album is out, how would you describe it, and how does it feel in a sense of personal achievement for you?

I would describe it as hard, dark melodic rock. It feels lke the greatest achievement of my professional career to date. I am extremely proud of what we achieved here.

Have you got any exciting gigs lined up?

Loads, we are all over Western Europe at the moment and then coming back for a UK tour at the end of October and beginning of November. All of the details are on our website loveamongstruin.com.

Any advice for any drummers who want to become singers?

Don't try to do both at the same time. Nine times out of ten you will not be able to do your best in either activity. Drumming is a full time job, just like singing.

Lastly would you consider yourself a music freak? If so why?

Definitely, my influences come from all over the place. From the krautrock of Can to the funk of Sly Stone and the rock of AC/DC. But if you're in my car with me you're just as likely to be listening to classical music as anything else.

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Fonte: http://www.musicvita.com/music-freak/inter...eve-hewitt.html

"I'm very proud and always will be very proud of the great music that we made together."

Drummer to frontman. Phil Collins an idol?
"NO. If we have to make comparisons let's use Dave Grohl and let's leave Phil well out of this."

"I am extremely proud of what we achieved here."

*stima*

Interview Love Amongst Ruin


Was Love Amonsgt Ruin an idea you had in mind for a long time or does the end of Placebo trigger the urge in you?

To be honest, I never thought of it before. I was completely dedicated to Placebo, I could'nt imagine another outcome. Everything went wrong at one point, for many reasons ... wich I'm unaware of for most of them. When I found myself alone, I started to write some texts and guitar parts, but without really having a goal to form Love Amongst Ruin. The last song on the album, Love Song, is the first I ever wrote and one that made me realize I was able to compose. When I listened to it, I had butterflies in the stomach and that's when I knew I had to continue. Generally, I trust my instincts. And it never betrayed me. Gradually, as the songs follow on, the band took shape, but I also wanted to make the right choice for the musicians who would accompany me.

Does thre band’s name refer to the poem Love Amongst Ruins by Robert Browning published in 1855?

No, not at all, I thought the name was unique, but I realize that this poem has been around for a long time now ... I'm not that original finally (laughs). I wanted a name that makes sense regarding my personal history, a name that refers to what I am now. My career whith Pacebo is over but there is still something strong and intact in me. It is a blessing in disguise, I have found another balance, even better maybe than with Placebo. There are more talented people in my band than in Placebo. Everything is happy again, while with Brian and Stefan (editor's note, Molko and Olsdal) everything was serious. The band relied too much on Brian’s ego. Now I feel free, even if I remain proud of what I did with Placebo. But sometimes things failed.

How did your story with Placebo end, violently it seems ...

Yes ... Everything went very fast, and all ended very abruptly. We had just finished the 18-months tour for the album Meds, we said goodbye to each others as usual at the airport and the week after the manager called me to say I was fired ... I haven't seen Stef and Brian since that day at the airport. I still don’t really understand the reason of this, I still have some questions. But I have to go on, and Love Amongst Ruin helps a lot.

Do you feel apprehensive about the crowd’s reactions? You lay yourself bare for the first time ...

I ‘ve never paid attention to what people might think of me or what I was doing. I've never gave a fuck! The main thing to me was to go on stage with my guitar and share my new songs. Furthermore, we put all the songs I wrote on the album, no more. It's a good thing, because I think it really reflects what I am.

Admit that you can’t help giving advice to the drummer!

Okay, okay, I admit that from time to time I give instructions, but I try to do it as little as possible because it’s not my job anymore! (Laughs). Right, that was practically my whole life, but I’ve started a new chapter. And my drummer is great! We are longtime friends, we trust each other.

Are the influences on this album the ones you could’nt externalize with Placebo? This heavy-rock style, a bit like Queens Of The Stone Age ...

I’m a big fan of Queens Of The Stone Age, and I know what you mean. I draw my influences in my youth. My first loves in music were Black Sabbath and AC / DC, but Placebo have never wanted to go there ... I love Depeche Mode and The Cure, I also think we can feel it in some tracks. I tried not to do fifteen times the same song, I find that really depressing! (Laughs)

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Fonte: http://www.startermusic.fr/actu-musiquevid...e-amongst-ruin/

There are more talented people in my band than in Placebo.

The band relied too much on Brian’s ego.

...cominciamo a sentire il punto di vista di Steve...

------I love Depeche Mode --------

beh, musicalmente puo anche darsi Tecnicamente parlando intendo


a me questo fa rabbia. Faceva rabbia quando l'ha detto Brian e ancora piu rabbia dal suo punto di vista. Non capisco questa codardaggine di sottofondo. Se davvero è stato migliore amico loro per 15 anni (e non era tutta una facciata) davvero non arrivo a capire come abbiano potuto fare cosi..

Se è finita così è davvero brutta come cosa. Son cose che son capitate in molti gruppi (*ancora le ruga che Alan Wilder abbia lasciato i Depeche Mode*), e a parte la separazione in sé in questo caso fa star male anche il modo in cui è avvenuta.

Comunque, per tornare al cd, devo dire che la prima volta che l'ho ascoltato non mi ha colpito tantissimo, ora più lo ascolto più mi piace!

Già, per me potevano farla un po' piu diplomatica, almeno per i fan la cosa. Ora ma davvero ci stiamo dividendo il team molko e team hewitt.. e questo perchè stan cercando da secoli di affossare steve in tutte le maniere e stanno cercando di creare parti, e tirare tutti dalla loro.. E triste..

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Tab Interview: Steve Hewitt



by Tabatha Leggett on 13th September 2010

Forget Robbie’s decision to rejoin Take That, there’s a far more modest comeback kid in town. Steve Hewitt, former drummer and songwriter of Placebo, is fronting a new rock band: Love Amongst Ruin. Having achieved over one million album sales in the UK and over ten million album sales worldwide with Placebo, Hewitt’s move was certainly courageous. His new band have a darker and more introspective feel, and their new album was described by Kerrang! as: ‘a collection of songs that deliver a harder rock kick than his former outfit (Placebo) albeit one tempered with bright melodies and a sinuous, Queens of the Stone Age - style groove.’ In Steve’s own words, they’re ‘a rock band; not heavy metal and certainly not emo.’

The Tab caught up with Steve Hewitt after his appearance at Sonisphere to chat about life post-Placebo.

Tabatha Leggett: When you left Placebo, did you plan on starting another band?

Steve Hewitt: Yes, I always imagined being in another band. I never thought the end of Placebo was the end of my music career. But, equally I never imagined myself being the lead singer of a band.

TL: How did you find the transition from drummer to lead singer?

SH: Bizarre, really bizarre. The new band started off as a really small project, and since then it’s just snowballed. I spent 20 years behind a drumkit, and I never imagined myself doing anything else. This was never meant to be. But then, life’s a funny thing. I’m still getting used to fronting the band; I’m still learning.

TL: How’s the reaction to Love Amongst Ruin been? Have you kept any Placebo fans?

SH: Of course. I sold 15 million records with Placebo, so I was bound to keep some fans. The reaction’s been very mixed. I’ve lost some fans, and kept others.

TL: What was Sonisphere like? Did you get the chance to see many other bands there?

SH: Sonisphere is a rock festival: traditional grunge rock. And it was our first festival together, so it was nerve-wracking. What struck me as really strange was that there were so many old bands there. I saw Pendulum, who were great. I also saw The Cult. To be honest, they looked fat and weird. It was like watching my dad sing and dance. I jut thought: turn it in, lads, you look silly.

TL: You’ve obviously had an extensive career, having played in bands like Placebo, K-Class, Breed and The Boo Radleys. What have been your personal highs and lows?

SH: I’ve been lucky in that my career has consisted mostly of highs. I’ve performed with great artists such as Robert Smith and David Bowie. I guess the lows would have to include gruelling 18 month tours with up to 8 months away from home.

TL: Did you always know you wanted to be a rock star?

SH: Yes, always. Since I was 11 I’ve known that I wanted to be a drummer in a rock band. I guess I was lucky to figure out my goal in life so young. I’ve got friends now who are in their mid 30s, and they don’t know what they want to do with their lives. I’ve always known.

TL: How did Love Amongst Ruin come together?

SH: After leaving Placebo, I was in the studio for a year and a half writing the album. Once I finished the record, I had to get a band together. I didn’t have the time or energy to audition people, so I hand-picked my band from the selection of excellent musicians that I know. And we’re a great mix of people. We have younger members like Steve Hove and Laurie Ross who are in their 20s, and then we’ve got older members who are in their 40s.

TL: How did you name your band?

SH: Love Amongst Ruin was the name of the album. We spent weeks trying to think of a name for the band, but couldn’t do it. In the end, my manager gave me a deadline, and I thought: fuck it let’s just call ourselves Love Amongst Ruin.

TL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

SH: Hopefully still together, on our third or fourth record. I want to bring music to the masses; make music that’s accessible. We’re heavier than Placebo, and I think there’s an audience for that.

TL: Musically, who inspires you?

SH: Robert Smith and Jimmy Hendrix. To be honest, I tend to make music in a vacuum. I think of a drumbeat or a lyric and take it from there. I don’t listen to a lot of modern music. Except Radiohead. I love Radiohead. They’re one of the best bands in the country. Just fantastic. And hugely underrated.

TL: You obviously attracted a lot of press attention when you left Placebo. Do you read your press and how does it affect you?

SH: I don’t read it. I stopped about 10 years ago, because it’s just so counterproductive. At the end of the day, a review is one person’s opinion, and we shouldn’t analyse stuff like that too much.

Talking to Steve was interesting. He spoke about his life in such an apathetic and nonchalant way that you wouldn’t guess how successful he’s been. Perhaps success isn’t important to him. It struck me that, for Steve, it’s all about the music. And as long as he’s making music, everything’s okay.

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Fonte: http://cambridgetab.co.uk/features/tab-int...w-steve-hewitt/

"The reaction’s been very mixed. I’ve lost some fans, and kept others."

Perchè certi, in un caso come questo, debbano prendere per forza delle parti, non lo capisco, soprattutto se non si sa come siano andate esattamente le cose tra loro. Steve non è stato con i Placebo tre giorni, ma praticamente dall'inizio fino a un paio d'anni fa, e non era un turnista, mi pare, è stato un membro fondamentale della band. Quelli che gli danno contro proprio non li capisco...

la prima affermazione è una balla grossa quanto una casa, e se lui ci crede davvero, bè, steve, amico mio... sei proprio fuori.
sulla seconda, ha scoperto l'acqua calda
ci ha suonato 15 anni nei Placebo, non se n'era accorto che è brian che pilota tutto?
le influenze dei depeche mode nel suo lavoro io non ce le vedo proprio, ma questo è un particolare minore (a proposito di alan wilder, la differenza fondamentale è che da quando lui è andato via -volontariamente- i depeche mode sono finiti, da quando steve è stato allontanato i placebo vanno ancora alla grande)
che lui sia arrabbiato e ferito è ovvio, e ne ha tutte le ragioni, per carità.
ma la storia della droga e dipendenze di cui parlava brian, e che diventava violento e ingestibile, lui non l'ha proprio nominata
perchè?

forse perchè è una balla..
voglio dire ok tutto però io conosco davvero gente che è entrata nei backstage del meds tour, sia 2006 che 2007.. e dicono tutti che effettivamente l'unico umano era steve..
Ora ok, non ci vivevano con lui però mi sembra strano che gli ingestibili sembravano brian (sopratutto) e stefan a tutti.. quando in realtà era steve quello violento e fuori come una casa..

Poi penso che i suoi attacchi ai placebo siano "giustificati" dal fatto che è ferito e gli stanno ancora a mettere i bastoni tra le ruote.. Nel senso se non si convince che facciano schifo ora, si auto-dà del fallito! E' l'assoluto boicottaggio che i placebo fanno nei suoi confronti che mi risulta insensato.
E penso che Brian comunque non sia sto gran musicista, cioè ha tutte le qualità che si vogliono.. ma la chitarra fa 3 accordi proprio sul palco ;D Non so, io trovo che comunque Steve non attacchi mai a caso, o meglio non dica offese gratuite.. Ma io sono abbastanza di parte nella faccenda ora come ora.. nel senso che credo molto di piu alla sua versione a pelle, non sapendone niente visto che non ci vivevo con loro!

sì, verissimo, ma da sempre, non solo nel meds tour.... l'unico umano coi fans..
ma forse il problema era proprio fa loro 3, o meglio fra lui e gli altri 2 che hanno sempre fatto comunella
che brian sia una puttana egoista è risaputo, ce lo dice in continuazione lui stesso - ma per averlo allontanato ci dev'essere altro, qualcosa di grosso che noi non sappiamo e probabilmente non sapremo mai..
comunque gli attacchi sono sempre alla sua persona, non al suo gruppo. mai sentito/letto qualcosa contro i lar


che c'è da ridere? ho scritto una cazzata?