Albums of Purgatory interview Rickshaw

Firstly, what's the band up to right now?

Right now we are doing the last cover artwork for the next album "Sonic Overload", and we have just finished the work on the new video for the song "I'm Ready!", that also will be included on the CD.
We are also in the middle of planning a Euro-Tour for late summer/fall - 03. First gig on the tour will be on
Fuzzfest festival in Gothenburg, Sweden.

How would you describe the Rickshaw sound?

Kickass rock'n'roll works fine! It's Heavy tar smelling groove rock with a touch of punk!

How did you get involved with the band?

Bobby Dawn and me started the band back in 98.
We realized that the Swedish music scene sucked really badly and we both wanted to do something about it, and Rickshaw was formed. We started up as a 2 man band, and then forced our friends to learn how to play, and in
A few months we had a full band and recorded our first single.

Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?

Our first gig was at a small festival in the south of Sweden, I don't remember that much really, a very small stage in a barn.. Our bass player had to stand on a camping chair in front of the stage. But the few people that still could stand up were dancing.

Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to Rickshaw?

No other projects, Rickshaw is a fulltime job :)

What are your favourite Rickshaw tracks?

I have to do a top 5 here! Really difficult question!

1. "Life In Hypercolor" (Down the road & still burning fuel - The greatest kicks of Rickshaw CD)
2. "Last Man Standing" (Sonic Overload - Upcoming CD)
3. "Nothing To Lose" (Rickshaw / Adam West split single)
4. "I'm Ready!" (Upcoming single from "Sonic Overload" CD)
5. "Hang Tough / Stiff Neck" (Rickshaw / Strap-Ons split single)

What are your favourite all time songs?

I have to do another top 5!

1. Rockaway Beach - Ramones
2. Ace of spades - Motorhead
3. Revelations - Iron Maiden
4. Pilot the Dune - Slo-Burn
5. Sweet leaf - Black Sabbath

What the first record you ever bought?

Iron Maiden "Piece of Mind" LP

which album was it that got you into metal and can you explain why?

Same as above. Why? "Piece of Mind" is simply everything you need in a metal album, the top of the line. I really don't believe that anyone ever will be able to record something as good as that one again.

What's the last album you purchased and what did you think of it?

The last album I bought was the latest Turbonegro "Scandinavian Leather". And I will get a good beating for saying this, but it's the best they have ever done! Songs like "Sell your body" & "Drenched in blood", what can I say. One of the best albums I have ever heard.

What would be your dream band line-up?

The current line-Up of Rickshaw is my dream line-up. Got Macke from the old metal school with bands like Ceremonial Oath & Cemetery on his list, and also bass player Carlos who used to kill bass in metal act Abandon.

But if we are talking about my dream band, that I just want to se together live,, then it would look like:
Lemmy on vocals
Dave Grohl on drums
Steve Harris on Bass
Euroboy on lead guitar
Malcom Young on rhythm guitar

How about that one?

If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of which
band would you pick and why?

We have done a few tribute songs for different tribute albums.
My favourite is "Islands In The Stream" that we recorded for a Country classic CD and it will also be included on the upcoming "Sonic overload" CD. We have also recorded the Kiss classic "Beth" for a Norwegian Kiss 10" tribute.
I would love to be on a Motorhead tribute!!! I think Rickshaw would do "Killed By Death", over and over again.

What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?

I really don't know, I belive its more metal & rock´n´roll played in the radio (at least here in Sweden) now than in many years. It's a little sad that its bands like Linkin Park that stands for most of the airtime but maybe it takes the kids into some heavier and more real rock´n´roll in the future?

Which other bands stand out for you at the moment?

I got a copy of the upcoming Adam West album and it rocks like hell, the new Dozer CD is also a real killer!

Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?

Got to many,,, Last gig we did in Berlin,, Bobby Dawn had a little to much to drink again,, and loudly acclaimed that he easily could drink another half bottle of whiskey if someone else paid for it! And someone did. This was 1 hour before gig time and by the time we should hit the stage he was asleep behind his Marshall stack. A bucket of cold water nearly woke him up, so he did the whole gig laying down behind his speaker playing guitar solos in the wrong key. It worked, but I think the crowd was kind of confused.

and finally, what do you see in the future for Rickshaw?

More albums, more tours, we are already writing on the next album.and of course a lot of really great sex!