Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Andrey: GRENOUER’s story started out in early 90’s. Hopes, countless line-up changes, troubles, failures, there was nothing new at first. The most important task was to record the debut album (GRENOUER “Border of Misty Times”) in 1996 which properly outlined the goals and turned the band into a serious venture. Since the band has always been developing, some people find it quite amusing the way how different GRENOUER sounds.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Andrey: Death metal (and its derivatives) at the start, then modern technical metal and finally GRENOUER have arrived to alternative rock/metal sound based on combination of heavy guitars and melodic vocals.
Crimson Moon: How has the band response been?
Andrey: The majority of listeners, who care to check out the latest album thoroughly, likes it very much, and we are also receiving nice reviews in press.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Andrey: We searched for a specifically evil-bonding name, and ‘Grimoire’, a textbook of magic, was taken and modified into something unique. At the end of the day GRENOUER is a very democratic title with no strong meaning behind it yet I find that it perfectly suits our mood and vibe whatever we conceive to play.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Andrey: Four people in the band, current bass player is on probation period, too early to mention him. Alexander ‘Motor’ is on guitars, Danny plays drums and Andrey ‘Ind’ is on vocals. Very classical line-up to rock and roll.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Andrey: Songs normally begin with a riff and appropriate mood. The riff is brought by the guitarist and the mood is a group thing. No need to explain that we have to be together to complete a song. Lyrics remain my exclusive prerogative which is quite natural – I am the front man and I am the voice.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Andrey: Reflections, concerns, experience, inspirations, hesitations. It depends. Stream of consciousness is what I acclaim. At the same time these days I aspire to simple words and quite understandable context.
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Andrey: Seven full length albums released through various labels but I advise you to throw a spotlight on GRENOUER latest CD “Blood on the Face”, this is consequential incarnation of the band.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some the songs on the latest CD?
Andrey: The album was mixed, produced and arranged additionally by Dualized and Eddy Cavazza (Dysfunction productions). These outstanding producers did fantastic job, I highly appreciate their talent and professionalism very much! They created the sound that suits GRENOUER perfectly and contributed a lot to overall picture. As for the recording – that took place at different studios in Finland (Astia Studio with Anssi Kippo) and in Russia. As a matter of fact, the title song was initially named “Blood in the Face” meaning anger, hatred, fury, fear, very strong personal emotions rather than actual blood. The front cover looks brutal still at the same time it is far more ironical and doesn’t imply actual killing. We leave much space for listeners’ fantasies, interpretations and tastes. It’s hard to comment on my favorite songs due to my deep personal involvement, you know, each song for me is like my own child. And yeah, the album also contain STONE TEMPLE PILOTS cover.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Andrey: Not today. In the past Motor and me had industrial side-project COD, following the path of GODFLESH, FUDGE TUNNEL, NAILBOMB, and I also actively participated in black/death metal band TARTHARIA, under the pseudonym.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Andrey: The bands that turned me into a devoted metal-head are very typical – KISS, MOTLEY CRUE, BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC, BON JOVI, VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH, ALICE COOPER, ANTHRAX, DEP LEPPARD, MEGADETH, and then, since hard rock and metal were developing, my tastes were evolving as well. Not only in terms of heaviness – thrash, hardcore or death metal – I also enthusiastically took SOUNDGARDEN, FAITH NO MORE, FISHBONE, LIVING COLOR, PRIMUS, JANE’S ADDICTION, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES… Metal scene just has to be diverse and liberated. Which is more, I am very open for various rock and qualitative pop music.
Crimson Moon: Which current bands?
Andrey: I like very much LINKIN PARK, 30 SECONDS TO MARS, VELVET REVOLVER, SEETHER, DARK NEW DAY, MASTODON, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and many more.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Andrey: I guess you’ve got to ask fans and journalists about that. I do not really know. You need a detached view. I just live and die on stage.
Crimson Moon: What was the best band you played with?
Andrey: Putting out of account open air festivals, where big bands are causal, I surely need to mention supporting legendary TESTAMENT in Moscow. Another band that immediately comes into my mind is FIGURE OF SIX (less legendary but not less mighty), from Italy, we played fantastic tour together through Ukraine and Russia one year ago.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Andrey: Yes we did. Germany, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania… In 2014 GRENOUER is confirmed for PPM Fest in Belgium.
Crimson Moon: How big of crowd shows up at shows usually?
Andrey: We can hardly account for quantity of fans these days. The whole industry has ruined, common sense is gone but this doesn’t stop us from making music and playing it live.
Crimson Moon: How is the crowd response when you play?
Andrey: That depends upon the quality of fans, if they come to see GRENOUER, then all is perfect. If they are in the venue for another band, it is a hard task to make get them really interested.
Crimson Moon: What is the scene like over in your country?
Andrey: Huge but very local in character. My country has a lot of talented and skilled musicians, still lots of them practice template thinking – copying famous bands, playing within popular genres only, using Russian lyrics and not willing to do anything thoroughly… All that doesn’t contribute to global success.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band? And if you weren’t in this band what would you being doing now?
Andrey: I have no exact answers. Just cannot live otherwise. If I were not in this band… Perhaps dwelling a common and unhappy life.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Andrey: We’ve got to hope for the best and also do our best. The future depends upon what we do today, upon beliefs and misbeliefs. In the nearest future we are expecting two more music videos, check out three we already have.
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/Grenouer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-RYXHxWFcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYnhK7o6PH4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohs2omrnaLQ
