Interview with Kaptain of Salute 2008
By Bradley Smith
Your debut Above the Law has been out for
awhile. It really has a feeling of being rough and “from the streets.” How do
you capture that sort of sound and feeling when you are writing and recording?
How has the reaction to it been from the scene?
It’s the sound of the toughest street in town!! To get the sound we used old drums and crusty amps and recorded it in an old garage on a beaten up 8 track. Diesel engines! The reaction seems positive.
You are well into the recording process for the New album, The Underground. How is that going and how will it grow as compared to Above the Law? What label will it see the light of day on?
We finished recording 'The Underground' early this year and it kicks Above the Law in the teeth. It's sharper, harder, darker, more edges. It's much more of a true indication of what Salute is, I wish I wasn't in the band so I could like it more. We would like to get it out there on a big label obviously, one we respect and one that would respect the music, also the exposure a big label brings is also something to consider, we want people to hear our stuff.... experience the 'lute!!
You have recently had some interesting Live performances with Nocturnal and Obliteration. How did those shows go? How was the audience reaction to Salute? How important is playing live when it comes to Salute?
The Nocturnal gig was a blast, good people, good show, heavy duty!! I'm not really too sure how the audience 'reacts', we haven't got booed or anything, even though we have played pretty fucking badly some shows. Live is important, I think our music and sound is suited to the live environment, its also satisfying to play together and to play to people. We don't have a crazy stage show or prance around like twisted sister, but we throw our stances, flex our jeans and grind our jaws. Generally if a band are killer live they are killer period. Sayin that though alot of bands who are killer, are fuckin bland as hell live, just standin there staring at the frets..arrghh, grind it you fuckers!!! Lets go!!
Alcohol seems to be a large motivating factor for
Salute. What are the best types of alcohol and what types do you stay away
from? 
Its a factor for sure, fuel for life!!! Drinking just keeps on getting better, more appreciated, its makes me a better person. Trust no-one who doesn't drink.
Along with the alcoholocaust question, what do you see as living “The true metal lifestyle?” I mean what does that entail and what are important aspects of living the METAL way?
LIVE THE UNHOLY METAL WAY, ARGH! I found out just yesterday that Tangorodrim have called it a day, such a fuckin shame, that band is total KILL! gah a waste!!... But living the metal way? haha, well you gotta have the patches/leather/denim for sure...a good selection of shirts, and in a good size not fuckin XXXL...why is it considered the norm for bands to print all their shirts on these fuckin tents, these dresses? Arghh...makes me ill. I like the shirts rite, and pussytight.
What do you think of the new kids and young people in the scene? Do you sense a lack of musical education in them or are they just as passionate about the music and educated about their roots?
I really couldn't care...people are people, some of us have good taste, some don't. If a kid wants to wear his XXXL 'bodom shirt and listen to bad music then it's a just punishment. Age ought to equal wisdom, and its easy to slate other people's taste...so whatever, if you dig it then good for you.
What are your opinions in regards to Dirty metal with feeling as opposed to clean technical metal? Do you think that too many bands put too much focus on playing well and being technically proficient rather than playing from the heart? What do you think about really clean and polished production on an album?
It all comes down to how you like the music to
feel, it goes without saying that dirty is best.
Again
if guys want to wear their XXL Hate Eternal longsleeves and sit in their cheese
smelling bedrooms and work on their polyscales and duelling harmonies or
whatever then good for them, I don't
see the attraction, but again, that's
a preference...If your doing something decent then it really doesn't matter how
gay you are. Look
at Bryan May...killer guitarist...mommy's boy.
But
Queen kill.
What i don't
like is production, where the producer is playing safe, it makes good music
boring, strips the balls out of it. Gimme
gravelguitargrindbass, the production on the new Mayhem, arghh...
People seem to forget the metal/rock influences that helped form the foundation for extreme metal today. What are some of your old favourites that helped shape your musical visions and how do you think that comes out in your songwriting?
Its all OLD!! Bands these days need to be ashamed of themselves, they got no shake, got no class.
Besides the new album do you have any near term future plans in regards to Salute or even personally?
We're looking to sign up with a decent label, do more albums and play more gigs, hopefully tour and spread the pain.
I’ll leave any Final Words for you, uuurggghhhh!!!!!
Drinkmetal and Salute