Interview with The Chuck Norris Experiment
Interview with The Chuck Norris Experiment
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Music is the ultimate freedom. You can bang an out of tune guitar into a wall and if that sound gives you something it cant be wrong. That idea got me into music, basically that I can do whatever I want without anyone telling me otherwise!
If I had not gotten into music I would be doing something else that is creative. I like the idea of bringing ideas in my head to life, so some sort of design preferably of something that you can hold in your hand once done would suit me.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Go to concert or have a beer and a laugh with friends. Looking at other artists is of course inspiring and often gives ideas of stuff we can do in the band.
How long has your band been around?
The Chuck Norris Experiment just celebrated is 20:th birtdhay so we have been around just shy of when dinosaurs roamed the earth…. Sort of.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
We are from Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. Gothenburg is perhaps mostly known for melodic death metal which we are not, but i guess on some level we might have taken some inspiration from melodies and such on newer albums. But in general we are our own thing, hard rock with a lot of action!
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
The band name CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT is often believed to been taken after the US martial arts champion Chuck Norris. But as all true believers and lovers of Rock’n’roll know, the band name is a tribute to the legendary American blues guitarist Charles “Chuck” Norris, who recorded the classic live album “Los Angeles Flash” in the band’s hometown Gothenburg on June 25, 1980.
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
We had a killer show in Hamburg 2 years ago playing the Turbojugend Welttage at Molotow club. The Crowd was completely crazy and our singer, Chuck Ransom, even got an unvoluntary crown surf going. The crowd simply picked him up and he went for a ride! That was a lot of fun!!
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
The Pitcher in Dusseldorf is always fun to play, we have been there a lot of times and it feels like coming home!
Of course Ullevi stadium is the wet childhood dream of any kid picking up a guitar in Gothenburg, so it would have to be it!
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
It would be a three band bill consisting of:
The Bronx, because they are one of the best live bands ever, if you have not seen them just do it, you will not be disappointed.
Motorhead, because… they are Motorhead!
And us! This would be an awesome really loud action packed mix
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Play whatever gives you goosebumps, makes you foot stomp and your head bang and give absolutely zero fucks about what everyone else thinks!
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Buy a Gibson as soon as you can…. They are insanely expensive right now
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
This is like choosing which child you like the most…. But if I have to, Turning me inside out is a killer tune that always gives a lot of energy both to us and to the audience when played live.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Turning me Inside Out is probably the most fun to play for me, lot of different parts on the guitar and in general a lot of energy. The most requested is probably and old classic from our third album, Move like a Machine. Favorite request was when a setlist was taken and returned and Move Like A Machine was written in Lipstick on the end of the list. That is how you request a track!!
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
It varies a lot, but usually someone comes with an idea that is presented to the band and we try it out. It can span from a completely finished song to a simple melody. Sometimes a song is finished in 10 minutes sometimes the riff kind of stays with us for years until it finds its correct place. The common thing is that it is always taken to the band for trying out and the one who brought the idea has a veto on all suggestions coming in.
Inspiration is tricky it can come when least suspected and be triggered by anything. The trick is to have a phone or something available to record or write down whatever popped up in you head quickly before it is gone!
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
We want to have give a positive “lets have a good time”-kind of message.
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
It happens, then we kiss and make up!
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Well as said we are celebrating 20 years as a band. Part of this celebration is to release a new record which will be out in the end of June. The album name is simply “20”. We have some shows booked to for the celebration and to promote the release as well, in UK, Germany, Sweden and possibly US.
So we are keeping busy playing rock and roll!!
Thanks for having me!
/ Chuck The Ripper