Interview с Viper : DARKSIDE.ru

nera.Helo Ricardo! Shortly at you is planned a series of concerts in Russia.How you look at talking about today's music and about your solo project with which you will act?

Ricardo.Greetings, Russian friends. I wished to act for a long time at you. Certainly, I'll with pleasure answer all your questions.

Venera.Perfectly! Then the first question. How you've learned in the childhood about group VIPER and why you've loved it?

Ricardo.A friend of mine came with a tape with Theatre of Fate in it. When I listened I became instantly a fan of the band.

Venera.Do You found group similar on Iron Maiden? Do You spent parallels between these two groups? What of two groups liked you more?

Ricardo.Actually Viper was very influenced by Iron Maiden in the early years, when the band recorded the first album "Soldiers of Sunrise". After that, they began to build up their identity. When you hear Theatre of Fate, you hear different things there, the symphonic elements, but of course the Maiden element always present. After Andre Matos departure-the first soloist of group-the band hanged on it yet on Evolution, but then in the next 2 studio albums, they tried to do things very opposite of what they used to be musically, and that was good for the band at that time . Then, in the last album, "All My Life", the band returns with the heavy metal elements, after I have joined the band in 2004. I was a good thing, because I've pushed them to make metal albums again. That's why I was in the band, not just to sing their old material. I like in Iron Maiden the music, and the way they approach the fans of their music. Very close. And Viper has equal qualities, I like to think that fans are friends who likes my music. And it's a very healthy way to deal with this. I think that keeping distance creates an illusion dome that makes the people believe more in what they imagine about you than in what you really are. I don't like the word fan. I don't have fans...I have admirers of my music. No one is fanatic about me or something.

Venera.Do you in the childhood dreamed to get in group VIPER? How you think, that you became the soloist of group is accident or applicability from above?

Ricardo.No, I've never dreamed to join Viper. To be hon

est I've never thought joining any already existing band. Actually, I was very against it. When Dickinson left Maiden I quit listening their following works. When Matos left Angra, I quit listening them..etc..etc...I couldn't apprehend bands with their new soloists...Today I'm more tolerant with such things. But when I heard that they were looking for a singer, I thought I was able to do the job. I always dreamed to make a band with my friends...never came to my mind the idea of singing in Viper. But it was a really good thing for me and I'm very satisfied that it happened

Venera.Tell in detail how you've got in band?

Ricardo.But I only thought about it when I read the "looks for a singer" ad in a website. I was convinced that I didn't had a chance with so many good singers around. But I really liked the band, and it was a motivation to do something cool. Then I asked a friend of mine, who plays guitar in a really good band called LETHAL FEAR, to record the guitar and the bass .I've programmed the strings and drums in my keyboard, then we went in the studio to record the song. Everything was ok and I've sent the material to the band. Then they said to me that they were impressed how I took it seriously. They said that nobody entered in studio to perform a recording of a Viper song. Only acoustic guitar and piano version of "Living for the Night", and lot's of covers and own songs. I guess they felt that I respected them. And most of people used to give more attention to their mistakes in their career, instead of their good metal albums. I was the opposite.

Venera.It has completely justified all your expectations?

Ricardo.I had no expectations when I entered. I was very aware of the band's situation and agreed to struggle with them to put the band on stage again and record a new album. It was very tought but it gave me streght to work my own things.

Venera.You heard all number albums of band up to All My Life. What of albums you liked the most of all ?

Ricardo.Theatre of Fate and Evolution. And I like the "All My Life" songs too.

Venera.All right... Let we'll while talk about your first album in group - " All My Life ". How has come to band the idea to let out a new album with the new soloist and sustained

in spirit of first two albums?

Ricardo.Actually the band's first idea was to call someone to sing their songs of the first albums where the soloist was Andre Matos.But because of job over the solo project, once Andre Matos wasn't available to do it, due the comemoration of the band's 20 years. Then we toured playing the old songs and some new songs we did in the rehearsals. Then they came up with the idea of a new album. When we started composing, they were with some "modern" musical ideas. At the time, I thought it was too gay for heavy metal (Later, Rob Halford proved me I was wrong). I guess they were too much influenced by the other bands like The Killers, U2, The Smiths, and that's what they were listening at the moment. That's good, but they were actually doing another style, that wasn't heavy metal, in my opinion. I shared it with them, some members were disappointed with me and kind of mad with me, but I knew that I wasn't there to do that. As a result all have agreed to make heavier songs. I guess that musicians can use the songs which have been written down in style of the previous albums, in other projects.
I guess the idea of bringing back the spirit of the two first albums, were kind of natural. That's the way the band do heavy metal. And my voice was very similar to Matos, so I guess it was a natural choice going this way.

Venera.What problems or difficulties were during a writing of this album? Or all went smoothly and without problems?

Ricardo.Actually, to be honest the recording was smooth. We rehearsal and recorded daily. And everything runned out as scheduled. We always had some kind of problem during the recordings, but we always tried to solve it quickly and move on.

Venera.Have you easily merged with collective of group?

Ricardo.Yes, we use to call each other to hang out. It's nice to have this kind of friendship. Go to a bar...drink some beer...

Venera.With whom from members of group at you the most friendly were established mutual relations?

Ricardo.I guess all of them equally.

Venera.In album there are 2 your songs: Miles Away and Rising Sun.Had You still ready songs which have been written down for an album, but haven't entered into it?

Ricardo.Actually there's a song called "Chains of My Life" that was a bonus track in the Japanese edition. So that might be it. Actually the last song I've wrote for this album was "Miles Away" and the first was "Chains of My Life". And at certain point of the production of the album, I wanted that only "Miles Away" was included in the album. But I've only got "Chains of My Life" out. Then came the japanese offer to release the album with a bonus track. I think I disliked the songs after recording them.They bothered me... But the other guys liked them so much that I guess I was tired of them...and they might be good songs.

Venera.At an album were present 2 invited visitors from the last structures: Yves Passarell ( guitar in song Violet) and Andre Matos ( vocal in song Love Is All). At me a question about Andre Matos. He was the first soloist of band from the date of its basis. Why he in all interviews never mentions his first group-group VIPER? Anywhere any word?

Ricardo.Well, I don't know...he always talk about us here in Brazil...and he also performs in his shows 3 Viper's songs: Living for the Night, Theatre of Fate and Moonlight (this last one, he wrote it). I am a great admirer of his work, and he was my singing teatcher once...so, we have a good relationship and I respect him very much. He's very known worldwide, and I guess that he might be giving priority to his recent work "Time To Be Free" and that's totally understandable.

Venera.Where this album(All My Life) was issued? In what studios it has been written down? How there has passed its realization?

Ricardo.The album was released in South America (Eldorado Records for Brazil and Icarus Records for the rest of the continent) and Asia (Avalon Records). It was recorded in the "Ultrasфnica Studios" here in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was very nice. We tried to keep a good mood in the recording sessions and I guess we achieved it.

Venera.Work in group suffices you or you aspire to greater?

Ricardo.It's wonderful to work with Viper, and I guess that nothing can substitute this experience of being in this band. But I have other plans too, I want to release a solo album soon.

Venera.Tell, please, in detail about your solo project. What style? Whethe

r it's similar to style of your basic group? What musicians are involved in it? Who is the producer of your solo project? What priorities at you in your solo project?

Ricardo.Well it's heavy metal, very similar to Viper, but I added more virtuousness to the instruments, once it's a matter of taste. There are 4 musicians involved right now and they will be announced as soon as the song is ready. But I can tell that the drummer is from Japan, his name is Yuichi Nagoshi and I met him in the internet...I was very impressed with him playing the drums in You Tube, and he was very excited in being part of a band in the other side of the planet! Actually, I'm the producer, because I decide how things are gonna be played, or how it gonna sound...etc etc...but I asked a really good producer to mix the single that I'm about to release, his name is Roy Z and he worked with Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Helloween, etc..

Venera.Whether you wished to take in the solo project of ex-musicians of group VIPER? For example Yves Passarell and Val Santos?

Ricardo.No, at first I've asked Val to help me with the guitars...but he was very busy, so I didn't want to bother him...And in general independence of somebody gives to me of more freedom and possibilities in realisation of my project.

Venera.Well... How your solo project will be realized? Whether there will be at you a tour in its support?

Ricardo.I'll release a single in the internet for free download, of course if some people wants, it will be able to buy the CD too. I'll promote it, and that's including concerts. Then we're planning to record a full length album.

Venera.Question for fun :). But don't forget, that in each joke there is a share of a joke:))) As you think, how many your solo albums you'll have time to let out until then when there will be following number album VIPER?

Ricardo.Well I hope that only one. :) But I don't know. The band stopped because lack of shows and because Renato Graccia had a child and he needs to stay with his wife and away from the sticks for a while. That made some members to decide for putting the band in stand by.

Venera.Whether there is at you an idea to be separated from VIPER and to create own band on the basis of yo

ur solo project?

Ricardo.Not now. I guess it's not necessary to do that yet. I guess that if things become hard to coexist, then a decision will have to be made.

Venera.What songs have you the right to execute at your solo concerts except for My Way, Miles Away and Rising Sun at the beginning? Hae you a right to sing all songs from album All My Life?

Ricardo.Well, it's a matter of good sense. I can ask the composers to play their songs, if they says it's ok, I'll play then. I have three songs in All My Life, and helped to write the lyrics of other songs, but never asked to have credits. That's friendship. I'm certain that they will agree with me playing other songs like All My Life, Love is All and Dreamer. I don't want to play songs from other albums, because I think it's not right. But I'll surely add some new unreleased material from the upcoming album. I have many songs therefrom.

Venera.And at last a neutral question. DVD " Living For the Night-20 years of VIPER " in English or on Brazilian Portuguese? It's a question for those who wishes to get it, together with other albums of group. By the way, how it can be made?

Ricardo.Send me e-mail on obocci@gmail.com , and I'll help you with it. If it's possible, in English. But you can write in Russian also, I have someone who helps me with the Russian electronic letters, translating them and all the rest. This person - an angel, I'm very grateful.

Venera.Well, Ricardo, basically all questions are set :). And what wishes to Russian listeners will be at you?

Ricardo.To stay in good mood, to listen to good music and to listen to my coming single "My Way". I like this song, and I hope that you, guys, it too will be pleasant. And I expect to act soon in Russia, and it will be cool!

Venera.Thanks, Ricardo! Success to you in your creative way!

Ricardo.Wellcome, thanks for interest!

Venera.And... and...))))) All over the world, switching on wicipedia, VIPER name "Brazilian Iron Maiden".And everywhere Russian band Aria too name "Russian Iron Maiden".You heard the Aria. How you consider, what of two groups is more similar on Iron Maiden? Or any isn't similar, and style is simply similar?

Ricardo.I think that both groups have qualities and influence Iron Maiden. Nobody copies Iron Maiden or still that, but influence is available. I've heard ARIA's songs, and they in my opinion are great. It's surprising band, and they're very much pleasant to me. You can sometimes hear at them elements Iron Maiden, but much more you find out weight of their new own things which are more important, than similarity with any other band. I assume that ARIA has really reached places Iron Maiden in the Russian music because of their own qualities. As well VIPER...

Interview by Alina "Venera" Katalova
13 янв 2009 the End

Viper

All My Life" - isn`t all his life