Rock Brigade was a classic metal magazine from Brazil, written in Portuguese. Here is an interview with the excellent Iron Maiden of South America translated to English, Viper!
P) When was the band formed? What is the reason for the name VIPER?
A) The core of the band was formed in January of '85 by PIT, YVES and PHILIP, who already knew each other because they lived nearby and were friends at school, and soon after CASSIO; as a quartet they even did a presentation, at that time the band was called ROCK MIGRATION and PIT sang.
In April of '85 the band made its live debut with ANDRÉ on vocals and with the name VIPER. The name doesn't have an explicit meaning, we just thought it was appropriate for a Metal band.
P) The band started at a bad time for our Metal scene, how was and has been your struggle?
A) Actually, we started at a good time, because the bands of the first generation (CENTURIAS, SANTUÁRIO, VIRUS, KORZUS etc.) had already opened some spaces, but for a new band it was very difficult. We were very lucky to find CELSO BARBIERI and he put us on a date at Lira; at the time the most we could get was to play at college festivals. Today it's much easier to book dates at Rainbow, Mambembe etc., and many other places have been opened up for shows now.
P) Did you have support from bigger bands at the time?
R) Despite the large number of bands and competition, some helped us a lot, like A CHAVE DO SOL (mainly) and EXCALIBUR, and some indirectly, like CENTÚRIAS, which opened spaces.
P) How did the contact with CELSO BARBIERI for the first show happen?
R) At the time, CELSO was the organizer of Praça do Rock and one day we met him in the city center and talked to him, and fortunately later he called us confirming two dates at Lira Paulistana (N.E. - Rest in peace!) on April 8th and 9th, 1985, where we opened for PLATINA, who were also making their debut.
P) When and how was the recording of your demo?
R) The demo was recorded in August of 85, the songs were recorded in one hour and the instrumentals were recorded directly in six hours, without any repetition. We had no experience whatsoever, so the guitars were plugged directly into the mixing board (without the use of amplifiers), the mixing took four and a half hours, but during the season the result was more than favorable.
P) How was the demo received?
R) Many people still like the band today because of the demo, and mainly because of the musical style we followed; at the time none of the existing bands made a sound like ours (like MAIDEN). An acquaintance of ours, JUNCKAL, along with ANDRÉ, took our tape to BETO PENINHA's Rockambole Session and he immediately put the tape on, and according to him, the reception was excellent, many people called congratulating our work.
P) What are the reasons for the band to compose and sing in English?
R) First, we think that Portuguese doesn't sound good in Metal, English is a more versatile language to sing in, more pleasant to listen to, we always compose and sing in English. Our hope is that our work will also be considered abroad, because German (SCORPIONS, ACCEPT) and Japanese (LOUDNESS) bands can be known abroad and Brazilian ones can't? We don't want to dream big, but why not try?...
P) Which national bands do you like?
R) We listen to and enjoy CENTÚRIAS, VODU, ANGEL, KORZUS (the new album), TAURUS and MINOTAURO, mainly bands that make elaborate sound.
R) First, we think that Portuguese doesn't sound good in Metal, English is a more versatile language to sing in, more pleasant to listen to, we always compose and sing in English. Our hope is that our work will also be considered abroad, because German (SCORPIONS, ACCEPT) and Japanese (LOUDNESS) bands can be known abroad and Brazilian ones can't? We don't want to dream big, but why not try?...
P) Which national bands do you like?
R) We listen to and enjoy CENTÚRIAS, VODU, ANGEL, KORZUS (the new album), TAURUS and MINOTAURO, mainly bands that make elaborate sound.
P) What do you think of these subdivisions within current Metal?
R) It's bullshit, it only serves to divide the audience, this division thing is from underdeveloped countries; the market is already small, with this division it gets even worse. Unfortunately, here too there is a lot of disunity among the bands. We think that to have a band, you need to know how to play!! Most people who criticize and talk about other bands are simply envious.
P) What are the band's influences? What have you been listening to?
R) Mainly MAIDEN, MANO-NO-WAR, LOUDNESS and at the same time we listened to HELLOWEEN, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, RUSH and individually Classical Music (ANDRÉ) MARILLION (PIT "a band that many heavy metal fans like to listen to"), and drummers of great technique, and of any style (CASSIO).
P) Why the choice of the label Rock Brigade Records (without flattery)?
R) Firstly because of the sincere proposal, because we know the people involved, they like and work directly with Heavy Metal and because of their level of professionalism.
P) When was the album recorded?
R) The album was recorded and mixed in April/May every 54 hours at the 24-channel Guidon studio. The final result for us was excellent, and we hope for an even better result for the next one.
P) On August 28th you did the official album launch show, how did the event go?
A) Initially the show was supposed to be at MASP, but since they don't want rock bands there, then... About two months ago we contacted the board of Colégio Rio Branco to organize the show. We rented good equipment, lighting and a security team, without false modesty we think this was the best show done here so far, there were some problems (N.E- see Metal Live), but everything was fortunately resolved and the show went on until the end without major problems.
P) This show had a special event?
R) Yes, this was the last show with Philip because he traveled to the USA for a year to do a cultural exchange, it won't be the same without him, but we will continue strong!!!
P) Do you have any replacement in mind?
R) Actually, none, but we want someone who really likes our musical proposal, who has equipment, some experience and works seriously and professionally.
P) What are the band's future plans?
R) We want to do many shows throughout the country, we already have dates scheduled in Rio, Santos, Feira de Santana, Recife (N.E. - which should have already passed by the time of publication of this) and in October we should do the last show in the capital this year, besides that we intend to fight for more dates in the northeast and especially in the south of the country. But our biggest dream would be next year to play in Europe, at some festival in Belgium, Holland or on the South American continent itself; VODU has already played in Argentina, SANTUÁRIO in Colombia, now it's our turn!!...
P) Finally, leave a message here for the readers of Rock Brigade, your fans and bangers in general.
R) First, a message to the people who are starting with a band: fight hard, don't get discouraged and you can get to where we are or more, and above all, learn to play an instrument well and thus you will be more valued; to the bangers: end this idiotic disunity and a big thank you to all the people who in one way or another helped us, and to the fans, because without them we wouldn't be here.
Our contact address is: P.O. Box 62563, São Paulo/SP. ZIP Code: 01295.
(Eduardo de S. Bonadia)
R) It's bullshit, it only serves to divide the audience, this division thing is from underdeveloped countries; the market is already small, with this division it gets even worse. Unfortunately, here too there is a lot of disunity among the bands. We think that to have a band, you need to know how to play!! Most people who criticize and talk about other bands are simply envious.
P) What are the band's influences? What have you been listening to?
R) Mainly MAIDEN, MANO-NO-WAR, LOUDNESS and at the same time we listened to HELLOWEEN, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, RUSH and individually Classical Music (ANDRÉ) MARILLION (PIT "a band that many heavy metal fans like to listen to"), and drummers of great technique, and of any style (CASSIO).
P) Why the choice of the label Rock Brigade Records (without flattery)?
R) Firstly because of the sincere proposal, because we know the people involved, they like and work directly with Heavy Metal and because of their level of professionalism.
P) When was the album recorded?
R) The album was recorded and mixed in April/May every 54 hours at the 24-channel Guidon studio. The final result for us was excellent, and we hope for an even better result for the next one.
P) On August 28th you did the official album launch show, how did the event go?
A) Initially the show was supposed to be at MASP, but since they don't want rock bands there, then... About two months ago we contacted the board of Colégio Rio Branco to organize the show. We rented good equipment, lighting and a security team, without false modesty we think this was the best show done here so far, there were some problems (N.E- see Metal Live), but everything was fortunately resolved and the show went on until the end without major problems.
P) This show had a special event?
R) Yes, this was the last show with Philip because he traveled to the USA for a year to do a cultural exchange, it won't be the same without him, but we will continue strong!!!
P) Do you have any replacement in mind?
R) Actually, none, but we want someone who really likes our musical proposal, who has equipment, some experience and works seriously and professionally.
P) What are the band's future plans?
R) We want to do many shows throughout the country, we already have dates scheduled in Rio, Santos, Feira de Santana, Recife (N.E. - which should have already passed by the time of publication of this) and in October we should do the last show in the capital this year, besides that we intend to fight for more dates in the northeast and especially in the south of the country. But our biggest dream would be next year to play in Europe, at some festival in Belgium, Holland or on the South American continent itself; VODU has already played in Argentina, SANTUÁRIO in Colombia, now it's our turn!!...
P) Finally, leave a message here for the readers of Rock Brigade, your fans and bangers in general.
R) First, a message to the people who are starting with a band: fight hard, don't get discouraged and you can get to where we are or more, and above all, learn to play an instrument well and thus you will be more valued; to the bangers: end this idiotic disunity and a big thank you to all the people who in one way or another helped us, and to the fans, because without them we wouldn't be here.
Our contact address is: P.O. Box 62563, São Paulo/SP. ZIP Code: 01295.
(Eduardo de S. Bonadia)