Thrash 'em All was a Polish magazine written in Polish, but on our blog you can read a translated interview with the band.
KAT (POL)
The year is 1981. In Los Angeles, the most hellish machine on Earth, prophesied by Nostradamus, is being created – SLAYER. Nearby, in Norwalk, the creators of the most powerful thrash metal monster of all time – METALLICA – meet. East of the Elbe River, in Katowice, the most hideous and controversial creation of the Polish metal scene – KAT – is born!
I met with guitarist Piotr Luczyk and drummer Ireneusz Loth to talk about this event.
- Why did you suddenly suspend the band?
- The band never suspended its activities! We only stopped touring because of the addition of Jacek, the second guitarist, and a change of management.
- And the incident with Romek Kostrzewski?
- Roman didn't leave the band, there was just a small misunderstanding between us, and part of the band didn't want to work with him anymore. Did you mention changing managers?
- Actually, we still don't have one. At the beginning, after leaving Metal Mind Production, Jacek Adamczyk took care of us, but he was never our manager. He helped us in many ways and still does.
Why did KAT stop working with Tomek Dziubiński?
- Dziubiński stopped being the actual manager of KAT from the moment he engaged other bands. No one will convince us that Tomek, by founding Metal Mind Production and engaging numerous bands, wanted to raise the prestige of Polish heavy metal music! In our opinion, the only goal of this venture was to find a way to make money, by Tomek, of course. This is evidenced by the fact that he "entered" the ZAIKS (Association of Polish Artists and Craftsmen) as a member of the Music composer or lyricist. Practically only KAT doesn't have a single Dziuba song in his repertoire. The deterioration in relations between Tomek KAT and the band was also noticeable during concerts. For some time, their organization, sound system, and lighting left much to be desired. We don't want to discuss financial matters here; let them remain our "sweet" secret. For these and many other reasons, the collaboration with Tomek Dziubiński had to end sometime. We regret it a bit, because it could have been very good.
However, the collaboration with Metal Mind Production also had its positive sides. You've released several albums. Have you made a name for yourself in the West?
-Metal Mind Production has only recently legally existed; only the name has been in use for a long time, advertising Tomek's products. that we associate it with the worse period of cooperation, we will not use it when listing the advantages of cooperation with Dziuba Tomek, as a co-manager together with Tomek Palasz, the previous leader of the band, was present at the production of the first album entitled...666, After that, Krzysztof Domaszczyński from the RAZEM Record Club became the producer. The English version of this album was produced by Joes Kloek. However, the next two albums were solely the work of Tomek Dziubiński: the live album "38 Minutes of Life" and the album for Polton "Oddech wymarlych światów" (The Breath of Extinct Worlds). Unfortunately, the latter only exists on cassette tapes to this day (the contract also included a CD). Apparently, it's Pelton's fault that our collaboration with Tomek ended; he suddenly stopped caring about promoting it (the cassette cover is a good example!!!). As the producer of the Polish version of this album, he holds exclusive rights to this material. Unfortunately, attempts by the band members to interfere with the album's promotion on their own were unsuccessful.
Among the advantages of our collaboration with Tomek, we must, of course, add some concerts, especially those that showed what the band KAT is capable of. I think the best proof of this are our concerts with HANOI ROCKS. ROCK ARENA, METALMÁNIA, and of course, the support from METALLICA! We're primarily referring to the organizational and technical aspects, as the rest, including the image, stage design, repertoire composition, and its development, which constitute the core of the concerts, is solely the credit of the band's musicians.
- During one of our conversations, Tomek stated that he saw no obstacles to continuing to work with you. However, he set one condition: the material.
- Unfortunately, the conditions he set and the way he works no longer satisfied us. Let's get back to the present. What prompted Romek's return?
We simply reached an agreement, and although it took a while, he's singing in the band again.
I heard you were trying out new vocalists. Why didn't you decide on one of them?
We only considered two vocalists, but both were afraid to take on such responsibility...
During that period of crisis, did you ever consider ending your career?
- Nothing of the sort ever occurred to us!
So what did you do?
- Romek (Romek Kostrzewski - author's note) and Krzysztof (Krzysztof Stagman - author's note) changed their marital status, and then they had children, Irek (Ireneusz Loth - author's note) changed his girlfriend, and I, along with a new guitarist, worked on the sound and new repertoire.
Tell us about the other band members. Have they played in any other groups before?
- Krzysiek (bass) is already known to fans. He recorded "Oddech wymarlych światów" (The Breath of Extinct Worlds) and has been touring with us since Jarocin 1987. He's a valued bassist, also playing keyboards and double bass, which will likely be featured on the next album. He recently started composing. Jacek, on the other hand, is a new member of the band. He previously led bands like SENAT and KILL OFF. We're currently creating a decent guitar duo, which you'll hear soon. He's already played three shows with us and done a very good job. He's also made a significant contribution to the band's new repertoire. Over the years, you've developed your own distinctive style, sound, and image.
So far, no one in Poland has managed to imitate you?
- It's great that you think so. I think it's not just your opinion!
The peak of your early career was the album "Oddech wymartych swiatów." It's not complicated music, and it's also far from thrash. However, the atmosphere that was created on it makes you listen to it while taking a breath. I think this is the best album in the history of Polish metal, next to TURBO's "The Last Warrior"?!
- We also think this is the best Polish metal material so far (aside from the quality of the POLTON cassette), but is it thrash or something else? I think we should leave the classification and labeling to journalists and all listeners of this music. We didn't come up with these names. For the band, the most important thing is the quality and atmosphere of the music they present. However, in our opinion, the album "The Last Warrior" is TURBO's greatest achievement in this style, and we like it too.
Despite my positive opinion of the album, I also heard many harsh comments about it. Are they accusing you of plagiarism from METALLICA or even going back...?
- As far as we know, there is a clearly defined definition of plagiarism, which in no way coincides with the accusation made against us. The material is known to the musicians of METALLICA, and they haven't accused us of anything like that. And as for going back, we have deep doubts whether those making such accusations... Have they already undergone periodic ENT examinations for this accusation!? Besides, we won't believe they've listened to at least three albums in their sad lives!
Despite this, you're still going strong. In our summary for last year (quite a barren one for you), you took a high second place, and in the "disappointment of the year" category, fans ranked your personal problems at the top?!
- All that's left is for us to thank the fans for their loyalty and perseverance.
Tell us something about the band's new music. Are you preparing any surprises for the fans?
- The music on the new album will certainly be more challenging to listen to, but also better. We pay attention to the atmosphere of the songs, but a lot will depend on the studio where it will be recorded. Some tracks will be surprising.
There will also be a few musical surprises. We admit that we're interested in the American market, which is the best. We'll try to make our new material equal to the productions there!
Who will release the album? Maybe someone in the West?
- We've received several offers (including from Tomek Dziubiński), but we don't intend to sell ourselves for free. Of course, we intend to release the next album in the West, but as much as possible under normal conditions.
We're still talking about the music, but an equally characteristic element of the band are the lyrics. Will Romek still be scary and enlightening?
- As for the lyrics, that will be one of our surprises.
You've been touring Poland recently with bands from the so-called underground. Do you know anything about this phenomenon and do you have any favorites?
- I know very little. However, we will be inviting a young underground band to each of our concerts, and to be honest, we've already done so. HELLIAS from Krakow and MANITOU from Silesia played with us. Interesting bands, by the way.
What do you think about the Polish thrash metal scene?
It's fortunate that something is happening outside of Dziuba's stable. Metalmania isn't and can't be the definitive source of metal. There are several good bands that, thanks to Metal Mind Production, haven't had the opportunity to present their work more widely. Fortunately, the era of monopolization in Polish metal is slowly dying out, one example of which is the creation of your magazine "We are for healthy competition." After all, it raises the level of performance on the market, and that's what we all want?! Thrash metal is still discriminated against in our country, and yet it is one of the musical genres. showbiz, which is up-to-date with global production. As you call it, the "Polish thrash metal scene" exists only in the underground, known to only a few through word of mouth and perhaps zines. On the surface, several bands have been operating under the name M.M.P. for a long time, calling themselves the forefront of thrash metal in Poland. Surprisingly, most believe it.
Who do you consider your most dangerous rival in the metal scene?
- Jurek Polomski...
What are your plans for the future?
- In the fall, we want to enter the studio and record the announced album. Only then will we have concerts and promotion related to its release. We also received an offer to record a video tape recording the concerts and interviews with the band.
Have you included the qualifying rounds for Metalmania 90 in your promotional schedule?
It would be ridiculous if a band playing as a support act for METALLICA competed in the qualifying rounds for the festival. However, if the organizers meet all the requirements for a KAT concert, we'd be happy to play there.
You take the promotion of the new "KAT" very seriously. Will you take the attractiveness of your concerts equally seriously?
We ended our collaboration with Tomek Dziubiński to ensure the concerts weren't mediocre. At this stage of our operations, concerts must be professional in every respect. Unfortunately, this involves high costs of preparing such performances (sound system, lighting, transport), which leads to quite high ticket prices. Often, to make a concert happen, we have to lower our rates, which are ridiculous anyway. Besides, you should have known long ago who really makes money from concerts, in this country, of course! We want everyone who buys such an expensive concert ticket to leave completely satisfied. If it were to happen otherwise, KAT would cease to exist.
Do you believe you can achieve this?
If we didn't, you wouldn't be talking to us today.
How do you assess the performance of the new "KAT" so far?
We've already overcome the typical difficulties every band encounters at some point in their career. We haven't stood still. I believe we made the right steps at the right time to maintain our identity and not lose our position. The new KAT will only show what they're capable of!
When will the attack on metal top begin?
The new material deserves to reach this peak quickly. We'll wait until the album is released, though...
Do you believe those glorious days of AD 86 will return?
We're not looking back... the best is yet to come!
Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
The same as you: TAKE CARE AND KEEP THRASHING!
/ Interview by Mariesz Mintes