Rock Brigade was a classic metal magazine from Brazil, written in Portuguese. Here is an interview translated to English.
OVERDOSE - PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE
When we talk about the good old days of Minas Gerais, we immediately think of Cruzeiro, cheese, Atlético, hard rock bands, women, lottery and other things, but of course there are also good heavy metal bands there, and OVERDOSE is undoubtedly the most expressive of them. We talked to the band members and their manager RICARDO, and here we bring you the result of this interview.
Q) To start, I would like you to give me a brief history of OVERDOSE.
A) OVERDOSE began to form in mid-1983 with CLÁUDIO and BOZÓ who later recruited bassist FERNANDO. Later, the band replaced the old drummer and rhythm guitarist with two musicians from a band called CARROUSSEL: HELIO and RICARDO. With this lineup, they began to promote the band's sound with shows in BH and Minas Gerais. From there, signed by Cogumelo, they released the EP SÉCULO XX and more recently the LP CONSCIENCE by Heavy Discos, in a totally independent production.
Q) For you, how was the reception of the SÉCULO XXI BESTIAL DEVASTATION by the public and specialized critics?
A) It was excellent because, when the EP was released, OVER was already known in the RJ-SP-MG axis and it was easier for the public to accept it. The critics were also quite receptive and, being one of the first Heavy Metal albums in Brazil, we have news that it has already sold over 8,000 copies.
Q) So far, how are the sales and reception of the LP CONSCIENCE going?
A) Taking into account the current situation of our beloved homeland Brazil and the crisis that has also affected the recording industry, the LP CONSCIENCE is selling well. In one month, the first pressing (1,000 copies) sold out, and another 2,000 copies are already coming out of the oven. As for the reception of the album, sometimes we don't understand what the Brazilian public wants. Noise?? If so, you can give up. They say the album is too crazy. Others say it's difficult to understand. And others say that the musicians are trying too hard to show off: I think if you put in the effort studying music, spending sleepless nights, playing and training, you should show the results!!!!
Q) Did CONSCIENCE... achieved everything you really intended?
R) In terms of Brazil, we can consider that our objective was achieved because, for us, the album was satisfactory, and that's what matters! As for abroad, which is and still is our biggest goal, we are waiting for some contacts and some answers. (We should even have one of our songs on the METAL MASSACRE VOL 9 compilation)
Q) How was the experience of switching from Cogumelo to Heavy?
A) We thought it would make things easier for us, but the truth is we worked much harder than Cogumelo. The people at Heavy are willing, but they're still a bit inexperienced with productions.
Q) What is the real meaning of the cover and title of the LP?
A) The title has to do with the song PRISON OF THE CONSCIENCE, which is about a guy who discovers that if he thinks about and understands the world's problems, he is condemned and considered crazy. If we think about it, our conscience can see the rot in the world and we can't do anything about it. The title also served as a message to a certain type of audience in Brazil that has become a plague and has nothing conscious about it. As for the cover, it's difficult to convey everything it has to say. We leave it open: whoever is aware, let them interpret it however they want!
Q) What do you think about SEPULTURA releasing their MORBID VISIONS LP abroad?
A) Great for them, because it can open the way for other Brazilian bands!
Q) Are there plans for you to also release CONSCIENSE abroad?
A) Yes! We have several contacts in the US and some record labels in Europe. Q) Do you intend to record any of the older material on a future LP?
A) No, because we are always creating new things. As long as we are producing, there is no need for re-recordings.
Q) What is the reason for singing in English? Why is A ULTIMA ESTRELA the only song on the LP in Portuguese?
A) As we have already said, the main objective. The idea behind the IP was to reach the foreign market: There is no possibility of succeeding abroad singing in Portuguese, besides, Heavy sounds much better in English. As for "A ÚLTIMA ESTRELA" being recorded in Portuguese, it was because it was practically our first song and everyone already knew it in Portuguese. It was a tribute to our first fans and not to mention that as an encore it gets even the most radical of radicals going!
Q) What are your biggest influences? And those of each band member?
A) We try to listen to everything, from Jazz to Power, from Farofa to classical. Without prejudice, always keeping an open mind to all styles as long as it's music and well played.
BOZO ERIC ADAMS RONNIE DIO. GEOFF TATE, DON DOKKEN and especially the great opera singers. CLAUDIO DAVID YNGWIE MALMS-TEEN, STEVE VAI, EDDIE VAN HALEN, AL DI MEOLA AND PACO DE LUCIA. He's also crazy about classical music. FERNANDO PAZZINI BILLY SHEE HAN JACO PASTORIUS, STANLEY CLARK And, GEDDY LEE and STEVE HARRIS. ANDRE CHARLIE BENANTE, GREG BISONETTE, ALEX VAN HALEN.
Q) What do you think of all these new bands from Minas Gerais that have emerged, like SARCOFAGO, CHACAL, HOLOCAUSTO PLACENTA, etc.?
A) Honestly? No comment!!
Q) What is your relationship like with the other bands from BH2?
A) We get along very well with the bands that make MUSIC, especially the more experienced people in the musical melody of Belo Horizonte.
Q) Of the national bands; which ones do you appreciate the most?
A) AZUL LIMÃO, KAMIKAZE, DOR SAL VODU, VIPER, MUTILATOR, ASTA ROTH and TAURUS.
Q) What are your hobbies outside of music?
R) Claudio David sleeps and wakes up playing guitar, Bozo is our Public Relations manager, as he loves going out to party in the nightlife scene; Fernando Pazzini is more of a homebody and his favorite hobby is going on tour. As for our new drummer, we don't know much yet because we've only been together for a month, but as soon as we find out, we'll let you know.
We also like to hang out together, have a beer and go bowling. Not to mention the women.
Q) How does it feel for you to be considered one of the best heavy metal bands in the country?
R) Wow, do I need to answer? It's very gratifying to know that those who put us in this position are our true fans and we hope they always will be.
P) What would be the biggest difficulty in making heavy metal in Brazil?
Q: Lack of media support, ignorance and stupidity of Brazilians, because they don't know how to put on a show or a musical event (except for the ROBERTOS MEDINAS of the world) and the public itself helps to transmit this negative image of Rock and Heavy (this is for the idiots who think that going to a show is synonymous with destruction and clowning around).
Q: How is the promotion of OVERDOSE going?
A: Now at the end of the year we are kind of on hold because with the change of the new drummer, HELIO for the ex-DETH ANDRE, we had to take a break until ANDRÉ got musically in sync with the band. We hope that for '88 we can start well touring Brazil, and maybe recording an EP.
Q: What are the band's future plans?
A: To play, play, play... and play!!
P) To conclude this interview, we leave this space open for you to send a message to your fans and readers of RB in general.
R) Oh, it was great chatting with you, readers and editors of RB. It's truly an honor to be able to participate in such a well-regarded and well-known magazine worldwide. And remember: Free your conscience, you will free yourselves and help the world to free itself!!! See you!!!
Thank you, OVERDOSE team, and we hope you turn your plans into concrete realities.
(Eduardo Russomano)