I
first became aware of Dutch Stoner/Sludge Rockers – KOMATSU –
back in 2011 when they released their debut self-titled EP. It showed
a band with plenty of promise of making loud noises buried under a
ton of Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs.
Since
then the band have released two superb albums. 2013's – Manu Armata
and 2016's Recipe For Murder One. It's for their latest album that
has seen the band receive their fair amount of high praise from the
Doom/Stoner Metal community.
Since
their inception in 2011, the band have toured with artists such as
Truckfighters, Red Fang, Clutch, John Garcia and Nick Olivieri over
the years.
I
was asked by Gero over at Argonauta Records would I like to interview
them. I thought why the hell not as I'm huge fan of these guys.
Komatsu kindly agreed to this interview. So sit back and enjoy.
How’s
life treating you today.
Life
is treating us well today, thank you. We are still ‘recovering’
from an European Tour with Duel (USA). We had a blast but were
exhausted when we returned home. We are already writing new material
and are making plans for another European Tour (February 2017) with
The Freeks (USA).
For
people not in the know, can you provide a brief history of how the
band came together and where it is today.
Komatsu
is founded in 2011 and we released our first EP that same year. In
2012 we played at the official after party of Queens Of The Stone Age
in our hometown.
In
2013 we recorded and released our first full length studio album
called ‘Manu Armata’ and it was instantly well received by the
international press with raving reviews. We were asked to support
bands as Truckfighters, Lonely Kamel, Karma to Burn, Red Fang,
Clutch, Nashville Pussy, High on Fire, Corrosion of Conformity,
Baroness etc.
In
2014 we played at Speedfest where John Garcia (Vista Chino at that
time) joined us on stage to perform the Slo Burn cover ‘July’. A
few months later he asked us to join him on tour and we played 32
shows in 13 countries. In
2015 we started recording our second studio album called ‘Recipe
for murder one’ and did an European Tour with Nick Oliveri’s
Mondo Generator.
In
September 2016 we released ‘Recipe for Murder one’ on Argonauta
Records (CD) and Lighttown Fidelity (Vinyl).
How
would you describe your music for first-time listeners. As I’ve
seen your music described as Monster Magnet, Torche, QOTSA and
Mastodon. I may have used those great bands myself when reviewing
your music in the past.
Yeah,
our music has been compared a lot with bands like Torche, QOTSA,
Mastodon and Kyuss. I think also because of the connections with
Garcia and Olivieri. Great bands that have influenced our music of
course. It’s always hard to describe your music, because music is a
matter of feelings. All band members listen to different music and
bands like Torche, Melvins, Pantera, Clutch, Baroness and 80's punk
rock etc. Maybe you can hear those different influences in our music?
How
do you feel being compared to those great bands when reading reviews.
Do you take enjoyment from comparisons such as this. Or would you
like people to consider as your own band with your individual sound.
I
understand that listeners, that don’t know Komatsu, want to know
what our music sounds like. We don’t mind at all when the reviews
mention these comparisons. But of course we think that we have our
own individual and unique sound.
We
are here to talk about the new album. Recipe For Murder One. A great
album that contains some great tracks with powerful riffs and ideas
to match. What can people expect from the album.
They
can expect 11 pounding songs. A logical continuation on ‘Manu
Armata’ but we belief we took the next step. Better sound, better
songs and, although it is not a concept album, it’s more a whole.
Was
it an easy or hard album to write and record for. Did you do anything
different recording for this album compared to your debut album.
The
writing went fairly simple and prosper. We didn’t do a lot of
things different recording our first full length album.
We
recorded our first album in Pop-ei Studio, Eindhoven (NL). The place
where I worked as a sound engineer at that time.
We
chose to record ‘Recipe for murder one’ at Studio The Void. We
wanted to work with Pieter Kloos (a.k.a. Pidah) because he knows how
to record a brutal sound, without losing melodies.
It’s
been getting a great response from the Doom/Stoner Metal community.
Have you been pleased with the responses so far.
Of
course. We thought we made a good album but it is always nice when
you read that ‘the community’ thinks it’s a good album too!
What
influenced you when recording and writing this album as it’s quite
a dark album to listen to. Especially with some of the lyrics and
heavier riffs.
I
got influenced by a lot of things. I like to write dark lyrics
because we think they fit and stick well with the heavy music. We
spend more time recording the vocals and I think it worked out well.
The vocals are more powerful now. I think playing a lot of shows pays
off!
Plus
you managed to record a song with Nick Olivieri with the album. How
did that come about. Did Nick provide any helpful advice when
recording this song.
During
the European tour with Mondo Generator, Nick Olivieri told us that he
liked our music and band. Nick suggested to sing a song on our new
album. He listened to two songs and couldn’t choose.
Directly
after the tour he did vocals on both songs and sent them to us. We
thought his vocals sounded the best on ‘Lockdown’ and we used
his backing vocals and screams on the title track ‘Recipe for
Murder one’. He didn’t provide any helpful advice because most
of the songs were completed at that time.
You’ve
signed to both Argonauta Records (CD) and Lighttown Fidelity (Vinyl).
How did you hook up with those labels.
Our
bookings agency SOZ Concerts shopped with ‘Recipe for Murder one’.
Some record companies were interested to release the album but we
choose for Argonauta Records. We got a good feeling with their plans
and how they wanted to promote the album worldwide.
Lighttown
Fidelity is a brand new and small record company from our hometown
Eindhoven.
The
owner (Matthijs Kropff) started Lighttown Fidelity with releasing
‘Manu Armata’. He is a music lover and friend, so a good company
to work with. He attaches great importance to the art-work and and
appearance of the vinyl. We think that the art-work of Lisa Coenen is
beautiful, especially on vinyl.
You’ve
participated with lengthy tours with John Garcia and Nick Olivieri
over the last few years. What was that experience like touring with
two legends of the Desert/Stoner Rock scene. How did their fans react
to your music in general.
Of
course we think that both guys are legends and we were excited to go
on tour with them. But on tour they we experienced how accessible
they were and a good and friendly contact was made. We received good
reactions from their fans during the tour. During our last tour with
Duel we’ve met a lot of fans that saw us supporting John Garcia in
2013 and/or Mondo Generator in 2015 and came back to see us!
Will
you be performing more gigs this year. A more in-depth tour to
promote the album. Are there plans to perform more gigs in general in
2017.
An
European tour with the Freeks (with members of Fu Manchu and Nebula)
is planned for February/march 2017. In February we support Orange
Goblin during their short Dutch tour. In may 2017 we go on tour to
Brazil to play 10 shows. In between the tours we do some Dutch shows
to promote our new album and we hope to play a lot of festivals this
year!
What
is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it down to one individual
or a group collective.
I
write all the songs and lyrics and as a band we work on the songs in
the rehearsal room and studio. A good way to save a lot of time and
it works for us.
Looking
back over your career with Komatsu so far. What have been your high
points and your low points if you’re feeling brave to talk about
those.
Of
course our show on Speedfest 2014 is special, because that’s where
a lot of things started for us. We had a blast touring with John
Garcia, Mondo Generator and Duel.
This
year we played Desertfest Belgium and Into the Void Festival,
Leeuwarden (NL). Both great festivals, packed crowd and so much
energy!
We
consider ourselves lucky bastards. We supported a lot of cool bands,
travelled through beautiful countries and met a lot of crazy people on
the road.
During
our tour with Mondo Generator they stole our complete back-line,
instruments and personal stuff in Rome. That was a bummer, but out of
that, something beautiful emerged:
a
benefit concert for Komatsu in our hometown.
Thanks
for doing this interview. Do you have anything to say to your fans
before you go.
Thanks
for your time and attention.
come
to our shows and of course....... buy
our record(s)!
Words
by Steve Howe and KOMATSU
