Brazil isn't all football, samba and Mardi Gras! It has a rich history of rock n roll proven by the MASSIVE Rock In Rio festivals and some exciting metal bands that have taken the world by storm. DirtyRock.net ran into L. Azaziel, main man behind the classic rock outfit Smack, on MySpace recently so we decided to have a chat.
DirtyRock.net - Tell me all about Smack. How it started, who’s involved and where your style comes from.
L. Azaziel - Smack is a band formed with the goal of saving the hard rock root. I want people to listen to Smack’s songs and feel the will to drink, to fuck, to dance and to go to the concerts.
I had a band named Racer Truck. We were recording our first album at Franklin Vilaça’s studio (FK studio), but, unfortunately, the band finished, because each member had his own job and hadn’t got time enough to record an album.
So, Franklin Vilaça invited me to record unpublished songs on a new project. I agreed and that’s how Smack started. We are now on studio recording an album that will be released in 2009. Two songs are already on MySpace (www.myspace.com/smackhardrock).
I prefer to keep in secret the name of the other members. They also play in great brazilian bands. They will be a surprise for the public and the press. People don’t imagine that they could join me in this project.
The Smack style of music is influenced by the power of the 70’s bands. We love the songs of Kiss, Bad Company, Black Sabbath, Lucifers Friend, Buffalo, Outlaws, Lynyrd Skynyrd and other bands.
DirtyRock.net - Is the album to be released by yourself or have you signed on with a label or distribution company?
L. Azaziel - Firstly, the CD will be released independently. Some distribution companies are interested in the album, but I'm studying calmly the proposals. Soon, we'll have the Smack's album in North America and Europe.
DirtyRock.net - In Australia it can be very hard for bands to get decent exposure outside the country. What’s it like in Brazil? Was it hard to get a release for the album in North America and Europe?
L. Azaziel - Yes, it was very hard, but some people have helped me. Smack’s fans are true Rock ’n’ Roll soldiers. The public is important for the existence of Rock ’n’ Roll.
If nowadays Smack exists, it is because of the fans. They bring me hope to keep on making true and original songs.
DirtyRock.net - Do you mix things up vocally between English and Portuguese?
L. Azaziel - The lyrics are all in English, but, in the future, I want to add some bonus tracks in Portuguese.
DirtyRock.net - Everyone knows South Americans can rock and we all know about Rock In Rio but the portrayal of Brazil in the rest of the world is mostly Samba and Carnivale. So what is the rock scene really like in Brazil apart from Sepultura and Cavalera Conspiracy?
L. Azaziel - Well, Brazil is not only Samba and Carnivale. It is Rock’n Roll too. You can watch on youtube some videos which show that rock concerts in Brazil have a big audience. There are very good bands here. The European and North American press should pay more attention to Brazil. On MySpace, you can find many brazilian bands.
DirtyRock.net - Who are some those bands that we should know about?
L. Azaziel - Well, let’s go... Elevare (www.myspace.com/elevare), Apokalyptic Raids (www.myspace.com/apokalypticraids), Panndora (www.myspace.com/panndoraband), Bastardz (www.myspace.com/bastardz), Dominus Praelii (www.myspace.com/dominuspraelii), King Nothing (www.myspace.com/kingnothing) and others.
DirtyRock.net - When will we find out the other members of the band?
L. Azaziel - Well, maybe before the release show I’ll reveal the secret about the members. Their revelation will cause impact in Brazil, so that’s why I’m keeping their names in secret.
DirtyRock.net - Brazil has its problems as all countries do, so when writing the album did you want to reflect any of that or create a welcome distraction?
L. Azaziel - Well, my inspiration is women and parties. Despite of all the problems, Brazil is a happy country. Smack wants to give amusement to people. At my gigs, I want to see people drinking, fucking, kissing, dancing and enjoying to the top! It’s my inspiration! Enjoy life!!!
DirtyRock.net - Growing up, what made you choose rock n roll over something like football, arguably the national past time?
L. Azaziel - (Laughs) I’m not a good football player and my parents have always listened to Rock’n Roll music. So, I grew up listening to The Police, The Doors, Black Sabbath, Free, Bad Company, Mutantes, Secos e Molhados, and that made me like more Rock’n Roll.
DirtyRock.net - Besides the album release, what are the future plans for Smack long term?
L. Azaziel - I hope that people will enjoy my music and that I’ll do many concerts, bringing SEX, WHISKEY AND ROCK ‘N ROLL to all! (Laughs).
Visit: www.myspace.com/smackhardrock
DirtyRock.net interview conducted by ‘Jonni Starr’ 2008
