Sweden's Mustasch follow no modern trends or styles. Instead of keeping up with them, they cleansed all that didn't match their conscience.
If it felt good, well then it was! Never caring about if the riff was up-to-date or not.
It's all about riffs; riffs that shook up, weighed down,
built up. Anything that would make the body take control of the mind. Ergo: Heavy Metal at its best. Their latest record "Latest Version of the Truth" is by far their best
record up to this day. Going back to the strong riffs, mixed with a string section and chorus, it creates elements in the music, rarely heard in rock music. We caught up with
Bassist Mats "Stam" Johansson to see how things are in the Mustasch camp.
Metal Mayhem: Can you please introduce yourself and the rest of the band for us?
Mats Johansson: I'm Stam (bass), and the rest of the band are Ralf (vocals, lead guitar), Hannes (rhythm guitar) and Dojan (drums).
MM: Mustasch is a name that I can't say I have come across before here in the UK, can you tell us a bit about how the band came together?
MJ: We started back in '98 trying not to care about what others liked or not. If it felt alright by us, then we'd stick with it. So we recorded a couple of demos, played live as much as an unknown band could and made some Mustasch t-shirts for our friends in "The Soundtrack Of Our Lives" to wear on their concerts. And that was it. We got a meeting with an A&R from EMI, and two weeks later we signed a deal. Sure, we had already sent demos to various labels, including EMI, but the key to that meeting was actually the t-shirt thing.
MM: Have you ever played the UK before and are there any plans to play it now with the release of "Latest Version of the Truth"?
MJ: No, haven't been in the UK yet, but we are planning to tour the rest of Europe this fall/winter. But right now we're busy touring Scandinavia.
MM: You were contracted to EMI for a while, and released quite a few CD's. How do you think the "Latest Version of the Truth" compares to your previous releases, and how did the collaboration with EMI finish?
MJ: The biggest difference is that EMI had to have a say in everything about our records. Choice of tracks, track order, sleeve design and so on.
After we released "Powerhouse" in 2005 our contract was fulfilled, and we were asked to sign a new one, but all the people who liked us there had either quit or been let go, so we decided to go our own way.
MM: Talking about the new record, it was released via the very impressive Regain Records. How did this deal come about and how have they been so far towards the new album and the band?
MJ: After we left EMI we made the EP "Parasite!" 2006 by ourselves, and used it as a demo to look for a suitable label. It turned out Regain had been on the lookout for us for a while, so it was a natural choice. They had the distribution net we wanted, and we were given total freedom artistically in every way about the new album.
MM: From the reviews that I have seen, "The Latest Version of the Truth" has been received very positively. Have you seen many of the reviews?
MJ: I've seen some of them at least, and it seems the ratings are higher outside of than in Sweden, so we couldn't be happier.
MM: What impact does it have when you read reviews of your work? Do you take both good and the bad reviews lightly, or do you take it to heart when you see negatives being written?
MJ: Music is a matter of taste, so we try to stay untouched by any review. Just try to remember what you think of your work yourself. But naturally you're always happier with a good review because it might encourage more people to listen to the music.
MM: For those who have yet to head Mustasch, what can they expect?
MJ: Expect the essence of the ‘70s hard rock scene but with a modern metal sound. Some of our fans say that you could tag us as the definition of hard rock.
MM: What would you say are your main influences?
MJ: Our common influences in the band are Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, but basically you take in everything good that comes your way.
"You covet what you see every day." – Hannibal Lecter
MM: "LVOTT" scored very well here, and even got May's Album of the Month. The album also has done very well in the album charts. Are you surprised at all at just how well the album has done?
MJ: IMHO, this is the best album we've done so far, so I can see why the ratings and reviews are better than before, but I am surprised of how well it has done in the sales charts. It's good to know that people still want to have the whole package, with the cover and booklet and such, and not just the songs.
MM: The first single from the album is "Double Nature" what were the main reasons for choosing this one?
MJ: When we recorded the drums of "Double Nature", Hannes and I instantly felt that this is the one, even though none of us had heard the lyrics. Your first instinct is always true!
MM: Do you have any personal favourite songs on the album?
MJ: That would have to be "The End". The drum beat was the only thing we had ready when we started recording. Everything else was written and recorded separately and on the fly.
MM: You're just about to start a few dates playing around Sweden; can we expect any more dates around Europe? How about any Festival appearances this year?
MJ: We're gonna finish of Sweden first and have a few festivals left to do here, but I think later this fall/winter we'll be touring Europe, and hopefully we'll visit the UK as well.
MM: What's your opinion on the current state of Metal at the moment? What stuff are you listening to?
MJ: The metal scene must be the fastest growing music style ever, and it probably has been from the start. And the internet is only helping to spread the music. Sure, downloading music is illegal, but in the end it's better for the artists. Less albums sold, yes, but more concert tickets are sold instead.
The stuff I have in my iPod right now is Clutch, Fu Manchu, TOOL and QOTSA, but my newest addition is Mastodon, which I discovered only a month ago. Great band!
MM: Thanks for answering a few of our questions. Any last words for our readers?
MJ: Download the album, and if you like it, buy it! Heavy Metal In The Night!
MM: Have you ever played the UK before and are there any plans to play it now with the release of "Latest Version of the Truth"?
MM: For those who have yet to head Mustasch, what can they expect?
MM: What's your opinion on the current state of Metal at the moment? What stuff are you listening to?
