Today on my regular feature of 20 Questions interviews, I bring you another startingly brilliant band, none other than Lurk. The Finnish sludge/doomsters who released their brilliant s/t debut record at the beginning of the year are currently in the process of putting together their 2nd record and have welcomed the addition of Eetu on bass.
2013 looks like it will be another great year for the band, however without getting too far ahead ourselves, I managed to hook up with the band and this is what they had to say, when I fired my 20 Questions at them. I spoke with Kimmo, Kalle and Arttu. So Enjoy!
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| S/T Debut record 2012 |
Q). Päivää (not sure
this is correct), How are you? I
appreciate you taking the time to talk to talk to us, here at the Sludgelord. Where
are you at the moment and what are you doing in terms of the band, following
the release of your Self titled record in January?
- We're
putting together our second album and playing gigs. We have musical ideas
aplenty and we're trying them out, pushing the boundaries of Lurk. -Kalle
Q). I have to admit,
I have to thank Gad at Totalrust for sending me the promo of your record, which
is superb, otherwise I may not have heard you guys. For those readers who may not have heard of
you, could you tell us a little about the history of the band and some of the
bands you've played with? Where you’re from? When Lurk first formed? Current
band members?
- Lurk was born in
2008 and we started writing music as a trio. Later on we drafted in Reinikainen
to play bass on our debut, and also on our first gigs. Sadly, he was from the
west coast - Turku, to be exact – so it was a bit of an oil-and-water- type of
situation, as the rest of us are from the other side of Finland that is. Lurk
is now me, Arttu, Kimmo and our newest member Eetu. The main reason we chose
him was his uncanny ability not to be from the west coast. -Kalle
Q). Is Lurk a full
time project/work?
- We fully commit
ourselves to this band and our music, but we don't work office hours. You do
the math. -Kalle
Q) What made you
start the band? Did you all know each other before you formed the band?
- The
band was formed out of a need to play in band that's not just someone's pet
project - a democratic entity, a group of people working together for a common
musical and artistic goal. And yes, we had known each other for a few years
prior to formation of Lurk. I've known Eetu for as long as he's lived, as only
siblings do. -Kalle
Q) Since your
inception, which was in 2008, I think, what were your aspirations for the band,
did it take a bit of time to find your sound? As it appear to have taken 4
years to the record released?
- The sound was there
in the beginning, we just let it out. Accident of birth for the perverse and at
the same time so natural a thing. - Kimmo
- We've had the sound
every step of the way and we've just sought to enhance it. As for “our sound”,
I firmly believe we've just scratched the surface of what can be. It is what it
chooses to be, and what we let it be. -Kalle
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| Released thru Svart Records |
Q) Given that it is
seemingly harder and harder to be in an underground band, what with constant
touring, promotion, what motivates you as musicians?
- Well, the music in
itself. If there's another way, I'm not aware of it. I channel things through
Lurk, both the good and the bad (no middle of the road in here...) and that
should be audible. - Kimmo
- I
don't understand why anybody would form a band like Lurk to make money.
Nobody's that stupid. -Kalle
Q) Is it difficult to
juggle work and then make time for the band?
It must seem impossible at times?
Why do you do it?
- When
you want something, you do what you have to in order to achieve it. It is that
clear cut and simple. -Kalle
Q) If someone was
unfamiliar with your band, how would you describe your sound and do you feel it
has evolved, since you first formed the band?
- It's
harsh, loud and overwhelming. I think there's a doom-aspect that comes from the
slowed-down tempos, I like to think of it as the sound of inevitability.
Something like learning to enjoy your final moments. -Kalle
Q) Are you big fans
of rock/metal, if so what are you listening too at the moment?
- At the moment, much
the new and old death metal like Grave, Vomitory, Azarath and Cryptopsy. Also
crust and grind(Wolfbrigade, Sayyadina...). Of course, the new Marduk record, which
is their best in a long time? Some
Country/folk/rock/stoner/whatever
like Tarantella, Those Poor Bastards, Hank Williams III, Clutch...No borders. I
listen, others talk. - Kimmo
- My
soundtrack varies greatly but some long-time favorites are Nile, Deadboy and
the Elephantmen, Midnight, David Bowie, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Pentagram,
Darkthrone... Right now, as I am writing this I'm listening to Helen of Troy by
John Cale, an absolutely brilliant record. -Kalle
Q) Who would you say are your influences/heroes
both musically and artistically in terms of the band’s sound?
- This
may seem like a cheap evasion ('cos it is), but there are way too many to
mention. I'll drop you the name Bonham just to stay on a friendly basis!
Besides, it's not like I can ever emulate him, but I like his mentality and
approach to drumming. I want music to groove. -Kalle
Q) Why the name Lurk? It has creepy undertones, was that the
intention?
- For me, Lurk is an
outsider, an observer and a totally unchained, independent creature tearing
down hypocritical beliefs and acts of man, focusing on the core of everything.
There's no 'hu' in my 'mankind' and I don't want Lurk to have anything to do
with it. There's something very primordial in the music we create, it really
cuts through all the vanity. We just are. - Kimmo
Q) I’m assuming all
musician like to talk about gear, so with that in mind what gear do you use in terms
of guitars, amps and why? Also what tuning do you use?
- For the first blood
we used two different amps (Peavey, Eggnater) and cabinets (Peavey, Mesaboogie)
for guitar, and Ampeg for bass. The actual sound comes from the interaction of
the three elements: player, instrument, and LOUD amplification. These elements
contribute to a lot of the actual sound heard on the record. A lot is done with
pedals and different effects also. My all time favorite is “The Big Saw” (HM2).
Besides that there is some old and new mixed together like Tokai Metaldriver
and Eventide. At the moment the tuning we use is B. There's a never ending
pursuit going on for the right sounds and some of that can be heard on the new
album. - Arttu
Q) What is the scene
like in your hometown? What are your
thoughts? Where do you think Lurk fit
within that? Any bands we should be
keeping an eye out for?
- I don't know about
“the scene”. There are many metal bands and there are many styles. We have
friends in very different kinds of bands, I think there is a strong crossover
feel in Tampere and in Finland as a general right know. Lurk does its own thing
and that's all I care about. - Kimmo
- There seems to be
some activity, but I think it gravitates more towards stoner rock. Which we aren't, not in the least. I think
there are a few bands out there doing something similar, Horse Latitudes being
the first one that comes to mind. The similarities are maybe not that obvious
musically, but I know the guys (and girl) and I feel we have somewhat similar
attitude towards music and artistic values in general. Also, one Finnish band
that deserves praise is Fleshpress. Awesome live act. -Kalle
Q) I think I first read about you in metal
hammer magazine. With that in mind, what
are your views of blogs such as the Sludgelord reviewing your records, as
opposed to mainstream music magazines?
Has your music reached the mainstream mags, at home or around the world?
- Mainstream, that is
an odd word. If something is good and it is done for the right purposes, it's
enough for me (don't ask what the right purposes are...). That's why an
independent blog and a very popular magazine CAN be equally good. Of course if
people like us, it's not taking anything away from me. Or if someone hates us,
I could not care less. Just don't obtrude your opinions on me. -Kimmo
- If
someone wants to write about us - great! Be it a part of this mystical
mainstream or whatever, is irrelevant. What I'm interested in is someone's
actual reaction to our music. I don't validate our work that way or let it
intervene with songwriting, but sure – I get a kick out of a rave review. Who
wouldn't? Besides, forget the mainstream – we want the ocean! -Kalle
Q) How do you feel your band has generally been
received and does it surprise you when people buy your music and merch?
- I
don't think I'm being arrogant by saying that it doesn't surprise me, I think
what we're doing is great and that's reason enough to keep going. What still
surprises me is the total lack of negative comments – maybe with the next
album? Here's hoping. -Kalle
Q) Do you have any
interesting stories from your tours, favourite’s places you’ve toured and bands
you’ve toured with?
- It's
all a bit fuzzy... -Kalle
Q) The excellent
Totalrust label released Lurk, who have also supported some great bands,
including the recent release of ShEver.
Can you tell us a little about them and what it means to be signed to
label who have championed great metal bands?
- Totalrust helped us a lot. We had the opportunity to take our pick
from a group of interested labels, and we went with Totalrust because of their
enthusiasm. It's been good so far for us and hopefully for them too. And ShEver
is great! -Kalle
Q) Lurk is a
brilliant record, What are your thoughts about it, now that it has been
unleashed on the unsuspecting public for nearly a year now?
- It's an important
part of our history, a zeitgeist of Lurk at that time. But there's so much more
in this band right now. - Kimmo
- I'm glad we did it,
and with it set the bar for the next one pretty high. -Kalle
Q) Do have an agenda
when you begin writing material? Is it too early to be thinking of new
material, given that record has only been available a short time?
- No
agenda, if it feels good we do it. The bulk of the second album has been
already recorded and we still have songs we haven't really started with for future
endeavours. I think we have at no point stopped writing songs. Why should we?
-Kalle
Q) Viewing the record
as a whole package, including the artwork, what is actually the picture on the
front of your record?
- The picture is from
one of my travels. It is an ultimate beast that lurks in the deep waters of
Norway. If you want to get one of those I recommend a harpoon as the weapon of
choice... don't miss. -Arttu
Q). In terms of the
band, do you feel that 2012 has been a good year for the band and what are your
plans for the rest of the year and 2013.
Some of our readers are keen vinyl Junkies, any chance you’re releasing
your music on Wax, if you haven’t already done so?
- Our debut is out now also on vinyl, thanks to
Svart Records. Have to say it looks magnificent! Sounds pretty good too. We'll
be adding the finishing touches to our new album in the near future. Some live
shows are coming up, but we'll have to wait and see what the next year brings
us. -Kalle
Q) Thanks for
answering my questions, but one final question, you got anything you like to
say to your fans?
Get real jobs, both
of you! -Kalle
Thanks to Kalle, Kimmo and Arttu for answering my questions. Big thanks to Gad at Total Rust records for hooking us with the interview. Finally thanks to you guys for reading. Support the band by checking out the link below. You can buy the CD here and the Vinyl here. You can also read our recent review here
