When I was a kid,
growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel,
the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a
moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It
changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since
then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary
to your ears.
What have been your
musical epiphany moments?
Aybike: In my childhood i was listening my parents records
such as Elvis Prestley, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra. My sister loves to listen
Nirvana so i was also affected with 90's rock. In 2003 i was 13 years old, unfortunately
everything i found great in music was ended in that time. I got some places
that record cassettes for me. I listened some turkish rock too. I was listening
Tolga's band Rashit on school service. In time i went back and listened too
many old things. I selected music from soundtracks that i love and try to find
their albums. When i was teenage, i understood that i don't like todays music
and internet spread in that time so i reach everything i want to listen. I was
more into artists life styles, i don't like artists have no life stories too
much. When i was teenage first thing i found was Joan Jett, and i was 17
listened Velvet Underground and things are changed...
Tolga: I was born in 1977, and my brother was a huge Rock
fan, he had a great record collection when i was a child. First bands i loved
Beatles, Rolling Stones, Monkees, Animals... When i get a bit older and began
to spent my money on music, I bought The Clash's "Combat rock" album sure the main reason
is the "should i stay or should i go" song. And than i get into more punk music with Sex
Pistols's "Nevermind the bollocks..." and Ramones was an anthem for
my early youth. It goes to Dead kennedys after that i guess, ı formed my punk
band "Rashit" at 1993 summer. I play 20 years in that band. I am a
fan of bands like The Cramps, Suicide, Vipers, Television and Chrome...
Talk to us about the
underground scene in Turkey?
Aybike: Maybe our number are less than past but we still
create cool things. We helped the record company to compile the tracks in Istanbul
Street Trash Compilation so these are my favorite bands from Istanbul.
Tolga: In the 90s there's a huge underground scene in Istanbul and too many diy
concerts were going on. Now there're millions of bands, but not enough live
acts anymore.
Is there a big rock
audience in Istanbul? Enough places to play? Enough record stores?
Aybike: Enough is never enough. Center of underground music
was Taksim in Istanbul.
But now the people there is changed, there's a hard pressure on us in the
streets, They know that we're not people from their culture so they treat us
with their starry eyes and some of them attacks with words. And our government
provoke them against us. So many places that we love is closing nowadays but
its not just for Turkey,
everywhere in the world is like that now.
Tolga: Not enough audience just band members and artists. It
seems like we support each others so morely there's an artistic jealousy and
ego around us. but i think there're too many record shops for a country where
no record factory exists.
We're all a product
of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in
the music?
Aybike: I was raised in Adana
city (Southern Turkey) where Kebab comes :) Adana is a city which has
palm trees and sunny weather most of the year. I makes me more warm-blooded. Adana has always a good
Turkish rock scene. But thats not enough for me so time is so slow there. When
i was 18 i moved up to ıstanbul
where is so chaotic, fast and fun. It gives me more passion.
Tolga: I was raised in Istanbul.
Always enjoy its feeling, it gave me energy to make my music. Now we're living
sad times, always changing in a bad way. Old buildings are demolished to make
new ones. ıstanbul
is under an attack of money greedies. So we're loosing our memories, past and
connection with city culture. Anyway things are changing and nobody is
listening. I think it makes our music fast, noisy and angry.
Where'd the band name
come from?
Aybike: From the B-movie The Reptile. Sometimes we are
getting messages from people asking that we are alien or not. One of them told
us he's a hybrid.
Tolga: We're a married couple who loves old horror movies,
lofi music and a bit of conspiracy theories.
You have one chance,
what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Aybike: John Waters' Cry Baby
Tolga: I am always a fan of Davie Allan & The Arrows. He did really
great soundtracks for teensploitation and biker-a-go-go B-movies with his bands
in early 60's. I wish to make a soundtrack for a Roger corman movie.
Who has influenced
you the most? ?
Aybike: Bad characters are in the movies, strong woman characters
both imaginary and real.I influenced by them both musically and lifestyle ; Debbie
Harry, Nina Hagen, Iggy Pop, Nico, Lou Reed, Kim Gordon, David Bowie,Billy
Idol,Johnny Thunders, Joan Jett, chris Stein, Siouxsie Sioux...
Tolga: In fact too many things, books, movies, rock stars...
Come on, share with
us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
Aybike: We have married in a strip club in Adana and it was like traditional Turkish
wedding all family members and friends were so drunk and they were making pole
dancing in the club.
Tolga: When we are trying to reach one of our concerts which
we are a bit late due to traffic jam. We had to run out from taxi in a demonstration
that police spraying tear gas and we played when we are crying on the stage.
Tell us about playing
live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Aybike: I'm feeling alive when i'm on stage. It's so good
that you see people are lovin your what you make.
Tolga: Its always a pleasure for me, makes me high. I loved
to give the drive on my guitar and watch their reactions. This's one of the
things that i'm doing that...
What makes a great
song?
Aybike: its not important a song which played as hard or
good recorded. its more important what it makes you feel
Tolga: For me a good guitar riff and well written lyrics
What piece of your
music are particularly proud of?
Aybike: We're so free and i love that we are doing
everything in our music freely and by ourselves
Tolga: Everything is DIY in our music. Even we produce our
recordings. ı'm proud of i can record our own stuff. It makes us fast and free!
Who today, writes
great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
Aybike: Tim Presley is doing great things that i loved.
Specially his "Clue" song is great so it smells a bit foxy.
Tolga: Thee ooh sees is just great.
Vinyl, CD, or
digital? What's your format of choice?
Aybike: Of course the vinyl has a better sound but i love
spotify in digital too.
Tolga: No matter for me, A good music can be listened on
every mediums.
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice
Aybike: Gin tonic :)
Tolga: Definitely Gin tonic is our favorite drink!
We, at the Ripple
Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when
we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
Aybike: We're buying records in secondhand shops mostly.
Zihni Music and Deform Music is definitely is the best in Istanbul.
Tolga: Vinyl records are getting hip nowadays and there're
too many new record shops are opening, but i love to go old ones and mostly for
friendship and a good chitchat ??
What's next for the
band?
Aybike. For now We have new band members. Mert Akgul (synth)
and Orkun Bagatur (drums) so we're rehearsing old ones and we want to record
some new ones to
release on this autumn. And we're planning an European tour.
Tolga: We've just released our new 7" Ep Doomsday from
Prof Sny Records (czech) there'll be some concerts and festivals in April and
June.
Any final comments or
thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Aybike: Today people lost their interests on everything, i
am so happy that you read this interview, hope none of you don't stop following
your passions. Stay free!
Tolga: Support DIY bands! thanks
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