What have been your musical epiphany moments?
Yuriy Berezovik:
I've had too many musical epiphany moments. I've noticed that these moments were all caused by very different genres. I once attended a classical orchestra concert in Toronto where Denis Matsuev (one of the most prominent classical pianists in the World) performed Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3. I was speechless for a couple of days after. That music had so much depth, power, pain and beauty – that's what I always look for in music – the more emotions portrayed, the more I love the artist. Another epiphany was «The Song Remains the Same» movie. I was a teenager, then I understood what it means to be a band. These 4 geniuses and the way they interacted musically was a real trip and an eye-opening experience.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
My very first musical epiphany or even a shock was around 1988 when my uncle took me to the cinema to watch a music-movie “Queen – Magic in Budapest”. The next time it was when I was 16 when I discovered alternative heavy music like Nirvana, Metallica and Slayer. Especially Nirvana. I think that was some kind of impulse for me to start drumming loud and learn how to sing.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
It was when my accordion teacher showed me how to play “Under the Sky of Paris”. Then I felt how music could come alive, breathe and have some sort of live energy.
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Yuriy Berezovik:
Now I think that first comes the riff. Its either one of us who usually brings the main idea to the rehearsal. It can be a guitar or bass riff, a vocal melody or even a drum groove. And then we grow the meet around this idea. Lyrics always come last. That's how it worked with «Fat Hits». Before that almost all the music was coming from jams. It is a fantastic approach too, but we decided to stick to this new method – we do our homework, then we build everything on top of that.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
A powerful, catchy riff supported by a fat groovy rhythm section is a great formula that suits our band.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I believe that we sort of let the surrounding environment flow through our own personal emotional prisms. And then we just give it a physical body made from sounds. After that we pack it all into an understandable and pleasant form with a riff, verse and chorus.
Who has influenced you the most?
Yuriy Berezovik:
Since I was a child I loved classical music. Attending a church with live organ music was always a gift.I am not religious, but organ music in a church sounds massive and touching. Then I discovered Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, Cream, Kyuss, Queens of the Stoneage – these bands influence all three of us I think. As a guitarist I love Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dimebag, John Sykes… the list is pretty standard for any guitar fan.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
I think as a band we were mainly influenced by bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy and Jimi Hendrix Exp.
As for my personal influences I would name Queen, The Beatles, Deep Purple, Faith No More and Melvins.
My favourite drummers are Mike Bordin, John Bonham, Keith Moon and Dave Grohl. And my vocal coaches are The Beatles, Freddy Mercury, Mike Patton and Roger Daltrey.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I think Led Zeppelin is the reference rock band and our major influencer (no matter how weird this may sound).
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
Yuriy Berezovik:
I think life is an inspiration by itself. People we meet, people we love or hate, happy moments, tragedies. Life is all about emotions and energy both good and band. To me music is just a way of reflecting what I feel. Other bands and musicians influence me in choice of format, genre, sound or image, but the main ideas are inspired by emotions I feel in everyday life. My main motivation is sharing our music with people. And being on Ripple Music is a fantastic opportunity to share our music with people all around the World.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
I am inspired by my bandmates.
I often come up with new ideas in the bathroom or in the subway.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I am inspired by the rest of the band and hope that I charge them with energy not less than they charge me.
Yuriy Berezovik:
We all live in Moscow – the capital and the largest city of Russia. It is a huge city with over 15 million people living here. It is very different from what many people think of it. Winters are cold, but we have no bears walking around, not everybody drinks vodka here, though we love it. Moscow is a lot like New York or London or Paris – a lot of people, a lot of money, entertainment, vanity, beautiful and ugly architecture. So there are plenty of feelings that you experience throughout the day which is a very fertile soil for art.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
We live in a huge megapolis. Crazy rhythm of life. Endless source of energy, however the environment does not affect me musically.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I think that music itself is escapism in some way, but I am sure that our environment somehow affects our melodies, but I am not sure how exactly that works.
Where'd the band name come from?
Starified:
It is a pun. We took two words: «star» and «crucified» and came up with «STARIFIED». There is nothing about our religious motives here. It just sounds cool to us, and the symbol looks nice too.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Yuriy Berezovik:
That would be a movie about some mysterious, ancient times, middle age, Europe… Something like Jean-Jacques Annaud's «The Name of the Rose».
Vadim Ambartsumian:
I like horror movies and thrillers. I would with great pleasure record whole lotta insane, spooky, blood freezing sounds.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
That would be a movie abour some cool cop companions.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
Yuriy Berezovik:
Saraton. I love this song from our album. Vadim once told me that there's a period of time in Samarkand (city in Uzbekistan where our drummer spent his childhood) which is called «saraton» it means «40 days». During this time in July – August daily temperatures rise above 40°C(above 104 °F) during this time life stops there. I was fascinated about it, and we wrote this song.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
This would be «Squeeze Me Macaroni» - a song by Mr. Bungle. There's that wild recitative and insane changes of tempo and mood. Wow! Music for doped freaks. In my humble opinion music should contain some sort of craziness along with beautiful notes and other things. I should say that most of the time it is hard for me to describe music with words, especially the one I perform myself. Because music is not mathematics, music is about emotions and cosmos. No matter how pretentious it may sound.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I would write an essay on any of our songs. I know all their dark hidden corners and little secrets.
Yuriy Berezovik:
There was a cool story in Hamburg. We played a show there and we had to rent the club. We thought there would be enough tickets sold to cover our expenses and to get some profit. But the show promoter forgot (YES, HE FORGOT) to charge money for entry tickets from people who started coming in. So by the end of the show I was arguing with this promoter and some German guy came to us asking what the problem was. I told him everything and he said «Come with my girlfriend». So I left the club with this guy's girlfriend thinking she was gonna kill me for arguing with that promoter, but she took me to an ATM, withdrew some cash from it and gave it to me saying that they loved the show and want to pay for the rent. We were happy and we are good friends with this guy now.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
5 minutes before our set I lost my cymbals. I was running around the venue. The show was cool, a big crowd came and I just lost the damn cymbals. I remember Yuriy's eyes. He didn't even say anything. That was a disaster. I was about to play the show without the cymbals, but all that time they were right on the drum podium waiting for me exactly where I put them. I guess I have a memory of a golden fish, or I had too much cognac that day. Since we had no time I was adding one cymbal after each song and half way through the show my set was complete.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I should say that I play bass quite aggressively with my fingers. During one of the shows I felt that some nails are digging into my picking hand. Strange feeling. After a close up examination of the object of damage it turned out that I broke the plastic pickup cover. It was during the first song in the first city of our first European tour. I think it was in Estonian Tartu. Our soundguy just fixed the broken pickup with three stripes of pink duct tape. I fell in love with the new look of my bass and I thought I would keep these pink stripes after changing the pickup. I still haven't but I will.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Yuriy Berezovik:
Stage is my favourite place on Earth. After the show I usually can't move for two days. Lots of dancing, jumping and headbanging. Sometimes we see people slam on our shows. That's really surprising. Our music is not quite right for slams. That's what I've always been thinking.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
Playing in front of people, seeing their joy and feeling this closeness is just fantastic.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
I feel that I am absolutely in my place when I'm on stage. Very rare feeling in all other circumstances.
What makes a great song?
Yuriy Berezovik:
If only I knew the recipe…
I think there is no right or wrong answer here. To me a great song is a song that makes me FEEL. It can be any feeling, but there has to be one. If I listen to the song and pay attention to obvious influences, fuzz sound, solo technicality and vocal range of the singer this song is not great for me. Of course all these factors are very important but I prefer to hear them after I feel the emotion.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
It is the feeling this song is performed with, groove and a good riff of course.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
Real emotions and live groove which have been put through hard work in terms of production.
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
Yuriy Berezovik:
I was 14. The song was called «Toothbrush» I hope I will never hear it again.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
It was the song I composed for God Tempts Hero – a band I played in with Yuriy long time ago. It was called «Where is now?». That was some kind of a ballad.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
It was a weird song in Russian on acoustic guitar. I wouldn't suggest listening to it, but my friends liked it.
Yuriy Berezovik:
I am really proud of my solo in «An Ode to Tenacious D». I think it was the first solo that I actually composed note by note instead of jamming 300 takes and then choosing the right one.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
Anti Rebel
Dmitry Shurpakov:
The best thing that I’ve ever done as a musician is our “Fat Hits” album. For me it is a solid work.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
Yuriy Berezovik:
Tough question. I am now thinking that most of my heroes are no longer with us. I really like Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, Clutch, High on Fire and Iggy Pop. Dave Grohl and Josh Homme for me are really great in whatever style they compose in. I think a really great artist does not depend on a genre. Imagine Da Vinci saying «I only use green paint in my work» or Shakespeare writing only about love… Genres, sound, effects, lyrics are nothing but instruments. And I don't think that instruments define an artist.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
Musicians like Ty Segall. He is the singing drummer in a band called Fuzz and also a great songwriter and guitarist in Ty Segall Band. I love these two bands.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard! Complete delight!
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Yuriy Berezovik:
I gotta admit that most of the time I listen to music digitally, but I have a decent collection of vinyl. I would love to have more space in my house to build my little altar with vinyls and a high-end turn table. I am in the process though.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
CD's and vinyls are for home. Vinyl is always a pleasure to listen to.
And when I'm on the road it's mp3 obviously.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
Now its digital. But I hope I will come to vinyl one day.
Whiskey or Beer? And defend your choice
Yuriy Berezovik:
Beer is the best. Belgian beer is even better. Well, being from Russia there should be one more choice here but if I were to select beer or whiskey, I would go with beer. I'm in a rock band and I'm only 30. Of course its beer. Whiskey becomes a rock-n-roll drink when you are 60+ and make 60+ million sales a year.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
I prefer cognac or brandy. Whiskey and cola as a last resort. Or vodka.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
Beer! There's a huge diversity of tastes and types. Not too strong which makes you independent from the time of the day and increases the party duration. Not to mention that there are so many vitamins in beer.
Yuriy Berezovik:
Its strange but I think there were more vinyl stores in Moscow 10 years ago when there was no such a huge boom in global vinyl sales as there is now. However, vinyls are becoming more and more popular in Moscow too. A great place would be DIG and Vinyl Market.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
There is a nice record store called Sound Barrier in Moscow, I think they have everything that has ever been recorded throughout the history of music. Henry Rollins himself visited this store once.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
Oh, there's not much I can say here. Yuriy and Vadim are more competent in this question.
What's next for the band?
Yuriy Berezovik:
More music, more videos, more shows (we hope the shows will come back). We are already working on a new album.
Vadim Ambartsumian:
The plan is to never ever stop.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
We will continue climbing up. Don't wanna stop at where we are now.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Yuriy Berezovik:
This ocean of music is so huge. There are bigger fishes and smaller ones, but they all matter. If you read this interview it means that we matter too. It means that we also caused a little ripple, the more people listen to music, support labels and bands the more likely ripples will become giant waves. And don't we all enjoy riding these huge music waves?
Vadim Ambartsumian:
Be happy with what you have but don't forget to move futher.
Dmitry Shurpakov:
If you have reached this far in the interview I wanna make friends with you.
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