Edition #12
Rio de Janeiro, 2009
TAGS: bands, interviews, music, rock, underground, videos
“DKANDLE weaves swirling multi-colored vibrant unearthly soundscapes, blending fuzzy and reverberating Shoegaze textures, mesmerizing Dream Pop meditations, sludgy Grungey tones and moody Post-punk strains, heightened with soul-stirring lyricism and pensive emotive vocalizations”
INTERVIEW WITH
MARIO BROSS
Wry is a band from Sorocaba, Brazil, that was formed in 1993 by four guys who dreamed of moving to London and playing there. They achieved this dream and lived over there for many years. When I was there in 2004, I had the opportunity to see one of their shows, and I must confess that they gave me goosebumps! The show was incredibly energetic, with many quality songs. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mario Bross, the band's vocalist and guitarist, while the band was living in London. Check out the interview below!
TRANZINE: How did you guys end up in London?
Mario: It was a dream from when we didn't even know how to play... We always wanted to rent a ship, cross the ocean on a cruise, and land in London. It worked out, and here we are, fighting for our place. We didn't know how it would be, only that it would be difficult. But it's difficult everywhere, and things are going super well, as if an angel came and touched us when we're on stage... it's magical!
TRANZINE: What does Wry mean?
Mario: It means love, madness, friendship, and rock'n'roll... from an ironic, strange, and distorted point of view. Wry was the name of one of our first songs from 1996.
TRANZINE: What is it like being based in the country of origin of so many important rock bands, like the Beatles?
Mario: It's indescribable. It's funny to be in Hyde Park one afternoon, ordering an ice cream from a stand, and then looking to your side and seeing Paul McCartney ordering the same flavor. Or sitting at a table at a Libertines show and seeing Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols sitting at the same table. It's fabulous, really, to meet Ian Brown from the Stone Roses and hear him say "Wry." Of course, he probably doesn't remember, but he said it. It's amazing living here; it's rock'n'roll all the time. Day after day, hour after hour... Our TV is on Rocko 24 hours a day!
TRANZINE: Speaking of the Beatles, British indie music is still heavily influenced by them. What do the Beatles mean to you?
Mario: I think we have a lot in the bass lines. We love that "Rain" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" vibe, with reversed frequencies, like inverted sounds... I don't know, but some people have seen a bit of the Beatles in our music... But not too much.
TRANZINE: What concert in England was memorable for you? Why was it a significant concert?
Mario: The last concerts we did at the Metro Club were memorable. The first was for Dead Or Alive, which was packed, and the crowd was fired up, waiting for us, and we're far from Sorocaba. The second was for Fierce Panda, where the label owner said he liked us, thought we were cool, and wants to see us again... It was the first kiss of a romance.
TRANZINE: What are the best venues to play in London?
Mario: For a band of our level, the best places are Sonic Mook at On The Rocks, Club Fandango at Dublin Castle, ArtRocker at Buffalo Bar, Goo Goo Club also at Buffalo Bar, Bull and Gate, and a few others.
TRANZINE: Do you usually go to Brazil? How often?
Mario: We’ve been here in London for less than two years and we’ve already gone to Brazil for 15 shows last August. There are several invitations to go back this year, but we’re still considering it because our schedule here is full until the beginning of August.
TRANZINE: The competition in England must be very tough... What do you have to say about that?
Mario: I think it's harder in Brazil, without a doubt. In Brazil, rock is seen as something for slackers, whereas here rock is something endorsed by Blair (the Prime Minister). Rock is everywhere; ROCK IS AN INDUSTRY. Look at the size of Brazil and the number of rock bands we have. In Brazil, you don’t hear about "scouts" or talent hunters. I’ve lived in the rock scene in Brazil for years, so I know what I’m talking about. Thank God we have Los Hermanos who are great, otherwise, it would be worse! I’m not talking about the underground scene where Brazil has MANY good bands, but rather the mainstream.
TRANZINE: Do English audiences accept Brazilian bands that sing in English?
Mario: THERE IS NO PREJUDICE. This is a first-world country. London is the musical hub of the world. No one ever asked why I sing in English because they can’t imagine rock in Portuguese.
TRANZINE: Is it easier for a Brazilian band that sings in English to have more chances of success in England than in Brazil?
Mario: WITHOUT A DOUBT. In Brazil, there is no chance at all. The chances we had and the success we have in Brazil were TOTALLY underground.
TRANZINE: What cool English bands, still unknown in Brazil, would you recommend?
Mario: The Rakes are very good, kind of like Joy Division/Television. Razorlight from London is also great. The Rocks, good garage rock but with updated melodies, not old-school garage. Taxi from the Charlatans/Coopers crowd, and The Cribs from Leeds.
TRANZINE: What do you think of Blair?
Mario: A rocker trying to make history to become unforgettable. Pretending to be part of the workers' party, which has nothing to do PT, the Worker's Party of Brazil. I like him.
CHECK OUT BELOW THE REMIX I MADE
FOR THE SONG 'COME AND FALL' BY WRY
WITH MY ELECTRONIC PROJECT ALIENCORE:
What is Wry's best song?
Leave a comment
below
previous page: GLOBO NETWORK PROTECTED BUSH (EDITION #11)
next page: QUICK Q&A WITH DJ GREAT GUY
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION
Denis Kandle interviews the band in London
SNOOZE
Interview with Fabinho, vocals and guitar from the band
DKANDLE
Check out Denis Kandle's interview for the IMD website
