A few days ago we had a chat with Davide Straccione from Zippo regarding the Italian stoner scene, the community, their latest album and some good news for Hungarian fans.
- For our first question: from where do you guys know each other?
Well, I entered the band in 2004 when the first nucleus of the band was already up. I knew the drummer, Ferico since we were at the same high school. His brother, Sergente was also in the band, and the other guys (Silvio and Stonino) were all school mates. That’s how it started.
- Who were the founding members?
Except me and the drummer they all were founding members, but let’s say that the real Zippo nucleus as we got to know them now, started with me. I mean, we became what we are at that time, playing that music and so on.
- Were you that influental?
Yes, they were looking for a singer and they found in me what they were looking for anyway. They had already had the whole project in mind; playing stoner rock was their choice. And I agreed.
- As a musician how did you get into stoner?
I was 18 years old when I started with Zippo, and I got into the stoner universe thanks to them. But I was already into metal and doom. I remember I first saw Kyuss’ “Green Machine” video 9 years ago, I liked it, but I was not aware that was stoner… not at that time! So, I really started discovering stoner rock music in 2004.
- What does stoner mean to you?
Personally, for example I don’t make any use of drugs, so you won’t hear from me any stereotyped answers about this question. It’s a label given by journalists, nothing more. Of course, after Kyuss the term “stoner” became something with its own shape and we can say that there’s a stoner scene worldwide. Personally we like to have no boundaries. Our new album is not so standard as well.
- So then what is stoner to you if not all those the above mentioned?
It’s just a term to identify a type of sound.
- In your myspace introduction you mentioned that you expressed anger with your music. From where does this anger come from and why do you feel angry?
Anger is just a way to express frustrations and difficulties you may find on your way. We grew up in a city which has never offered too much for people like us, we don’t have support from various institutions; playing music is seen like a stupid hobby. We don’t feel that way. And then, playing loud is the best way to let the anger flow.
- Can you say a few more words about your home town?
Our home town is called Pescara, it’s located on the Adriatic sea and it’s the biggest town of the region Abruzzo – you probably have heard of it because of the recent earthquake. In the last few years we’ve seen a cool musical growth, many clubs, lot of touring bands stopping here, and so on.
- What could you tell us about the Italian stoner scene? Bands, clubs, fans?
First, let me say a few words about the bands. Italy had a first stoner wave in the late nineties, but we were not yet part of it ehehehe… Bands like Ufomammut, Vortice Cremisi, belong to that wave. Ufomammut have become a huge reality as you probably know. When we started back in 2004 we felt like a new wave was coming, and many bands started to play this kind of music, or related ones ranging from heavy psychedelic to doom. Beside us we like to mention bands like Doomraiser, Stoner Kebab, El Thule, Midryasi, Godwatt Redemption, Sesta Marconi and many many others. We have cool festivals, especially the Stoned Hand of Doom in Rome, and many other ones like Tube Cult, Sweet Leaf, Headstoned, Vibes From The Hill, Leviatani e Zanzare, and so on.
- So that means you have an audience in Italy?
Well, there is an audience but it’s the audience of what it’s deeply underground. Few but proud of it!
- What size would you estimate the audience? In Hungary, there are no more than a few hundred people.
I really can’t say that. But these festivals above mentioned seem to be quite successful. It’s always very far from the mainstream anyway… Next week we’re playing at a festival in Milan called Mi Odi Festival.
- Do you have clubs or pubs that you frequently visit?
The ones in my town, for sure!
- That’s an interesting question for us, because we don’t have any place that plays the kind of music we like and offers the opportunity for bands to play.
We’re not in the Netherlands, bro. Luckily we have clubs for this kind of music, from rock to metal, but I’m sure you have them, too.
- Can you make a living out of playing music? Do you plan to?
We would like to earn enough with music, but being in a band and making easy money don’t really combine… We all have our studies, jobs and whatever but music is our only passion. The best part of my days.
- How often and where do you have rehearsals?
At the moment we are without rehearsal room, we’re looking for a new place to practise and for now we’re rehearsing once a week in a room at payment. We would like to rehearse and jam more, so we’ll start doing it again as soon as we find a new room for it. But the work is mostly outside the room – I mean, organising tours, and taking care of other stuff concerning the band.
- Before we talk about The Road To Knowledge, we would like to ask whether you are working on new songs already?
The guys have a few riffs in mind, nothing more for now.
- Any inspiration, like “The Teachings of Don Juan” behind The Road To Knowledge?
Not yet. But we would like to take inspiration from something like that, not necessarily similar.
- Then let’s move on to the current album. What can you tell us about the book that inspired it?
The idea of making a concept album based on that book came from Silvio, our previous guitarist, who left the band soon after the recording. In the book you can read about difficulties and roads to follow. From a conceptual point of view, we felt that the story of the book really reflected our way of playing. But it’s hard to detail; I’m not able to describe something which you can judge with your ears and your heart.
- Are you satisfied with the success of the album? How many records did you sell?
We had a great success from the press, and everyone recognized our musical growth. About the selling, we still don’t have any clue; the cd is officially out since February. But frankly, I don’t care about statistics. The only way of selling cds now is playing live often; all the rest counts to a lesser degree. Subsound Records is doing a great job anyway, and we’re thankful.
How can Hungarian fans get their hands on the album?
I think the easiest way is to buy it through our label Subsound Records. On their web shop: http://subsoundrecords.bigcartel.com/product/zippo-the-road-to-knowledge Unfortunately we don’t have a real distribution in your country.
- What would be your greatest dream as a musician?
Playing at the Roadburn Festival, this is the first step…
- Before which band?
Mmm, Cathedral maybe… But any position would be cool. Also taking part of the Sziget Festival would be such a great thing.
- By the way, do you have any plans for visiting us in the future?
Sure! Autumn for sure. It’s only a plan at the moment, but I should start working on it quite soon.
- Do you keep any contact with Hungarian bands?
Yes, especially with David (HAW, ex-Stereochrist) and David from VL45), and also with many other people.
- For our last, unavoidable question: Any message for the Hungarian fans?
You are among the best people I’ve ever met so far. Hope to see you soon!
~~~
Here’s a compilation of the tour with many takes from Szeged and Budapest as well:
Zippo @myspace, Zippo blog
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