Rockezine.com interview with Transport League on Dec 30, 2003

with Tony JJ & Stitch on Dec 30, 2003

Swedish band Transport League has made one of the absolute best albums of the year with `Multiple Organ Harvest`. Frontman Tony JJ had led his band to new heights. That information makes for a good reason to interview them.
		What are the lyrics on the new album about? My lyrics are a about personal crisis and a bad childhood, separation and reflections of the world.
		Something like “Forever to burn by the hands of delight”, what do you mean by that? Like something that you thought would be safe and turns out to be the opposite.
		How did the writing process of this album go? The writing process was strange, coz five of the songs were recorded in April 2002, and the rest in April 2003. So the songs were written in a period over three years, weird!
		Was it difficult to find new musicians to fit the band? Both yes and no, but now I’m happy and I have a pretty safe crew! I hope we’ll stay in one piece for a long time, but you never know! :0) If not, I’m strong and I know what I want, and that is most important!
		Do they have a big part in how the sound has come out? Both yes and no, some parts here and there have been coloured by the members. Both yes and no, some parts here and there have been coloured by the members.
		I read that the infamous Aardschok magazine gave your album 91/100, have all the reactions been so positive? Yes, mainly. I’m very happy about that.:0)
		How did the first couple of shows go with the new line-up? Very well, I was really surprised, these new guys know how to rock!
		How do you come up with lyrics, does something bad have to happen, or does it just come to you at certain moments? No, some ideas just pops up in my head, then I write it down on a piece of paper, or record a line on my dictaphone. It’s mainly personal issues and memories that pop up or reflections of the world as a whole!
		From this point, guitarist Stitch also answers questions. How did it all start for you, making music, playing in a band, that kind of stuff? Tony JJ: I started really late, in 1988 actually, playing bass in a band, then I started singing coz we did not find a singer for our band, so I took care of the mic. One of my first bands were called: Concrete Stuff and then later that band became B-Thong. Stitch: I started as a death metal guitarist. Then as a bass player in several punk bands, and now back to metal again. It feels great.
		What are your biggest influences? Favorite bands, stuff like that. Tony JJ: My influences are Prong, Danzig, Judas Priest, White Zombie, etc. Stitch: Everything worth listening to, from The Beatles to extreme death metal.
		What’s your favorite TV-show? Swedish or global. Tony JJ: X-Files, Plektrum at Z-TV Stitch: Plektrum on Z-TV, Norrsken on Swedish Channel 1, but that show doesn’t exist anymore.
		What do you think is the best movie ever made, and why? Tony JJ: Scarface. It has everything; great acting and a great ending! Stitch: I would have to agree with Tony.
		Do you have time for any hobbies besides the music? Tony JJ: Nothing…maybe gambling! :0) Stitch: … and fucking. :)
		Is there a tour starting anytime soon? Our tour starts on the 29th of January
		Are you happy, jolly people, or are you generally quite negative? Tony JJ: Me!?? Pretty Black and White! Stitch: As positive as I can be.
		Have you ever been in a depression? Tony JJ: Yes, when my wife left me in August this year, I was pretty down, wrote some really low lyrics during those two weeks. Stitch: No, not in medical terms, but of course I’m down now and then, Isn’t everybody?
		Do you think you could do anything else for a living than play music? Tony JJ: Be a manager for a band or something like that. Stitch: As long as it has something to do with music and musicians.
		How integral a part is music to you? Tony JJ: I AM MUSIC! Stitch: Can’t live without it.
		Do you think you will always make music? I mean, metal at the age of 68? Tony JJ: Well, let’s see, I will always be working with music in some way, that is for sure! Stitch: Me too...
		THE END
(Frank M. Horsthuis)