Rockezine.com interview with Sustain on Nov 22, 2004

with Raymond Helebrand on Nov 22, 2004


		The debut album This Is Now will be released halfway December. Are you pleased with the way the band sounds on the cd? Oh yes!!! We’re very pleased with the sound of the cd. I think it’s, for about 99%, the sound we’ve had in mind. We’re looking forward to the release date of the album and to hear the reactions of the people.
		Is there a certain direction music wise that you guys are aiming for. In other words, could you give us some insight in the writing and / or recording process? We didn’t have a musical direction in mind. Of course it should be a rock album, but it wasn’t like we were trying to sound like all the eighties bands that people compare us with. We just took an acoustic guitar and started writing songs. That was the whole idea. The actual recording was done in 40 hours, including the final mix. But because of all the different time schedules of the guys we worked with, it took us 7 months to finish the record. Sometimes it was hard to get everyone in the studio at the same time, but it was worth all of it.
		Which of the ten tracks took most time writing or recording? That’s hard to say, because we wrote the songs in phases. At first we wrote the main idea and recorded that on my 4-track. Then, after a couple of weeks, we gave it a new listen. When the idea still kicked ass, we finished the song. So it wasn’t like writing the songs at once.
		I understand that some of the musicians we hear on the album won’t be playing with Sustain on stage. Why is that? And does this have any influence on the music? That’s also because of the busy schedules they have. Ivo and Ron, who played on the album, couldn’t guarantee us that they were fulltime available for our band. They have a lot of other things to do, like other bands and projects they’re involved in and of course their daytime jobs. That’s why we looked for other options. The guys, who play in the band now, are 100% dedicated to the band. The sound of the band however will stay the same!
		Sustain is taking every effort to promote the album on stage. Where can we see you play? At the time, there are two shows planned; December 4th in De Bosuil, Weert (NL) and December 10th in De Brandpoort, Landgraaf (NL). We also have planned some radio interviews with a small acoustic set, but that’s all at the time. There are some plans to do some gigs early next year to promote the album at the festivals and some gigs with our German friends from Perzonal War, but there is nothing confirmed at the time. One thing is absolutely true; we’ll play almost every show someone offers us. So spread the word!!!
		What are your expectations of the album? Hopefully we can create a small fan base with it. It’s all up to the people who hear our songs. It wouldn’t be realistic to think the album is our breakthrough, but it is our first statement and that’s something we’re already proud of.
		What is the biggest compliment you read about the album? That it has the feel of the eighties with the sound from now. We consider that as a big compliment and we hope that the listeners also have that feeling.
		What’s the biggest bullocks you’ve red about Sustain? I have no idea, maybe that’s a good question for next year.
		Why should our readers check This Is Now out? Because This Is Now is a good melodic album, made by a new band from The Netherlands. Referring to the reviews, it can’t be that bad. So check it out, you’ve got nothing to lose.
		On a more personal note: what is the most embarrassing album in your own private album collection. How did you get it? Hard to say, but I think it has to be the Kelly Family- I Can’t Help Myself. I bought it because I like the way the songs stay in your head.
		What is the best band in the Netherlands (why)? That has to be Golden Earring, simply because of the fact they’re still together and make good records after all those years. But there are a lot of good bands in The Netherlands, like Within Temptation, Mennen, Kane and After Forever etc. etc. They all have their own style and that’s a good thing. When the question would have been,”What was the best band in The Netherlands”, I’d have said Sleeze Beez. They really knew how a rock band had to sound. They we’re different from the other bands from The Netherlands, maybe a bit out of line, but they made great albums. I still hate the fact that they’ve split up.
		Is there anything else you would like to share? I hope your readers enjoyed the interview and got interested in our band and album. For the people who are interested, check us out at our website www.sustainonline.nl and hopefully we’ll meet at one of our upcoming shows.
		(Geert Oldenmenger)