MOLOKO PLUS INTERVIEW WITH SINDRE, DEC 2003
The interview was printed in German by the Moloko Plus fanzine in April.
When I first listened to The Tip Toppers' EP Dance with me I felt in love with this incredible powerfull sound of the band. The catchy melodies of the powerpunkrocker seemed to be so different from any other bands. It seemed to be a perfect record to me. And the latest release of the Norwegians, the Subterranean Jungle cover album written by the punkrock heros Ramones, made me sure, this band is fantastic! So it was about time to interview Sindre, head and chief of the whole project. And... here it is:
Sandra: Your latest album, the cover album of the Subterranean Jungle album by Ramones, is out soon. I listened to it many times and it seemed like another perfect record to me, the typical Tip Toppers sound with this powerfull energy, completely different from the original (and to me even almost, how should I say.. better than the one from the Ramones?!) Is the band such a big Ramones fan that it had to be or who had the idea of covering the whole album?
Sindre: I think all the members of TTT are big fans of the Ramones, but it was Ulf (drums) idea of covering the album. He lives and breathes Ramones 24 hours a day and is the president of the official Norwegian fanclub. This was the only classic album not covered by any other band. I also think it's the worst produced Ramones album with it's typical 80`s sound. It deserved a good production. We decided it would be great fun to do it with TTT. I didn't even own the album before we started the recordings. I decided not to listen to it much, so it would not sound completely like the original, but be an album were Tip Toppers played Ramones in our own way. I think we have done a good cover of the Subterranean Jungle.
Sandra: The Subterranean Jungle was remastered by Daniel Rey (Producer of Ramones and the solo Joey album). How did it come to this?
Sindre: The album was first mastered at Masterhuset in Oslo. But since it was a Ramones tribute it would be cool to have the final special touch to it. Our drummer Ulf knew Daniel from many trips to various Ramones gatherings in New York. He called Daniel Rey up, and he was more than willing to do it. Since he was close with all the guys in Ramones this was a really cool thing to do. Ulf and his wife went to Daniel's famous studio (where Joey laid down his vocals for his solo album) in New York and got it done. It turned out good.
Sandra: So far we just talked about your first EP and the latest album. What other releases have been published by The Tip Toppers and what can we expect in the future?
Sindre: We have one song on the Popgun 2000 compilation out on Screaming Apple. After that we released an EP on Sneakers Records in 2001 with 4 songs. Our debut-album called "Packed to the Rafters" is out on Sounds of Subterrania, and was out in the stores November 2002.This summer we have recorded a single called "All fired up" which will be out on Sneakers in Jan 2004 (vinyl) and of course the Ramones album. This album is out in Dec 2003 / Jan 2004 through the Norwegian Ramones Fanclub.There will also be four songs recorded in 2001 out on Dave Champion's Nomad Records (a compilation called OSLO CONFIDENTIAL ). This one has been delayed, but I hope it will be out in the spring 2004. I hope that we in 2004 can record our second album for the Sounds of Subterrania label.
Sandra: Why all these cars, racing, mechanics and stuff on the covers?
Sindre: It has just stuck with us. I don't think anyone in TTT is/ were into cars. It was just a funny photoshoot that gave us that image. The new 7" cover is gonna be more regular. The cars are gone.
Sandra: Are you satisfied with the labels and their work?
Sindre: I think both Gregor at S.O.S and Tom at Sneakers has done a good job. Tom gave us the chance to release our first 7", so I have to thank him for believing in us. Gregor took contact with me and wanted to release a whole album. I hope we can to another album with him. It all depends on money. I've got some of the tunes ready. We stayed in the studio for over 180 hours when recording "Packed to the rafters", so it was not cheap.
Sandra: Who are The Tip Toppers actually? I read that this band is just a side-project by other members from Norwegian bands like The Yum Yums and Gluecifer?!
Sindre: TTT are Morten Henriksen (Yum Yums, ex- Cosmic Dropouts) on guitar, Paal Andreassen (Kwyet Kings, ex-Cosmic Dropouts) guitar, Stig Amundsen (Gluecifer, ex- Yum-Yums) bass, Ulf Bendiksen (Popgun, ex-Graves) drums, and me on lead vocals.TTT are my project. I write all the songs, and the other guys just come around the studio and lay down their tracks. Me and the sixth member of the band (producer Sondre Larssen) take care of the rest.Sondre has produced all the TT recordings so far. Without him helping me out it would not have sounded as good as it does. This guy has a lot of crazy ideas. When we go into the studio with the band there is a lot of people involved. I think we have Norways best backing-vocals singers. On the debut-album and the new Ramones album I have used Kjetil Andresen from the excellent Dirty Callahans and Richard Hjemmen from Crowtown. Sondre will arrange the harmonies, and these two guys will just go in and sing it. I am very lucky to be able to have these people as my friends. Morten and Stig have also laid down some backing vocals.The other members play in other bands that are their main priority, so I guess you can call it a side-project for the others.
Sandra: So the Norwegian musicians are a big family and everybody knows eachother and playes together from time to time?
Sindre: A lot of people has played together in different bands. Morten has played in a band called The Vikings with Happy-Tom and Euroboy from Turbonegro, and of course Steve Baise from The Devil Dogs. Euroboy was also a member of the first line-up of Kwyet Kings.I think the scene around Oslo is kind of small. Its not a -big happy family-, but we know eachother quite well. The punk/rock-scene in Oslo will always be related to band such as Turbonegro and Gluecifer. They are the two bands from the scene that are best known around the world.
Sandra: So Stig is playing with Gluecifer, Morten with The Yum Yums. What are you doing when you don't play or record with The Tip Toppers?
Sindre: I guess you can call me a big music-freak. I listen to a lot of records, go to a lot of gigs and read a lot of music-magazines. Rock music is my hobby. I work as a teacher and live a very normal live. It''s not a very rock`n roll lifestyle.Sandra: Do all the Tip Toppers have a "normal" job besides the music or is it possible to live from just being a musiciaSindre: All the guys except Stig have a regular job. Stig works a little on the side when he's not occupied with Gluecifer. Gluecifer is soon out with a new album, and going on tour with Monster Magnet for seven weeks. It not possible to live from just playing in TTT. It`s my main band, but just side-projects from all the others. I write all the songs, so if there is any money involved, it all belongs to me ( he-he)
Sandra: What are your musical influences?
Sindre: My favourite Norwegian Band of all time has to be Cosmic Dropouts. I went a lot to Moss, seeing concerts at a venue called Blinken between 92-94, and was so lucky getting to see Cosmic quite a few times. Their last album Sonic Circus (1994) is their best album. They should have been huge. They were at the wrong place at the wrong time. They wore their white and black uniforms, playing garagerock at a time when grunge was the big thing. I have heard rumours of them getting back together. That would be really cool. It's time they show a lot of today's garagerock bands what it's all about.Cosmic has influenced me a lot. In 1994, they decided to quit, and Morten started The Yum-Yums. They have also influenced me a lot. If you listen to TTT it`s no secret that Morten and his songwriting has make an impact on me. Not that I think TTT sounds too much like Yum-Yums. There would be no use trying too copying The Yum-Yums.I am so lucky having both Paal and Morten from Cosmic in my band.Sandra: Which other bands do you like?Sindre: My favourite band over the last ten years is The Hellacopters from Sweden. They have made five fantastic albums and a bunch of 7"s. I think songwriter Nick Royale ( Nicke Andersson ) has written some of the best songs over the last ten years. A big moment for me was when I in May 2001 attended the 20-year anniversary of the mighty Nomads in Stockholm. For an encore they had put together the original line-up and played "the way you touch my hand ". Nomads are one of the best bands ever. Other bands that I like is Gluecifer, Turbonegro, Amulet, Ricochets, Psychotic Youth, Social Distortion, The Beat, Ramones !!!! .. to many to mention really. I am more interested, and get my inspiration, in bands that still are active recording and touring. I love going to concerts and buy records.
Sandra: Tell me something about the history of TTT. Did you play in other bands before? And how did the members of TTT meet eachother?
Sindre: In 1997 I started my first band after playing bass in various local bands. I injured my hand in an accident and couldn't play the bass anymore. Not wanting to stop playing, I picked up a guitar and started making my own songs. The same year I formed Sindre And The Leftovers. We released one EP, and played about a dozen gigs. Some of the songs from TTT debut album are from that EP. Paal owned a record-shop in Moss called Jukebox at that time. I was working in Moss and got to know him when buying my records there. I remember asking him if he wanted to play keyboards on the EP. He said yes, and I got to play with a member of my favourite band. In 1998 I asked Paal if we could record some real rock songs, as Leftover had more of a Tom Petty feel. He asked Morten and Stig and we recorded Gimme Gimme and Monica. That's when TTT was born. After that we have been in the studio recording every summer.
Sandra: How does it work with the songwriting. Do you first have the idea of the music and what the song should sound like or are there first the lyrics in your head?
Sindre: Sometimes I have the title of the song before I even start writing the tune. A good example is Bedtime for Losers and Packed to the Rafters. I read a magazine, and these titles just popped up. Mostly I write the tune and just start humming the lyrics. Then I have to get the lyrics to fit with the tune. For our debut-album I had most of the lyrics ready before making any songs. Some of the tunes are quite old. I sometimes just find an old text I have written years ago and change it a little bit. I always keep the lyrics, even if it turns out I'm not gonna use it. A good trick is to sing melody's into the Dictaphone on my Mobil-phone. Whenever I come up with a text-line or a good title I use the phone.
Sandra: What are the lyrics about?
Sindre: The lyrics are all about girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, women in general. I think the kind of music we play should be about girls. It's up to others band to write lyrics about saving the world and all the other important stuff.
Sandra: Do you have any special favourite TTT songs?
Sindre: I just recently listened to some of our old songs, and it struck me that Got to Hurry is a good song. Gimme from the Popgun compilation is also an all time favourite. I also really like Dedicated to You and No good very much. The last song was one of the first songs I ever wrote, and is also out with my old band Sindre and the Leftovers.
Sandra: Where does the name Tip Toppers come from? Who had the idea?
Sindre: Morten came up with The Tip Top`s, but there were an American band that was called that. It was in fact Richie from the label Screaming Apple who came with the name. If you look at the logo of our 7", I think you know were we stole the logo !!!!
Sandra: Do you feel like a member of the famous punkrockscene in Norway? Things you like or don't like?
Sindre: No, I don't feel like a member. It's not many bands in Norway playing powerpop at the moment. The Nuggets and Basement Brats are gone. It's Yum-Yums and us.One thing I don't like with a lot of punkrock records is the bad production. I think that some records would be much better if the bands had stayed a few more hours in the studio trying to get a great sound. It doesn't have to sound like crap just because you are in a punkrock band.There is a lot of bands in Norway that are influenced by the Scandinavian rock- scene (Gluecifer, Turbonegro, Hellacopters, Hives), but as I said before not many powerpop bands. Most of the powerpop records I buy are bands coming from USA, and quite a few from Sweden.
Sandra: Hm,.. I thought TTT - sound doesnt fit into the typical Powerpop music. To me it's Punkrock pure..!?
Sindre: Some people call it pop-punk, powerpop, punkrock. Some think it's too soft and nice (well-produced) to call it punkrock. But I don't really care too much about it. If you listen to everything TTT have done, I think we have created our own sound. It's more important that a lot of people like TTT sound. But we are for sure gonna try to push the limites with our next album. It`s no use trying to make the same record twice. I have many ideas, and me and Sondre are gonna have a long talk before we go into pre-production. I want it to be the best PUNKROCK album ever !!!!
Sandra: What about new Norwegian bands like Trashcan Darlings? I think they are great!
Sindre: To be honest I haven't heard much of them. Two of the members are from the place I live outside Oslo. I have seen them playing in other bands many times before, but not as T.Darlings. They are getting quite popular at the moment, so maybe I have missed out on something great.
Sandra: Have TTT got some positive feedback from Norway so far? In Germany there were a lot of great reviews in the papers..!?
Sindre: More and more people know the band by now, but we haven`t had any promotion, just what I have been doing on my own, in Norway. The record has distribution through Sound Pollution in Sweden, so you can get it if you order it in the stores in Norway. If we decide to go on the road, and with the Ramones album out, I think we will get some publicity.
Sandra: Are there in Norway cool clubs you really like?
Sindre: There's a lot of cool clubs in Norway. Not many around were I live, but if you go to Oslo you've got the famous Last Train. This is one of my favourite places to see good bands in a intimate setting. I've seen a lot of great concerts there, but one of the best has to be The Hives in year 2000. There were maybe 40 people in the club, and it's one of the best gigs I have ever seen. If you talk to people today, everybody was at that concert. It was mainly members of other Oslo bands there, so I know when people lie and brag about having seen the concert.Café Mono is also a really cool club in Oslo. If you take a trip to Moss ( yum-yums territory) you have got Sin City. Bergen has got Garage. They are also starting up in Oslo, in the same basement were the newly closed So What was. This club was very important for the independent scene in Oslo. If you are into Heavy Metal and Black Metal, Elm Street is the club to attend. Don't be surprised if you grab a beer, and realize you're sitting next to members of Dimmu Borgir or Mayhem. I know people from other countries go to Oslo just to visit Elm Street.But as said before, Last Train is my favourite place.
Sandra: What I really wanna know is: When can we see TTT playing live (especially in Germany)?
Sindre: He-he I really don't know. The thing with TTT is that until last week we had never been in the same room, the five members at once. The different members have a lot to do with their other bands. But we have seriously talked about doing a tour in Germany in the summer of 2004. It would be great fun. I have turned down a lot of requests from promoters and clubs wanting us to play. If we are going to play, the other members must have time available.But we are closer to playing live at the moment than ever. If we come to Germany I hope everybody that loves a good dose of powerpop will turn up.
Sandra: Since all members of the band never met before in one room, does it mean you never rehearse? How does this work?
Sindre: We rehearsed last week for the release-concert for the Ramones album. It's true that we have never rehearsed. I write the songs, and the other guys get a CD with the basic tracks, come down to the studio and lay down their tracks.We are gonna rehearse more in the future. If we are going on the road we are for sure gonna kick some ass.Sandra: Do you have any last words or greetings to anybody?Sindre: Thanks to everybody who has bought our records. I hope we can come to Germany and make it up to you. Visit our homepage www.thetiptoppers.com and leave us a message.
INTERVIEW WITH SINDRE, JUNE 2004
by Östfold Blad Norway
The Tip Toppers have only rehearsed once since they started in 1998, but the band,- with Sindre from Aas in Norway in the lead position, sells records far beyond the borders of Norway anyhow. Germany, Spain, Sweden and Japan..It's there we sell most of the records, says Sindre Matre. He sits convenient leaned backwards in his chair in the studio in Aas. Matre is not a person who brags about his musical efforts. But with The Tip Toppers, he has more success than most people realize. Even though the frequency of the rehearsals is quite low and they`ve never played live, they still keep on releasing records after records.
We released a 7" 3 weeks ago. The 1st of June we released a Ramones cover album and in July comes the next Ep, says Sindre. Every Tip Toppers release is recorded during the summer. The explanation is simple: it's then I have money, laughs Sindre.
The first album Packed to the rafters was released in the winter of 2002 on a German record label. The Tip Toppers plays power pop. The most successfull Norwegian group in this genre is The Yum Yums from Moss. Abroad is The Ramones a natural reference. Cheerfull rock that's catchy says Sindre from behind his soundboard. Music without the big political issues. I leave that to other people to take care of he grins. He admits that the music is stripped for any highly intellectual messages. Actually the music has no messages at all. I don't like to talk about what the songs are about. As long as it rhymes, it's ok by me. If anyone would wanna search for a message in the songs, well who knows,- they might find something laughs the 34 year old.
The Tip Toppers is mainly his project, but Sindre is keen on bringing the other musicians and producer SondreLarssen in the spotlight too. Guitarist Morten Henriksen plays in The Yum Yums. Both Henriksen and other guitarist PålAndreassen played in Cosmic Dropouts. One of my favourite bands says Sindre. Bass player Stig Amundsen also star in Gluecifer. Drummer Ulf Bendiksen is also no first timer.
I am definately the person in the band that is least known to the public. I don't think the responce to The Tip Toppers had been that great, if it weren't for the others. I have gotten the people I wanted in this band. But this records would have never seen the light of day, if it weren't for Sondre Larssen. He is incredible firm,and lifts the standard to a higher level. Also VibekeSaugestad, Richard Hjemmen and Kjetil Andresen have all contributed to the high level of the backing vocals on the records.
Compare to Sindre's expactations, the records have sold fairly well. The last report I' ve got from Germany is that Packed to the rafters has sold 3000 copies down there. But even so, there are no plans of any concerts in the near future. Let's just say that it'sgonna happen one day. We've got a lot of offers,- mainly from Germany, but sometimes it's difficult to gather 5 persons playing in 5 different bands. It is also a question about the financial side of it. It's not a lot of cash involved for us.
At a daily basis, Sindre is working as a teacher at Vestby College. Playing in a band is my hobby. For me it's a privilege to record my stuff, and that someone likes what I'm doing. I have no ambitions whatsoever to live from making music. I have never had any ambitions in that direction. As long as it's fun, I'll keep on doing this concludes the hobbymusician.