After the blizzard of Far North blowing article on the second Wave of Black Metal and the drizzle of Clisson was drizzling on the live-deferred Hellfest, the troublemakers continue their descent in latitude warming and is now Marseille is in the spotlight. A little corner of blue sky and a hint of heat wave, it can not hurt, eh the bushels? And do not think we have the opportunity to slip carts pastaga assayed as blank, hey cunt good mother! Nay, because he had clear ideas on the approach of the dreaded Sabretooth housed in Marseilles, and his affable owner: the so-called Stryker, a tireless organizer of concerts highlight of almost 30 years of passion immoderate dedicated to metal and head of Sabre Tooth distro which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Service ...
STRYKER THE CHARACTER
I'm 41 and I was born in Marseille. I started listening to hard rock in 1981. I got into punk in 1988. I organize concerts in Marseille since 1989. I held from 1996 to 1998 of the bar metal Codex Demonicus (ex-Black Hole). Some years before, had also a bartender in a local bikers. From 1989 to 2004, I made road safety and in many concerts hardcore, punk, ... in several rooms in the region. I opened the store Sabre-Tooth in 1999.
By what means did you discover the Metal? What were your first steps, your first LPs?
I had (mistakenly) for my 13 years "For Those About to Rock" to AC / DC . I did not like at first listen. I was, indeed, inhabited by a priori on hard rock. Then listening again, I found passages that I liked. That was in 1981. In talking with friends in my class, I had some names of groups: AC / DC , Iron Maiden, Van Halen , Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin . Then a friend from my neighborhood I sold a few records: Van Halen , Scorpions, Trust, Kiss, Saxon , AC / DC . As there was not much sub, we copied the K7 with friends. I discovered Venom in 82. I really loved it!
It may be weird today, but I learned a lot through radio and television.
I listened to local radio. There were 6 per week. It was really good. I still have regular contact with three leaders of the time. There was also broadcasts "national" Wango Tango Zegut Dum Dum on RTL and Wah Wah on RMC. Do not forget the TV at the time that passed something other than the variety: The Children of Rock, Platinum 45, Metal 6, Boulv Hard ... If you add Hell Magazine, Metal Attak and fanzines, you could make you a full education in the media.
-What did you like in this genre to the point of wanting to do your job?
I can not really say what attracted me initially. I know that I love music that moves. I never wanted to do my job. This too happened quite by chance. A review ANPE, study skills, administrative procedures and the store was created. Well, It is true that I had a distro for 2 years. But opening a shop had not occurred. Furthermore, I am primarily a collector. What makes starting the process harder to sell. I sold discs that have been a beautiful place home. I admit that sometimes I have a twinge in the heart from seeing certain parts. I know I am pleased to a client who has the same interests as me. It helps.
Personally, what are now your favorite styles of metal? And, on the contrary, he-y 'you can not Blair?
I'm still a fan of heavy and thrash. I do not really so hard to FM or the songs too soft. What I like priority is music or I can let off steam. Even now I love me a little pogo time to time (the last on Agnostic Front at Hellfest 2010). I was not a fan of death metal or black at first. Today, there are lots of bands I like in these styles. Especially groups with a heavy influence, thrash or punk marked course. That's why I like the Swedish death metal that has a very punk side. I also like a lot of bands of black and especially black / death. This modern style suits me fine. But I also discovered some years of electro groups that I liked their punk influence.
When I listen to a group, I have 2 approaches.
First is the classic "love / like it." Membership in either category may of course vary over time.
I then a more considered approach to music. I take into account the technical side, the feeling and the group's ability to get me into his world. It therefore the bands I listen but not happy that I find very relevant. For example, I have several customers who wired funeral doom, noise or emocore. Some groups manage to get me into their musical world. I do not like what I discover but the step was taken: they made me immersed in their world. It is true that often, I try to escape as quickly as possible.
By cons, there are groups that I do not appreciate music and leave me indifferent.
There are also those who only work on stage and studio productions which are poor quality. It's been good surprises in concert.
Are you a musician or have you ever belonged to a group?
I do not play any instrument. I wish I had a bass when I was young. But I could not afford. Moreover, I thought that owning an instrument was not all. It should train and take classes. When I worked the summer at 16, I had other priorities. I'm just singing mounted a dozen times on stage by chance (several times on occasions MOTÖRHEAD ).
A group is an important commitment that takes time. I know I could not devote myself so I do not start.
We already ask yourself a thousand times, but I'm going to my first thousand!
Have you ever encountered trouble, provocations and other attacks that you're operating a black in a predominantly white, especially when you worked as a bartender and security concerts? It is true that I regularly received this question. The French scene is overwhelmingly white. But the fact that the scene is predominantly white in the West does not mean it is only white or only made for whites or that whites who listen to rock consider to be the only ones who have the right to listen. The scene is made for rockers and there is no stereotype. The rock is primarily a musical style and a mindset. Do not forget that rock music is born of black American music and the pioneers Chuck Berry and Little Richard. This music is heard worldwide and there are creations of groups everywhere. The color scenes varies depending on the location where you are. But communitarianism Music is a wide debate. I shop at the young (and old) of all colors, all districts of Marseille and from all backgrounds. I also have foreign customers in all continents. I met Asians, Israelis, Americans, South Americans, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek ... I even met a young Moroccan who was arrested in his country for having organized a concert of black metal.
For my case, in the first or was associated (Rocklife), there were enough to make an episode of American drama: a black, an Arab, a English girl, a "French", a Corsican. We do not care about the appearance but of motivation. When we were young, we had to prove himself by punching and musical knowledge to be considered a "real rocker". I was not afraid to fight if necessary and I read most magazines possible. We were hard rockers and that's it. The only group affiliation already made us different from the rest of the population. We created the Marseillaise scene by making a monthly concert held in the mythical "The Haunted House. "Therefore, all youth who came to the concert and we saw there was only thanks. When you come to a concert and that you regalia, do you celebrate with those who are there without thinking color.
course I had questions like: "But you're black and you listen to hard??" And this by people of all backgrounds and all colors! And I often had to explain my passion for this music.
In 1989, I had an active role in the concerts. I have not abused my power when I was doing security. The concerts are hardened in the mid 90's with a wave of right wing extremists in the metal. I had to handle cases a little more complicated. When I work, the political ideas of each others remain outside. Everyone could always come to my concerts as long as it was in a good spirit. Politics is for meetings. The vast majority understood it and had a great evening. A minority had to be called to order. I am a rather nice but I will not let me do and I know also that I show the respondent. Even today, I sometimes have clients who are surprised at seeing me. But after 2-3 sentences discussing among rockers. There are fewer surprises among youth and among people who are not in Marseille. They are used to seeing rockers "all colors". Thanks to the Internet, many people have contacts with groups around the world.
You who have been able to follow live the entire careers of some very famous groups, what is your view on the controversial evolution of Metallica for example? What was your feeling to discover their very first demos to the lives of their golden age Ride the Lightning / Master of Puppets, the bend of the Black Album, and ... what else does it, in your eyes, this group today?
I was lucky enough to know Metallica with the demo which preceded Kill'em all ". Thank you again to Jean-Michel, who animated the radio Decibel. That was the big blow for all those of my generation. But there were the dazzled and disgusted. For us, the very young, it was magical. The next morning we were in college like crazy, "then you heard yesterday? Sure. METALLICA too good! ". The classic hard rockers thought that was too fast. But for us it was the right cocktail: power, speed, madness.
On "Ride the Lightning", we discover through better production than the band can play well. 'Master of Puppets ", it all takes a new vamp with sound phenomenal. We had never heard such a power. For me, it's their most accomplished album. "And Justice for All" album too cold for me. He was released when I started to punk. The songs are too long and I prefer happy music. It Album of grief but that I did take that into account later.
The Black Album "was seen by many fans of the first hour (including myself) as a nasty surprise. Ultra album Trade: rides, tons of 45s, EPs, pressings, while items ... Metallica Maiden criticized for these same reasons. I had tears in my eyes listening to him. For me it was a betrayal! Not them! But in hindsight, I think the group would not METALLICA (in capitals) that is here today if they had continued to make the style I liked. This shift in their career was very successful and somehow good for them. And too bad for me. I've still seen 7 times in concert between the "Black Album" and "St. Anger." I've never been disappointed.
"Load", "Reload" ... ( Editor's note: a silence that speaks volumes ) ... "St. Anger": first time follower in the group is a musical movement. Everything is bad. Drummer-pot, nasal singer, no guitar solo, not really a bass player!! I do not understand why they did it. I saw their video documentary, but it gives no answer. I think they would have to wait six months instead of laying such a thing. Or they should have to do listen to people before leaving for outside advice. "Death Magnetic" is a sort of anti "St. Anger" plenty of solos, a big sound, better songs. Just a pity that there are no real cohesion between some musicians.
Despite all the criticism I could make music, I wish them a long and happy later in their careers.
You have always been strongly committed to Motorhead. The group you got there already disappointed by one of his albums?
No, never. It is obvious that any career is not equal. There are albums that I like more than others. I prefer the former as many "old". The songs I like more and correspond to my adolescence, a period that is highly emotional for many. My favorite album is "Another Perfect Day". But the group has a full career remains in good spirits. I also had the chance to meet several times and they are really guys very nice and simple. I love their attitude and integrity. Like what I do so much better, you do not like: too bad, we go on. And it lasts for 35 years.
Since I'm working on concerts, I met musicians from around the world in lots of different styles. As I wear often (some might say always) T-shirts MOTÖRHEAD, the conversation often on the group. It's amazing the respect that causes the name of LEMMY. He exudes an aura almost mystical. And yet it does not behave like a rock star. It is very affordable. And it's the same with Phil and Mikkey.
Besides music, do you have other hobbies and occupations?
The music takes me some time between the store and concerts.
I love reading. I read a lot when I was younger. Comics, detective stories, spy, SF. Then I worked nights for years and I greatly reduced. In recent years, I got delivered and I read the Dune series (I'm in the 14th volume).
I also read LEMMY White Line Fever, Please Kill Me (on the history of punk), I read ... very few books in French. I prefer to read directly in English. Sometimes it's hard to get into the linguistic structure of the author but once the course is over, that's fine. When I watch a movie, it also preferably VO. I also did a lot of sports: Judo, Taekwondo, Aikido, ... I have not practiced in a club but I try to stay somewhat in shape.
But my favorite occupation, that my children! They also make me play sports. I guarantee you that running alongside a bike (without training wheels) is a good experience. Besides catching up on the fly to prevent falls and dodging scooters.
SHOP SABRE TOOTH
Many people think it's related to the X-Men movies but who made famous the character came out after the birth of the store. It is true that I'm a fan of Wolverine for a long time. In the original version, Sabre-Tooth is the name of his enemy.
But it had no influence on the name of the shop. In fact, I've always loved the saber-toothed tigers. This prehistoric animal I liked when I was reading books about animals. Like tigers in general and I find them fascinating ancestor.
Sabre Tooth recently celebrated its 10 year history. At its foundation, you thought last as long in the environment and what were the main difficulties you met?
It'll look a little pretentious or naive, but I opened the store with the intention take a long time. It is true that I was treated to a lot of discoveries: administrative, fiscal, accounting, banking ... We must also always juggling orders. I work with suppliers around the world for hard and derivatives. Picking is a real uphill battle. The main difficulty is that most stores: always have new products. I turn on more than 5000 references. And I have a lot of customers who spend every week for years. I work a lot on custom music and T-shirts.
Have you seen your record sales to smash your face in the years with the scourge of internet download?
course I saw the enormous impact of the burned CD and download. The fall was huge. I can not count the number of customers came to advise me on disks a month before their official release. But things seem to be stabilizing somewhat. Several clients have moved to "download manager". Discovered in MP3 or on myspace then buy the CD when it pleases. There will, however, no turning back.
But I can not blame the customers. It gives them the tools to do without physical support by selling a byproduct that is MP3. And some very large companies manage artists and sell blank CDs and burners. For me, it is obvious that my sales have dropped significantly but I always try to find new albums.
Do not you fear, in addition, the strong competition at the sale price of the discs are, it must be admitted, a tad more attractive in many other distros?
competition exists. It is true that I am more expensive than a lot of distros but I am much less expensive than some major retailers. Large signs that, despite their sometimes very high prices, sell more than distros and me!
I'm all for having the lowest possible price. I try to offer something different and new. I have customers who come back to the store after 1-2 years ago on the Internet. The presence of a human is very important I think.
Why do you refuse to distribute the productions of some major labels like Nuclear Blast for example?
I really do not refuse the big labels. Everything depends on price and commercial terms. When I started, I wrote to lots of labels. I got some answers and I made my choice. There is a very big label that said, to work with him that there was a 1st order imposed from 100,000 francs (15,000 euros). It goes without saying that I did not respond.
To Nuclear Blast, I have a lot of references (at least 50). I have more difficulties with Century Media. The big problem is that there is a phenomenal number of outputs. I was offered 50 new metal per week. I need to sort for orders. You add the latest in punk and references or reassortment I do (or not). Some more specific orders for certain customers. Each order requires me to juggle. It is therefore normal that the entire catalog of all the labels are not shown. I really try to find good things for my clients.
Speaking styles outside the metal, we can find in your rack of gothic / darkwave (Ataraxia, Dark Sanctuary, ...) and dark ambient (a few prods Cold Meat Industry and Cyclic Law in particular). Do you find many applicants for these types highly confidential, and do you continue to distribute in the future? Finally, as an individual, you are fond of this kind of music?
At the store, I have several specialized departments: hard rock, punk, gothic ... The biggest block on the metal as a whole. There are many groups Gothic, dark and industrial, which began their career in the black metal or death. So I naturally complete discographies. As I also have some customers who are really trendy or gothic gothic dark electro, I try to offer them a ray of interest. It is true that I do not fill the store with this style of music. But as I also work on commission, I have many other references.
Personally, I prefer music derived from rock and roll and not so much electronic music. I need tools and humans who play them. However, I saw a few concerts and some more electronic musicians really liked me. In fact, I'm quite "happy" in music, so I prefer the heavy and thrash. Dark styles do not attract me a priori. I like groups like crazy electro Tamtrum (not because it's buddies) or Das Ich . Or death as electro Samsas Traum . I saw a lot of concerts and parties goth-electro and everything does not displease me. In style, I prefer the new-wave group 80 as Sisters Of Mercy because they are close enough punk roots.
Do not you want one day to start a label to produce and distribute metal artists, youth groups without a contract promising that you find ... in addition to the store?
I already have a label! I produced in 2001 the vinyl edition of the complete discography of Warrior Kids (group Marseille famous punk in the 80s).
So I know the basis of this work. I've heard from groups that have liked to produce. The problem is time. If I produce a group, I want it done right. I do not want to produce a CD to let sleeping in a warehouse.
I'm not saying it does not tempt me again. I think about it occasionally. But we must find a way to do a job seriously. The problem is precisely the time "in addition to the store."
CONCERTS
Our region is most famous for being a "furnace". With regard to the rock. I think there are several problems.
- It is France that is not a country known for its love of rock music. When General De Gaulle turned U.S. bases, he simultaneously blocked the entrance to the "culture" so American rock'n'roll. The rock was largely distributed in Europe by U.S. bases. I am well aware by reading the autobiography of DeeDee Ramone. He was raised in Germany and he saw the rock by the sea. Regions that move the most are the border regions and Paris of course because it is the capital and population center of our country. Belgium with the North, East, with Germany, the South West with Spain and the Basque Country, and Britain is between Paris and England.
- Marseille is close to any border. So we do not have the benefit of "contagion rock" by a neighboring country.
- To the Southeast, there tends to focus on Toulon Naval, Cannes and Nice, which are cities with a population rather old.
- In the West, Montpellier city student moves very well through all the association fully.
However, there are many who are moving and Assos in Marseille, we can see 2-3 concerts a week. Just be open minded. There are rooms offering of energetic rock regularly: Sewing Machine, The Local, the Embobineuse, Baby, the Enthropy ... Obviously the word ROCK does not come to mind when talking about people of Marseille but there are still people who move well. Of course, for those who just want their favorite band at home and free, there's nothing left to do.
Have you observed over the years, a decline in attendance at concerts in the region, did not you sometimes feel to act "for nothing"?
When we started to organize concerts with the association Rocklife, there was that we (and Run Away Movement for punks). We made it a month at The Haunted House. We had a basic minimum of 70 people at our shows. The number is most often over a hundred. The audience came from across the region. Over the years, others have created assos around with varying degrees of success. The number of concerts is now 15-20 per month in a radius of 100 km The problem is that the public has increased but not in the same proportions. So there was a kind of dilution. What makes some concerts which before would have attracted 100 people end up with 20-30 people. Which is usually below the threshold of profitability. That is why many small concerts organizers throw in the towel. What is so tough is that large groups do not meet either. Some Marseille neglect to focus on local concerts in Paris concerts or festivals. At the same time, they say that here there is nothing. They are not trying to see small groups (neither the means nor large) who play here. It's a shame that the taste of discovery fades like that.
Playing groups, is known its share of successes but also its share of crashes. Tell us your biggest flop top and your worst to date ...
My biggest crash is my last concert date Killers - Revenge - Engraved - Kumshot Diesel . A beautiful poster, 1st concert in Marseille Killers, Revenge that his fans here, two local groups that move well. But there was the 5-6 metal concerts within a radius of 100 km from Marseille with groups that have played the same evening. So the audience was again diluted. However, groups gave their all and those who were there were treated to a great concert. Frankly, if I were to start again do it again with the same groups but by triggering bomb scares all the other concerts !!!!!!
My biggest concert was Vader - Septic Flesh - Deviant - Inactive Messiah . A great concert, great night, enough people. Speaking English with Swedish, Greek and Polish, it's really fun. With Club Hard Rock, we also Nightwish, Morbid Angel , Slingshot (MacAlpine, Sheehan Donati) Anathema, Therion , Samael, Gwar ...
These concerts are also an opportunity for you to meet the artists of the metal scene. Your best memories at that level? And if you have two or three stories to tell, we are takers ...
I met all kinds of artists from around the world full of different musical styles. Everything went very well with the vast majority. With some, it's been quite particular I could fill pages with all the anecdotes. I'll start with my favorite band MOTÖRHEAD .
- I met Lemmy in Italy in 2000. There was some discussion and I took a picture with him before he regains the bus. I saw him at Istres in 2007: arriving in the backstage I came face to face with Lemmy who shows me the finger, saying: "I remember you!".
I did not believe it because he sees dozens of people every night. I still played the game: "Yes, we met in Italy and it really surprised me when I answered: "Yes, in Milan the Gods of Metal". He then kindly signed the photo taken at the time.
- When I held the Codex Demonicus, I discovered the Ramones to Dark Funeral . They would have remembered at their second passage in Marseille 2 months ago.
- When NOFX concert in Marseille, the group dedicated to me the intro to "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath .
- I was right in London at a concert UK Subs dedicated to punk rockers in Marseille. I brought Charlie Harper, the singer, Om items for her son.
These meetings can also be a disappointment, realize that some of these artists are the worst of the swelling. You're it already happened to fall on real suckers?
You have to think initially that they are only human beings who do their work (or leisure). Like all humans, they have their moods. Some arrive exhausted by the journey, have not slept, had technical problems or personal. Some stress before the concert (even in large groups !!!), others are exhausted after the shows. Therefore, when we're working on a concert, manage all these parameters in addition to those of the organization itself. So I was full of right attitudes.
In striking cases:
- There was a singer who spent his time with us talking about politics for the concert and kept causing the public Marseille. I was just in the public and is one of the few concerts where I almost left before the end.
- A group of skinheads (non-politicized) values of advocating anti-hippies and a certain purity (non-racial, I say) in their texts and wanted the concert after joyriding in Marseille to find girls and drugs. They fortunately for them has deterred.
- A black metal band whose singer has asked us when we were doing security, to prevent the public from touching. It was indeed through the crowd to reach the scene.
My colleague has kindly explained that this was no question that young people do not want to hurt him, they were there to see him and he would shake hands and sign autographs. This was done at the end of the concert to the delight of all.
Y'a there groups that you love and you never have this program up?
There are plenty of bands I like. I know I could not alone make the biggest play because there is too much at stake as I just try to enjoy myself regardless of the group that I play.
And finally, one last little tip for our readers: what are the upcoming concerts that you intend to hold?
Personally, I have nothing planned for now. A concert that takes time and must devote himself to the best possible. Hard Rock Club on several projects but negotiations are more protracted and difficult.
Stryker Thanks for your time in this interview. One last thing to add?
It'll seem like a sentence of Caesar but really thank you to you to move to the scene. I made a zine a few years ago and I know the job and it requires patience. General thank you to all who move in organizing or participating.
Interview by Vinterdrøm
