Interview with PERFORMED
!!!THRASH METAL FROM SLOVAKIA!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about PERFORMED (Members, Starting Year etc).
Martin: Hello Metalheads and non Metalheads. Thank you for contacting us, it ́s an honor. So, there is four of us, Martin “Clynger” Majdan (guitars and vocals), Peter Chalupčík (Drums), Marián Lukáč (Bass), and the latest newcomer Martin Sukenik (guitars). We started in about 2003 first rehearsals. We were playing just Metallica covers a there were just two of us, so we kept practicing and looking for some members. Then things began to move. The first concerts were a success and we played quite a bit. Then in 2009, we recorded our demo “Thick Fume Of Dependencies“. In 2011 was the last concert for a long time, we split up. Two last men standing (Martin Majdan and Peter Chalupčík) and so it was for about five years. We were not desperate (ok maybe a little bit), we tried new riffs and prepared new songs, along with looking for new members. In 2018 I think we played a concert after a very long time, and then our publisher noticed us. We started recording the album.
You have recently released your album ''Moronia''. What is the Feedback from your audience as well as from the Press?
Martin: The response is great, we didn't even expect the album to be so successful, and we're very happy that people like it. Of course, there are also some negative responses, but probably no one will avoid it, it is also an opinion for which we thank.
Label or DIY and why?
Martin: Interesting question. I think it's about 50/50, the best way is everything that you can record at home in peace, and the finished masterpiece delivers to label for promotion.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD, or Digital Format and why is that?
Peter: I'm a bit old school in this. I like physical formats, be it vinyl, CD or Tape. Each of them has something in it, each provides a slightly different sound and each is beautiful in its way. The CD has just been released, we are going to release the vinyl in the near future as well, and we may see the tapes in time. In my opinion, the album simply belongs on a physical medium, the only way I can really enjoy it while listening. I'm probably looking forward to vinyl the most, in my opinion, it's the most beautiful medium on which you can release a recording. It has always been my dream to have an album of my own band on vinyl and I can't wait for it. It is true that at present when issuing vinyl, quantity often comes at the expense of quality, but I believe that this will not be the case with our vinyl. :)
Your music style is Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Martin: That would probably be a pretty long list of bands. Probably every good band influenced us in some way. In the beginning, of course, it was Metallica, which we still love. But gradually, as you improve, so do the new bands that you listen to, leave a mark on you. For me, it's definitely Pantera. But we also listen to non-metal music. Because in the first place we are musicians and I think it would be nonsense to listen to only one genre. But the metal would be: DEATH, OPETH, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, MEGADETH, BLACK SABBATH... It would be really a long list.
Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
Martin: There is an easy answer to that - time.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Martin: The ideal concert is probably for people. What we appreciate are all those who honestly support the bands. Unfortunately, some Good Mood Stealers come to the gig sometimes to which our first song is dedicated. This is no longer an ideal concert, but there is nothing you can do, sometimes it happens. We prefer fun and "normal" people.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Peter: It is very difficult at the moment. There are more and more bands and it is a problem for a fan to watch it at all. We try to play the music we love and we don't try to be explicitly a thrash band. The trash "component" is definitely the most prevalent in our music, but we don't rely on it. We like different genres. And we leave it to chance what the song will look like in the end. So that could be a recipe. I don't know if it works with us, let the others judge it. But that's how we try to approach music.
Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Peter: I understand that digital formats are important, we register that they are popular among people and also our album is now available on all digital platforms. I think that digital platforms help bands. Included us. So that I can answer the second part of the question that at the moment this is an ideal way to promote the band. There are people from different parts of the planet who would not otherwise have a chance to hear about us. Many people liked the album after hearing it on Bandcamp or YouTube, that they are now interested in buying a CD. And that's great. A good way to promote is certainly to participate in well-known print magazines, but it's harder to get there.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Slovakia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs, etc.)
Peter: The underground scene in Slovakia is living its own life and I am glad that several people support it. The best example is Juraj Haríň with his label Slovak Metal Army, which helps bands, and we are currently one of them. That is why we can now do this interview, for example, and we are grateful for that. Many people organize concerts, write articles, make videos from concerts and mainly go to gigs. But overall, it occurs to me that people are not very interested in the Slovak underground scene. Mostly they are more interested in the world's big names and Slovak bands remain for the minority. I would like this ratio to change a little bit in the future. Webzines work, even some fanzines, although they deal mainly with harder genres, thrash almost not at all, but that is just my observation. We have several great clubs here and I keep my fingers crossed for them to survive this whole covid situation. And when it comes to bands, there are some great bands. Different metal genres. I can give at least a few names if someone wants to search: For example: Bloody Redemption, Acid Force, Marturos, Minor, Guzzle Booze, Manyac, Circular Saw, ...
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Peter: Suicidal Angels, Firewind, Rotting Christ, and Septicflesh If I'm not mistaken.
What are your plans?
Martin: As soon as the situation allows, play where possible. And prepare new material.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Everything will be fine and we believe that it will not take long and We see you again on the stage. Hold on! Cheers and metal.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
PERFORMED CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/performedmetal/
https://www.instagram.com/performed_band/
https://www.reverbnation.com/performed
https://twitter.com/performedmetal