OVERLOAD – Interview with Jonathan and Gérald

4 pieces of Metal coming from France. Angry and furious lyrics which tell you “enough of that”. Influenced by great bands like Slayer, and Pantera. Can you imagine now what they sound like?
Me and Jonathan have been mailing each other about the bands and it's updates, so I decided to have this interview with him along with Gerald. With both of them, we have taken a serious and closer step inside this band.

Hello Jonathan, Gerald. How are you both?

Jonthan: Hi Nancy. Im fine thank you.

Gérald : Hello. Im Fine.

Good! Tell us briefly about Overload…

Jonathan: Overload was created in 2000 by four friends. After having known some changes of line-up, our group will present our current formation. We are a group of French power metal with various influences of the same style. For example : Pantera, Slayer, Soilwork, etc

Gérald : We are a group who has for ambition to make the most possible concert in all the places which can accommodate us.

Have you done any touring outside France?

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Gérald : Yes, we played in Belgium and in Luxembourg in various cafes and festivals of which the “Rock Am Eisleck” in Schleef.

Where do you like to tour the most?

Jonathan: For me, I would like to make some concerts in the Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, etc. For the moment, its a dream

Gérald : Already in Paris, after and in the four corners of France.

Your lyrics express more rebellious feelings and emotions than misery or complete depression. How do you explain that? Is that is why you called the band “Overload”?

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Jonathan: I think that there are at the same time powerful and worrying feelings. As Bryan did it before me, we try to make pass a kind of faintness which we feel. Misery, depression… are words which express the life of many French. Million people who lives in poverty and dont have any State aid. The life becomes expensive, but the wages are same. Our texts could be the thoughts and the emotions of the French workman of today who, once that the invoices are paid, does not have anything any more to buy food and which works to fatten the State. The faintness of the current society. For Overloads Wish I wanted to compose something different : its just a song to make move the public, a festive song. I think that the name of the group is a good summary of what we want to express in our texts. An overload of “there is enough”.

Ok then….Who came up with the name of the band?

Gérald : Kevin found this name at his work. This word was noted on a machine. After having voted, this one became the name of our band.

How long did it take to write and record your Demo?

Jonathan: The recording lasted a complete week end. As regards the writing, these lyrics (except Overload' S Wish that I have write in about an hour) went back to a few times

What difficulty you have faced while recording it? Or was it easy?

Gérald: To record the drums because our drummer broke his skin of large case to the whole beginning of the recording. He didnt play on his large case so that was difficult. And the recording of the guitar was rather long because Bryan plays the two parts of guitar on this demo.

Jonathan: Easiest was to record my voice and the bass.

Who helps in the progress or writing and composing?

Jonathan: Before my arrival in Overload, Bryan was given the responsibility to write the texts. Now, I do it. Sometimes for the English texts, I need a translator but generally, the writing occurs well. I learned my English lessons at school very well (Laugh)

Gérald: For the music we proceed differently. Bryan proposes a riff, we accept it, we modify it or we throw it to the dustbin. For the composition each member of the group has his word to say.

My personal question, which I always ask…and it is for you Jonathan. How do you keep your voice steady and neat?

Jonathan: Good question. Its the same thing that for any instrument I would say. When that made several years that you play guitar for example, you obtain a good level with this instrument. For the voice its similar, since all these years when I sang in various bands, I learned how to control my voice and to have the endurance necessary to ensure a show of the beginning to the end.

Did the band do a lot of rehearsing before you went into the studio?

Gérald: We spoke about it for some time ago we knew the songs on the end of the fingers.

Jonathan: Only the first song of the demo was recent. We especially repeated that one. The others existed before I arrive in Overload.

Have you signed with any label yet?

Jonathan: Unfortunately not. But we will continue to search. Perhaps a day We all hope for it

How is the metal scene in France?

Jonathan: In full expansion, I would say. Our music starts to be accepted but certain prejudices are always there. Its known : we are savages and violent people ! (Laugh)

Gérald: The scene metal underground goes well but its difficult to earn money with this style of music. Especially in France

Any of you is involved in with another band or project besides Overload at the moment?

Gérald: No, not for the moment. I had parallel projects in the past, but its finished.

Jonathan: No, Overload is my only motivation. In Overload, only Bryan plays bass in another pop rock band.

Can you live on being a musician or do you have a regular job as well?

Jonathan: Unfortunately we are obliged to work. In France, no group of metal can live thanks to his music. Its a pity.

Anything else you would like to say?

Jonathan: Yes. I thank you for having thought of us for this interview. For those which want to follow the evolution of Overload, I invite you to visit our Web Site http://www.overload666.com I wish you long life, for you and your site. See you soon perhaps. Stay Brutal ! I leave the word of the end for Gérald

Gérald: The word of the end : Overload Forever !!! (Laugh)

The band official site:
http://www.overload666.com