the Vietnam Veterans Interview 14/9/2009

the Vietnam Veterans

the atraktos interview

the one and only Mark Enbatta is with us!

by John Simandiras

Το γαλλικό συγκρότημα των Vietnam Veterans αποτελεί μια από τις σημαντικότερες μπάντες στην ιστορία της Ευρωπαϊκής Γκαραζοψυχεδέλειας. Επιστρέφουν στο αγαπημένο τους Αθηναϊκό κοινό με ολοκαίνουριο άλμπουμ, αλλά & το σύνολο του έργου τους σε επίσημη επανέκδοση από την θρυλική Music Maniac! Ο Γιάννης Σημαντήρας γνωστός για τις νύκτες που ως βετράνος του βιετνάμ δεν μπορεί να κοιμηθεί..και χρόνια τώρα παραμιλά στα ερτζιανά της ERT συνομίλησε με τον Mark Enbatta από το σπουδαίο σχήμα τωνVietnam Veterans.

θυμιζουμε:
ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ 25 & ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 26 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2009 [DOORS OPEN @ 21:00]

@RODEO CLUB* - ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ (ΕΝΙΑΙΑ ΤΙΜΗ ΠΡΟΠΩΛΗΣΗ-ΤΑΜΕΙΟ): 22 ΕΥΡΩ & ΜΠΥΡΑ ΔΩΡΕΑΝ

What’s the ideal music to be heard in a venue, right before a Vietnam Veterans gig?

I think the best opening band would be a folk music group, from any origin and style. When it would be a recorded music, I would like Vino Griego by a Spanish banda. A slow version... Close to the original funeral version.

Is there anything that you worry about before a gig?

I had a nightmare once. I had this dream 10 or 15 years ago. It was a reunion gig. I was very happy, but when I walked on stage, I suddenly realized I didn’t remember any song. I just knew the people. It was only a nightmare, and I don’t care that much about my stage mistakes! The other members do care...

Do you sometimes have regrets about what you have said during an interview?

No, I never have regrets about the things I’ve said. I sometimes don’t like what is written, but I never said the words I don’t like! A very important press agency reporter came to my place once. I guess the guy had written everything before meeting me!

Who was your model growing up?

This one is a very hard one! My hero was a novel hero: Edmond Dantès (‘Count of Monte Christo’ by Alexandre Dumas). Later on, I think John Lennon was the closest thing to a model...

What is it about sixties garage rock that resonates with you?

Like almost everybody (of my age), I discovered the 60’s garage scene during the early 70’s! During the 60’s, we knew very few American garage bands... So, I think I only have the same influences they had. They didn’t really influence me, because I was myself playing raw Rn’B in the late 60’s with an old Schaller fuzz box! My real influences are older.

Was there a lowest point in your life? Could you please describe it?

This point is now... I don’t really feel like talking about it! It’s mostly related to my parents’ mental health, and the way I feel very weak about some things. The other lower points had to do with love affairs...

Do you fancy going to strip clubs?

I guess those places are not for me. I’m a hard feminist, and I don’t like the usual physical standards, when it comes to girls! I’m a real pervert, it seems!

What has been the most unexpected moment and location, that someone was playing back a record of the Vietnam Veterans?

This one is very easy. It was in1984. I was walking in a shopping center, and I started singing with the singer. It took a few verses to realize it was one of my songs that was played!

Do you get along well with record producers and concert sound engineers?

No problems. I give my opinion and ideas in the studio. When I’m proved wrong, I don’t even argue! It’s even easier on stage!

What can cheer you up the most?

I like those magical moments, when the audience enters our music. We feel it, and we go even further. I have some videos with incredible moods! The Tόbingen part of ‘Green Peas’ was a pure full moon madness... I know some people come for songs that are important in their lives. We are a very intense band. We always want to go further with some improvised parts and the audience is the motor for this real orgasm!

What’s the hardest part of being in the muzik biz;

I don’t like to talk about money with Hans Kesteloo (Music Maniac). He’s my best friend, and I don’t like those fights with friends! The other hardest part is the relationship with the French rock press. I don’t even want to talk with most of the guys. Lucas is minding this business.

What has happened to the fabulous Vietnam Chain?

The music was great. I checked on the Internet, but the Daisy Chain are no more. I found some infos about the singer. She is a very intelligent girl. To be honest, this band was a human disaster... They had a führer, Tom, and the relationship was terrible within the band. Some guys on the cover weren’t even members of the band during the recordings, but Tom didn’t want the real musicians to be on the cover. I had to write the real line-up on the back cover! Anyway, they wrote ‘Before I go’ and this song should have been a hit.

(actually, it has been some kinda hit, on FM 101, the Municipal Radio Station of Thessaloniki, on ‘diamonds’ some years ago… --does anyone remember?)

Thanks!

You’re welcome John!

Γιάννης Σημαντήρας