SOOTHSAYER
DANIEL CLAVET
The news that rabid, unhinged, original wave thrashers, Soothsayer have returned may not mean much to anyone under the age of 35 who lived outside of southern Ontario or the band’s home province of Quebec, but they’re back and I for one am rather pleased with the news. Initially reforming to play an old-school Quebec metal fest a few years back, the fire was re-lit under their old-school asses, new material was written, a new path embarked upon and a new album, Troops of Hate, was unleashed upon the unsuspecting world.
And unlike a good number of reforming bands, Soothsayer has managed to balance modernity with the sound of their wild youth as the album oozed with as much reckless, violent smiling psychosis as the band’s To Be a Real Terrorist demo displayed almost three decades earlier. And let's not forget about their 1989 debut album Have a Good Time, an album that made a mark in the history books of Canadian metal. In this interview I've talked with Soothsayer's drummer Daniel Clavet.
Soothsayer 2015 - Stephan Whitton, Martin Cyr, Simon Genest & Daniel Clavet
You reunited a few years ago after being quiet for so many years. What was the reason to give it another go?
Eric from Galy Records had the idea of re-release the 1986 Demo and there was a metal festival, 25 ans de metal Quebecois (25 years of Quebec’s Metal) and we were approach to play a 50 minutes set along with DBC, Voivod and Damnation.
What led up to this comeback?
Maurice Richard and Eric Galy with the projects of a 25 years of metal and the re-release of the acclaimed 1986 demo (To be a Real Terrorist). After we felt the energy through this night (25 years) we knew we had to continue and give another album to the fans.
You recorded the To be a real Terrorist-demo in 1986 and it had quite an impact on the metal scene, what can you tell us about it?
It was funny to record as it was the first time we heard lyrics in the songs….. And what fun it was to hear the voice alone.
You debuted with Have a good time back in 1989. What do you think of it in retrospect?
It could have been a great album if it was released on time and the sound was a bit harsher, the sound is too clean way too clean.
Why did it take three years between your demo and first album?
We did shows and festivals in the Quebec area. And creating new stuff along.
Why did you disband and what have you all been up to for all these years?
I think we’ve lost the anger we were known for and we had not much time to rehearse, because of the jobs and girlfriends.
Your comeback-album Troops of Hate was released in 2013. Are you satisfied with how it has been received?
Yes, after a long break we were afraid of people not remembering us, but it was ok.
Was it different to record the Troops of Hate-album compared to the Have a good Time-album? Now that there are computers everywhere and you're all grown up?
Yes for sure, for "Have a Good Time" we were young and without any experiences, for the price we paid we could have a better sounding album. In the late 80’s metal wasn’t as widespread as today, now we have studios that what Metal Album should sound like. The studio where we recorded "Have a Good Time" was known for other types music. The studio guy didn’t know how to create a sound for a Metal Album.
Have a good time (1989)
Lately you have gigged with DBC how was it to share the stage with them and did you do any liveshows together back in the eighties?
It was great to see these guys again. I think we did two or three shows with them and every time it was a pleasure sharing the stage with them.
You have played shows with Kreator, Possessed, D.R.I., Slaughter and a few others back in the day. How was it to share the stage with those bands?
They were our idols at the time so sharing the stage with them was incredible, we also played with Sacrifice in Quebec City.
Soothsayer - Back in the Day
Jürgen 'Ventor' Reil of Kreator had a Soothsayer shirt on when they recorded the video for their song Toxic Trace. Have you seen the video? Are you friends with the guys in Kreator?
For sure we saw this clip and we were amazed when we saw it. We are not "Friends" as we never sat down and talked to the guys in Kreator, but if the situation arise we may become friends for sure.
Your music had a punkier edge compared to many of your peers. What bands were you influenced by?
We had different backgrounds musically, I (Daniel Clavet) was more into Anthrax and Slayer, the others were into Mercyful Fate and Metallica (Ride the Lightning, Kill’em all era) and our vocalist Stephan Whitton enjoyed Raw Power, I think you know where his influences are ;).
What's the highlight of Soothsayer's career?
It would be the Montreal show with Kreator and Slaughter at Le Spectrum in April of 1987, that show really elevated us to another level. I'd also have to say when we opened for Testament at l’Imperial de Quebec on the 4th of August 2008.
What's your plans for the near future?
Rehearse, record and play loud gigs!
Thanks!
By/Ruthless
(14-02-2015)
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