Turbonegro it's more than just a musical group. It is a whole cultural movement with endless Turbojugends (official band fan groups) around the world. Within the framework of his 30 years of life and prior to his first visit to Mexico on September 11, we had the opportunity to speak with Euroboy, guitarist of the band.
Turbonegro is a band with many changes in their lineup and one or two breakup announcements, but in the end; still here Turbonegro is immortal?
Yes, in a sense. Like many bands from the 1990s, or the second half of the 20th century, who had a fan following and a couple of "classic albums", they still look for us to play at concerts and festivals. People are listening to or broadcasting our songs. It is something like many inherited acts: Kiss, Queen, AC / DC, etc., although keeping all proportion, of course.
After so many changes, has Turbonegro become a totally different entity from the one created 3 decades ago? Or do you think the concept has remained intact and has only evolved and taken aspects of each stage?
I think the only major change in the band's sound came with the album. Apocalypse Dudes and the new formation in 1997. The band went from being an artistic concept punk based on the alternative tradition of the 80s, having a stronger influence of classic rock and in general, a more solid and attractive sound that made us relevant to the late 90s and the "rock revolution" in the 2000s All we have done since then has been variations of the style we invented at Apocalypse Dudes. But I agree that the first version and the last version of the band are two totally different things. Only the name of the band is the same.
Three decades of existence is a life, and not many gangs can boast of it. What do you think is the formula to last as long in the taste of a legion of fans as faithful as yours?
We try to perform on stage every night and make inspired recordings. We love music and rock and roll and we try to have a good time as we go along. We stay true to our concept and our fans, but we always try to push the boundaries a bit, challenging our fans. In the last album we introduced the synthesizer and keyboards as a new element for turbo sound.
Are you considering a live album or DVD for this special celebration?
No, not really. But feel free and record us! – Laughs-; anyone who wants to document on video today can do it. Live albums and DVDs have lost some of their impact with YouTube and live streams etc.
How do you feel about your first visit to South America?
It is amazing, we are grateful to have been invited. This band is a big part of our lives and has taken us all over the world. It is the first time in South America for most of us.
On this first visit you include Mexico with a unique show on September 11. How much do you know or have contact with the Mexican Turbojugend?
We got to know quite a bit at Turbojugend when they have come to see us in another country. Most of them are very nice people, who create a wild and crazy atmosphere around our shows.
How did you feel receiving Rock & Roll Machine both among your fans and with specialized critics?
We don't really pay attention to that. Many fans probably want us to be punk rock more aggressive, and many critics compare us to our past and albums from the 1990s. But we had a great time making the album, and it was important for us to reflect genuine inspiration and make an album of Turbonegro that makes sense in the times we live in today, and who we are as people and as a band in 2018. And that means doing things a little differently for each album. There are some good songs on the album, and at least three or four of them are on our current song list. They are killer themes live, and the audience seems to really enjoy them.
Playing with the concept of "Rock & Roll Machine"Do you think it's a good idea that one day, for example, robots and non-humans will give a metal concert for people?
Well, authenticity is an important value in music culture. I don't think there are robots playing songs from Rolling StonesBut probably family members, relatives and others with an authentic relationship with the band could continue the legacy. Then you could see the Rolling Stones live in 2050, long after the original members are gone.
Finally, we give you this space to say what you want for the Mexican Turbojugend, and for the Mexicans who will meet Turbonegro for the first time in your next show.
We hope to see you there! We are going to give our best version of the powerful experience of Turbonegro, doing memorable concerts together that will be impressive.
