Let me introduce you to Rosemary, a new brilliant powertrio from Gothenburg,I saw them recently live and I was stunned by their charming performance, bluesy, fuzzy riffmayhem, a powerhouse combo that is really asskicking. Check out this interview and pay a visit to their myspace page.

Fill us in the origins Of Rosemary, where and when was Rosemary formed, and did you play in any other combos previously ?

Rosemary was formed in 2007, in Smedberg's mind. He wanted to create a heavy, bluesbased rock band, heavy influenced by the 70's rock scene. So he phoned Kent, an old schoolmate to ask if he wanted to play the bass in such a band, and of course he did.Then he phoned Jimmy, also an old schoolmate, and he had the same answer.Jimmy and Kent had never played, yet even met eachother before the first encounter of the band, but Mathias had other projects with them in previous endeavours.

You are a powertrio, has it been any other powertrios in the past that have inspired you and what was the mainthing to become a powertrio ?

We did'nt actually want to be a powertrio from the start, it was just convenient since Kent could sing.But we had e few different singers audition for us, and practice with the band, but none of them worked. So one day, when we disscussed the fact of getting a new singer Kent stood up and said: "Hey, i think i can sing!".So we tried it, and it turned out really good at the end of it.
But if we have to name some powertrios that has influenced us, we must say The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Enough said!

Speaking of the name Rosemary, has the name any significant meaning to it and do you feel the name goes along with the concept that you have ?

We all did her.

I have only heard this half hour set This Is No Damn Disco, This Is A War, you did a demo in the past White Mind and you also featured on a comp, how much have you progressed as a combo between those recordings ?

A shit load.We are a tightly wound group, that knows exactly what everyone is doing. But at the same time, it is very exciting to play together because there is always something new, and always a new experience to jam together. And we've been like that basically since we started.
It seems like we always cross new paths to make music, and that is a big step forward in every new song.

Playing this disc, I am very excited over the whole thing. Those simple effective chords, the slammering fuzzy breaks, the dynamics, the bluesbased psyched out concept to pinch a few examples of how I feel about this disc, this concept that you have, was it there from the beginning or has it progressed over the years?

When we started the band, we definately had a more progressive way of thinking, or at least, that was the general idea of the music. But it never really came to that.
We think we've had the sound all along, but we define it more and more after every album, or even after every rehersal,gig or song. Plus, we like the same type of bands, and at the same time we like completely different kinds of music, and that probably has a lot to do with our particular sound.

Talking about inspirations and influences for Rosemary, what is the main inspiration musically and lyrically ?

Well, Clutch has a definate role in that area, but also bands like The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin and other various bands from the 70's.But i think that alot comes from the individual musician. Because as a guitarist, i try to pick up things that i like everywhere i can find them, and that goes for everyone in the band.That is one of the reasons why this is such a hard question, because it's so different just from day to day to predict what you are about to play.
We play what we like to listen to - we designed our own favourite band.

More on the concept that you have, if I have to put a label I have to say Retrorock, am I right in my opinion or do you have a different point of view ?

We generally call it heavy retro-rock. But that´s up to the listener.And labeling things is out-of-style.

Talking about other Retro combos on the scene right now, Graveyard, Horisont, Space Probe Taurus, Witchcraft etc. where do you place Rosemary on that map ?

We'd say that we are heavier in a completely other way. We are not that majorly involved in the 70's that Graveyard or Witchcraft are, both musically and soundwise. The sound is different, it's alot heavier and not as defined as their type of sound is. Allthough, they are great bands and we look up to them alot.

More on the style that you have, now with this updated version of This is no damn disco, this is a war, will it be a varied set of material or will it be the same kind of concept that you have on this half and hour set that is included here ?

It's the same concept, but yet again we have developed as a band, and progressed as musicians. So it'll be the same, but better, more evolved and more "us" then before.We don't have any ambitions of changing our style of music, just developing and shaping our own style and experimenting more ; In a good way.

Talking about Rosemary live compare to rehearsals or in a studio what is the main difference ?

There is a hell of a difference. You've seen us live, you know what we're like on stage.
As you said, a powerhouse, a locomotive that just keeps on going and never really stops, and when you think it does, you get blown over. Over and over again.Allthough, rehearsing or in the studio, and as individuals, we are relatively relaxed people. But just doing what we love on stage, gets us all fired up to the extent of madness and excitement.

What is the next plans for Rosemary, more gigs, more recordings, fill me in what happens next ?

Our next plans are as stated, releasing a new version of the sold out EP - This is no damn disco, this is a war!.A full-length version of the CD with 11 songs, all written and produced by us, Rosemary.Included in this cd is a brand new single, wich we also will be making a musicvideo for in the nextcoming future.And as always, more gigs. We are actually at the moment talking about a tour for the upcoming record, so you have to stay tuned for that.
All the dates and news will be posted on our myspace-site.

Drink beer and raise hell!
Best wishes from Rosemary
Kent, Smedberg and Jimmy.

More Info

Rosemary www.myspace.com/rosemaryrock

Blindfoldead www.myspace.com/blindfoldead

Gabriel Lilliehook