Markku Kuikka, vocalist for Finish Melodic Progressive Metal Band Status Minor. Interview October 10, 2012
Status Minor Interview
1. Could you tell me about the recording and writing process for the new Status Minor album Ouroboros?
We are usually writing songs like this: Sami gets an idea and he records it at his home. There are programmed drums, played guitars and some harmony keyboard pads. Then he sends that idea to Markku who will try out some vocal melodies on it. The key will be adjusted if it’s necessary. When Markku’s vocal ideas are good enough, Sami will finish the song’s other parts. Normally vocal ideas are directing song’s parts naturally. When raw idea with guitars and vocals is ready then Jukka is going to do his keyboard arrangements and ideas. This works! Actually we think that this is the best way to create our music.
2. What would be some of the amplifiers and guitars used in the Status Minor recording to create the tones?
We are using Mesa Boogie and Peavey guitar heads. We used mainly Mesa Boogie’s modern channel presets. Normally the tone is very dry, just a little distortion in it. As a cabin we use Krank 4*12 and Peavey 4*12 cabins. Krank is very dark sounding cabin, it is better in live shows but in recordings Peavey was easy choice, because it sounded so bright and solid. It was much easier to record with it. Sami’s axe is a custom made unique RUOKANGAS Hellcat 7-string with passive Haussell microphones and electric parts. Mr. Ruokangas recommended those picks and we can say that they are really the best we have ever played with. In acoustic tracks we used Ibanez and Yamaha acoustic guitars.
3. How do you manage your time as a musician?
Actually only Rolf Pilve is our full time musician; maybe Eero is living his life as a musician too, because he’s in university to get a degree in music. Sami, Jukka and Markku have their jobs and duties. Markku is using almost all the spare time for music. He has a home studio and many many projects to play with. Sami is also working in his music production firm PrimeScore. He is a movie freak and loves to compose music for movies etc. Jukka has his work, family and bands, and somehow he can handle this all. Markku is also a family guy, but his kids are adults now. You can’t stop Prog’n roll! It is the lifestyle.
4. What products Status Minor currently endorsing?
Our drummer Rolf have endorsement deals with Pearl drums, Balbex sticks and Istanbul cymbals; thanks to his job at Stratovarius. Jukka has a Korg endorsement with Thunderstone. As a band Status Minor doesn’t have any endorsements. Maybe one day.
I really think that it is not possible. Maybe if you have some kind of a marketing business behind you, it may be possible. Social Media is the best way to reach people and audience. I think that sites like Twitter are going to further increase their impact in the coming years.
6. What’s your vision of the Internet for musicians in the future?
Internet will be the publishing platform. I think that bands need to think about digital publishing a lot. CDs won’t sell enough to keep those smaller labels alive. Small labels die and will die. Sad to say, but it will totally stultify music. People can find only that bigger label’s music, which is too clinical and many times underestimating the audience. It’s like healthy food. Everybody wants it but nobody will buy it because easy food and fast food is always available and the marketing machines are pushing those in your face. In Finland you can’t find any independent record/cd stores in little towns. Last ten years just killed that small and interesting business here in Finland. Bands and musicians really need to co-operate and ask for more. I think that wise consumer always wants more. We need to activate them. The change is possible.
Well, it depends… Rolf is always listening very old music, I mean that he is totally in love for old jazz and those old jazz stars. I think you can find music of Buddy Rich or Elvin Jones there and some rare things. Sami is sometimes listening Eric Johnson and Frank Gambale but normally there can be heard bands like Rage, Symphony X and DT. Eero loves older music too, but he is very open-minded with music. You can find some classical music from Jukka and Markku’s collections. Markku is a 80’s teenager so he has a huge collection of 80’s metal, speed metal and hair metal, bands like Anthrax, S.O.D, Slayer, C.O.C., Cacophony, Badlands, Queensryche, Yngwie etc.
8. Any tours lined up in the near future?
It is sad to say but we don’t have any reasonable plans to play live in near future. Bars and music clubs are living only for easy business. You can’t rock if you play PROG! We really hope to get some good gigs as soon as it’s possible.
9. What other projects could we be seeing from you in the near future?
Well…Rolf is working with Stratovarius forthcoming studio album. Jukka has some plans about Thunderstone’s new studio album and he is also with Markku is KenZiner, which is finally going to record a new album. Markku is also working with a new band called The Ragged Saints. A lot of things are happening and I think you can hear about us soon.
10. Where do you see your Music in 100 years from now?
I think that we are one of Finland’s the most memorable progressive metal band of early 2000. We could be a band that may be an influence for new musicians.
11. Any words for musicians starting out?
Play hard and believe yourself. Do not give up for ”mainstream”. Identify your roots and use it as a lifeline.
Check out Status Minor Online http://www.statusminor.com/