Interviews: Waking The Sleeping Bear

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Nu-Metal/Rapcore band Waking The Sleeping Bear from France. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

The band was born some years ago with the name « Decib’hells »(lol). We played some rock covers in cafes. In 2013 we decided to make the project more serious, so we changed the name to Waking The Sleeping Bear. We were searching for a name that can symbolize the heaviness of the sound. A long name is basically catching the attention. After many ridiculous or boring ideas, we finally found this one. It satisfied all of us. So now we hope that our music will wake the bear inside of everyone.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Actually we don’t really want to play one genre specifically. We just play the ideas that comes in our minds with the inspirations that the moment brings. We love heavy sounds but we also bring a lot of influences from many styles we listen, like rock, rap, electonic music and many more. We want to play a music that is the exact opposite of “close-minded”.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

At the beginning in 2011, three out of us were already knowing each others. At the end of the first project in 2013, we were all friends. Our guitarist join the project later. After that, we tried again to add some other people to this project but there was always something missing. Now we’re 4 and it’s the perfect match for us, we don’t want to change the line-up anymore ! We will try to keep this one as long as possible!

4. Each band member favourite band? 

It’s very hard for us to choose because we all listen to a lot of differents bands. This answer was painful to write haha.

For Arthur, our drummer, it would be Pink Floyd. Edwin, the guitarist was the easiest choice : Slipknot . The bassist brings a lot of reggae influence and he chooses the French band Dub Inc. 

And for me, Adrien (singer), I would have answered “joker” but I guess the question need an answer so I choose Issues.  But it’s just an opinion “for now” haha!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

For the instrumental part, we could say that being together inspire us. However, we just transpose some energy, some emotions in music. It’s a kind of expression that allows us to be purely honest for a few minutes. 

For the lyrical content, I mostly write about politics, or social concerns. I listen to a lot of rap, and I appreciate rappers that brings deeps topics. I love music with well written lyrics.

6. Where was your last gig? 

The last time we played was to support the French band Dagoba. It was during last September. It was very exciting to play with such a way bigger band than us. The audience was a bit too calm for us haha, but despite that we had some congratulations after the show, and many people discovered our universe so it was a very positive experience. 

7. Where would you like to act? 

Wherever someone want to listen us. The size or the reputation of the venue is not what we’re seeking. We only want to share our music with people, and meet them.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Anybody that can bring something new or interesting to our music. I would love to feature with artists that do a very different music than our. I think it’s way better when a featuring is unexpected!

9. Whom not?

Some arrogant artists, or any artist that would do the featuring for money or self-interest.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Of course we all have the heart beating harder before getting on stage. But we know that we have worked enough to play our song. All the band members are supporting each others and any others trust hardly all of the others. 

Stage frights is an unavoidable part but after the beginning of the first song, we only live the moment. The only thing that left is energy.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

We can’t hide that French bands like Mass Hysteria, Sidilarsen or Smash Hit Combo inspire us a lot. But we don’t want to copy. We truly want to have our own sound.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

One day, a guy that follow us on Facebook send us a message to ask us... to integrate the band ! We were strongly frightened.

13. What do you think of your fans?

People who follow us arent very numerous, but they are extremely kind and supportive with us. They know the music, the lyrics... Its a very great feeling to know that people are appreciating what we do.

14. What do you think of our site? 

Very necessary for all the bands that comes from the underground scene. Congrats for that!

And thank you because I discover some news bands on it, and they are very good! 

15. Something add?

Thank you very much for this interview, and thanks to everyone that will take the time to listen to our music!