Interviews: Kaivs

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Kaivs from Italy. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Jacopo: It may sound funny, but when I got into the band the name had been already chosen by Max. It takes inspiration from the main antagonist of the second act of Hokuto No Ken, which I'm a huge fan of so, I've really nothing to complain about!".

Max: When you form a band, you must search for a monicker with a certain effect, that gives quickly an idea of who you are to the fans! I think that ours it is!.

Tiziano: The band name was already there when I came in.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Tiziano: Because it's one of my favorites, along with a few other genres of metal, I like its energy, history, and attitude.

Jacopo: We brainstormed about what kind of sound was more appropriate: we are 4 people coming from different genres, and we basically stated the fact that this sound is the one that included the most from every single influence.

Max: Well... mmm, because it's brutal?.

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

Jacopo: Yes, I played with Leonardo (our drummer) in a black metal project in 2019 and I've known him since then. I also shared the stage with Max when we were in the other two projects, we are talking about at least 7-8 years ago, but we never managed to talk like we did in the last years.

Max: It's about ten years ago almost... Jacopo! I knew only him and Leonardo too, but only for previous messages to join another band.

Tiziano: Not at all, the first one I met was Max who explained to me all the basic info about this project he was starting up. Time later, Max introduced me to Jacopo and Leo who were already in, and this way the line-up was complete.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Tiziano: Each one of us comes from different musical backgrounds, with metal and non-metal influences that played an important role in the songs' creation, without any risk of going outside the death metal borders.

Jacopo: Well I'm a huge fan of Sodom and Melechesh, I'm pretty sure that Max will go with Slayer (until "Divine Intervention" as he always says).

Max: Oh you know me so well! We're so motherfuckingly punk listening to Misfits, Ramones, Billy Idol, and Samhain! Hahahah!.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Max: Nothing in particular as it's not a challenge for me if you mean about other bands! Maybe, you're speaking about my lyrics concept! Topics are so various: religion, the situation worldwide, demise and serial killers!.

Tiziano: All the bands that use a simple riffing approach, going straight to the point. For amazing results, but with minus effort!.

Jacopo: In my personal experience, there have been a lot of people that I took the inspiration from: first of all it was Cliff Burton who gave me another point of view of playing bass in metal. But speaking about what drives me? Hunger, I've been "on hold" for several years trying to achieve something musically, and now that I tasted it I don't think that a single bite would ever suffice me again, we are here for the whole feast!.

6. Where was your last gig?

Tiziano: In Pordenone, a small town located in the northeast part of Italy. Quite far from our base, it was a long car trip but satisfying for how the show went in the end. One of the nicest aspects of having a band, I’m sure anyone will agree with that.

Jacopo: With machine-guns called Sepolcral and Nuclear Storm! We had a blast, probably the best audience we have had so far!.

7. Where would you like to act?

Max: Worldwide!.

Jacopo: I'd really love to act in a dismissed hangar, full of rusty planes' parts scattered all around and metal scraps, while outside is raining heavily and you can see all the city and airport lights and planes going by and landing.

Tiziano: Abroad, through entire Europe and beyond, the more and the better possible.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Max: Iron Maiden!.

Tiziano: Never thought about it so far, so you took me by surprise!.

Jacopo: For our genre, I think that both Tom Angelripper and Frank Blackfire would fit perfectly well. Tom's voice with Frank's guitar style and rawness would bring a lot of flavor in our work!.

9. Whom not?

Jacopo: As long as the people are humans and do not behave like a prima donna, I don't see any particular artist that I wouldn't feature with. At least this is how I see things.

Max: Metallica!.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Max: Oh no! I'm no one to give any kinda suggest! It's something too personal, anyone deals with on his own! I never give advice! It would be like telling you what to do! Indeed, what would I do! This is truly momentous! Haha maybe try not to see anyone's face in the audience from the front row haha! I always can't wait to go on stage when I am in the dressroom!".

Tiziano: Oh yeah, for sure! Nothing to be ashamed of. Just some rigidity caused by anxiety or worrying about playing something the wrong way, most of the problem can be solved with the right mental mood approach and if anyone practices a lot and knows the songs very well the show will surely be great.

Jacopo: Well, I can tell you that the first time I've ever played live with a band I was nervous a lot. I would not define that as "stage fright", but more like trembling with anticipation. I know that stage fright is a phobia that exists and, in some cases, it can really be tough to handle. I can say that the best thing to do is try to be at ease with the surroundings, and most important with your band members. Most of the time I hear people being bullied for that, but your bandmates are your companions, your friends and they must support you if you have any kind of problem. But what I can say is this: it gets easy with time and continuity.

Max: I'll shoot your legs if I see you shivering next time... haha!.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Max: There's no one in particular, as anyone could have been!.

Tiziano: Celtic Frost, Autopsy, Obituary, Entombed, Dismember, Asphyx, Entrails, and many others to add, I never remember them all to list!.

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

Jacopo: During an older set one of my bass strings broke up, one fan noticed that and at the end asked me for that and to shape that into a bracelet or something like that. It's not the weirdest in the world, but I did it without the problem.

Max: Nothing at all!.

Tiziano: One kid asked to buy our ep and then he left it after paying just forgetting it on the merch stand… In his defense... he was clearly drunk!.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Tiziano: We don’t have a solid fanbase yet, but I appreciate these few we have and they’re enough to make me feel proud and satisfied.

Jacopo: Without them we are nothing. We are eternally grateful to all the people who listen to us, support us, and give us feedback!.

Max: We have no fans! Anyway, do we have fans? No! Hahhah! We don't have any hahah!.

14. What do you think of our site?

Max: Cool! Everything that supports the underground is a big deal!.

Tiziano: It’s well done and does its job pretty fine!.

Jacopo: I love it! The passion that you guys put in the webzine is tasteful and beyond words!.

15. Something to add?

Max: Slander against all crooks!.