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BONAFIDE: "Ultimate Rebel"

BONAFIDE from Sweden and their latest album "Ultimate Rebel" - The best and easiest way out to try and describe this CD would clearly be AC/DC-ish, since it's international and darn popular. However, the nerdy expert and die-hard fan of Swedish hard rock and metal may also recall the Tornado Babies group of the early nineties. Delirious anyone? Energic rock with a proper belter of a vocalist and the ten tracks of raw music recorded during a week or two. It's noisy, loud, and jam-packed with decent sing-a-long melodies that obviously would go hand in hand with a beer or two. Here to let you in about "Ultimate Rebel" , their lead vocalist:  PONTUS SNIBB...

How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

So far very good, and it hasn't been released yet! Great reviews coming in in a steady stream now. 

How long did this CD take to make from start to finish, recording-wise?

We recorded the album in under two weeks in february 2012. 

What kind of 'sound', production wise, did you have in the back of your mind, prior to entering the studio?

We wanted the album to capture what Bonafide is about in a live set, and recorded all rhythm tracks live in the studio at the same time, just adding vocals and solos and the "icing on the cake" afterwards. Keeping it real with no overdubs so tospeak.

What kind of input did the producer have during the process?

I produced the record myself this time. I had fully recorded demos of all the songs and knew what I wanted out of the songs, so it was fairly simple record to make. Pre productions/demos taking time.

And are you pleased with the final outcome? (sound - production wise)

I'm very pleased with the album. I've recorded in Gig Studio in Stockholm before and really like working with studio owner Conny Wall. It all came out just as I hoped it would.

Did the producer (you) use any (weird) experimental miking and/or recording techniques?

No, we used Protools, but in an analog way. Recording everything and not "flying" tracks to save time. No moving beats here and there either. I guess we recorded as they did in the 70's but with 1's and 0's.

How did you go on about capturing your 'live sound' in the studio, or perhaps you didn't

We went for as natural sound as possible, meaning drums sounding drums and guitars sounding guitars. Not too much tweaking when it came to sound. We got good instruments and tried to capture that.

Please inform us about your favourite songs and lyrical highlights and why?

It varies from day to day, right now it's the latest single 'Too Fired Up'. It's got harmony guitars and plenty of hooks. Lyrics wise, 'Blue Skies Red', is really scary, I even scare myself singing that one. Good rock'n'roll lyrics on that one.

Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?

Lyrics and music that go well with a pint or two, good time rock'n'roll so to speak. That's what people want out of this band, and me too, ha ha!

Did the record company interfere with anything on your "sound" and songs?

No, they left everything surrounding the music to the band.

Are there any 'crazy' behind the scenes anecdotes from these sessions that you can share with us?

You mean besides doing a take and then quickly run out to the bar in the studio for a laugh and a smoke and a pint. By the end of the day we were pretty hammered, ha ha. Then I did vocals...

How would you describe the sound of your new CD to any potential new fan? 

Raw, powerful and true with a great groovy live sound.

Who are your influences and heroes? (music-wise)

The classic rock acts like Zeppelin, Faces, The Who, AC/DC as well as the old blues guys like Freddie, Albert & BB King.

If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do:

Hope you guys will enjoy listening to the album as much as we did recording it, and see you on a stage near you. We are definately ready to rock these songs live now!
Cheers!
Pontus Snibb/ BONAFIDE

Interview by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos from the band's websites   http://www.bonafiderocks.com
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