INTERVIEW WITH URBAN BREED (ex-TAD MOROSE)
TAD MOROSE REVIEWS
In late 2005 the world was shocked to know that Urban Breed, the frontman of one of the best power metal bands, Tad Morose, has quit the band. On December 30, 2005, I had a chance to interview him to find out what exactly happened and the reasons behind his decision, as well as the Bloodbound project and his future plans.
Hello, Urban. Let's get right to it: when did you quit, how did you quit, why did you quit Tad Morose?
When... it was right about the time I made a post on the Power Zone Message Board (12/21/2005, http://music.mirkwood.net), I would say, several hours before that. Why? It's like I said it, really, if I hadn't quit, I would have been fired. We were just not getting along.
But were these personal or creative differences?
First of all, they were personal, which, in our case, amounted to simply not getting things done. Of course, it depends on whose point of view you're taking. My point of view is that I had a great difficulty in getting along with Christian Andersson.
You said that you didn't share the same vision as the rest of the group. What was your vision, as opposed to theirs?
It's hard to describe. Basically, I really, really, really don't want to release things that I am not proud of. And I do not want to hurry things, just because we have said something... In this particular case, for example, if we say we are about to release an album and go into the studio in January, but we have the opportunity of NOT entering the studio in January, then we should take advantage... I mean, I looked at the material that we had, and I thought that it just wasn't good enough. By far. I wasn't at all happy with it. And, well, yeah, you can call me whatever you like. Maybe I'm a perfectionist. But... I don't know, I just wasn't happy with the material at all.
I remember Christian mentioning on the website that you had two songs almost finished.
That may very well be true. We had lots of different songs that I wasn't happy with that at all. And I know that Chris just didn't want me in the band, I think, since Undead. We've never gotten along. Basically, he considers Tad Morose to be his band, ultimately that's the way he thinks. He says that it's a democratic band, but that's not really the case.
So it's a combination of personal and professional issues.
It's mostly personal. I mean, there's lots of things that are difficult to sort out here, but I'd say it's personal.
Well, I hope you realize that there is a lot of very depressed metal fans in the world now.
Ah, I don't know... I'd think Tad Morose is probably going to be better off without me. I mean, I wasn't happy to work on the songs that the rest of the band produced, in fact, I didn't work much on them, and the rest of the band were upset about it, and they weren't happy to work on my material either. So I think Tad Morose will do fine without me. And I'll definitely continue working on my projects. In the end, I think the audience will definitely gain from it.
So, what's up with Bloodblound? Is that a one-time project or are you going to continue working with them?
I have no idea. The thing is: I was paid to record that album, this is why I recorded it. I am an old friend of Frederick's, and when he asked me, I thought I had the time to contribute. I started writing songs (parts of them), but then I found out that I, in fact, did not have the time. So, instead they paid me, and I sang whatever lyrics they gave me.
Are you overall happy with the output, the results of that album, or you don't really care?
Let's say it's better than I expected it to be.
I have, personally, not heard it. But I've read a lot of negative comments, mainly directed at the music, saying that it sounds too generic.
I can understand where that is coming from, but on the other hand, to Frederick and Tomas that's probably a good thing; they were, sort of, aiming for it. I can understand if you don't like it, especially if you are into the whole "prog/power" thing, the progressive style, but they just wanted to record a simple, in-your-face, metal album. And that is what they ended up doing.
Fair enough, but what's up with the corpsepaint?
(Urban laughs) Oh, I am not even... Let's get this straight. At no point was I actually wearing makeup at all. The others did, but I made it very clear from the start, that there is no way I'm coming to the photosession wearing makeup. So they "Photoshopped" everything. When I saw the pictures, my initial reaction was to call them up and yell at them, but at the end, I just laughed at it. I could never imagined myself wearing corpsepaint, but now, I guess, I know exactly what I look like in it.
So, the Million Dollar Question is: what are you going to do now? Are you going to assemble a whole new band or join an established group or what?
Well, the only way I ever join an existing group is if I get a good enough offer. My plan right now is to do a solo album. Who am I going to be working with? That I would rather not say at the moment, simply because the things aren't finalized yet with them, and I wouldn't want to put people in questionable position, if you know what I mean.
Very well. Now, if you could have any musicians in the world to pick for your band, who would you choose? Let's start with guitar. Anybody?
I don't know. That depends on what I end up doing, really, on the general direction of the songs. It would be kind of fun to get Tracy G to play with me. Just because nobody else would ask him to.
Tracy G of Dio?
Yes. Strange Highways is actually my favorite Dio album.
Bass?
Tony Levin. Wouldn't that be great? He played with everything and everyone, Yes, Peter Gabriel, and so on.
Drums?
That's a difficult one... I dunno. I'd love to pick someone Peter Gabriel was using, but that would mean I'd need to do something very drastic with the direction of the music. I'd love to have Vinnie Appice, I always loved his playing.
And, finally, on keyboards?
Not a bad choice. I saw you talking to Tore Ostby on ProgPower; have you heard from him since?
Yes, I have. I talked to him a few times since. Ran into him in Norway once.
He is one guitar player that everybody would love to see by your side.
Well, he is just too busy with everything else. But you're right, you can put him there on my wishlist for guitar players. I would love to work with him. He is a great player. Just from how he looks so happy on stage. I find that really important for a musician. You should love being on stage. If you don't, then you should be doing something else. But he is an accomplished musician too, that's important, of course. And he has all that too. He knows when to play and when not to play.
Is he doing anything, music-related? Besides growing tomatos?
No, he's just growing tomatos. He is a musical consultant. Very busy.
You know, there have been a lot of vocalists that split from their bands, either without any significant following success or simply never to be heard from again: Anders Zakrisson of Nocturnal Rites, Martin Walkiyer of Skyclad, Stephen Frederick of Firewind. Their bands carried on without them, but they and their talents disappeared... Aren't you afraid?
No, not really. What I can do -- I'll do. Also, some people leave bands just because they are tired of music business. Or maybe they don't have any creative ideas of their own to fall back on. I'm not really worried about that, because I've always been a part of the songwriting and I'm confident in myself.
What happened to your website?
Oh, that's easy. A crappy host. The site crashed, and I decided not to use it again, so I'm putting up a new one pretty soon, a full-fledged one, with everything. Even a webshop.
Now, let's put you in a hot seat. Rate the following vocalists, on a scale of 1-10, "10" being the highest. Any additional comments are, of course, welcome. Let's start with Krille Andren, the original singer for Tad Morose.
Ok-kay... I think he's a 5. That's all, of course, very subjective, you know: my enjoyment of his voice. He's a 5. But, you know, let's not give anybody a 10, cause, I think that would be pointless, OK?
Hmmm... I don't know. The added thing here would be taking his stage personality into account, he would definitely be ranked higher because of that. Like, I would give him a 5 or a 6, but if you bring his stage presence and the charisma, he would rank higher.
Oh, that depends on what he's doing. If we go by what he is doing right now, I'd give him an 8 or a 9.
Let's give him a 6 or a 7.
Oh, he is really good, but I'm not sure about his enunciation...(laughs). And, also, he should find his own personality a bit more, he needs to work on that.
You mean, he's trying to be too much like Tony Martin?
Tony Martin and everyone else in this genre. But he is really good... I've heard him sing on different things... I dunno... a 7?
Did you see Wuthering Heights on ProgPower? That was my introduction to him...
Oh, his stage persona... I even felt like going up there and telling him to enjoy it a bit more (laughs).
I think he is good, in fact, seeing him live makes me rate him a bit higher. When I've heard him on the album, I didn't give him that much credit, but live he is better than I thought. I'd say 7 or 8.
5.
Now a couple of countrymen of yours. Joacim Cans (Hammerfall, solo).
4. But he is getting better.
Oh, well, he gets compared to me quite often, so a 10. (laughs) No, obviously. I don't know him that well, but, I guess a 7. On a bad day, he's really bad, but then again, so am I.
Don't know. Haven't heard him.
Oh, there you go. Hehe, which system do I use? Do I use his delivery or his ability NOT to hit the right note? You know, he is off-key quite often. If you go back and listen to his live albums, they are horrible sometimes. Not all the time, though. Well, let's be kind and say that I love listening to the old Priest albums. Defenders Of The Faith is one of my all-time favorite albums, and, basically, mostly so because of the vocal delivery of Rob. He is one of a very few vocalists that can pull off singing the wrong note and make me enjoy it anyway. So let's say 9.
Wow, that's difficult, because he is doing some stuff now that I don't have any idea about. But "back when," I dunno, 7, perhaps.
Well, there you go. I've been often compared to him, and I hardly even know what he sounds like.... Actually, a friend played me his stuff, and I think that he's OK. 6.
And, finally, Geoff Tate.
Oh, difficult again... Let's give him an 8.
And I'm not going to name Dio, because I know you're going to give him a 10.
Actually, I wouldn't give anyone a 10. Except, maybe, Bob Catley, my favorite voice..
You see, I'm totally unfamiliar with him. Now, another odd ball question: did you have a chance to listen to Mechanical Poet?
Yes, I did. And you know, I think the album is a bit too diverse. There is too much diversity, a bit chaotic, as a whole. But I love the package! It's great!
It's an exercise in diversity, that's for sure. Unfortunately, they recently announced their breakup.
But there were only three of them, right?
Sometimes, that's all it takes to break up... So, Urban, now what? Who are you working with and how soon can we expect a solo album or an album from any project, involving Urban Breed?
We'll have to wait and see, how soon can the things between me and the other potential musicians can work out. I have some material ready, but as for the exact time, I can't tell you, we'll have to see. I cannot even tell you if it's going to be more traditional or progresive, because, on one hand, I am a traditionalist in how I approach metal, but on the other hand, I'd like to have some sort of a progressive twist in my music.
Thank you very much, best of luck in 2006, and we hope to hear more from you in the near future!
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