Die Franzosen kommen: Die Basken KILLERS gastieren am Sonnabend auf dem ausverkauften Headbangers Open Air. Vor einem der seltenen Gastsspiele der Südwestfranzmänner erwischte METAL INSIDE das Szene-Urgestein Bruno noch zum Interview. Auf eine Übersetzung verzichten wir diesmal, damit das Interview noch rechtzeitig vor dem Fest online geht. InterviewWhat’s up in France?



Nothing really extraordinary specially arrived at us in the last month. For what concerns me (except our band), I attended an extraordinary concert of Manowar during the Metalway festival of Saragossa. That will not appear in our history but that contributes to want to prolong it with some more of passion.



If you look at your long biography: What’s your motivation do go on with KILLERS.



Since the time, it does not need special motivation there. We are and we make. There is neither disproportionate euphoria, nor risk of tiredness.



Tell me something the old members and bands like titan and so on, are the guys also active.


I have no news from the old members. I see sometimes with pleasure Patrice LE CALVEZ (first singer) who sings in an cover band of the Basque country. I also know that François MERLE (guitarist) continues with his band MANIGANCE but I have no luck to see again him very often.


What about the actual CD („A L'OMBRE DES VAUTOURS”. Describe it in your own words (and with much of them!). Isn’it a little bit more „punky” – and why did you chose those cover-versions.


Originally, we were working on a duration similar to "Habemus Metal" and we would have possibly been able to place i in the same vein with nevertheless headways bound to the experience. I added new consecutive tracks which go from "Comprendre" to " Un peu de répit ". I composed specially these tracks to present exactly these facets which are integral parts of the appropriate and personal identity of KILLERS. The addition of these tracks would have been able to confuse in term of conciseness and homogeneity but it seems that it was not the case.
I think that they contributed to give a supplementary personality to this album. I am really satisfied that it was able to be appreciated because it leaves us an enormous freedom to be able to envisage our future. For covers, it raises in 2003. We were elected French favorite group of the readers of Hard rock magazine. We had to receive our trophy in Paris and present a cover. I thought at once of presenting a track from Manowar with words in French. Marc and Vincent from VULCAIN had to come to play with us but they were not totally warm for this idea. As it was necessary outside question not to make it, I proposed that we add the same plan with a track from Motörhead. We thus met ourselves with these two covers. We presented them in live version on a DVD but I also wanted to present them in version studio. It is for it that we find them on our album.


Then there is the Live-CD from Paris. How do you like it? And what about DER KAISER – they playing there also. (And next year on HOA)


I like this live because it corresponds exactly to the fact that is this concert: fast, intense and direct As regards other bands, I cannot say to you about it more with a listening of a recording because we are the only ones to have spread a testimony of this memorable day. For DER KAISER, I do not know because they did not play the same year as us.


Lyrics and ideas behind KILLERS? And what about some basques points of view – which is important for you, I think.


I cannot reasonably answer you in some examples. It is really too much complicated. It is true all the more as I always try to leave to each the possibility of opening several drawers at the level of possible interpretations.


Something about your image? Are you some “true-metal-fighters” or basques-independent-fighters or just normal guys?


We are what we are. We do not take charge of what think others about us. We do not say to others what they have to think because we want to remain totally free to think what we want. The musical and political notions are subjective. We are not missionaries thus each makes and thinks what he wants but we beware the possibility of taking advantage of this freedom to greet or criticize who check seems to us.


What about producing the last CDs (who where what etc...)?


We did not change in a way of proceeding. For more than 15 years, we make quite at home from A to Z.
All the recordings which do not concern me are made on Saturday afternoon, when we have an a little more quiet period at the level of concerts, and I take charge besides during week.


How do you estimate the reactions concerning the album (fans, journalists, sales etc.)? And which chances do you see for the future and the new cd? I just read a good review in german rockhard (7,5 out of 10). Plans for a new cd?


The reactions were good and it pleased us, naturally. For sales, it is as for everybody, they fell. This situation makes that I cannot dedicate so much time as I shall want it to the band. There will be necessarily a new cd which will be recorded but I cannot give you at present more information because it is not foreseen yet.


What about touring? In past and future...



We continue to be ready to play in any place which will honour us with accepting our modest financial requirements. Until now, it concerns punctual dates on week end: it does not take place there that it changes a lot.


Do you play (played) also some festivals? What do you think about festivals in general? You like it bigger? Festivals I mean! What’s your favourite festival?


In report in our punctual dates, we do not play in festivals a lot. When it arrives, it is always a very good experience and an excellent recollection. We prefer the more reduced festivals because the atmosphere is there warmer.


Are you happy to go to HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR? Do you know something about it?


We are particularly happy and honored to participate in it because it is exactly the type of festival that is convenient for us. The audience is full of passion, everything takes place on a single scene. We are far from the factories which propose hundreds of bands on scenes which play almost quite at the same time.



How do you like Germany?


After France, Germany was always the country which the best answered our music.
You suspect that we appreciate it strongly.



You hailing from bardos/bayonne. What about your local scene?


It is regrettably very quiet. We tried to move a little things with our organizations on Bidache but it was not followed enough at the level of the public and the local bands. It is pity.



Tell me something about france/basque/bardos. I like language and land .... and you? Tell me something about the conflict between English-speaking Europeans and francophones. (with the radio-thing to play more than 50 percent French music…) What about living in france from the social poinit of view. Dont hesitate....



There would be a lot to say on all the evoked points. We would realize that, finally, each is often, alternately, an executioner, an accomplice or a victim. Europe is also made at this level. It is made, also, at the level of the problems and the difficulties. There are many of to speak about it but it is also indeed necessary to wish that it is made at the level of the solidarity to be exactly able to better answer it. By eradicating some dozens general problems, we would manage to resolve hundreds of more particular problems. It would not be ended for all that but it would be an encouraging sign.



Right. Now let the music do the talking.