TNT INTERVIEW |
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The new TNT disc is quite a welcomed return to form, so I decided to send some questions through email to Ronni Le Tekro, hoping for some in-depth explanation of TNT 2004. As you can see below, his replies were so short that it defies description …
Interview by Claus Jensen |
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First up - this is, at least according to the media and the fans, the only original line-up version of TNT (Tony, Ronni, Diesel, Morty). As a member of the band, would you agree to this, or do the "other line-up versions" of TNT count as much to you?
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"This is the classic line-up that created and creates the classic TNT sound."
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Having seen the changes in the line-up over the years, I'm sure that there have been some problems between the members in the past. Are all problems solved now, or how long time will you give this line-up before it's time to change it again?
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"3 albums...he he"
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The band is officially a Norwegian band, but since Tony is from USA, I'm sure that have created some problems in the past, or … ?
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"Some practical problems, but we`ve solved them..."
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You've worked with major labels over the years of TNT's existence, but the new album is out in Europe on MTM, which is a "smaller" label specifically working with hard rock acts. What will this change do for the band?
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"A better more dedicated support,"
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This kind of music have always been a big hit in Japan - is this still your strongest market? What is it about classic hard rock that goes so well with the Japanese audience?
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"We `re currently no. 22 on the national japanese charts...Yippi..........."
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I think you have a fantastic sound on the new disc - it's is seldom a hard rock band achieves such a clear, yet powerful sound. Are you satisfied yourself?
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"Thank you very much...and yes..the band is happy :-)"
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You've worked with Tommy Hansen on the mix of the new album. What made you chose Tommy, and what is your experience working with him now?
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"Tommy knows how to mix the TNT-sound.......he`s done a fantastic mixing-job. We will continue working with him."
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Which of the songs on the disc are your personal favorites - and which of the songs are a link to the past and which ones are hinting at the new TNT 2004?
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""Perfectly", "You`ll be there", "Invisible noise", "Dianne" ... many good ones. "Everybodys got a secret" and "She needs me" are maybe the most 80`s TNT-sounding."
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Tony have always been a fantastic singer, but his performance on "Song 4 Dianne" is breathtaking and easily puts him among the best singers in the entire hard rock scene. What did you do to push him that extra for that song? :-)
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"Gave him red wine and discussed worldpolitics....:-)"
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Ronni's guitar playing is as always in a world of it's own - definitely a true guitar hero. I think that on this new disc it's even more in focus than in the past (perhaps with exception of the first couple of TNT releases). Is it time for re-introducing the guitar in hard rock?
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"I think Im maybe on the right track...I just play the stuff I do...."
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The hard rock scene isn't as strong nowadays as it was back in the 80's when TNT were huge - but it does seem like it's coming back stronger now, than in the past decade. Where's TNT going to be in the middle of this? As one of the main bands, or are you just content with being able to make albums you like yourself?
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"It`s basically about creating great R&R, but we aim to be big."
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Being your neighbours - Norway / Denmark - I'm of course hoping that you'll make it down here for a gig or two … any chances of that?
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"I hope so ... Denmark was always my fave ... many summers in Odense with my family as a kid. As grown up ... many visits to Christiania ... Copenhagen without it, would be a tragedy for tourism :-)"
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Any last words?
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"Thanks for caring about our music...see you in the future...all the best, Ronni le Tekro, TNT" |
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