SOURCE – Firstly, many thanks for taking time to talk to us. Scamp can trace their roots back way back to 2006, tell us a bit about the early days and how the band began.
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – Thank you for showing some interest!
Well actually we recorded our first demo ep in 2003 called ‘The New Groove Complex’ at that point we were only two members, myself (Mads) and Morten (drums) so we had to do everything ourselves. The point was to make this demo for our ears only, but when it was finished, a family member made a site for us, put up the songs, and suddenly there was some focus on the band coming from all directions.
We hooked up with Kristian (guitar) and Mikael Rise (vocals) and recorded yet another ep named Re-draft which gave us a record deal with Italian Scarlet Records, so we began to write more songs and ended up with our first full length album named Mirror Faced Mentality. That album won us ‘debut album of the year’ in 2008 at Danish Metal Awards, and after hooking up with bassist Martin, we landed us some nice support gigs with Meshuggah, Korn, Machine Head etc.
The coming years we had some internal affairs which let to a hibernation. I left the band, and then Mikael Rise left, and Scamp was almost dead. Long story short, Kristian called me one day, and we decided to give Scamp a final chance. So we hooked up with singer Michael Bøgballe, and shortly after we went to Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios, to record our second full length The Deadcalm and we are now more than ready to kick ass!
SOURCE – What kind of reception has the new album The Deadcalm had so far and was it received in the way you thought it would be?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – Actually we haven’t been getting great reviews here in Denmark, but from other parts of the world we have been getting really great reviews. The ‘sound’ on The Deadcalm is quite different than it was on Mirror Faced Mentality as we have added some other ..hmm… feeling to it… more life than just a lot of technical parts. Some parts is still a bitch to play though at first listen it sounds like easy playing haha!
The Deadcalm has been compared to the old Mnemic records which actually isn’t that strange since Michael did the vocals on their first two albums, and he has a very distinctive voice. Those album were great albums, and I have always thought that Rune Stigart is a very talented guitar player and composer, I have never tried to copy his riff making though haha! The Deadcalm is 100% Scamp, and we are proud of the album!
SOURCE – The bands sound is pretty full on, take no prisoners Metal but your not afraid to throw in some haunting melodies as well. Is the bands sound constantly developing as time goes by?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – Yes of course it is. We are constantly evolving as individuals, and therefore our music does as well. We make songs that are very different from each other. We are writing news tracks as we speak, and we have about 50 tracks in the pool to choose from. Some tracks are calm and melodic while others are energy explosions grinding the hell out of everything. So to put it short… we evolve with time, and so does our songs. The way of nature.
SOURCE – You did your first lyric video for Silent Inferno. What do you think of the whole lyric video phenomenon that has been popular recently?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – To be honest I did not know that it is popular. I think a lot of bands see it as a opportunity to put their music on You tube without having to spend 5-10.000 $ on some fancy video. Also it is quite easy to make this kind of video on your own computer back home, and then upload it yourself.
SOURCE – Are there plans for a traditional video for that song or any others on the album?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – No, not a traditional one… we are thinking of making a video, but we don’t want it to be traditional and blend in… keep an eye on us.
SOURCE – A lot of bands are more respected in other countries than their homeland. How is Scamp received in Denmark?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – We have not been getting great reviews in Denmark. Good reviews, but not great. Denmark is a small contry, and a lot of people here listening to metal, has heard Scamp back in the days. This album is very different from our previous material, and therefore I think a lot of people were a bit disappointed when they heard our new album. I don’t worry about it really ’cause I know this album will grow on you, and we think it is a fucking awesome album… and that’s what counts.
SOURCE – Are any of the members of Scamp currently in other bands?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – Michael is in a kick ass hard rocking rock’n roll band called Oktan, and you have no reason what so ever not to put this band on your playlist next time you’re having the boys over for some serious beer! Morten is also playing drums in a very cool band called Misophonia. The rest of us are just to damn lazy.
SOURCE – Legal streaming services like Pandora and Spotify are becoming popular. As artists, what is your opinion of them?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – I am really not familiar with these sites. I have heard about Spotify, but you’re asking the wrong person as I seldom listen to music. I have about 18 CDs at home, and the last one I bought about 10 years ago.
SOURCE – If Scamp were to disappear tomorrow, what album would you want to be remembered for?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – Well the fact is, we’ve only made two albums, and I honestly think they’re both very good album which I am very proud of. I can’t pick one from the other ’cause they represent different times and state of mind.
SOURCE – Anything you wish to add to conclude this interview?
Mads Vigeholm (Guitar) – For you guys and girl out there… take a listen, put your head inside the fucking speaker (bring a good beer) and just enjoy the machine that Scamp is… Look forward to the next album which will be even more aggressive and hard hitting.
Many ‘modern’ bands today have a tendency to copy paste in the studio… we don’t… what you hear, is good old live playing. If we fuck up, then we try again until it’s there… no cutting corners. Let the music live! Thanks!
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