Erik Heikne (Miss Behaviour) – interview

Erik Heikne (Miss Behaviour) – interview

09 Agosto 2014 0 Commenti Alessandro Lifonti

interview by Alessandro Lifonti

versione italiana

MR: Hello Erik, welcome to melodicrock.it and thank you for answering our questions!
MB: Thank you so much for having us Alessandro!

MR: Would you like to introduce Miss Behaviour to the italian rockers?
MB: The history of the band goes back to 2003. Henrik and myself had an ambition to create a band, influenced by the great melodic rock bands from the 80s like Foreigner, Toto, Europe and such, but with a modern touch. We released our debut album „Heart of Midwinter“ in 2006 but our break through album was „Last Woman Standing“ in 2011. While making „Last Woman Standing“ we recruited the vocalist Sebastian Roos, who was allready a quite well known singer in Sweden. I think the key to the success with „Last Woman Standing“ was the hard work we put down on both song writing and production, but also the way Henrik, me and Seb work together, creating the holy trinity of this band so to speak. This time, with „Double Agent“ we are even more of a solid band, with our rythm section Niclas and Magnus as permanent members. We first invited Niclas Lindblom (Bass) and Magnus Jacobsson (drums) to rehearsal with us for the first UK-tour. It was an immediate success. It felt like we had been playing together for years after the first song. They are both very skilled and professional musicians and most important of all, they are extremely fun to hang out with.

MR: You are about to release your third album but would you quickly like to say something about your first two records?
MB: Heart of Midwinter was a bit like the first kiss you know. Not that confident and neither did we have the skills to pull off a project like that. We were quite young back then, but you know what, we had the ambition! And that ambition a long with improved skills in song writing and performing led to our break through with “Last Woman Standing” in 2011. That album was a huge project for Henrik and me. We worked on that album for years and did everything our own way, because we were sure it would be a great album. We fired two singers, a bass player and drummer during the process. I’m still very proud of the result and all the good press we got.

MR: So let’ s finally talk about your forthcoming record called “double agent”! What can we expect from this album?
MB: I think it is a grower. Sure, there are a couple of songs that may appeal the very first time, but as an album, I think it requires a couple of spins in the record player before it reaches its full potential. We are still doing the same kind of melodic rock/AOR music but we have added some more edge to it. We have been a lot more focused on the song writing and really tried to get the most out of every song. People who liked “Last Woman Standing” will definitely enjoy “Double Agent” as well

MR: How long did it take to record this cd and who took care of the music and the songwriting?
MB: One thing that you have to keep in mind, when talking about why this album turned out the way it did, is the very special circumstances that preceded the recordings. We came back from tour in 2012, and our manager at the time, Michael Sundén was very eager for us to get back out on the road with a new album as soon as possible. So this project was supposed to get done in a very short time. As we got started we got a call from a friend in the band Houston, saying Michael had died in a terrible accident, while being preparing the UK leg of a Crashdiet-tour. This really turned everything upside down. Michael was not only our beloved friend and manager, he was also in charge of the business around Miss Behaviour. Imagine that. It took a while to recover but as always, we put our heads in the sand and work hard. Both on reestablish contacts in the business, but also doing what we do the best, writing, recording and performing. This whole tragedy somehow made the band and the album much stronger. I hope this emotion reaches the listener. Especially in the song “Corporation Arms”, dedicated to Michael.
Beside all this, we did “Double Agent” more as a band and in quite short time, compared to it’s predecessor. Both me, Henrik and Sebastian wrote songs and was involved in the production. We recorded it together and once again teamed up with our long term friend/producer and mix engineer Daniel Gese at Realtime Recording Studios for the mix and mastering and what a job he did!

MR: It happens sometimes that some records are hard to find on the market! Where can we get “double agent”?
MB: I think we have a great record company in Europe in AOR Heaven. The distribution is very good, so you will probably get hold of a copy through your local record store, or online stores if you like. It will also be released digital on Itunes and such. And you can always by a copy from us when we perform live. It’s out on august 29th in the EU.

MR: In my opinion several swedish singers scream from the beginning
till the end of the song! On the other hand Sebastian has such a warm voice and he can easily switch from the warm to the screaming part whenever he wants! That’ s a great skill! What do you think about his way of singing?
MB: Sebastian is a great singer. But he is also a skilled and professional performer and front man on stage. Personally I agree with you, I don’t fancy growl and screaming at all.

MR: Will you promote Double agent with a tour?
MB: We toured in the U.K twice 2012 and we loved it. We met so many great people and we really want to get back there again. Nothing is settled yet but let’s just say we’re working on it. Of course we want do shows in Italy, Spain, Germany and you know… all of Europe! We will try our best as always, so who knows where we may show up in the future.

MR: Erik, Sweden is the promised land of Rock ‘n’ roll! 30 years ago Europe has given birth to a rock style that luckily in Sweden keeps growing day by day! How can all this still be possible?
MB: You know Alessandro, we get this question often and unfortunately I don’t have a good answer. I guess what Europe and Yngwie Malmsteen once started, has inspired a new generation. Unfortunately the scene in Sweden is very limited. Swedes seem to prefer heavier bands and modern metal. Bad taste I guess haha!

MR: What’ s your favourite bands beside Miss Behaviour of course? 😉
MB: I’m a huge Europe fan, and I love Toto, Foreigner and such. I’m also a huge Yngwie fan. But there is a lot of “new” talent that appeal to me as well. Bands like H.E.A.T, Houston and Degreed among others.

MR: What do you think about the rock scene in Italy these days? Do you know any italian artists/bands?
MB: We worked with Mr. AOR himself, Alessandro Del Vecchio, when we pitched the album for different labels, so I’m quite familiar with the Italian scene. Alessandro recommended me many great bands. I like F.E.A.S.T, the Shining Line project, Hell in The Club… It seems like quite a scene in Italia!

MR: Thank you once again Erik from all the staff of melodicrock.it
MB: You’re welcome, my pleasure!

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