– Hello and first of all, thanks for taking the time. To start, please explain us what are TAINTED NATION currently up to.

MARK: You’re very welcome and thank you for doing this interview! At this point a lot of things are happening for us, we’re still promoting the album and doing interviews and are getting ready for the shows we have in the UK. Then we’ll do a few festivals and a few shows in France and in Spain after the summer as you may have heard. We also took the first steps writing new material, because we didn’t want that to leave it last and are already throwing ideas at each other.

– First off, could you please make some history of TAINTED NATION? How did a band like such get together?

PETE: myself and Mark, spent many a social hour together whilst playing drums on tour with our respective bands. We kept in touch and after sending Mark the demos i had recorded with Ian Nash, he was knocked for six, actually he was knocked for 7 .His biggest surprise was when i told him that i was singing. Then he drank a bottle of gin and joined the band!! Ponuts was approached soon after and was suitably impressed. It has been a great match of personalities from the start.

 

– And is the band’s name addressed to any particular «nation»? What’s the hidden meaning behind it?

MARK: We live in dark times and every country and nation faces financial crisis thanks to corrupt politicians and money sucking bankers! They have created a world at stake and put us all in an electric chair! We are not happy about it. That’s what we call a Tainted Nation.

 

– You have just released your debut album, entitled «F.E.A.R.» so, how are you feeling about it? What are your expectations on it? And how have the first reactions been so far?

MARK: Absolutely fantastic! People really like the album and the press has left superb ratings. We didn’t really know what to expect, but I believe that we have done something right here! We are very happy about it.

 

– After giving the album some spins I could say is a really catchy album, which the listener can easily associate with, with really easy-listening tunes. Was this the approach and sound you were looking for? Or did it just come out while writing the record?

PETE I can be my own worst critic. I wanted people to sing along to hooks , but also feel our angst and frustration about life ! These were the aims and i think we got to the point!! (i am not sure about the word easy listening here, that makes me think of gameshows, men in suits and politicians!!

 

– In fact is a pretty good way to attract the listener and leave some impact since the beginning. Is this important for you being a new act?

PETE: I think having belief in yourself is of key importance. If you can leave an impact, people are interested in what you will do next. I hope as a new band, our new fanbase is waiting for our next move.

 

– Talking about such, how is the songwriting process in a band like TAINTED NATION?

PETE: There were no hidden secrets. I would usually write melodies and lyrics to the hard hitting riffs that mister Nash supplied .It made it inspiring ,especially when you feel you are on to something good.

 

– «F.E.A.R.» was produced by Pete Newdeck, and mixed by Dennis Ward. This team looks like a real success guarantee but, are you satisfied with the final output? Have they gotten what you were looking for?

MARK: Both of them are very talented guys and Pete had a great vision on what the album should be and sound like and with Dennis mixing the album, it definitely became a state of the art. We are all very happy with the results.

 

– The cover artwork mixes different images, all of them from different nations and related to fear but, how did you come up with the idea? What did you want to reflect with it?

MARK: As I mentioned before, we are living in dark times and almost every Nation has been affected with the financial crisis and wars. It’s not hard to come up with a concept like that today, but it needs balls if you wanna get involved and express your true feelings about it. You know, some people and governments may get offended when you speak the truth and some in our industry prefer to stay neutral! Bollocks, I believe it’s time for a revolution!! Enough of Big Brother, Fame Story and all that shit. Enough of fantasy artwork on CD covers and lying news on Television! The world needs to wake up and face the real facts! Perhaps on our next cover we’ll present that psycho nuclear warrior Kim Jong “Boom” with one of his rockets up his ass, or perhaps Justin Bieber with a drum stick! Aren’t we having fun?

 

– The cover artwork looks like a visual social message so, is it connected with the lyrics on the album? Would you mind to elaborate a bit on this?

PETE: The cover artwork shows some very famous landmarks of the world…….these are a rotating backdrop, where in the foreground ,it shows rebellion..its a way of saying ,no matter where you are in the world, this is what the common people think about how we are treated.

 

– All this about «F.E.A.R.» being said; how could you describe it in just 3 words?

MARK: Four words! Fight Enemies And Rulers!

 

– All of your are also playing and have played in different bands but, what does TAINTED NATION provide you your other band’s can’t and viceversa?

PETE: It most certainly has been a breakaway from ALL of our ‘expected’ genres…people thought we would be some kind of aor band..but we arent anything like that. This album has allowed me personally to express myself completely.It’s allowed me to vent some really deep deep deep shit…….if anyone takes time to read the lyrics, they will see they came from some dark place in my mind.based on my own experiences in life ,along with seeing the world from the inside.

 

– In fact we could say you are an all-star Metal band. Is this something positive in terms or promotion and/or a con in other aspects? As this usually tends to be a double-edged sword.

MARK: We are deemed as an all star band…..which for me is positive-It will enable me to reach out to people which is why we make music

PETE: ALL star? gimme a break …..I am the only star in this band!!! J in all seriousness, it’s great to be thought of and respected in that way, but with that comes a responsibility to deliver…..so we hope sincerely we did..with both fucking barrels!!

 

– And finally, what are your near-future plans?

MARK: Record the drums on the new production and when I’m done…… have a chilled CERVEZA con Jamon Serrano!!

PETE: plans are to take this album to the masses. As much as we can do so. Spain dates are coming in for october, so see you in october spain!!!! we will be recording a new album soon also.

 

– That has been everyting from my side, thank you once more for taking your time. If you now want to add any last words; feel free to do it.

MARK: Hola Espana, see you soon!! Let’s Raaaaawk!!

PETE: hit us up on facebook and also at www.taintednation.co.uk we can send you all sorts of stuff, including signed photos and albums…..thanks for your support!!!!!

Sergio Fernández

sergio@queensofsteel.com

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