TURBOCHARGED (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for taking your time. What’s TURBOCHARGED currently up to?
Ronnie: Hello, no problem, the pleasure is all mine! We’re currently rehearsing for a local gig coming up, recording some new stuff and waiting for some merch to arrive in the mail. That’s about it for now.
– You’ve been around for over 10 years now and, though you’re now on track, during your career you have had some «ups and downs» (so to speak). Could you please do some history of the band?
Ronnie: We started as a trio back in March 2000 and had no idea where this would lead us, it was all a drunken idea at the time and the guys and me had no real band going at the momento. Then time went by and we added members, lost members and changed lineup a few times so from trio we went to a five piece band but after years of broken hopes and losing the last two not-so-serious ones we decided to just peel of all the fancy shit and go for the noise you can make with three pure metal minds. That’s where we are today and as son as we got our shit together it started moving way faster tan any time before. We recorded a demo just a month after the breakup with the others, nothing really happened at first so we recorded another demo and finally we had a gig in Germany because of it. That’s where it all seemed to change and all of a sudden we had an obscure record deal on our hands and all. It’s hard to sum up so many years of so many problems for you in just a few words so let’s stay focused on what we have today. It’s a boring story anyway besides from a few drunken studio sessions.
– And, what does «Turbocharged» mean to you?
Ronnie: It means “Well, it was suitable in the beginning and sounds like shit today but we have come too far to change name now”, ha ha! It’s not really what you’d expect us to be called when you think about the sound but I think it’s a cool name and it stands for energy which I want to believe we deliver. The bad part is that if you try to find us online you only get muscle cars and burning rubber. Besides that, it’s good to have a name that stands out in the flow of bands so I think it will eventually work to our advantage.
– You’re still working as a trio. Was this a good choice or have you ever thought of looking for some other members?
Ronnie: No more members EVER! The more you are, the more minds you have and it all gets too complicated, we’ll be a trio till the day we die or quit. Of course it limits your abilities to arrange songs and all with only one guitar but I think it’s perfect and keeps us raw and simple. We never
tried to impress anyone, we just wanna make noise and have a good time you know.
– The band was formed back in 2000 but your first demo was released in 2008. What did it take you so long?
Ronnie: Well, that’s the official truth, the “backstage” truth is that we have recorded about 6 demos which includes even an álbum back in 2005 or so but none of it was ever properly released and we’re glad to see it kept in darkness these days. It wouldn’t have been good enough to be released back then and it would just have been a threshold to get over today. In 2008 we finally had something worth sharing so we did.
– And past year you released your debut album, «AntiXtian». Why did you decide it was the right moment to do it?
Ronnie: The offer came up for releasing our latest demo as a vinyl and we asked if there was any problema if we recorded a full álbum instead and the guy behind the label said “ok” so we did. The álbum was basically written right before the studio sesión so most of it was brand new for us too and it cameo ut really well in our ears.
– Anyway, soon Chaos Records will release the CD version (as Hellrocker Rekords released the vinyl one). How did you hook up with them and how’s everything going with this label so far?
Ronnie: Ha ha, this is something I have no real good answer to, it all just happened, Victor of Chaos Records approached us about the CD-version even before the vinyl was out and we thought it was a great idea so we accepted it in no time.
– As I mentioned, past year Hellrocker released the vinyl version. What are the benefits of vinyl? As I guess you prefer that format…
Ronnie: Vinyl is the essence of metal, it’s not as plastic and digital as the CD, it has the right look, sound and smell to it. CD’s are great for having in the car and to carry around as merch but when it comes to collecting the damn thing nothing beats a floor filled with boxes of vinyl, it’s like an eternal adrenaline rush to know it’s there.
– Now that the CD is going to be unleashed soon and looking once more to the result, are you guys happy with it or would you like to change anything on it?
Ronnie: Of course there are always things that could have been done differently and so on but to us it’s a perfect first step into the light with this band, it’s raw and it’s not too well produced and it has the right feel to it. Who wants to sound like 2011 when you mostly listen to old stuff or new stuff that sounds old? It’s dirty and it hits you like a ton of bricks and we will never excuse ourselves for releasing it, that’s all that counts.
– Your music sounds as a mix between VENOM, MOTÖRHEAD, SODOM… And I also noticed some influences from Black Metal, Punk… So what are your main musical influences?
Ronnie: There are no interesting answers to this question I’m afraid… I’d like tos ay that you just answered your own question but there’s so 
much more to it tan that, a genuine band that makes their music from what they want to do without regards to sales or trying to make it big always are influenced by everything all the members are listening to. We are all metalheads and we also listen to some punk and stuff like that, whatever you expect us to listen to is a guess as good as mine. I for myself have a sweet tooth for angry and hateful music and the more aggressive it is, the more I like it. All three of us has our own personal preferences but in the end we all listen to basically the same as most other old fat guys out there in the metal scene, ha ha.
– You did the album at your own studio. How positive is this for the band?
Ronnie: It’s hard tos ay what’s gained and what’s lost in having no one telling you what Works or not… The best part of it is that the recording only turns out as good as you are at that point, it makes it all more honest and true to the band itself and it becomes a natural progress in the making. The negative aspect might be that someone else might have been able to give us a few hints about details we can’t see ourselves. For us it’s all good though, then we have full control over the álbum and we can’t blame anyone for fucking it up.
– I read somewhere the album will be followed by a split with ZOMBIEFICATION. What can you tell us about it? Is this put on ice?
Ronnie: It’s gonna happen, that’s the thing we are currently recording, but I have no idea when it’s gonna happen since Zombiefication has been busy with the follow up for their álbum and all. We’ll finish our part of it and then we’ll just wait for the time to come when it’s going public.
– After all these years of so little activity I guess some people may wonder if things will now change…
Ronnie: There has been full activity all along so for us it’s the same behind the scenery, we’re struggling on with our won doings, then we can only hope that gigs will come our way and we’ll have to step it up a few notches but it’ll be the same procedure in the big picture.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans? Are there any live plans?
Ronnie: There are plans and things happening but I can’t say too much about it since it’s not oficial yet but keep your eyes open for our name and you will soon find out what happens later, it’ll be great.
– That has been all, thank you once more for your time. If you now want to add any final words to the interview, last lines are yours.
Ronnie: Thanks for an excellent interview, Tania, it was a pleasure! And all you metalheads out there, check out our album! It might be what you’re looking for in the late night hours when the drinks takes their toll on your flesh and soul!!! CHEERS!!!!!
