Rick Wartell (Trouble)
April 2007
From 1995 to 2005 basically there were no news on Trouble. What have you guys been doing over the years?
We just went our separate ways for a little while. I started a band called Wet Animal and Bruce started a band called Supershine and Eric did a project called Lid. We all just went our separate ways. We got pretty tired of doing the Trouble thing for a while and needed a break basically. We did our thing for a little bit then Escapi called and wanted us to do another record.
So, it was the label’s idea in the first place?
Well, actually Leif Edling from Candlemass, he was working for the record company and he kept calling us and calling us and bugging us and bugging us and telling us to do a live show and finally he talked us into it and thanks to him we did another record.
I see. So, without Leif there wasn’t a new Trouble record...
Guaranteed. It was Leif’s fault. (Laughs)
Was everyone interested when they idea came up?
Not really. I really didn’t wanna do any more Trouble records. I know that some of the other guys didn’t want to do either at the time. But when we decided to give it another try and we got back together it was so much fun that everyone enjoyed it again. It was fresh again. So, I’m glad that we did it. But I’ll be honest: at the time I wasn’t sure that this was the right thing to do but now that we have done it I’m happy that we did.
Was it obvious to do it with this line-up?
Yeah. We figured if we’re going to do another Trouble record we may as well used the same members that we’ve been using over the years. The only change is that Ron left the band and we got Chuck Robinson to play bass for us, which ended up being a great acquisition because he’s a great band member, he’s a good songwriter. He really works hard and we’re really happy to have him on board.
Speaking of the members... what was your initial reaction when you heard that Barry (Barry Stern) passed away?
It was very shocking. It was very sad. We all attended the funeral and to this day it’s hard to believe that he’s gone. We played a show two weeks ago and it was the two year anniversary of his death and we dedicated the show to him. It’s just one of those things when you lose a friend like that, it’s hard to believe that he’s really gone. It really infected us.
After the long hiatus you returned with a bang last year: a live gig with DVD recording...
That was because Leif wanted us to play that show and asked if wanted to record it live because no one really record us live before. We really didn’t have any intention of doing an album at that time and once we started getting ready to do the recording in Stockholm that’s when Escapi proposed that we do another album and we decided, “Okay, let’s write something and let’s see what happens.” But there was really no intention at first. We just wanted to do the live recording but the longer we hung out together and played together the more we decided that it would be a good thing.
Actually that’s what Leif has with him own band Candlemass... breaking up, coming back together, breaking up again and then coming back to do another album. (Laughs)
(Laughs) Right, right. It’s hard to keep a band together this long. We’ve been doing this for 25 years and every now and then people just need a break from one another basically. It’s almost like a marriage, it takes a lot of work. (Laughs)
How did that gig go in Stockholm? Weren’t you nervous because of the cameras?
No, not at all. You don’t even notice them really. I mean when you’re playing the show you just pay attention to playing your parts and doing what you do. We’ve been filmed before but not with so many cameras. It wasn’t anything new to us. It was just us having fun and playing our music. And I tell you the truth, after halfway through the show I was so drunk I didn’t even remember there was cameras. (Laughs)
How long did you rehearse for the gig?
Probably two weeks and probably only three days a week, so maybe six times.
Was it fun getting back together again?
It was because after so many years you realise that you miss what you had there: the comradery and the music. And after 7-8 years of not playing the Trouble songs it was good to play and see the guys. Everyone kinda missed each other.
Besides the Stockholm gig what else did you put on the finished DVD?
I haven’t really seen it. I have seen only parts of it here and there. I know we did a long interview with Leif and I believe that’s on there. What else? I think that’s it. (Laughs) You have one DVD with an hour long interview and on the other DVD there’s the live show from Stockholm.
Are you planning more DVDs?
Yeah. Actually we’re in negotiations right now to do a new one.
And any plans of re-releasing the bands previous live footage and videos?
Possibly. I know that on the reissues of the first two records we gave a bunch of footage of early videos, interviews and live shows. That’s part of the first two albums if you buy the reissues. And we still have a lot of stuff here and one day maybe we’ll release some of it. It’s hard to say but I think as long as we have it in our possessions that’s always a possibility.
The new album was originally titled “Seven”. How come you changed it?
Eric and I were talking one day about it and we were just going over lyrics of songs from “Plastic Green Head”. We both liked “Seven”, it was okay, but it just wasn’t the one. When you hear the title and you go “That’s the one”. So, we were just reading lyrics over the phone and over and over again from song to song and finally we came across a line from “Opium-Eater” and Eric said, “Simple Mind Condition” and I said, “That’s perfect.” It just seemed to fit so well with what this album is about and it has so many different meanings. It was the coolest title I ever heard, so we had to use it. (Laughs)
How was getting back to songwriting mode again?
It was okay. It was the same as before basically. We got together with some ideas and everyone would come to rehearsals with what they had and we worked on them together until we had the songs the way we liked them. It wasn’t that difficult really. I think the next album, if we do another one, it’s gonna be just as easy. I mean we have plenty of ideas and we have plenty of time to come up with ideas. I think there’s a lot to write about.
Did you write all brand new material or you had some stuff from the past?
We used a couple of old ideas from the past, but the majority is all new stuff.
So, what would be the oldest and the newest song on the album?
Okay, the oldest one is probably “Pictures”. That was a song that we actually recorded when we did the “Manic Frustration” album. We always liked it but there was always something missing from it. We never could quite figure out what it was. We thought the music was really really good. And then Eric worked on the melody a little bit to make it fit better of it. And once he changed the melody the song really came into its own and it was what we were looking for. So we decided to re-record it for this album. So that would be the oldest one. I guess the newest one would be “Mindbender”. That’ s a very low tuned heavy song that we wrote for this record, which is my favourite. It’s just more modern Trouble meets old Trouble. It’s really heavy but it’s got the new Trouble vibe to it. It’s a really cool song. I think that’s the direction the band is starting to go in more so when you hear that song you’ll understand what we’re heading. (Laughs)
Btw, how would you describe the music of Trouble for folks that never heard about you before?
That’s a good question. We’ve been trying to figure that one out for years. If I had to describe trouble it’s a heavy doom psychedelic band with a message to people. In our eyes it’s kinda timeless. It’s not as if were a band that’s only cool for this time period or that time period. It’s a band that you could relate to all the time. That’s my opinion of the music of Trouble.
Where would you put “Simple Mind Condition” in the Trouble back catalogue when it comes to musical style?
Style-wise I would say that it’s very heavy, fresh and doomy. It reminds me a lot of “The Skull” but only upgraded to 2007. “The Skull” to me was a very heavy album and very thought provoking. This album does the same thing when I listen to it. It makes me think a lot. It’s not like all fast hard music. It’s heavy slower doom and it’s just got a good vibe to it. Very heavy.
The album was planned for a February release. Why was it delayed that much?
There were several issues regarding contracts and producers and studios. We just wanted to make sure that it was done right before we released it. And now we are at a stage where we’re all happy with it and we’re ready to release it. But there were moments where we wanted to go back and remix a part here or a part there. And these things take time because we got five guys with five opinions. Then we have a producer and record company with their opinions. You try to make everyone happy but the bottom line is if we were happy with it would have let it come out. It took time for us to get it to the point where we all liked it that much.
Did you get offers from record labels when it became clear that you are coming back?
Yeah, we were talking to several different labels at the time but we just liked the people from Escapi. They’re new, they’re fresh, they think differently. The thing that we liked the most about them is that they’re Trouble fans and it’s really good to be on a label where people believe and like what you’re doing. That was very important to us. We’re happy to be with them right now.
Were the reissues of the first two Trouble albums done by Escapi as well?
Yes, those were released by them. We regained the rights to those from Metal Blade about three years ago and those were parts of the negotiations when we decided to do a new album. Escapi wanted to buy everything we had and at the time we found out that we retained the rights to the first two albums so we worked out a deal with them to re-release those. And also “Plastic Green Head” which will be re-released by Escapi soon. The only albums we don’t have at this point are the Rick Rubin albums “Trouble” and “Manic Frustration” and “Run to the Light” from Metal Blade. We’re trying to retain the rights to our entire catalogue and put them all on Escapi. Hopefully within a year or two we’ll be able to accomplish that.
Is it tough to get the rights back?
Well, for the first two albums it was very easy as the contracts have just expired, so we just took them back. But the other ones will need a lot of negotiations to go on. It is pretty difficult. Fortunately we have a good team behind us and hopefully they can get the job done some time this year.
That’d be great as your back catalogue is very hard to get... maybe only on eBay...
Right. That’s one of the reasons we wanna retain the rights, so we can at least get those out there and having the entire catalogue out. Now it’s only half the catalogue is available and I don’t think that’s fair to Trouble fans or to us.
What would be your favourite Trouble album?
Up to this point I’d have to say it was “Manic Frustration” but this one is growing on me. (Laughs) But I jump around. One month I like the first album the most and another time I like “The Skull”. I think “Manic Frustration” was just my favourite because it was when we peaked as songwriters and as musicians we finally got to a point where we were really good at what we were doing and I was really proud of that record.
And what would you recall as the best and the worst period for Trouble if you look back?
The best period for Trouble is right now. We were just coming back from a tour and everyone’s getting along and we’re writing. It’s a good time. We are old enough to understand the importance of it and not take it for granted and be grateful for what we have musically. So, I would say now is one of the better times of Trouble’s career. Probably one of the worst time was when we were touring right after “Plastic Green Head”. We just weren’t getting along. Everyone was just tired of everybody else. No one could agree on anything and no one could agree on the songs. It was just time for a long break.
How do you see Trouble’s influence on the doom metal scene?
It’s hard for me to say we had influence on it, but I do know that whenever we play there’s a lot of young bands approach us and tell us that we were huge influence on them. That’s totally cool. It’s very heart warming and it’ s good to know that we had an influence on younger bands in the doom scene. It’s just something you don’t think about as a musician, you don’t realise that you’re having an impact on people until they tell you. It makes us feel very proud. It’s really good to hear stuff like that. We just do our thing and hope for the best basically. We know who our influences are. (Laughs) And ours are Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and stuff like that and kit’s good if we can pass on those influences through our music to younger generations. That’s a great tradition to carry on.
Is there any new band that you are impressed with lately?
Good question. Unfortunately I don’t really listen to a lot of stuff. I still listen to my old music all the time. (Laughs) I hear a lot of good bands that are new, I just don’t remember who they are all the time. Like I hear a song here and there and I’ll be like “Wow, that’s really fucking cool.” And they tell me the name and then I don’t remember because I got to hear the song again often enough. So, when I’m at home I just listen to old Montrose, old UFO, old Sabbath. I don’t really listen to a bunch of new stuff but I know they’re out there. (Laughs) Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a snob or anything, I just haven’t had the opportunity to go out and really research it.
Have you heard any of the Trouble tribute albums?
I’ve heard one of them and it was pretty impressive. It’s hard to describe how it feels when you hear people play your music. It’s an honour to have people go out of their way and actually record songs that you’ve written.
You mentioned about your American tour that you just finished last week. How did that go?
It was amazing. I think we were more surprised than anybody that how many people showed up and supported us. We sold out maybe 50% of the shows and the other shows were pretty crowded. We didn’t know what to expect because we haven’t been on tour in 9-10 years. Fortunately there were a lot of Trouble fans out there that came and knew every song. It was very impressive. I was speechless at times. I was more shocked than anybody. And now from what I understand the European tour that we’ve booked, the pre-sales are the triple as much as the US tour, so it’s gonna be just as good if not better.
I think you’ve always been more popular in Europe...
In the old days we were, yes. I would imagine that that trend will continue, so we are looking really forward to coming out in May. If people come to see us we’re gonna give them the best effort we can that night. Obviously it’s fun to play on big stages but I also like playing in small clubs.
Have you heard about the Hungarian venue?
No.
It’s gonna be on a boat...
All right, good. I’ll bring a fishing pole. (Laughs) That’s awesome. I love boats. That’d be fun. I can’t wait to come there. The whole band is excited about coming to Hungary, I must admit, and there’s some places on this tour we’ve never been. It’s gonna be a great experience to see some new countries.
What do you see if you look into the future? What lies ahead of Trouble?
It’s really hard to say. I know that we’re being pursued to do another record already. Whether we’re going to do one is yet to be seen. I do wanna finish this up and I wanna get out on tour and I wanna play live and I wanna travel a little bit with the band. At the end of this year we’ll make the decision on what to do next. I know that some of the guys are already getting excited about maybe doing another record but we have to talk about it seriously and see if that’s gonna be the best thing for us or we finish it with this. If I had to take a guess I’d say that we’re gonna probably do another one. So, we’re gonna do what we do. We still have some music in us so we’re gonna probably write another one and continue touring.