|
Post by vielip on Mar 11, 2022 13:11:52 GMT 2
Cool Stein!
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Mar 11, 2022 22:21:47 GMT 2
For the tenth week of Ask the Band, Ian answered a question on Facebook: Why was Yesterday's News left off the Prisoners in Paradise album?
Brian Knox ---------- The reason why Yesterday's News never made it on to PIP, was 100% a decision made by the record company people. I guess they thought it was a little too daring and not sounding commercial enough, so the song ended up as b-side bonus track to one of the singles. Still it became a live show favourite for many fans! Yesterday's News were one of the songs that came out of the writing sessions that we had at S.LR rehearsal studios in L.A. The odd and cool thing about this song is that we actually played it live even before releasing it on record. First time, when we did an "undercover" gig as The Le Baron Boys at the Whiskey A Go Go club in Hollywood, and more notably when we played at the Milton Keynes festival with Skid Row and Bon Jovi. Ian Haugland, Europe And John Levén answered a question on Instagram: John : you seem to favour 4 string basses rather than 5 string. Any reason for that?
mikecollenguitar---------- Hi there Mike, Thanks very much for your question. I did actually favor 5-string basses for a while, but as you might know those are quite a bit heavier so after some time I had some problems with pain in my neck. Actually got to a point where I had to have some surgery done. So now what I do is if I need play those really low notes I slap some heavier strings on a 4-string bass and tune it way down. Works really well. John Levén, Europe
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Mar 18, 2022 22:08:09 GMT 2
For week 11 of Ask the Band, Joey answered a question on Facebook: The song Scream of Anger (on the album Wings of Tomorrow) was written by Joey Tempest and Marcel Jacob: What is the contribution of each of them in the composition of this song?
Fabiola Jara Beñaldo---------- Hi Fabiola, Thanks for your question. Hope you are doing ok. Well, as it happened back in early 80’s, Mr Leven and Marcel Jacob switched bands for a few months (Europe and Rising Force). At the time I was working on a new song that would eventually become “Scream Of Anger”. I only had the main guitar riff. Marcel and myself met up at Europes rehearsal room before the other guys showed up and together we finished the foundations of the music for the song. I finished the lyrics myself at a later stage just before we entered Polar Studios. Apart from a few other great contributions to the song, I particularly remember Marcel coming up with the idea to have a part in the song with a pumping, none moving bass line with the guitar and keyboard shifting chords over it. This was underneath the words that became “I see a place, an evil place, coming my way”. I had a lot of folders of notes with lyrics back then and one of the ideas I’d written down was “Black journey for my soul” - Someone reminded me that I used that title for this song before naming it “Scream Of Anger”. I don’t really remember that but I do remember the successful writing session with Marcel. A very musical and kind man. That song remains a favourite still to this day. // Joey And Mic answered a question on Instagram: Mic Michaeli: Who's your favorite keyboard player?
stefano.martino83---------- Excellent question Stefano! However, I can't give you an answer without mentioning a few faves and here they are in no particular order: - Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Jon Lord of Deep Purple - Lachy Doley - check him out playing his "whammy clav"! - Esbjörn Svensson - Swedish jazz musician who passed away far too early - Mats Schubert - Swedish dude All the best, Mic
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Mar 25, 2022 21:37:37 GMT 2
For week 12 of Ask the Band, John Norum answered a question on Facebook: If you were to form a super group, who would be in it?
Rita Julca---------- Hi Rita. If I were to form a super group it would be Geddy Lee on bass, Brian Downey on drums, Scott Gorham on guitar, Don Airey on keyboards and last but not least Paul Rodgers on vocals. What a band! Take care and hope to see you all soon. John Norum And Ian answered a question on Instagram: Hi Europe! My question for the band is: What's the most practical advice can you give to rock bands who just started? Thank you!
dricky_84---------- It’s not easy putting a band together. First you got to find other persons that share your musical visions, dreams and goals, that you like hanging out with and you feel that creative chemistry together with. If you made it that far, I think the most important thing in order to become a great band is just to play together as much as you possibly can. I think a great way to learn the trade, is to start off playing covers of other artists. That way you will learn to listen to what and how other musicians are playing, and how songs are built up and structured. But, it’s also very important to just jam on your own musical ideas, because that’s when and where you eventually gonna find your own style as a band. But first and foremost, remember to have fun, to follow your heart and always do what you want to do, and don’t give up on your dreams! Cheers, Ian
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Apr 2, 2022 19:49:31 GMT 2
For week 13 of Ask the Band, Mic answered a question on Facebook: I heard a rumour that you guys recorded two cover songs during Last Look At Eden sessions. If it's true, which songs were they?
Mladen Pavletic---------- Oh, that’s an interesting rumor you’ve heard Mladen. Well, from what I can remember no covers were recorded or even rehearsed for the Last Look At Eden sessions. However, we did write one song that had kind of a Queen vibe to it in parts (without any further comparisons). We even recorded it and had a string orchestra play on the track but it didn’t make it to the album. So far there’s been no plans of releasing it but who knows what the future may bring... Peace & Love Mic And John Levén answered a question on Instagram: What is your favorite piece of gear that you lost or sold and wish you still had today?
joey_johnson_yep---------- Thank you Mr Joey Johnson for your question about this. I didn’t actually have any lost or stolen but I had two basses I sold that I really regret that come to mind right away. One of the first basses with some value that I got as soon as I could afford it, was a 1963 Gibson Thunderbird. I used it on the very first tours after our first album and I wish I still had this extremely cool looking bass. A reward goes out to someone finding pictures with me and this bass😁. Another lovely bass is the one I used at the "Millenium show" in Stockholm. A wonderful 1963 Fender Precision - 1963 was a great year for producing great bassplayers😁, and fantastic basses. I wish I still had those iconic basses. John
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Apr 8, 2022 22:21:31 GMT 2
For week 14 of Ask the Band, Joey answered a question on Facebook: Is it true that "Seven Doors Hotel" was inspired by the Italian horror movie "The Beyond (E tu vivrai nel terrore! L'aldilà)"? I love both the album and the single version! Such an amazing song! 🌟
Stefania Morese---------- Hi Stefania, How are you? Good question. Seven Doors Hotel was probably one of the first songs written for our debut album. The notes I made after watching this movie were wrtitten down even before we changed our band name to Europe. One evening when we were still called Force, Norum and myself watched a movie at Peter Olsson’s (first bass player) place. Yes, it was the movie called “Beyond”. Not the best movie ever made. Nevertheless, in the film I found some words and scenarios interesting. I remember there were “Seven Doors” (gates) in the film that you could enter and there was a fictional book called “The Eibon”. It’s quite funny how some people think I sing “the eyeball is open” in the song, which is hilarious and quite frankly some pretty bad lyrics : ) // Joey And Ian answered a question on Instagram: Ok this is a silly question, but...do you remember the "kongekæde" necklace all of you wore back in The Final Countdown times? I was obsessed with that necklace and it took me 36 years, moving to Scandinavia, learning Danish and learning about vikings arts and crafts designs to finally find it! 😂 Question is: who came with the idea of wearing a "kongekæde" necklace, and was it a way of showing the world your roots? Do any of you still have the necklace? I finally got mine😂🤘 take care and have fun my friends! See you soon on stage! 🙏
oswaldbeatriz---------- Hi Beatriz, Interesting question! Yeah I do remember that necklace that we all used to wear in the 80’s. I remember it was heavy as fxxk and that the hair used to get totally entangled in it! At the time we had a security guy that used to wear the same necklace and his father was a silver smith and he made them for us. I also had him make me a bracelet in the same style. I kept mine until the mid 90’s, but then gave it to a friend's son as a birthday present. I’ve been thinking about getting a new one again, we’ll see! Ian
|
|
|
Post by EuropeMagnum on Apr 9, 2022 21:20:39 GMT 2
“the eyeball is open”
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Apr 15, 2022 20:47:56 GMT 2
For week 15 of Ask the Band, Mic answered a question on Facebook: Greetings from Kyiv, Ukraine! One of the best band's song, "On broken wings", didn't enter into track listing of "The Final Countdown" album (only b-side). Was it agreed solution of the band's members or an individual order of Mr. Kevin Elson?
Volodymyr Kantur
Hello. Many fans think that On Broken wings is one of the best songs that you recorded in The final countdown sessions. My question is: Why was it left off the album? Thank you.
Juan Sánchez
One of my all time favorite songs is On Broken Wings. I wonder why that was never included on The Final Countdown album. Thanks.
John Antonio---------- We’ve had Volodymyr, Juan and John ask basically the same question: “Why wasn’t the song ‘On Broken Wings’ included on The Final Countdown album?” As you might know it only saw the light of day as the B-side of The Final Countdown single (anyone remember vinyl?). Now, why wasn’t it on the album? My memory isn’t always that good but to the best of my recollection one strong reason was that we thought it was too similar to On The Loose (for some strange reason 😉. We discussed it briefly with our producer (Kevin Elson) but we just couldn't agree as a band so it’s all our bad 😉 I believe On Broken Wings was in our live set in 1987 but we have never played it since. I hear a lot of people talking about that track as one of their favorite Europe songs and who knows, maybe we will include it in our live set in the future to come. Peace and love Mic And John Norum answered a question on Instagram: John Norum: What are you 12 Europe songs you most like?? Honestly, the most that make you rock...
jart_rokker---------- Hi Jart, My favorite Europe songs to play are these in no specific order: 1. Last Look at Eden (Zeppelin on steroids) 2. Scream Of Anger (80's classic that never gets old) 3. Love Is Not The Enemy (Heavy Bonecrusher "Smith") 4. War Of Kings (Fruit of Doom) 5. Vasastan (Slow soulful instrumental) 6. Hole In My Pocket (Fast & Furious) 7. Nothin' To Ya (Heavy groove with a great chorus) 8. The Siege (All around great song) 9. Firebox (Great riff. Killer verse and chorus) 10. Drink And a Smile (Fun acoustic song) 11. Riches To Rags (Cool riff and one of my favorite guitar solos. Fire alarm warning) 12. Yesterday's News (70's classic rock vibe) There is of course more songs but these are the top 12. Take care and see you on tour soon / John
|
|
|
Post by EuropeMagnum on Apr 18, 2022 23:13:05 GMT 2
Somehow I'm not that surprised we won't find so many 1980s songs on John's list.
|
|
Stein
Webmaster
Posts: 3,439
Member is Online
|
Post by Stein on Apr 22, 2022 20:38:01 GMT 2
For week 16 of Ask the Band, Ian answered a question on Facebook: What's the first concert you attended?
Gigliola Mingozzi---------- Hello Gigliola! The first real Rock concert I went to attend was Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow September 25th 1976 at Stockholm's Concert House and I was only 12 years old. I was still too young to go to the city by myself, so I went with my best schoolmate and his mother, which felt a little uncool at the time! It wasn't only my first concert, it was also a life defining moment for me. I was totally knocked off my feet from the power of the band, specifically the drummer Cozy Powell. After the concert I was 100% sure that also wanted to become a rock drummer, and here I am 46 years later! Ian And John Levén answered a question on Instagram: John Leven, what have been your main influences as a bass player? Name five😊
pebblebeach1913---------- Hello pebblebeach and thank you for your question. The bass players that have influenced me are all from bands I love and listened to from an early age... Led Zeppelin, Rush, Deep Purple and Van Halen. I know you wanted five but the main four are of course John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Roger Glover and Michael Anthony. Hope that answer works for you. Love John
|
|