A couple of days ago we published a new featured single article for a hyper catchy song called “Drive It Like You Stole It” by SMACKBOUND. SMACKBOUND is a new addition to the Finnish scene of heavy metal and hard rock, so reason all the more to investigate who is behind the band and what drives them forward to make music. We had the opportunity to chat with vocalist Netta Laurenne. Read the complete interview here.
Some people may know SMACKBOUND as the popular cover act RUN FOR COVER, but for those who haven’t heard of you guys yet, could you give a brief history of how you were formed?
The band’s story started back in 2015 when I started the group. First I asked Teemu and Tuomas to join because we knew each other well and soon after that Vili and Rolf joined the band. We planned to start writing our own songs and also founded RUN FOR COVER, our cover band, to be able to play together right away.
You mentioned that you knew Teemu and Tuomas already well before starting the band. How did everyone meet?
I think I have known Teemu and Tuomas now for a decade or so, as we’ve all been under Sonic Pump Studios‘ roof, having our workrooms there. Teemu knew Rolf from before that and introduced us. Tuomas, after playing in the same band together, naturally knew Vili. So all of us were introduced to one another back in 2015, and there was an instant click. Everybody wanted to form a band together. Ever since then, we’ve had so much fun and we love each other’s company, we have very good relations and dynamics within the band.
How would you describe SMACKBOUND’s sound?
We wanted to make metal mixed with all the goodies we love in music. We want to have fun with music, and want everyone to be able to chip in their visions and ideas in songwriting.
I normally never ask this, but someone has to do it at the start of your band’s history. Where does the name SMACKBOUND come from?
Oh, the difficulty of band names… (laughs) We held ‘band name brainstorming sessions’ several times together without reaching consensus on the name. Until one day… I wrote smack and bound separately on a paper at home. Then it hit me. I should merge them into one word. It felt like it had all the components we were looking for: attitude – danger even – humor, and freedom, as it doesn’t have too many preconceptions about it. So basically, it holds the same values as our whole musical idea. That nothing limits you in being whatever you wanna be. I asked the guys what they think and everyone was instantly into it!
Was it an important part of the band’s history to first play together in Run For Cover? How have these cover songs influenced the band’s style?
It was very important for us to be able to puzzle this group together as we hadn’t played together before as a band and didn’t know each other all too well. We wanted to see how we get along and react to things on the road. We kind of wanted to make sure this really works. And it did… Even better than we thought it would. We go so well together. Everyone in this band has the same attitude towards this job; respect for music and professional ambition to deliver well. About the songs, we’ve played influencing our style… I think we have seen what works well with us but stylistically we want to make it our own. Maybe we want a bit more of a modern style than what we play with RUN FOR COVER.
You just released the very first single “Drive It Like You Stole It”. Can you tell us briefly what the song is about and how you worked together in terms of composing it?
“Drive It Like You Stole It” is a tribute to freedom and strength to be who you really are. It encourages us to stop living in fear and urges us to find our own way.
We have done all the songs in songwriting camps (read: summer cabin) with everyone taking part who possibly can. Often all of us were there but at times Rolf, Teemu or both of them at the same time were touring while Vili, Tuomas and I were always there. Afterwards, Teemu and Rolf checked their own parts and contributed to the songs. I write all the lyrics. “Drive It Like You Stole It” was composed like this and it feels like a hard rock track.
What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week to practice or are they more spontaneous?
With some of the band members being so busy and some of them living abroad, it is quite spontaneous. We gather up and schedule rehearsals every time we have a gig. We always rehearse together before a show.
What can people expect from SMACKBOUND in the coming months?
We are planning to release two more singles before our album comes out early 2020. After that, we will go on tour.
Thank you so much for your time to do this interview! Do you have any last comments for our readers before we wrap it up?
Enjoy the music and see you on tour! We have lots of behind the scenes material and other weird shit that we are gonna spam our social media channels, so be sure to follow us!
Links
Instagram: @smackbound_official
YouTube: youtube.com/c/NettaLaurenne
Facebook: fb.me/smackbound
