KREPUSKULUM: Explain in a few words the history of the band.

Ricardo Vergueiro: Strangeways is a São Paulo based band in activity since 1996, having Ricardo Vergueiro (vox, ac./electric guitars, keyboards & drum programming), Alex Mollo (voices/bass guitar) and Tatá Pellegrini (all guitars) as its main components. The band released its first demo tape "A Distant Shout" in 1996, also having participated of the "Rock Paulista III" compilation in 1997. The band’s first album, "Dry Season", was released in 1999.

How does it feel like recording the first album ? What were the band’s difficulties ?

What pleases us the most, is the fact we can show-up and share our work with the general public. The main difficulty is to gather enough resources for the recording/mastering process itself. We depend on our own resources, which are low, always concerned with the achievement of a high-quality result.

Is there a certain melancholy in the band’s compositions, besides its social themes on the lyrics ? What were the facts that contributed to the band’s adoption of this position ?

The band does not carry out a specific motto or ideal. We believe in music as artistic expression, while exposing our behavior and points of view towards the society we live in. The band acts like an extension of our personalities.

What was the public’s reception to the band’s first demo "A Distant Shout", and now the first album, "Dry Season" ?

Our demo "A Distant Shout" lived-up to our own expectations, surprising us in a way, because it had a low-cost investment taking 8 studio hours to be concluded. We obtained an expressive result through the midia via newspapers, magazines, radio and also some independent publications. Regarding our first album, "Dry Season", that was released in November/99, we’re working on that. Few reviews were published, but we believe that the Midia tends to ignore what’s not potentially fashion.

Usually the reviewer has enough freedom, oftenly relating the band’s sound to several other sources of reference. How do you define Strangeways in terms of sound ?

We believe that this ‘freedom’ should also be granted to the composer. We have different backgrounds and were brought up with different musical and life experiences. So, our sound becomes a blending, unlike any specific tendency. It’s Rock, comprising all of its genera. We’d rather have the public listening to our songs and let them get to their own conclusions.

Mr Punch, the band’s machine-drum, confused several people with it’s tight and precise swing. Why are you still using a machine-drum ?

A machine-drum is a reliable device that can contribute in terms of steadyness/readyness to our rehearsals/recordings, and also because we didn’t find a drummer that could fit. Either one has its pros and cons while we, not having yet decided upon that matter, kept on rehearsing, still open to the auditioning of prospective drummers.

To conclude our interview, send a message to all fans of good underground music.