Ed: Let�s start off with a little background information. How did Kruger get started and come to its current incarnation?
Renaud: Well, we started back in 2002 with the usual story; long-time friends all coming from different bands which nobody ever heard of. We wanted to play live ASAP so [we] made a first album quickly to be able to get on the stage again (2002). Then time went by, we changed our bass player, took a while to work deeper on new songs and recorded Cattle Truck last year.
Ed: How did the band settle on the name Kruger?
Renaud: I don�t even remember. We used to give a different explanation in every interview at the time, but I�m afraid I don�t have any stupid idea left! We discovered in the meanwhile that it was the name of a long-time terrible heavy metal band from Russia!
Ed: What was the song writing process like for Built for Speed and Cattle Truck? Is there a main songwriter or is it a band collaboration? Were there any differences between the writing process for Built� and Cattle Truck?
Renaud: Built for Speed was written very, very fast. At the time we needed an album to spread the band�s name and find some gigs. It�s a �rock n� roll� album, raw and direct, recorded and mixed in less than a week. The new album is undoubtedly more complex, we took time to work on songs (the whole of us are part of songwriting), to think of arrangements, production, etc. We recorded it ourselves (money wise�) and decided to offer ourselves a �real� producer for mixing. That�s why we headed to Sweden to collaborate with Fredrik Nordstrom. Both albums are definitely different on both writing and production aspects.
Ed: What is the lyrical inspiration for the band? Again, is there one main lyricist or is it a group effort?
Renaud: I am the only responsible one for the lyrical stupidity of Kruger! Inspiration comes mostly from the combustion engine, meat industry, drinking and driving, and other useless themes. I think having absolutely nothing to say is the best message for a rock band, so I found some topics to fill the songs with. Lyrics are hence more cynical or funny than really interesting.
Ed: How did the band hook up with Fredrik Nordstrom on Cattle Truck?
Renaud: Our budget did not allow us to make the whole production in Sweden, so we spared money on the recording (doing it ourselves in a studio of a friend) and only work out the mixing with Fredrik. We only could afford three days of studio renting with Fredrik, so the mixing process was in a bit of a hurry, but the result definitely worth it!
Ed: What gear does everyone use? Is the same gear that is used to record used live?
Renaud: Sure we recorded with our live gear! We use Mesa as amp heads (Marshall for the bass), Gibson guitars (SG + studio), Fender Precision basses, Tama drums and are endorsed by Paiste for cymbals.
Ed: Many fans and critics have described the band�s sound as Entombed meets Isis meets Mastodon meets Knut meets Breach meets Unsane and so on. How does the band feel about these descriptions/comparisons?
Renaud: We feel absolutely happy with these! Breach and Entombed are probably the most obvious bands in Kruger�s musical background. Then Unsane, Mastodon, Isis and Knut (friends, by the way) are part of the bands we all like a lot.
Ed: Straight from the mouths (or fingers) of the musicians, what are everyone�s influences personal and musical alike?
Renaud: Though we have a few common heroes, we all have diverse backgrounds. From pure metal heads (Raph, our drummer, knows every break of any Pantera or Necrophagist album!) to new-wave renegades (myself). We often fight about our musical tastes! You can find in one�s discotheque Asian Dub Foundation, in another Carcass and in another Chris Isaak�s Xmas songs!
Ed: What is everyone�s opinion of the current heavy metal scene? What are some bands Kruger would recommend to people who are new to the metal world (old and new bands alike)?
Renaud: Wide question�we would recommend Breach, even if they split up, because they are one of the most under-estimated bands in the world. Then Sludge, our mates from Switzerland (Entombed meets Carcass � huge sound). Mastodon because they are, in my opinion, the new Neurosis in a punchier way. Mouth of the Architect (from USA), Aborted (Belgian sheer death-metal) and Chris Isaak�s new Xmas album (yes, that was me).
Ed: What were some of your most memorable shows? What were some of your worst shows?
Renaud: Most are memorable! The best memories are probably from Rock Oz Arenes (open-air in Switzerland) in 2003, Ubu in Rennes (F) with Dillinger Escape Plan and one of our first and most drunk shows in SAS, Del�mont in 2002 (there were more people on stage than in the audience, but, wow, it rocked).
Ed: What can fans expect from Kruger in the next few years? Is there a new album in the works? Does the band plan on making it to the United States?
Renaud: We started working on new songs but as we play quite a lot this spring, writing will be more in may and this summer. Hopefully we�ll have new material for an album for early next year. In the meanwhile we�ll try to play as much as we can (France mostly, and try to kick out the jams in other territories such as the UK and Benelux). The US is very attractive of course, but will be difficult unless we find a big, rich, enthusiastic label to promote us so we can come over to play! Who knows?
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