Tonka/Powercage drummer, Yngve Jacobsen
Yngve's contributions to metal are a-plenty. When I first came into
contact with him in 2000, he had his Odd-Metal band Tonka going strong, then
he sent his side project, Powercage's 3-song demo to me (with a very Seven
Witches, Dio, Iron Maiden, early Scorpions feel), and most recently, he is
operating his very own fanzine! Busy man he must be. So after 2 years, I
finally decided, "hey! why not interview him?". Here's what we had to say...
Interview by - Erik Chrupalyk.
U.F.-First off, I really want to say 'thank you' for doing the interview, and
just for sending the material of your two bands Tonka, and Powercage, and
also for the most recent issue (and first English-version) of 'The Metal
Underground' 'zine. Oh yeah, thank you!
U.F.-Have things been picking up for the band (Tonka) since "...This Present
Darkness..."? I believe I actually reviewed that one (or a demo-version of
the album, was it?) here at U.F.
Y.J.-Yeah! And a great review that was too! In fact I use it both on my web info
page and also itīs posted on the Metal Age Productions page as well. (Tonka's
label) Things are always happening in the Tonka camp...but as ourselves, they
tend to happen in slow motion. We have at last seen the release of the world
wide release of "...This Present Darkness..." on M.A.P., due in april I think,
and also the second album is under construction as we speak. Itīs to be called
"Beasts Of Soil And Burden" and will hopefully get a within-the-year release
if everything goes as planned. We are about to do some live stuff, and hit the
studio in the end of may. Our guitarist suddenly decided to take two weeks in
Thailand, so weīll probably start recording some time right after heīs home....
Musically itīs going to be heavier and more uptempo. We felt for some speed
riffs as the Tonka tunes usually arrive in the mid tempo style. But be sure
we will stay dark, heavy, melodic and positive. And we may add some moody
synth chords under the songs to darken the wholeness of the songs. Promotionally
speaking, the band has never been stronger. I have pushed the band throughout
the underground for many years and it is starting to pay off. Positive
feedback and true fans of the band replies both through post and e-mail. I
havenīt got a clue on how many cdīs I have sent out, but Iīll bet the amount
is pretty scary.
U.F.-Are the other members in Tonka comfortable with you being in your
side-project, Powercage?
Y.J.-If they have any thoughts or opinions on it, they would never tell me. I
started Powercage together with a friend of mine, Vegard Lima back in....1999
I believe. This was just planned as a get together for the pure metallic
pleasure. But as the weeks and months went , we actually got some recordings
done. This is the "2001 E.P." you received. Production-wise it could have been
way better, but as it turned out, I feel it has done itīs duty.
At this level, I would never quit any of the bands over another. The reason
for doing that would have to be a different one.....stress, lack of sleep
maybe?
U.F.-You mentioned to me that Powercage will soon be recording their first
full-length and that labels have showed interest. Are you trying to keep
things more personal by doing the independant release thing, or are you
hoping to get signed? I think Sanctuary Records (owned and operated by Rod Smallwood and Bruce Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson.) would be interested, as Powercage definetly have been influenced by Iron Maiden.
Y.J.-I guess it all boils down to how you view the situation. Yes, we are about to
record a full length record. And this will take place at the same location as
last time. I have to say that promoting the releases myself is what I like to
do. But if Sanctuary was showing interest, I canīt say it would have been
something I was just gonna throw away. But as I mentioned, it all comes down
to how the situation is being handled. I obtain a true and genuine underground
attitude with no plans of selling my soul to any record label suddenly telling
me what to do. I totally believe in the free spirit of metal, and itīs no
secret this is somewhat lacking when dealing with the major companies. Too
many bands kills on their self financed, independent releases and then...when
they are picked up by a label, both the music and the image changes.
Coincidence? I donīt think so. But this isnīt news Iīm flashing here. It
happens all the time. When the metal wave started to develop again back in
96-97, even Hammerfall kicked ass! But along the road the labels see the
chance to earn some easy money by signing every band that moves who claims
trueness to metal. There's more to metal than some double bassdrums, dueling
guitars and high pitch screams. A real and honest attitude towards it is also
a must. But of course the aforementioned elements are important. But itīs not
enough! And yes we are Iron Maiden fans. I personally see the two first offerings
with Di'anno as the ultimate Maiden albums, but the Bruce era also
rocks....especially the first three-four oneīs. I liked Bruce a lot more when
he did time in Samson though.
U.F.-What made you decide to be in the music industry in the first place?
Y.J.-Hmmmm.....I donīt know. Iīm not sure Iīm in the industry at all. But if you
mean doing the 'zine, spending time in bands etc....I guess it always has been
a major part of my life. I started to get into metal back in 1979 when Kiss
took all my time. Within a year, the NWOBHM came thundering into my life.
Raven, Jaguar, Hellanbach, Diamond Head....those were the days. And since then
it has been about metal. Of course I like other musical genres as well, but
metal is in my blood. I collect metal vinyl on a fanatical level and canīt get
enough. All these years of metal has made me into a dedicated fan getting real
angry when I read about bands being ripped off by corporate idiots. This is
why I donīt want to support the industry too much. Rather kings in the
underground that a nobody supporting the wallets of the rippers! Sorry for
loosing the thread all the time...
U.F.-What do you consider to be the 5 greatest Heavy Metal albums of all time,
and why? Now how about Non-Metal albums? Top 5 drummers of all time?
Y.J.-This is torture man! I havenīt got a clue which one to name as the top five.
But if you need to know, I will try.... As Ronnie James Dio is one of my all time vocalists, Iīll have to put the majestic "Rising" from 75 on top. This one kills! So heavy, so melodic and yet so beautiful. One of my desert island records. Second one is going to be an Accept release. This band has been amongst my favorites since my early years as a metalhead; "Restless And Wild". Man, if you listen to "Fast As A
Shark" youīll understand what started Speed Metal. No Metallica or nothing
without these Sollingen dudes. ...which brings us to the third spot; "Kill 'Em
All". When that record came out, I believe there were many not knowing what to
think. I mean, we had Jaguar, Motorhead and these kind of furious bands, but
no one had seen or heard such a statement of brutality...ever! Not even the
band themselves has topped this one. Not getting into what I feel about the
present version....Fourth is going to be a NWOBHM one. As I love so many bands
within this era, I will have to pick one speaking for all of them....here
goes; "The White Album" by Diamond Head. Not because it is the best, but because it kind of have that great attitude and rebellion thing present. I personally
have most of my favorites amongst the so called never-made-it bands which
rarely released more than a 7". Black Axe, Mendes Prey...those kind of bands.
Fifth place is the tough one. To show I also obtain a soft side, I will put
the debut from the german kings of melodic heavy rock; Zeno, down as #5.
Non-Metal is also a hard one. I love 70īs prog, some dark pop music (Nick
Cave, Chris Isaak...) and the one artist I range the highest of them all;
Elvis Presley. 5. Let love in by Nick Cave, 4. Änglagaard "Hybris" (a too good
to be true release from this swedish progkings), 3. Everything with Elvis when
he was fat and full of pills....this is the era I feel he did the best
material, 4. Starsailors "Love is here" (I actually discovered this band way
before the hype...), 5. Landberk "Riktigt Äkta" (another unbelievable swedish
progband...Iīll copy them for you if you like Erik!)
Top Drummers isnīt too hard as I never really been into that idolizing of
musicians. But there have been someone shaping me as a drummer. The
ultimate one is dead; Cozy Powell, then thereīs my all time favorite when it comes to
fills and hard hitting attitude; Vinny Appice, Lars Ulrich was very important
for me when I started out; I played in a techno thrash outfit back in 89, then
we have the sickest of the thrash lot; Ventor from Kreator. Listen to the
"Extreme Aggression" album and youīll see what I am talking about. And then
there is a tie between John Bonham and Ian Paice. Sorry.
U.F.-Being based in Norway, do you find it hard doing what you're doing
stylatistically, considering Black Metal is big over there, as you aren't
into much Black Metal (Venom fan? Yes? No? Just checkin'... )?
Y.J.-I was a Venom fan back in 82 and some years to follow, but looking back, I
donīt feel I left too much behind. The image and the really bad musical
performance is something I grew away from.
Being located in Norway with all of this blackish music is both positive and
negative. I get a lot of reactions from Tonka traders telling me that it is
nice to receive a Norwegian album not dwelling in darkness, terrible screams,
barbwire guitar sound and impossible to read logos. But as I know many of the
bands, I feel itīs kind of hard for me to sit here slagging them off. Because
some of them are genuine and hardworking dudes giving what they got and with
true dedication. But personally I donīt find anything appealing in this form
of metal. The most extreme bands I can listen to is Kreator, Death etc...I
have to understand the lyrics; thatīs the one thing I need before giving it
even a chance.
U.F.-Do you see Metal going through a rehashing period, or do you think it's
going to be more pioneering in these next 10 or so years?
Y.J.-Iīm not exactly sure on where you want me to go with this one, but Iīll give
it a try. Itīs really hard to say as the market is so packed with copycats and
wannabies these days. But if we will see some pioneering Iīm sure of. In
retrospect though I feel these last ten years of metal have been pretty much a
waste. Donīt get me wrong; I love many of the bands, but I am not sure it has
benefited the metal in general. Itīs great to see the old heroes, in spite of
some really bad comebacks, get some credit, but all in all I feel we could
easily done without the nineties regarding metal. Was I too hard Erik?
(Nope, I totally agree- - -Erik)
U.F.-Would you consider taking Tonka or Powercage to play the states?
Y.J.-Of course! But then itīs the money problem. I havenīt got the cash to finance
it from my own pocket, but if I had, you would have seen me thrashing your
neighborhood in the future, that is for sure. As Tonka is signed to an
independent label, there isnīt much resources to spend on touring etc...but if
the chance ever arrives, you better have some place for us to crash. And this
also counts for you. My home is your's. (you're welcome anytime bro!- - - Erik)
U.F.-Were you in any bands prior to either?
Y.J.-Yes. I did time in a thrash band going by the name of Salemīs Lot. We released
two demos; one in 91 and one in 92. Mekong Delta, Kreator, Midas Touch and
that kind of bands was the foundation of the band. It dissolved back in the
mid nineties and then Tonka was the next step.
U.F.-Being a 'zine editor yourself, what other 'zines out there do you pour
into? I actually think your's is a lot better than the majority I've seen.
The best layout and paper!
Y.J.-Thanx for the kind words Erik! In fact, me and my wife are real nature lovers
and tries to choose stuff not participating in destroying the beautiful planet
earth. (? I was referring to how the paper is thick and doesn't tear easily, but yeah! Trees are METAL! - - -Erik) And therefor the 'zine is printed on environmental paper. Layout wise I havenīt got a clue. I started doing datastuff just a couple of years ago and pick up new elements and stuff each day. And it will get better. I have these
great artists included for the next one..and the one after that; Paul Di'anno,
Saviour Machine, Kreator, Doro, Skullview, Metal Church, Twisted Tower Dire
(mega killer band!!!!)....so this is a zine to follow. Bands; send stuff to
me. (Every chance I get...) Regarding what zines I read myself...man there are
so many, but the diamonds are Snakepit, Metal Rules Magazine, Leather Knights
(Rip...??or what Nate?), Scream (Norwegian zine), Metalized (danish), Close Up
(swedish), Battle Helm, Knights of Sunrise, Den Of Iniquity, Eternity, Singing
Swords, Tarkus (prog zine), Iron Pages, From the underground...and some web
zines. I prefer the paper ones over the webs any day. (HEY! haha it's okay, I agree - - -Erik)
U.F.-How do you feel about 'religious' bands who base lyrics and artwork
around Satanism or Christian-beliefs?
Y.J.-I feel itīs ok as long as everyone respects eachother. I am myself a Christian, (and still friends with all these Satanic Black Metal bands from Norway??? - - -Erik)
and whatever I do, playing in bands, going to work, sleeping...it is the
essence of my personality. But in Tonka we are focused on the music. The
lyrics are positive as the vocalist also share the same belief. But the band
isnīt profiled as a Christian one because the fact of not everyone being so.
However; I feel it is very important staying positive and supportive of those
less fortunate than ourselves. Regardless of religion I know men are positive
deep down. Everyone enjoys getting presents, smiles, hugs, confirmations of
being loved....so why strive for the opposite; death and darkness, dwelling in
negativity, hate and non-respect for fellow humans? I donīt know, but everyone
is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. There is a shame that the
metal scene is mainly seen as a negative form of music. Because youīll find as
many great and positive bands around. But they arenīt as good saleswise for
the media I guess....
U.F.-What non-musical hobbies do you have?
Y.J.-I have none. I collect vinyls, 'zines and metal items in general, two bands,
zine and I work, I am at the moment starting to build a new house, I have a
family, friends....I guess there isnīt time for none metallic hobbies....
U.F.-Well, thanks for completing this interview, I wish both bands and your 'zine all the luck in the world! Take care, and congrats once again on the child!
Y.J.-Thanx Erik for giving me the opportunity to promote my doings. And my son is
growing up to become a true metalhead. He comes running everytime I put a
record on...and especially Kreator. Final words; Something good came out of
the later Metallica stuff; your add in So What! which linked us. All the
best Erik! And I pretty much blew out all there is within the interview, so I will have to end it by thanking you for taking the time to do this intie, and I wish you and
everyone else involved in U.F. a great time and remember to stay hardīn heavy;
- - -Yngve
My address, for those of you not scared away already, is:
Yngve M. Jacobsen
Plommeveien 1a
4635 Kristiansand S
Norway
E-mail yjmetal@frisurf.no
web info page http://yjmetal.8m.com
Be sure to check out the "Links of metal" page...are you interested in getting
linked Erik?
DISCOGRAPHY
TONKA - This Present Darkness (????)
POWERCAGE - EP (2001)
POWERCAGE - ...A Slave Under Sworded Affluence (200?)
LINKS