Drummer Gabriele Palmieri of Italian progressivemetal band Neverdream recently set some time aside to talk to us at Metal Fanatix. We talked about their concept album ìChemical Faithî and how it relates to the tragic story of Christaine F. as well as how it translates to their live show, and much more. I invite you to read on about this upcoming band from the heart of Italy and just what they are all aboutÖ Metal Fanatix: Greetings!! Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about Neverdream. Here we go! Tell us about the birth of Neverdream! What does the band mean to you? Gabriele Palmieri: The band, for each member of Neverdream is very important and binding. Our situation has passed by simple fun, to a greater reality that takes us much time, work, etc, etc. But we are getting a lot of satisfaction, and our dreams, step by step, are coming true. About our birth, I can tell you that everything was born as a game, by a group of friends tied by a great passion for the heavy metal and beer...ahahaha! Metal Fanatix: What made you interested in writing a concept album about Christiane F.? Were there any alternate names you were thinking of before you chose “Chemical Faith”? Gabriele Palmieri: Christiane F. is a book that I read a long time ago, and it excited me a lot, for its reality in the description of the facts, for the very deep theme. I have a copy of the film in my house, and sometimes I look at it. One day immediately after having seen it, I asked myself, why don't we make a concept album on this fucking history? Could be very perfect for our music, so sad and melancholic. And the job began, but while we were writing the album we dipped in those atmospheres, it was as if our music as time machine-transported us to Berlin, in the 1970s, and was very strong my friend. We will never forget the song writing of Chemical Faith. Metal Fanatix: When I was researching to learn more about Neverdream and your album, I found out that there was a book and movie also on the subject of Christiane F. Did Neverdream reference either the book or the movie during the writing process? Gabriele Palmieri: Both cause each one gives different emotions and different way to know this story. However the film has been more influential in the song writing cause while we played and wrote the songs, we projected the film on a TV in the studio, to create the just feelings in us, you know? To see if every note and every part of the songs had a just tie with the film parts was very hard, but very amazing. Metal Fanatix: I looked at media efforts in three main sections: books, music and movies. Since the book and movie were made previous to your album, in anyway did you feel compelled to write the music about it, to finish in the media trilogy (book, movie and now music with “Chemical Faith)?
Metal Fanatix: As I was listening to your album “Chemical Faith” I noticed parts that reminded me of Dream Theater and Queensryche. If you had to pick your band’s main influence, not limited to Dream Theater and Queensryche, what band would it be? Gabriele Palmieri: Of course Dream Theater and Queensryche are a great influence for us, cause we have grown listening to these masters. But there isn't a band that contain all our influences, cause there are many and are not limited to metal. But if you want a name I think Dream Theater is correct...ahahahah!! Metal Fanatix: I can see being around such an amazing city as Rome (Roma) to be very inspiring. Has anything shown up in your music from that environment? Gabriele Palmieri: Great question man!!! In reality no, cause Rome is very far from the atmospheres of our albums and of our music in general. It’s not dark, mysterious, like Berlin. In fact we have tried to be isolated in the phase of the song writing of Chemical Faith. But I can say to you that we are very proud to live here, and for sure the beers that we went to drink after the job in the study in the center of Rome, has been very important...ahahaha!! Metal Fanatix: What other inspirations contributed to the making of “Chemical Faith”? Gabriele Palmieri: Only the history of Christiane F. has been our inspiration, the film, the book. Also it would have been dangerous to exit outside from this context. The music for me would have been far from the subject. We tried to isolate ourselves only in the history about we have spoken.
Gabriele Palmieri: Mother: Tears. Chemical Faith: Decadence Who Am I: Actors of a sad theater Zoologischer Garten (Hell's Gate): Lost innocence Metal Fanatix: Was the use of a saxophone a thought from when you started the album? How did you decide that the implementation was necessary or helpful? Gabriele Palmieri: The sax had been added after, when the album was finished. When this idea has came, we thought of the sax like a soloist sound, of enrichment for our music. But now, thanks to the cleverness of Fabrizio, we think that the sound of the sax is part of the sound of Neverdream. Metal Fanatix: Since “Chemical Faith” is your first full-length album what can we expect from Neverdream in the future? Do you feel your next album will be different? Gabriele Palmieri: For sure other concept albums!..ahahah!! In fact we are writing a new one about the tragedy of Chernobyl, the sound will be more aggressive and loud, more electronic parts...but for now, I’ll stop to say...soon more news! Metal Fanatix: Being that this concept album tells a story from track to track, how does the album work in front of a live audience? Does it feel weird to leave one of the parts (songs) of the story out do to time restraints? Gabriele Palmieri: Perfectly, but to succeed in getting this result we have worked a lot in study, taking care of all the details, and above, connecting all the songs with voices, effects…sax solos, etc, etc… all tie with the projections video. We have looked more for a theatrical representation than a rock concert. Metal Fanatix: Do you feel the need to play the album from start to finish to tell the whole story? Gabriele Palmieri: Yes of course, but we are already doing it. In the tour of Chemical Faith we have played the album with all the songs connected between them, and with some projections video. We have a different version of Chemical Faith for the live shows.
Gabriele Palmieri: In Italy it is very hard to play your music, if its’ called heavy metal, we don’t have many location to play, there’s a lot of ignorance, it’s not easy. And I tell you this sadly, because it is my country. We have done some gigs for the tour of Chemical Faith. And I’ll tell you that it has been easier to organize some gigs at 1500 km (Berlin) than in Italy. Sad but true. Metal Fanatix: Does Neverdream have any plans to play festivals this summer? If so, which ones? Gabriele Palmieri: No, no live show this summer cause we are closed in study writing the new album, and the job is going very quickly, therefore we prefer to work hard to finish soon and to restart with the live shows. Metal Fanatix: What do you think sounds more representative of Neverdream, the album “Chemical Faith” or a Neverdream live show? The live dimension is our dimension; we love playing on stage, where like in a theatre, images and music are the same thing. Gabriele Palmieri: We try to make our concerts as real shows, we don't limit to playing the music, we try to create atmospheres, also studying different ways to perform the songs live, with projections and very accurate lights…I hope you’ll soon see our show! Metal Fanatix: What can you tell me about the equipment you use for your music? Do you have a favorite setup? Gabriele Palmieri: I use a signature drum of a hand made brand in Rome (Daila drums), I am very tied up to the sound of my drums cause it has been done custom for me, and they have listened to all of my desires. Perfect, as a woman… ahahah!! I use 3 toms and 1 floor tom. This is my favorite setup, cause I need a great variation of tones in my fills, but I don't like the exaggeration like 10 toms, splashes, crashes etc, etc... Metal Fanatix: If we were to look 10 years into the future, where do you see Neverdream? Gabriele Palmieri: Maybe on a stage, but I don't know how many people there are under. Ahaha!! I hope many!! Metal Fanatix: Is there anything in metal today that disappoints you? If so, what do you disagree with or have a problem with?
Another thing that I hate is when many bands in their interviews explain the lyrics of the songs, and practically they say all the same thing. Against the society, against the politics, against…against...against...for me so many write too much, but in reality they don't write anything. Metal Fanatix: What are your favorite bands of all time? Include anything you like, not only metal bands. Gabriele Palmieri: Dream Theater, Europe, Savatage, Pain of Salvation, Nevermore, Metallica, and more and more… Metal Fanatix: When not working with Neverdream, what do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies? Gabriele Palmieri: Football like every good Italian boy…ahahaha!!!! Metal Fanatix: Thanks again for the interview! Do you have any final words to say to Metal Fanatix readers of the world? Gabriele Palmieri: Follow us and all the bands that play their music with love and passion, it’s the only way for our beloved music to survive. —Gabriele Palmieri To keep up with all the latest news & much more on Neverdream check out the following websites: http://www.neverdream.it/ - Official Neverdream Site http://www.myspace.com/neverdreamband - Neverdream MySpace Site © Jeffrey D. Adkins May 2007 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
