EMQ’s with OHMWORK
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview, with Norwegian based Classic Rock/Metal Power Trio, Ohmwork. Huge thanks to guitarist/vocalist Anders L. Rasmussen and bassist Helge Nyrud for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Nyrud: My name is Helge. I’m the bass player. The dude next to me is Anders who is the singer and guitarist.
The band started in the spring of 2012. Anders wanted to start a new project with completely new people he hadn’t played with before. He found a drummer and all they needed was a bass player, and my name came up. We met up for some rehearsals, and we got on and started to make songs.
Rasmussen: Since then, we have made five albums! And played a shitload of gigs together. Good times!
How did you come up with your band name?
Nyrud: We stole it. From Geezer Butler’s band GZR.
Rasmussen: Haha! A killer band name indeed!
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Nyrud: We are from Norway. The scene here is great. Especially here in Oslo. Lots of concerts and festivals – at least before the pandemic.
Rasmussen: I live up north in Tromso. The music scene is stellar there too. In general, I think the Norwegian metal scene is very much alive and kicking!
What is your latest release (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Rasmussen: On 27th of August we release our fifth album “Pareidolia”. It was preceded by two singles: ‘Liquid Fire’ and ‘Hill Of Tara’. Check them out!
‘Hill Of Tara’ (Official Lyric Video)
‘Liquid Fire’ (Official Lyric Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Nyrud: Good question…We get inspired from a lot of things… but mainly from the Heavy Rock/Metal of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s…
Rasmussen: Tons of influences. Black Sabbath, Mastodon and Rush come to mind.
What first got you into music?
Nyrud: For me personally, my cousin. She gave me a Hendrix album, and that was it! I had to learn how to play the guitar!
Rasmussen: Old Kiss cassettes me and my brother got from our uncle. From then on, aged 4-5, I was hooked on good heavy rockin’ music!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Rasmussen: Hmm…Let’s take a surprising turn here. I’ll say Yola! 😊 What a voice!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Rasmussen: Download! The classic festival previously known as Monsters of Rock, or Donington. Yeah, that would have been a dream.
Nyrud: Wacken would have been nice.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Rasmussen: Can’t remember any weird gifts, sorry.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Rasmussen: You are the best! Without the fans we are nothing – no one!
Nyrud: Keep supporting us. We love you all.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Rasmussen: Dio!
Nyrud: John Entwistle. What a player…
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Rasmussen: The most enjoyable is to be creative! That feeling conquers all! Some of the business side of it is not that enjoyable.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Rasmussen: Getting paid real money for streaming your music! What a shitty deal…
Nyrud: The whole “money talks concept”. A lot of good bands never stand a chance because their music doesn’t sell.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Nyrud: “Thick As A Brick” by Jethro Tull. It’s my all-time no. 1 album to go to.
Rasmussen: “Holy Diver”. The voice, the songs!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Rasmussen: Vinyl. Not because of the sound. If you want the best sound quality, go buy a CD. That said I like the sound of vinyl better than CD. Vinyl has an overdriven and hot sound that we happen to call ‘warm’. Vinyl is bigger in size, you’ve got more space for the artwork, more details. That’s important too! By the way, I’m done with CD’s. Vinyls are way cooler!
Nyrud: Shitstorm in…3…2…1…CD.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Nyrud: I would say Bukta Open Air in 2016.
Rasmussen: I agree. We were on fire! The audience too!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Nyrud: Probably the same as I do now, working in a youth care home.
Rasmussen: Yeah, we’ve got (other) jobs where the real money comes from…I am a teacher.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Nyrud: Hitler, Margaret Thatcher, Donald Trump, Kent Hovind and Stalin. Just to figure out what the fuck is wrong with these people…
What’s next for the band?
Rasmussen: New album release! Hopefully, many new gigs in the coming months!
Nyrud: Get the new album out and start touring a little bit. Hopefully, things are opening here now, so we can finally start getting out on the road again.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Rasmussen: These links should cover all grounds of Ohmwork.
www.ohmworktromso.com/
www.facebook.com/ohmworktromso/
www.instagram.com/ohmworktromso/
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Nyrud: Hahaha! What about the god damn “jaffa cakes asswipe??” (I am a big fan of TV Series ‘Bottom’) No, I think it’s cake-ish…I may be wrong here…
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Rasmussen: Nice talking to you 😊 Remember to be the first in line when our album arrives 27th of August! Be an Ohmworker!
Anders L. Rasmussen (guitarist and vocalist) and Helge Nyrud (bassist) of Ohmwork
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.