Drunken Rollers is a newcomer from Italy, which likes to play dirty rock & roll music. The guys are pretty good at what they do and they have a lot more to give in the next years. Grande Rock had a chat with vocalist & guitarist Lorenzo Braus about their debut album and the band that was formed not long ago…
Hi Lorenzo… it’s good to have you on Grande Rock. First of all, do give us a brief bio of the band.
L: Hi Thanos, thank you for having us here. We're the Drunken Rollers from Florence (Tuscany) and we play Hard Rock. I’m Lorenzo Braus (singer/guitarist), Giulio Peretti is the lead guitarist, Roberto Lapucci plays the bass and last but not least, Giacomo Barbari plays the drums.
How did you come up with the name Drunken Rollers and what was the initial goal of the band?
L: The name came out while we were at the rehearsal room playing some rock‘n’roll tunes. I don’t remember the exact year, maybe it was 2008. At that time I was playing with two old friends of mine, Michelangelo De Ponte (drums) and Alberto Zavagli (bass). We had a blast during that days playing covers and we decided to name the band after our habits; we thought “we love beer, we love rock‘n’roll… let it be Drunken Rollers!”...
Which are the band’s main influences and how do you define the band’s music style?
L: Some of the band’s major influences are: ZZ Top, Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Saxon, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Black Country Communion, Gov’t Mule, Motorhead, Down, Cream and many others. We love rock in all its forms: 70s, southern, progressive, hard, classic and blues rock. And we have some NWOBHM influences too. I would say we play hard rock.
You released an EP in 2012 and now, 4 years later, you return with your full-length debut album. What happened in the meantime? Do you think this album would have been released earlier or not?
L: Well yes absolutely, we should have recorded it earlier, but we had some line-up changes. Laura and Daniele, the previous bass player and drummer, quit the band due to personal reasons and then we had some issues on finding the right musicians to start all over again. It’s not that easy to find the right people that fit the band, especially in a small town like Florence.
How did the deal with Perris Records occur? Would you go independently if the deal wasn’t fair for the band?
L: After we finished recording the album, I started sending some emails to various labels. Tom from Perris Records contacted me and said he liked our stuff and after some clarifications and emails, we signed with Perris.
Hence, what’s the “Boogie Generation”?
L: “Boogie Generation” are the boys and girls that go out to concerts and want to have some fun drinking and dancing with rock‘n’roll music. It’s dedicated to all the people that still love rock in 2016, we try to bring some boogie vibes on every gig we play.
Do give us a hint about each track…
L: “Start All Over Again”: Kerraaaaang, guitars are tight!
“Driver’s License”: This song is dedicated to the cop that confiscated my driver’s licence! haha…
“Rolling Down the Highway”: It’s a driving song…
“Whiskey and Gasoline”: Alcoholic boogie…
“Ballad of the Lone Rider”: Another driving song, at night time it’s more beautiful…
“I’m Gone”: This song is dedicated to a girl that I hate!
“Boogie Generation”: Boogie in all the nation…
“Devil’s Lair”: Worries and fears sometimes permeate my soul…
“Climb the Mountain”: It’s a motivational song. Push your own limits, overcome the obstacles…
“I’ll be There”: Just call my name and…
Where did the recordings take place and who did the production, mixing and mastering of the album?
L: We recorded the whole album at Wave Studio by Samuele Sarti and Marco Trentanove in Fiesole, Tuscany.
How is the usual songwriting procedure of yours?
L: Usually I bring the backbone of the song at the rehearsal room, and then we jam together and see if it works well. After some recordings of the song we proceed with the arrangements and lyrics.
Do you plan to release any lyric or concept video anytime soon?
L: We are working on 2 videos right now, more info coming soon!
Are there any new live shows for the Summer?
L: Unfortunately we are looking for a new drummer so we have only 1 gig in schedule.
What are your expectations from “Boogie Generation” and what do you wish to achieve with Drunken Rollers over the years?
L: I wish that we could travel around the world playing the music that we like, that would be the greatest achievement for us!
It’s time for our Weird Questions!!! If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would it be?
L: I would erase all this “X-Factor” TV shows, I think that real music would take a huge benefit from that. So many people prefer to stay home at Saturday night and watch that crap. If you you wanna listen to some music go out, find a club, theatre, whatever place and watch it live!
Are “social media” a “compulsory part” of music biz these days or bands, artists & labels can do without them as well?
L: I think that social media have a huge impact in music. For a band having your own YouTube channel is really important: people from all around the world can watch your videos.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
L: This is a tough question, I think “Ace of Spades”. It was one of the first CDs that I ever bought and it has a great sentimental value for me… it brings me back a lot of awesome memories.
Fill in the phrase… “Rock & Roll wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
L: Drugs…
Which are the best 3 Rock & Roll albums of all time according to you?
L: AC/DC – “T.N.T.”, Thin Lizzy – “Fighting”, Motorhead – “Ace of Spades”…
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in rock history?
L: Wow just 1? Mhhh... let’s say Paul Rodgers and Susan Tedeschi.
Which is the guitarist who influenced rock music the most?
L: Jimi Hendrix…
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
L: The only pick-ups that work for me are P90s…
What’s the worst thing you one can say right after sex?
L: “We used a condom right?”…
You have the opportunity to sleep with a movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
L: Scarlet Johansson, I find her beautiful and I love her acting!
If you could be any historical person, which one would you be and why?
L: I would be an explorer like Marco Polo, Magellano or Colombo. I love to travel, to be in places where I never was before.
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
L: I think I would travel in the future, maybe 2200. I want to see how humanity will face the environmental problems and if we can get rid of fossil fuels and still make a decent living. I love Hi-Tech and Sci Fi movies… And I would love to travel in space!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
L: AAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHH (*head explodes)…
Finally we’ve come to the end Lorenzo. Thx for talking to Grande Rock. Say anything you feel like saying before we close. Take care dude!
L: Thanks for the interview Thanos. See you down the road!
L: Hi Thanos, thank you for having us here. We're the Drunken Rollers from Florence (Tuscany) and we play Hard Rock. I’m Lorenzo Braus (singer/guitarist), Giulio Peretti is the lead guitarist, Roberto Lapucci plays the bass and last but not least, Giacomo Barbari plays the drums.
How did you come up with the name Drunken Rollers and what was the initial goal of the band?
L: The name came out while we were at the rehearsal room playing some rock‘n’roll tunes. I don’t remember the exact year, maybe it was 2008. At that time I was playing with two old friends of mine, Michelangelo De Ponte (drums) and Alberto Zavagli (bass). We had a blast during that days playing covers and we decided to name the band after our habits; we thought “we love beer, we love rock‘n’roll… let it be Drunken Rollers!”...
Which are the band’s main influences and how do you define the band’s music style?
L: Some of the band’s major influences are: ZZ Top, Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Saxon, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Black Country Communion, Gov’t Mule, Motorhead, Down, Cream and many others. We love rock in all its forms: 70s, southern, progressive, hard, classic and blues rock. And we have some NWOBHM influences too. I would say we play hard rock.
You released an EP in 2012 and now, 4 years later, you return with your full-length debut album. What happened in the meantime? Do you think this album would have been released earlier or not?
L: Well yes absolutely, we should have recorded it earlier, but we had some line-up changes. Laura and Daniele, the previous bass player and drummer, quit the band due to personal reasons and then we had some issues on finding the right musicians to start all over again. It’s not that easy to find the right people that fit the band, especially in a small town like Florence.
How did the deal with Perris Records occur? Would you go independently if the deal wasn’t fair for the band?
L: After we finished recording the album, I started sending some emails to various labels. Tom from Perris Records contacted me and said he liked our stuff and after some clarifications and emails, we signed with Perris.
Hence, what’s the “Boogie Generation”?
L: “Boogie Generation” are the boys and girls that go out to concerts and want to have some fun drinking and dancing with rock‘n’roll music. It’s dedicated to all the people that still love rock in 2016, we try to bring some boogie vibes on every gig we play.
Do give us a hint about each track…
L: “Start All Over Again”: Kerraaaaang, guitars are tight!
“Driver’s License”: This song is dedicated to the cop that confiscated my driver’s licence! haha…
“Rolling Down the Highway”: It’s a driving song…
“Whiskey and Gasoline”: Alcoholic boogie…
“Ballad of the Lone Rider”: Another driving song, at night time it’s more beautiful…
“I’m Gone”: This song is dedicated to a girl that I hate!
“Boogie Generation”: Boogie in all the nation…
“Devil’s Lair”: Worries and fears sometimes permeate my soul…
“Climb the Mountain”: It’s a motivational song. Push your own limits, overcome the obstacles…
“I’ll be There”: Just call my name and…
Where did the recordings take place and who did the production, mixing and mastering of the album?
L: We recorded the whole album at Wave Studio by Samuele Sarti and Marco Trentanove in Fiesole, Tuscany.
How is the usual songwriting procedure of yours?
L: Usually I bring the backbone of the song at the rehearsal room, and then we jam together and see if it works well. After some recordings of the song we proceed with the arrangements and lyrics.
Do you plan to release any lyric or concept video anytime soon?
L: We are working on 2 videos right now, more info coming soon!
Are there any new live shows for the Summer?
L: Unfortunately we are looking for a new drummer so we have only 1 gig in schedule.
What are your expectations from “Boogie Generation” and what do you wish to achieve with Drunken Rollers over the years?
L: I wish that we could travel around the world playing the music that we like, that would be the greatest achievement for us!
It’s time for our Weird Questions!!! If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would it be?
L: I would erase all this “X-Factor” TV shows, I think that real music would take a huge benefit from that. So many people prefer to stay home at Saturday night and watch that crap. If you you wanna listen to some music go out, find a club, theatre, whatever place and watch it live!
Are “social media” a “compulsory part” of music biz these days or bands, artists & labels can do without them as well?
L: I think that social media have a huge impact in music. For a band having your own YouTube channel is really important: people from all around the world can watch your videos.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
L: This is a tough question, I think “Ace of Spades”. It was one of the first CDs that I ever bought and it has a great sentimental value for me… it brings me back a lot of awesome memories.
Fill in the phrase… “Rock & Roll wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
L: Drugs…
Which are the best 3 Rock & Roll albums of all time according to you?
L: AC/DC – “T.N.T.”, Thin Lizzy – “Fighting”, Motorhead – “Ace of Spades”…
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in rock history?
L: Wow just 1? Mhhh... let’s say Paul Rodgers and Susan Tedeschi.
Which is the guitarist who influenced rock music the most?
L: Jimi Hendrix…
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
L: The only pick-ups that work for me are P90s…
What’s the worst thing you one can say right after sex?
L: “We used a condom right?”…
You have the opportunity to sleep with a movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
L: Scarlet Johansson, I find her beautiful and I love her acting!
If you could be any historical person, which one would you be and why?
L: I would be an explorer like Marco Polo, Magellano or Colombo. I love to travel, to be in places where I never was before.
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
L: I think I would travel in the future, maybe 2200. I want to see how humanity will face the environmental problems and if we can get rid of fossil fuels and still make a decent living. I love Hi-Tech and Sci Fi movies… And I would love to travel in space!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
L: AAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHH (*head explodes)…
Finally we’ve come to the end Lorenzo. Thx for talking to Grande Rock. Say anything you feel like saying before we close. Take care dude!
L: Thanks for the interview Thanos. See you down the road!