This time the surprise came from the Russian Federation. It ain’t so much of a surprise though as the Russian rock/metal scene seems to be getting stronger year by year. Reds’Cool is, undoubtedly, a very talented hard rock band, which now makes its first steps into the scene… but I can tell you that this band is promising indeed. Sergey Fedotov, speaks freely on Grande Rock about his band, the music and their further goals...
Hi Sergey… Welcome to Grande Rock! Since it’s the first time we talk, do give us a brief bio of the band for fans/readers to get to know you.
S: The idea to start a rock band came to me 5 years ago after an occasion to talk to Whitesnake’s guitar player Doug Aldrich in a bar where he encouraged me saying there is no age limit to start learning to play a guitar. I kept to his blessing and in a year I had some professionals to back me up, two of them are still in RS and we (with our brilliant sound engineer Jack Benzin) are the main force.
On the road till our latest opus “Bad Story” we had some changes in the band. The singer Roman did a great job on that CD but was forced to leave the band because of personal reason, we are grateful to him.
Now the band is a bunch of 5 mates. Our new singer Slav has been with us only from October 2013 but he perfectly fits the band (especially on stage) and we think in a short time to come he will perform at full strength.
Is this your second or debut release? Was “Attraction” released under the name OldSchool in 2011? Since it’s the same band can we actually say it’s your second album?
S: If viewed in terms of time “Bad Story” is our second album but actually we might call it the first one for “Attraction” was just a try to test the band (of cause we spent some time, efforts etc. but we knew the very album was still on its way). As a matter of fact we still like it from the content point of view but technically it is far away from the level we are at present. Anyway it showed us the way to “Bad Story”.
What has changed in your music approach and what are the new elements that “Bad Story” introduces?
S: For the first we have changed two band mates. The new frontman Roman turned out to be pretty good and with his Coverdale like way the music has changed to more melodic, in a way lighter but more packed in the same time.
Were some songs of the album written later in 2012? I saw the two videos online where you had been performing live. Where & when did that event take place?
S: We had enough material at our rehearsal and made up our minds to play new songs on stage to have audience feedback as well our attitude to a song has been tested when played it live. I can’t remind the exact events when it took place but I assume it was at Glenn Hughes support gig in early 2012.
Even though you’re coming from Russia, you seem to be in love with the US & the European melodic rock, AOR, hard rock music (of the 80s) in general. Is this how the urge to form a band and play music came about?
S: The answer is absolutely… Yes.
Where does the Bad Story” refer to? What’s the band story that you tell?
S: Honestly the main issue was the music and its performance but step by step we found out that the song’s meaning is also has its part and started to concentrate on text more carefully although one has to remember the English is not our native language. All in all we get a little sexism but pretty ironic and with a hint of self-criticism towards man’s nature. That’s it.
You’ve also cooperated with the legendary producer Michael Wagener. He did the mix and the mastering on this album. How satisfied are you by the final result and how is it to work with one of the most famed producers on the hard rock music?
S: Michael turned out to be a very charming person. For sure he has his own unchangeable standards and approach but in the long run he is right with things he made us do. Nevertheless we carefully listened to our remarks and transformed them to mutual results. As to our great sound engineer (who practically made the main recordings) Jack he was really satisfied with Michael skills and the tricks Jack learned while working with him.
How did the cooperation with the European label Music Buy Mail occur? Had you been looking for a European or Us label to release your work? Did you have any thoughts of going on your own at any point?
S: How did it occur? We were lucky to get a contact with them through third party and did not miss the chance to have them involved in working with us. We move further step by step though sometimes it seems too slow for us but they are professionals and know how to handle such a bunch of dreamers as we are. Regarding US or European label we rely on MBM.
You have played with some very significant bands and artists in the last couple of years. It’s not long ago that you returned from the European tour with Black Star Riders. How would you characterize the tour and the reaction of the fans? Are there any other live shows on the way?
S: The BSR tour was real experience for the band and especially we were surprised by audience which took us great despite we were just an unknown band. The same situation was during the UFO tour. It gave us a kind of confidence in ourselves we could make it on Western stages. BSR and management were really friendly and helpful not a sign of any stardom! They treated us with respect. We made friends in a way (as much as it was possible)!
What are the band’s further plans? What are your plans for the future?
S: To make a new record during the winter-spring 2014, touring and festivals.
There’s also a famous Russian band, Gorky Park (I’m sure you aware of them) which had become quite known in the West back in the 80s/90s. Were they your paradigm? Have they also influenced you?
S: Of course we know them and once played a gig together. They are cool band. Influenced? Please go to the next answer.
Which are those bands that have influenced you as well?
S: I do not want to name the Saints (The Beatles, Led Zeppelin etc). The main influence practically came from Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Sammy Hagar’s Van Halen.
S: The idea to start a rock band came to me 5 years ago after an occasion to talk to Whitesnake’s guitar player Doug Aldrich in a bar where he encouraged me saying there is no age limit to start learning to play a guitar. I kept to his blessing and in a year I had some professionals to back me up, two of them are still in RS and we (with our brilliant sound engineer Jack Benzin) are the main force.
On the road till our latest opus “Bad Story” we had some changes in the band. The singer Roman did a great job on that CD but was forced to leave the band because of personal reason, we are grateful to him.
Now the band is a bunch of 5 mates. Our new singer Slav has been with us only from October 2013 but he perfectly fits the band (especially on stage) and we think in a short time to come he will perform at full strength.
Is this your second or debut release? Was “Attraction” released under the name OldSchool in 2011? Since it’s the same band can we actually say it’s your second album?
S: If viewed in terms of time “Bad Story” is our second album but actually we might call it the first one for “Attraction” was just a try to test the band (of cause we spent some time, efforts etc. but we knew the very album was still on its way). As a matter of fact we still like it from the content point of view but technically it is far away from the level we are at present. Anyway it showed us the way to “Bad Story”.
What has changed in your music approach and what are the new elements that “Bad Story” introduces?
S: For the first we have changed two band mates. The new frontman Roman turned out to be pretty good and with his Coverdale like way the music has changed to more melodic, in a way lighter but more packed in the same time.
Were some songs of the album written later in 2012? I saw the two videos online where you had been performing live. Where & when did that event take place?
S: We had enough material at our rehearsal and made up our minds to play new songs on stage to have audience feedback as well our attitude to a song has been tested when played it live. I can’t remind the exact events when it took place but I assume it was at Glenn Hughes support gig in early 2012.
Even though you’re coming from Russia, you seem to be in love with the US & the European melodic rock, AOR, hard rock music (of the 80s) in general. Is this how the urge to form a band and play music came about?
S: The answer is absolutely… Yes.
Where does the Bad Story” refer to? What’s the band story that you tell?
S: Honestly the main issue was the music and its performance but step by step we found out that the song’s meaning is also has its part and started to concentrate on text more carefully although one has to remember the English is not our native language. All in all we get a little sexism but pretty ironic and with a hint of self-criticism towards man’s nature. That’s it.
You’ve also cooperated with the legendary producer Michael Wagener. He did the mix and the mastering on this album. How satisfied are you by the final result and how is it to work with one of the most famed producers on the hard rock music?
S: Michael turned out to be a very charming person. For sure he has his own unchangeable standards and approach but in the long run he is right with things he made us do. Nevertheless we carefully listened to our remarks and transformed them to mutual results. As to our great sound engineer (who practically made the main recordings) Jack he was really satisfied with Michael skills and the tricks Jack learned while working with him.
How did the cooperation with the European label Music Buy Mail occur? Had you been looking for a European or Us label to release your work? Did you have any thoughts of going on your own at any point?
S: How did it occur? We were lucky to get a contact with them through third party and did not miss the chance to have them involved in working with us. We move further step by step though sometimes it seems too slow for us but they are professionals and know how to handle such a bunch of dreamers as we are. Regarding US or European label we rely on MBM.
You have played with some very significant bands and artists in the last couple of years. It’s not long ago that you returned from the European tour with Black Star Riders. How would you characterize the tour and the reaction of the fans? Are there any other live shows on the way?
S: The BSR tour was real experience for the band and especially we were surprised by audience which took us great despite we were just an unknown band. The same situation was during the UFO tour. It gave us a kind of confidence in ourselves we could make it on Western stages. BSR and management were really friendly and helpful not a sign of any stardom! They treated us with respect. We made friends in a way (as much as it was possible)!
What are the band’s further plans? What are your plans for the future?
S: To make a new record during the winter-spring 2014, touring and festivals.
There’s also a famous Russian band, Gorky Park (I’m sure you aware of them) which had become quite known in the West back in the 80s/90s. Were they your paradigm? Have they also influenced you?
S: Of course we know them and once played a gig together. They are cool band. Influenced? Please go to the next answer.
Which are those bands that have influenced you as well?
S: I do not want to name the Saints (The Beatles, Led Zeppelin etc). The main influence practically came from Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Sammy Hagar’s Van Halen.
How are things in Russian’s scene today? We see more and more bands, from all genres, coming out of Russia recently. Is there a bloom on the Russian scene or what?
S: Concerning hard rock (especially English singing bands) the scene is dark and simply bad and getting worse thanks to inner political situation and ruling power’s trends.
OK now it’s time for our “weird” questions!!! Why did you change your name from Oldshcool to Reds’Cool?
S: MBM’s suggestion, kind of commercial move we totally support.
Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
S: The Beatles.
Which are the 3 top hard rock albums of the 80s according to you?
S: Thin Lizzy “Live and Dangerous”, Whitesnake “1987” & Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon”.
Who is your favorite philosopher and why?
S: Mine are Rene Decartes and John Locke…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be?
S: Both at the same time.
Why is rock (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
S: Who does state that?! If it is, see above.
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
S: Depends on a moment and state of a heart, but hookers seem to be the right answer. (i.n.: Charlie would be so proud!)
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react? J
S: It means that I missed the opportunity to give her a thing she’d love to have and my reaction would be “Pity me”! (I missed both the collection and a chance to make her happy).
That’s all for now Sergey… Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
S: Do not be afraid of starting new life and when You start it just live Your new life, do not regret the things You’ve done (You can fix them), the things You might have done and left undone will chase Your mind all the time. Do not miss the opportunity “to buy a diamond ring to someone” it pays back 100s times.
S: Concerning hard rock (especially English singing bands) the scene is dark and simply bad and getting worse thanks to inner political situation and ruling power’s trends.
OK now it’s time for our “weird” questions!!! Why did you change your name from Oldshcool to Reds’Cool?
S: MBM’s suggestion, kind of commercial move we totally support.
Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
S: The Beatles.
Which are the 3 top hard rock albums of the 80s according to you?
S: Thin Lizzy “Live and Dangerous”, Whitesnake “1987” & Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon”.
Who is your favorite philosopher and why?
S: Mine are Rene Decartes and John Locke…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be?
S: Both at the same time.
Why is rock (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
S: Who does state that?! If it is, see above.
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
S: Depends on a moment and state of a heart, but hookers seem to be the right answer. (i.n.: Charlie would be so proud!)
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react? J
S: It means that I missed the opportunity to give her a thing she’d love to have and my reaction would be “Pity me”! (I missed both the collection and a chance to make her happy).
That’s all for now Sergey… Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
S: Do not be afraid of starting new life and when You start it just live Your new life, do not regret the things You’ve done (You can fix them), the things You might have done and left undone will chase Your mind all the time. Do not miss the opportunity “to buy a diamond ring to someone” it pays back 100s times.