An exclusive interview with GWP, Green Water Pool a Portuguese Heavy Metal covers band that wants to become an Alternative Heavy Metal band with originals. They are from Vila Nova de Famalicão, and the Vocalist from Barcelos, all from the North of Portugal. With an average age of 33 years, this quartet, comes once again to prove, what has always been denied by the Portuguese media, but proven by Universities in the USA and Australia, that HM is not only of compulsory education base, but also made by Engineers and Doctors. That said the GWP elements, join the vast range, as Bruce Dickinson, Blackie Lawless, Brian May, among others. They are Engineers by profession, the drummer an Environmental Engineer, the vocalist a Chemical Engineer, the guitar an Industrial Management Engineer and a future Computer Engineer, who will be the Bassist.
MGMEIA - How it happens? From whom was the idea to start the Green Water Pool (GWP)?
Green Water Pool (GWP) - "One afternoon when my son wanted to buy an amplifier we went to a shop, I always wanted my son to follow my dream of music. And when we were going in I met Bruno (drummer), who I hadn't seen for at least twenty years, I asked him what he was doing there and he answered, to my surprise, that he was going to learn how to play the drums. I, who already had Alexandre working on some projects, asked him if he wanted to join us, but Bruno replied that he only had three months of lessons and knew nothing. So I told him that I would wait for him and that I wouldn't look for anyone else to take his place on drums. Nine months after this conversation Bruno joined us and no baby was born but GWP. From the beginning we realized that none of us had the voice to sing. Three months later, through a phone call from a friend, Sofia, she tells me she knew a vocalist and introduced us to João."
MGMEIA - "Green Water Pool". It's an unusual name, how did you come up with it?
GWP - The name "Green Water Pool", comes from the place where we rehearse. There's a pool right next to it. But with all green water. From there came the idea of the name.
MGMEIA - Why a cover band?
GWP - The goal has always been music, which is what we have in our veins and in our soul! To gain unity, consistency and evolution, initially they would have to be covers. But the big goal is to make originals with a unique signature.
MGMEIA - Why Heavy Metal?
GWP - We adopted several musical styles, we don't stay in just one. We can't consider only Heavy Metal because we try to be as comprehensive as possible and as we have influences from many styles.
MGMEIA - Could we call it an Alternative Heavy Metal?
GWP - Possibly, it would be the most correct.
MGMEIA - Going back to the originals...
GWP - As we mentioned before, our main idea is the originals. The creation and exhibition of our ideas and contents will tell us when it will be realized.
MGMEIA - What are your favourite bands?
GWP - Bands that have influenced us. We are four each with theirs, some contradictory. Together we can say Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Audio Slave, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Metallica, Bush, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Death, Slayer, Pantera... We are very diverse.
MGMEIA - Do you like to read? (What kind of reading)
GWP - Yes, all kinds, for example Dan Brown, but lately a lot of biographies, Bruce Springsteen, Xutos & Pontapés, Kurt Cobain, Chuck Shuldiner or Cliff Burton, but also historical biographies, thrillers, police, like "Inferno" or "The Last Cato.
MGMEIA - And will that influence your lyrics for your originals or will you stick to something more quotidian?
GWP - Yes and on ideas that might come up, but a lot of it will be taken from reading.
MGMEIA - In your future, what are the difficulties you hope to come across, in musical terms?
GWP - We expect many difficulties! Unfortunately the cultural world is very despised and undervalued. But when you have a dream you never give up. Until the last breath!
MGMEIA - In terms of instruments and equipment what do you use?
GWP - Shure microphone, Gretch drums with Zildjian cymbals, Ibanez guitar amplifier Marshall Valvestate 100, Ibanez bass guitar amplifier Hartke.
MGMEIA - Leave a message to the bands that are starting up.
GWP - Never stop dreaming and loving music! If you like it, if it gives you pleasure, don't give up!
MGMEIA - Thank for your time and best wishes!
