HYPOCRISY
Peter Tatgren is one of the most well-know names in metal, or music, for that matter.
Founder of Hypocrisy, Pain and master producer and engineer, there are few areas of metal he is not a master of.
Here is my interview with him from a recent show in Oakland, California.

 

BAST (B): Virus came out last year and I still think it’s one of your best albums. Peter Tatgren (P): Definitely. B: Have you thought about what you’re going to do on the next one? P: Not yet. We just want to tour and really focus when it’s time to do it. That’s when we’ll start to go crazy. B: Does it take you a long time to write songs? P: It does. I write some riffs and put them on the shelf, so to speak until it’s time to bring them all out and create songs with them. It’s a process and takes a lot longer than to just record an album. B: The song “Let the Knife Do the Talking” The title is great and the song is great. It’s such a heavy song. Do you think there’s a place for tongue-in-cheek humor in metal? P: Why not? Life doesn’t have to be that serious, does it? Sometimes it’s good to have that glint in your eye. Everything doesn’t have to be so black and dark all the time. B: Your new line-up is working well. P: Well, unfortunately, Andreas left the band. B: Oh, ok. P: So, now we have Klaus from Darkane helping us out on the tour. B: So he filled in at the last minute? P: Yeah, a little bit. He’s a good replacement. B: And Horgh is working out well. P: Yes. B: Very cool, I was happy to hear that. He fits the band quite well. You guys have played almost everywhere in the world. P: Not quite. We haven’t been to Africa and Australia yet. We’re working on it. B: Do you do much producing anymore? P: No, not really, here and there if it’s interesting. I did the Celtic Frost album. B: Ah, that’s an amazing album. P: Yeah, it’s really good. B: And you do some mixing, like the new Destruction. P: Yeah. B: Are you tired of it? P: No, I just don’t have the time. I’m always on the road. I have two bands now, Hypocrisy and Pain. And they have to record and touring, there’s not much time left. B: What is something you’d love to do that you haven’t done? In any field or area? P: Yeah, I don’t know. I’m always interested in things that fly. Helicopters to airplanes. B: Get your pilot’s license? P: I don’t know if I’d have the time. B: It would be nice to fly yourself to gigs. P: Yeah, that would be nice, like Bruce Dickenson. I also have a Harley. B: That’s a nice way to relax. P: When I have the time. B: How about musically? Anything you want to do that you haven’t? P: The blues. B: What do you like about the blues? P: I like the beats, the feeling, also the tempo, more relaxed. B: It’s music from the heart, for sure. I don’t think there’s a music that’s more emotional. P: Yeah, for sure. B: Do you like doing interviews? P: Yeah, I do. B: Are there questions that you wish you’d never get asked again? P: Depends on the people doing the interview. Some people are pinheads. I guess it’s the same with music fans. B: It must get tiring to do it. P: If it’s at the wrong moment. If you’re busy with something and you have to deal with it and the tour manager is bugging you to do it. Most of the time you don’t do anything and then all of a sudden it’s chaos. B: Are there any questions you wish you’d get asked, but haven’t? P: Oh wow..I don’t know. So many interviews over the years. I don’t know. B: I know you don’t have much time but when you do get time, what do you enjoy doing the most? P: Just get a pizza and a good movie and spend time with my kid. B: What’s your favorite movie? P: I don’t know, I’m into action comedy bullshit, easy-going stuff. I used to be into horror, but it doesn’t give me any kicks anymore. B: It doesn’t seem like they’re making good horror movies anymore. P: Yeah, Brain Dead and all that. There was more humor in them, it wasn’t just horror. B: There was also suspense in them, not just gore. I watch some of the new ones, and they’re ok, but just not as good. P: Yeah, they just bore me now. B: What do you want people to remember about you? P: I don’t know, I guess the music. B: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? P: Anywhere? B: Anywhere. P: I think where I live now. It’s a very secluded small little village. B: It sounds like a nice retreat. P: Yeah, it is, It’s so different from all the big cities I tour in. It’s nice just be a dad and have a quiet life. B: Do you like winters? P: Yeah, when there’s snow. B: What do you want to read on your tombstone? P: “Here lies chaos and confusion”. - Martha Hughes