Swedish industrial metallers Deathstars are about to hit the road as support for Korn on their European tour. The Dreaded Press managed to corner Deathstars‘ vocalist Andreas Bergh - better known by his stage-name, Whiplasher Bernadotte - a few days before they set off, and badger him with some questions.
TDP: Where are you right now, and what have you been doing today?Whiplasher Bernadotte: Right now I’m at home, trying out a new pair of funny-glasses. I collect them. Today I woke up terribly hung-over, since I went to the Grammy Awards last night. It was tough!
Then I met up with Adrian Erlandsson (Nemhain, ex-Cradle of Filth, ex-At the Gates/Haunted) this morning who lives in London and will drum for us on the Korn tour, and took him to the rehearsal room.
Plus I’ve been shopping for loads of glitter for the tour, and doing some phone interviews during the afternoon.
TDP: The new album is pretty much finished, I’m guessing – how did the recording sessions go?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Everything went well; we recorded in New York, but we’ll probably continue in Sweden after the tour. We don’t know exactly when the album, titled Death Glam, will be released yet.
TDP: What were your plans before you went to the studio to record? Did you have any special mission or purpose for the new album?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Basically just to make the album the best we’ve ever done. Make a motherfucker out of every song.
TDP: What music had been influencing your own material at the time?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Nothing specific that I can point out, but I guess all the music we’ve ever listened to.
TDP: What differences will we hear on the new album, compared to Termination Bliss?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: I guess it’s more outgoing. The last album was a bit more narrow, dark and personal – Death Glam is more like a playboy party in Hades.
TDP: How would you describe the Deathstars sound in a sentence?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Think of Eddie Murphy’s solo album – it’s nothing like that.
TDP: How do other people describe Deathstars? What’s the craziest description that you have heard?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: That we sound like Marilyn Manson, I don’t get that at all. That must be people who just listen to Manson saying that; people who haven’t listened to Dark Throne, Mötley Crew, KISS, Queen or Sisters Of Mercy.
TDP: What do you feel is your biggest limitation as a band?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Until today we have been living in different countries and different cities. So if we had a gig to play in Milan, then we also needed to get a rehearsal room there for the day before.
We just met all around Europe in different cities, hung out, played, partied and then went back to our homes. Now we all live in Sweden; Nightmare Industries moved back from the US just yesterday. That was a limitation, living so far from each other.
TDP: What do feel is your best piece of work – your personal favourite?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: A couple of new tracks on the upcoming album are really outstanding.
TDP: You’re on the road touring with Korn – how have they influenced you as a band, and personally?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: I have never listened to them. I hardly know anything about them, except that they are a big band. They haven’t influenced us at all.
It was Jonathan Davies who invited us personally, so I guess he likes Deathstars or something. They seem to be cool though! I’m looking forward to meeting them in Dublin.
TDP: What’s the worst part of touring?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: The waiting during the days … and the sleepless nights because of Cat’s high pitched screaming. He is terrible, hehe!
TDP: What’s the best part of touring?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Playing, meeting the fans, visiting interesting places.
TDP: What does it take to make a perfect live show for Deathstars?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Girls.
TDP: Can you tell us about the worst show you ever played?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Oh, we’ve had a couple. But it’s like drugs – even when it’s bad, it’s pretty good!
TDP: Do you have anything special planned for the tour – any stage shows or new songs?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: No, we like it simple. Simple straight forward rock.
TDP: What message does your music carry, if any?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Well, the songs are about me and us, and it’s all about weaknesses that I try to confront. We don’t preach our music, but it’s just our reflection of our lives.
TDP: What made you decide to become a musician?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: I just ended up here. I guess it’s KISS’s fault …
TDP: If you could go back in time and visit yourself when you were deciding to become a professional musician, what advice would you give to yourself?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: “Andreas, don’t do it!”
TDP: Philosophy question! Will the human race survive the next two centuries? And does it deserve to?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: Yes, I think so.
TDP: Finally, what will you be listening to on your tour-bus?
Whiplasher Bernadotte: MC5, KISS, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Morbid Angel, Kent, Oasis, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Turbonegro, Edgar Winter Group, A-Ha, Madonna, Rainbow, Danzig, Highway Men, Dissection, Motörhead, Patti Smith, Blondie, Alice Cooper – the list could go on forever!
TDP: Thanks for your time – good luck with the tour and the new album!
Deathstars are touring Europe with Korn in the early months of 2008, as well as playing some headlining shows of their own - full schedules can be found on the Deathstars website.Meanwhile, you can read The Dreaded Press’s review of Termination Bliss.























































