my interview with Toke Skjønnemand, lead guitarist of Pyramaze and Fast Gallows

paranoidmexican009 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:25:48 GMT

For my very first interview I decided to interview Toke Skjønnemand, lead guitarist for Pyramaze and Fast Gallows. Pyramaze is a power/progressive metal band formed in 2001 by guitarist Michael Kammeyer. Toke joined Pyramaze in 2004 while the band was on tour supporting their debut album "Melancholy Beast".

Fast Gallows is Toke's other band, a more strait forward rock n roll band formed in 2004. This band is quite diffrent from Pyramaze, as this band has a punk-ish sound to it, showing off Toke's versatility.

[Adam] First of all, I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your schedule to answer my questions. It's an honor to have you answer them.

[A] Where are you hailing from? What's the Metal Scene like there?
[Toke] Im from Aarhus, Denmark and unfourtanly the Metal scene sucks in Denmark

[A] How long has your band been together?
[T] I've been playing in FastGallows for one year and as you probaly know I joined Pyramaze in 2004

[A] How did you guys come up with the band's name?
[T] I really don't know.....but it sounds cool.

[A] What are your major influences? Musical and otherwise.
[T] I think my major influences is Metallica because I played in a Metallica jam band when I was 15 years old. But now I really like Paul Gilbert from Mr. Big - he is a really good guitar player.

[A] When did you pick up the guitar?
[T] Actually I started playing drums when I was 8 years old. But when I turned 15, I met another drummer and we wanted to start a band together, so I picked up the guitar.

[A] Do you have any tips for those at home who might consider learning to play the guitar?
[T] Always practise slowly, cause if you dont get i right the first time you might have problem with speed later. And of course practise at least one hour every day.

[A] Are there any new bands in the scene currently that have caught your eye?
[T] Yes, Circus Maximus

[A] If someone has never heard your music, how would you describe it to them?
[T] If it's Pyramaze we talk about, I would describe it as epic and almost as film music. And if its FastGallows, I would describe it as, in your face fast fearius pirate rock'n'roll.

[A] What do you consider to be your best work?
[T] I'm very proud of the solo in She Who Summoned Me, from the album Legend Of The Bone Carver (Pyramaze)

[A] How do you find time for the band?
[T] Music is my life - so I will always take the time to do stuff that is necessary for the band.

[A] Equipment, what kind do you use?
[T] I use Randall pre-amp and Marshall EL-34 50/50 and a Gibson Les Paul Guitar

[A] How do the crowds react to your live shows?
[T] They always tell me that I'm very active on stage - so I guess they like it. HAHA ;-)

[A] Are there any band stories you could share or any secrets you are willing to spill?
[T] Ha Ha - yeah why not. When I was on the UK tour with FastGallows and we got very drunk after a show and Mads our drummer got lost, he could'nt find the hotel and he had lost hes cellphone, so he could'nt call us. So he walked around Doncaster for 8 hours before he found the hotel. And the next day when we played he almost could'nt play because he had blisters under his feet.

[A] If someone wanted to see your show is there a place your band frequently gigs?
[T] It's hard to say - with pyramaze you have to check the webpage. FastGallows plays alot in Denmark, England and Germany - so check out the webpage.

[A] Any up coming dates?
[T] If I tell you, I would have to kill you :-)

[A] If you could tour with any band, what band would it be?
[T] Metallica

[A] Has your band solicited any work to record Labels? How did it turn out?
[T] FastGallows is courrently talking with Sony and Warner Bros. but I can't tell you anything else about that yet. I dont know with Pyramaze, you have to ask Michael about that.

[A] Is there any new work in progress?
[T] We are coing to the studio with Pyramaze in October and with FastGallows we just recorded 6 new songs.

[A] Where can metal fans pick up your CD?
[T] The internet is a fantastic place.

[A] Well, I'm not going to take up too much of your time, Toke. Thank you for the interview, keep rocking. Any last words?
[T] Yeah off cause - Please by our CD's so I can get rich and retire. And remember to rock out !!

Heres a few links to check out:
www.pyramaze.com
www.myspace.com/pyramaze

www.fastgallows.com
www.myspace.com/fastgallows

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my interview with Toke Skjønnemand, lead guitarist of Pyramaze and Fast Gallows