Firewind
Never Take Things for Granted

07.12.2010

Greek-born Kostas Karamitroudis, better known to the world as virtuoso guitarist Gus G., has more than enough to boast even though he turned 30 just days before this conversation. His excellent guitar solos grace the songs of many metal bands from all over the world, and he is rightfully considered among the most gifted young guitarists in Europe. He recorded five albums with his band Firewind, which is one of the few Greek heavy metal acts famous outside their home country. And he has become a worthy replacement of no other than Zakk Wylde in Ozzy Osbourne’s band. We contacted Gus shortly before the release of Firewind’s sixth album “Days of Defiance” to find out how it is possible to achieve so much in such a short timeframe.

One can read in the Internet that “Days of Defiance” is Firewind’s “defining musical moment”. So there’re high expectations about this album, right?

Yes, I guess so. I don’t know what I actually expect, I just hope that people will like it. And I hope to have more new fans. But there’s always a next album to be made, so if it doesn’t happen with this one, I’ll keep on trying.

But are you happy with this album?

I’m very happy. I’m really proud of the new album.

And what makes you feel so good about it?

I’m very satisfied with everything that was done on this album. I’m very pleased with the production, the performing of the band, the songwriting, the artwork...  With everything, you know.

Did you write all the music for this album all by yourself again, or did other members of the band take part in composing the songs too?

Usually I write the stuff and then Apollo (Papathanasio, singer) writes the lyrics and the vocal lines. But he contributed some music for a couple of songs. And our keyboard player (Bob Katsionis) also wrote some songs. We wrote some songs together.

Is it easy for you to collaborate with these guys? To write some stuff with them?

It’s not easy, believe me. (laughs) Sometimes it’s not easy, because someone may have a different opinion. And someone can be wrong. But in the end we’re still on the same page.

As far as I know this album was recorded in your home studios, right?

Yes, we didn’t want to have any spends on renting a studio, and we thought that we could do all the thing in our home studios - all the keys, guitars and bass, we recorded them over there, and Apollo did his vocals in another studio.

And what’s the difference between working at home and somewhere else for you personally?

Of course there’s difference. We had no one to tell us what to do and when. We just did it on our own terms, we took our time, we didn’t rush. We mixed the album at Sonic Pump Studios in Finland anyway, but as far as the recording goes, we were very relaxed…

And why did you decide that the album should be mixed in Finland?

Well, you know, the previous five albums were mixed in Sweden by Fredrik Nordström and we wanted to move away from that and do something different this time. And I knew the guy, Nino Laurenne, because he plays in a band called Thunderstone and we toured with those guys some years ago. When I went to Finland last summer I visited his studio and saw what he was doing… And I thought that was great. So we decided to mix the album there and that’s good.

You had so many changes in Firewind’s lineup. How did these changes affect the musical style of the band, if they did?

Of course, every new member brings some of his own features to the band. I think that it is good, because it’s good to have some new ideas. But now we have the same lineup for the last five years, so… It’s difficult to describe some musical changes, because I don’t think everybody would understand that… So I’ll just say that everybody has his own style and of course he brings something to the band in general.

Firewind is all about fire: one can see it on the covers of your albums and in your video and the word “fire” appears in your lyrics very often. Is it just because you associate metal with fire or is it because of some personal reasons?

I guess I like fire very much. I even have a fire-tattoo on my hand. I just like it, I think it’s the symbol of power.

Some years ago you decided to focus on Firewind and forget about all your side-projects, though you had many… But now you’re playing with Ozzy Osbourne, so there’s no time for Firewind again. Haven’t you ever felt like you should give up playing for Firewind and concentrate on your playing for other bands?

Obviously not. I just want to do my own band. But when somebody like Ozzy Osbourne calls you… If you say “no” you’re an idiot.

How did Ozzy find you and has he ever told you why he chose you and not someone else?

I don’t know. I’ve never asked him. But I think he saw something special in me.

I don’t think that Ozzy’s fans liked you the first second they saw you, did they?

You’re right, in the beginning there was some negative response, because when people are used to something they’ve seen for certain amount of time and then it changes people say, “No, we don’t like changes, we like to see it the way it used to be”. But since the album (“Scream”, 2010) came out people started to see that this change was not bad, so now it’s okay.

Many reporters asked you about how was it touring with Ozzy, but I’d like to know how was it recording with him?

It was very nice, very easy, you know. He let me do what I wanted to do. He let me be myself and do my thing. So I had no problems in the studio and it was a very nice experience.

I’m sure that you felt something really special when you recorded with Ozzy…

Yes, the emotions were different this time, because of course I was thinking who was there in front of me and how all these classic albums were created... And I wanted to put my mark on that as well. I used to think about it a lot before I started recording. But I did enjoy the recording… And of course it was a completely different situation if you compare it to being in the studio with your own band and writing your own stuff. When you’re doing your own thing there’s nothing to think about but being yourself and creating your music. But being in situation like that… Obviously I just had to do the best I can and please everyone - Ozzy and his management first of all. In the end there’s Ozzy’s name on the album, so that’s the reason. I work for him and I have to do what he wants me to do. But I also wanted to be happy with my playing.

I see. And did you manage to make friends with Ozzy and all the other musicians in his band? Or was it more like you were doing your job and that’s it?

Well, it was more like a job, but now as we spend more time together it feels like a real band. It feels like we’re in a team, we really work like a team.

And what have you learned from working with such a big star as Ozzy?

Everything is on a very high level, you know. Playing for Ozzy Osbourne is like playing for the national team. You have to be on top of the game, you have to win and be the best. To be better than everybody else. I learned to be at the maximum capability every night. That kind of work is very demanding. And it really made me a much better player.

Did you try to change your image somehow to fit this band better?

Well, I try to improve all the aspects and image is one of them as well. Now I have to think what I’m gonna wear on stage and so on. And it feels kind of good for me. I think my image has improved a lot… And that gives the access to getting more fans, so that’s great.

Isn’t it a kind of disappointment when after playing huge venues you have to go back to playing small clubs with your own band?

No, it’s great! And I think I’m very lucky that I can do that. I like playing small clubs, I like this special connection with the people. But of course I like playing arenas as well. I think that every musician that has a chance to do both feels that it’s a blessing. It’s good to be able to play different venues and get different feelings, different kind of vibes from the crowd. And also you shouldn’t take things for granted in this life. You can’t be sure that you’re always gonna play arenas. You may end up as an artist playing arenas, but you may end up playing small clubs again as well. So you should never take things for granted and you should enjoy every time people come to see you play.

And what do you think, how long it may take your own band to become the one that plays arenas?

Oh, I don’t know. I mean I don’t know if we ever get to arenas. I will be happy playing in clubs, you know. I don’t think about… Well, I do think about it. But if it never happens I won’t cry or something. (laughs)

So you’re just happy with what you have, aren’t you?

Yes, I’m happy with the band I have and I’m happy to see that we’re growing, we’re not a kind of band who managed to do just one album. So I think that we are the band with bright future. And I’m excited about that, as long as we keep going, there’re always new things to come.

Are there any big musicians like Ozzy you’d like to play with some day?

Not really, you know. I’m very happy with the way things are. My desire is to play with my own band, and if I can also play with Ozzy Osbourne, I’m the happiest man alive.

You were here in Russia with Ozzy not long ago, so how did you like it?

Yeah, I was there two days ago and that was great!

Do you feel like Greek and Russian cultures have some things in common?

Well, I don’t know. But they’re both orthodox Christians. But I’m not really good at historical stuff... I think that Moscow is much bigger than Greece. (laughs)

And being a guy from Greece do you feel like your roots influence you as a musician?

I have no idea. I never thought about that. I don’t think that one can hear any Greek roots in my playing. I’m a heavy metal guitar player, so… I mean, if someone else can hear that, it’s cool. But if you ask me to analyze my playing, I’d say that I don’t know if I do that.

What was the first stuff you tried to play when you picked up the guitar as a kid?

I think it was “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. I listened to Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and stuff like that. I was one of not very many people in Greece who listened to that kind of music. When I was a kid I just saw their videos on TV and went, “Wow, that’s very cool!”

So they inspired you to become a musician, right?

The reason I picked up the guitar was a guitar player called Peter Frampton. My father had his album called “Frampton Comes Alive”. And when I heard him play I was nine years old and I thought that was the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. So I asked my dad to buy me guitar.

You seem to be such a serious and hard working guy, so it feels like you have nothing to do with that “sex, drugs and rock’n’roll” way of living, right?

Let me correct that. I have a lot to do with rock’n’roll. I have nothing to do with drugs. And I have to do a lot with sex as well. (laughs) Two out of three. Just take out drugs and that’s me.

Firewind on the Internet: http://www.firewind.gr

Special thanks to Nasrin (Century Media Records) for arranging this interview

Ksenia Artamonova
September 19, 2010
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