Interview with Thomas Muster from Shakra by Ove

Hello Thomas, thank you so much for giving Blizz Of Rock this interview

First of all Thomas, I'm honored to talk to the guitar player in the rock band Shakra.

Thomas: Hello Ove, It is my pleasure to do this interview

When was the band Shakra formed? What is the story behind the name?

Thomas: The band was formed in the early 90's and we changed the name in SHAKRA back in '95. It comes from the indian mythologie and describes the seven energy spots in the human body. Originally it's written with "ch" and has also something to do with esoterism. Well, we don't care about that, in the end it's just a name. A good name!

If I've done my homework you released your first album all the way back til 1998. How did that come about?

Thomas: We sent some demo tapes (yes tapes, not cd's!) to a few german record-companies, like every newcomer-band did. Most of them were not interested. But a few months later that guy from Point Music called us. He got our tape from a friend, not from us. He was completely enthusiastic about our songs! He said: "Hey guys, let's release this fucking demo!" He really wanted to release this demo tape as our first album...sure, it was not bad, but it was just a demo and it sounded like a demo... So we started the production in our rehearsal room with a old 16 track tape recorder that we bought with the advance from the record label.

And the latest album was released this year called "Everest" What's the big difference from then and now?

Thomas: Well, on our first album you can hear what my main influence was: AC/DC. I mean I still like them but what we play on our latest album has nothing to do with AC/DC anymore. I think we created our own style in the past years.

Buy it here at Amazon

Is there something you would have done differently if you could turn back the time and start over?

Thomas: Nothing at all! We always spend a long time in the studio just to make everything as close to perfect as possible.

In studio

How many albums have Shakra released?

Thomas: 7 studio albums and 2 live albums.

Buy albums from Shakra? Click the foto

"Why" is one awesome song on your newest album "Everest" Who wrote this song?

Thomas: Oh thank you! It was me, 2 years ago or something. Ok, I just wrote the music, the lyrics were written by our former singer. I also love this song. We still got a lot of airplay here in switzerland with "Why"!

Do you have a favorite track so far?

Thomas: On the Everest album? The Journey! I love this song, even though it's not a typical SHAKRA track. In a way it's a bit progressive because it's 8 minutes long.

Do you play lead or do you play rythme guitar in Shakra?

Thomas: yes I'm the rhythm guitarist, I don't play any leads. That is Thom Blunier

Thom Blunier

Is it possible to see Shakra live on tour?

Thomas: Well, for this year it's over. We'll do some shows here in Switzerland and maybe Germany with our new singer John next year. That's it. Another European-tour is planned after the release of our next album in 2011.

Is it true that Shakra have been playing with bands like Guns n Roses, Hammerfall and Iron Maiden? How did this come about?

Thomas: Yes, we did a European-tour with Hammerfall and Stratovarius back in 2005. Our record company made this happen. It was a great experience for us. And yeah, we played support-shows for Maiden and G'N'R here in Switzerland. Believe me, it was just fantastic!

Any bands or artists you would love to have with you on your tour?

Thomas: Yeah well, I know a few bands I hope that they would love to have us on their tour!!... AC/DC for example...

What is the best track of all time?

Thomas: At the moment to me it's "The Count Of Tuscany" from Dream Theater.

Blizz of Rock had a interview with the band "Sideburn" a few month ago, do you know this band?

Thomas: Yes sure I know them. We played a few shows together in the past. And the drummer is the swiss-distributor of my new guitar company Schecter.

Sideburn

If there was one place in the wide world that you could play Thomas where would that be?

Thomas: Tokio or Rio.

Tokyo Rio

Shakra is a rock band! Where do you get your influence? Do you feel that Shakra have their own style?

Thomas: Yes we definitely created our own style in the last years. I mean after seven albums you

What does Myspace mean to Shakra?

Thomas: It's helpful, absolutely. I mean when we were looking for a singer Myspace was a important thing.

You are looking for a new Singer in the band? Mark Fox is leaving?

Thomas: Thanks god he left the band! We're not looking for a new singer anymore, we introduced John a few month ago!

If Shakra received 100.000 dollar, and had to give it to a good cause. What or who would that be?

Thomas: I think about it as soon as it's true:-)

What's your opinion about the Rock 'n' roll coming back?

Thomas: Haha! Coming back? Since I was a teenager people used to say Rock'n' Roll is dead. And some time later they said that it's coming back. That's shit. For me Rock'n' Roll was always alive!

What sort of age group are you attracting with your music?

Thomas: Here in Switzerland we have fans from 6 to 66!

Would you like Blizz Of Rock Radio to play your music?

Thomas: Yes sure, just do it!

Do you know any Norwegian bands?

Thomas: I guess Wig Wam are Norwegians? Cool band, they supported Gotthard a few years ago. And I remember a great 80's band from Norway: TNT!

When did you get your first instrument?

Thomas: When I was 12 or 13 I got an acoustic guitar from my parents. I learned some classical stuff first at the local music school. But after a few months I started to play all the songs from "Let There Be Rock" and after I saw AC/DC live with Bon Scott I left the guitar school...

Any instruments you would love to learn how to play, that you don't?

Thomas: Hmm... maybe Piano. I just love the sound!

What is the highlight of your career as rock musician?

Thomas: There are too many to name them all... I think the day we entered the swiss charts on position #4 last spring with Everest was a real highlight! And of course the shows with Maiden and G'N'R!

Anyone you would love to meet, that you have not met yet?

Thomas: No, absolutely nobody...

What is your opinion about Blizz Of Rock? (www.blizzofrock.com)

Thomas: It's about rockmusic right? And that's cool!

Who would you like Blizz Of Rock to make an interview with?

Thomas: No idea...So many good bands out there

Thank you so much Thomas and Shakra for using time to answer these questions.

Blizz of rock wishes Shakra all the best, take care Thomas