Interview with Olli Herman from Reckless Love
Calle: Reckless Love was founded in 2001. How did the band start?
Olli: Reckless Love is the 1st band I ever formed. I did it with Pepe, Jalle and our 1st drummer Zam who later dropped out. We started out as a cover band playing mostly Gun ‘n’ Roses tunes and we actually named ourselves Reckless Life at first but later on we decided to change that since we started to write our own music and decided we didn't wanna be a cover band anymore. However, we all liked the word reckless since it sounds good and looks good too. R gives you a nice big arch in the beginning and of course the KISS styles double S's are a must in the end.
Calle: What other band names did you consider?
Olli: It was such a long time ago I can't remember. But it probably was something really really funny in crappy way.
Olli - Photo by Eava Uusitalo
Calle: What got you into music in the first place?
Olli: My father. He's the most charismatic elementary school music teacher I've ever seen. One of my friends actually said to me after seeing him for the first time a year ago that he felt a compelling need to sit on my fathers knee, hahaha... how's that for a calling. The man lives and breathes music, moreover he's got the charisma that hooks you to listen and learn.
Calle: Who are your biggest influences?
Olli: David Lee Roth without a doubt is the biggest influence there is. However, I would've never started singing if Axl Rose wouldn't have been there when I was a boy. He was my 1st true rock idol. Of course, there have been plenty of idols after David as well.
Calle: After some line-up changes and some demos, the band released their debut CD “Reckless Love” in February. How was the response from the critics?
Olli: It's been great!!! Just as I presumed, all critics either praised it or hated it. Vast vast majority loved it to the max. There was only few people who did not get the idea.
Calle: How was the writing and recording process of the new album?
Olli: The writing process is actually kinda hard to describe since it has been such a long period of time. Oldest songs (so yeah!!) were written way back in 2004 and the newest tunes just before the last recording session in 2009. However, the actual recording was very pleasant indeed. We, myself and Pepe, live 10min away from the studio where we did most of the writing as well so it was quite an easy of a process for us. We did it in three separate sessions starting out with One More Time and Beautiful Bomb in the 1st session during spring 2009. Majority of the songs were recorded in the summer 2009 and the last two songs, Romance and Get Electric were recorded in September 2009. Get Electric was left out from the actual album but it will be featured as a bonus track for various import versions of the album.
Calle: What song or songs on the new album do you like the most?
Olli: I love all of the songs. They're our babies, I just can't pick an absolute favorite. However, If I had to, I must confess that I'm very fond of the nice mystical and sexy feeling of Back To Paradise.
Calle: How would you describe Reckless Love’s music to people who haven’t heard the band yet?
Olli: It's sexy, fun and very energetic. It's got everything that has been missing from rock n roll for way too long by now. Catchy big choruses, big guitars with big riffs. Easy going and free-wheeling laid back attitude towards life. The message is: Life is all about having fun!!! go with the flow and don't think too much.
Calle: How would you describe the rock scene in Finland and what bands would you recommend people to check out?
Olli: The rock scene in Finland is actually changing very strongly at the moment. There are still plaenty of dark and sinister Heavy Metal in there but there are quite a lot of young talented bands growing up. Can't give any particular favorite's but there's a band called Santa Cruz which has all the promises of becoming good, or even great. I'm keeping my thumbs up for them so that they will keep learning and working hard.
Calle: What can people expect when they go see Reckless Love live?
Olli: A super-energetic, ultimate live fun party experience. Tight playing and big choruses. Good times. Right before their naked eyes!! Just within reach, you're all welcome to ride this rainbow.
Calle: Do you have any plans on a tour in Europe or the US?
Olli: Yes we do, and actually some UK and European dates are already been mapped out for next autumn. US is another matter itself. At the moment we do not have an agency in the US to represent us, neither do we have the album out in the US. However, we are very eager to tour the US asap. We're also planning to tour Asia as well.
Calle: What about Denmark, do you have any plans on a concert hear in the near future?
Olli: I think Denmark was one of the stops on the planned European tour. Nothing confirmed yet, but I sure hope we get it all confirmed in the near future.
Olli - Photo by Jan Carlsson
Calle: What’s the most fun or crazy experience you have had at Reckless Love concert?
Olli: So much fun and crazy stuff takes place on the road that it all starts to seem like normal life to us. Usually the most crazy stuff is also a bit scary as well, it happens when security fails and someone gets on stage or something. However, I've always liked that classic sight of women showing of their well-formed boobs. Happens surprisingly often, but not often enough.
Calle: How would you describe the other members of the band in only three words?
Olli: Friends, Brothers, and Family
Jalle (bass) - Olli (vocals) - Hessu (drums) - Pepe (guitar)
Calle: Where do you see Reckless Love in 10 years?
Olli: Promoting our sixth or seventh album on the biggest venues there is. haha, or that's the dream and that's where the aim is. That's what we're all gonna keep pushing for.
Calle: What’s the best advice you can give to up-coming bands?
Olli: Learn how to write great songs. Learn how to play. Learn how to look good. Learn how to work your ass off without always getting paid and finally when you master these, Learn how to be humble and nice to all people... and good things will come to you.
And now some questions outside Reckless Love’s music:
Calle: What was the first CD/LP you ever purchased?
Olli: Spaghetti Incident? by Guns ‘n’ Roses
Calle: What is the latest CD you bought?
Olli: Lady GaGa's Fame Monster
Olli - Photographer unknown
Calle: What was the first concert you ever attended?
Olli: The 1st rock concert I remember was by Tarot in my hometown of Kuopio. Probably. I'm not sure cause I was so so so young.
Calle: If I asked you to put together your dream band (not including the members of Reckless Love), who would be in that band?
Olli: David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen ... no wait, that already existed once!! am I lucky or what??
Calle: If you should mention one song you wish you had written, what song would that be and why?
Olli: There are so many songs that I like and love. Just can't pick one favorite. Lately I've been listening to Tina Turners Simply The Best and I've found a soft spot in me for it. The overall feeling is something incredibly strong in that one.
Calle: What do you do when you’re not playing music?
Olli: Go to the gym, run, exercise, write lyrics and find suitable things to write about, eat and drink well. I try to keep myself in the shape where I can take the hard tour life where lack of sleep can wear you out in a heartbeat. ...and of course, the thing we all wanna do all the time ;)
Something for the ladies
Calle: You recorded an album (The Unattractive Revolution) with Swedish band CrashDïet. What was the reason you only did one record with CrashDïet and then returned to Reckless Love?
Olli: I actually never left Reckless Love. Ultimately it was just a natural mutual decision to cut out a band that I didn't belong into. We weren't a match in the creative department. However, I do look back at those times with warmth in my heart. They're all good people.
Calle: Can you name one thing that you think only Finnish people do?
Olli: Plenty of things, but I'm not gonna list them here. Come and see for yourself.
Calle: If I say Denmark, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
Olli: A club called The Rock in Copenhagen. Wild parties in that bar!!!
When I met Olli and Peter and Eric from CrashDïet
at The Rock in Copenhagen (Calle's private photo)
Calle: Do you have any last words for the fans?
Olli: Reach for your dreams, no one's gonna bring it to you... we did, come and see the living our dream live!!!
Click on the band logo to visit their MySpace site
All photos by AJ Salvolainen (if nothing else is mentioned)
The End