A few weeks ago I was confronted with this for me unknown band, Pastore … the evidence that Brazil is more then death metal only … Mario Pastore presents his new project: Pastore. This project that takes his name shows a musicality focused on an actual Heavy Metal style, with great creativity and regards to compositions and riffs, showing the versatility of Pastore‘s voice that synchronizes power and melody.
TMR: Hello to you from´The Metal Resource’ Holland, how are things going there in Brazil ?
Mario: Hello to The Metal Resource and to dutch metal fans. Things here in Brazil are ok Thank you very much.
TMR: Will you Introduce yourself and the band please ! [name and instrument]
Mario Pastore – lead vocals
Raphael Gazal – guitars and backing vocals
Fabio Buitvidas – drums
Alexis Gallucci – bass
TMR: Tell us the brief history of ‘Pastore’
Mario: The band began in the year of 2005.I started it with Alexandre Botaro(another lead guitar,today replaced by Raphael Gazal).Raphael became a member in 2007,when we recorded our first promo cd.In 2010 we released the first album in Brazil and in Japan.
TMR: Why the name ‘Pastore’ ? Is there a story behind it ?
Mario: Not really a story.That´s my last name.I always wanted my own project,even though all the musicians take part on the process.
TMR: Are you guys full time musicians ? If not what kind of job or study do you do beside the band ?
Mario: I´m singer and vocal coach
Fabio: musician and music business manager.
Raphael: produccer and musician
Alexis: produccer, history teatcher anda musician
TMR: What is your musical background ? [for everyone personal]
Mario: mainly 80′ s Heavy Metal,Opera,and soul music,progressive etc.
Fabio: mainly 80`s Heavy Metal
Raphael: I studied guitar in EM&T for about 6-7 years. EM&T is one of the biggest music schools in Brazil. I am also graduated in Musical Production.
Alexis: mainly 80`s Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and AOR
TMR: Who writes the music/lyrics in ‘Pastore’ ? .. how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influences you for writing music and lyrics ?
Mario: Everyone writes them, but Raphael Gaza is the principal songwriter. In studio,the band improvises many things with different influences and personal styles.This practice is very stimulating and helps us to get in the mood for the process of composition.
Our songs are inspired by traditional metal singers,like Bruce Dickinson solo,Halford and others,our lyrics are about contemporary problems, like wars,corruption,violence.We tried to create a message against all these things.
TMR: How do you describe the music of ‘Pastore’ the best ?
Mario: Heavy, intense and powerful.
TMR: Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of ‘Pastore’ ?
Mario: The releasing of The Price for The human sins in Japan,and the report at Burrn! Magazine.
TMR: And the worst thing were ? [if there is one]
Mario: It has been a great experience.I think we are motivated,and the difficulties are small from this perspective.
TMR: How does ‘Pastore’ stands in life till events in the world, religion and politics and in which proportion stands that till your music and lyrics ?
Mario: Our lyrics are mainly about this. We try to deliver a message about the problems of modern life. We see them as a warning for the generations to come.
TMR: For a lot of bands the lyrics are just a accidental circumstance, but for some bands they use them to communicate ! ..can you tell us how that is for ‘Pastore’ ?
Mario: They’re not accidental. We have our message and the lyrics follow this perspective.
TMR: Name some of your favorite bands to play with live [past and future] and tell us why ?
Mario: The musicians have different former experiences. I played with Roland Grapow, and Fabio opened a concert for Iron Maiden. But the band itself hasn’t had any joint concerts.
TMR: First record you bought? [for everyone personal]
Mario: Elvis Presley, Greatest Hits, in 1975.
Fabio: Queen greatest hits in 1981
Raphael: I don’t remember exactly, but I think it was Offspring’s “Ixnay on the Hombre” or “Smash”, as the youngest member of the band, I don’t buy anything until 1994.
Alexis: Van Halen F.U.C.K. In 1993, i guess.
TMR: What makes you laugh? [for everyone personal]
Mario: The Three Stooges
Fabio: Tickles
Raphael: Jokes about something really stupid.
Alexis: Friends, Big Bang Theory and Raphael’s jokes
TMR: How do you promote your band and shows ?
Mario: Basically internet.
TMR: How do you prepare for a show? [for everyone personal]
Mario: Voice warm-up, stretching and relaxation for muscles.
Fabio: Nothing in special
Raphael: I play the songs at home, 2 weeks before the show. And in the rehearsals I try to figure out the difficult parts and then I practice those parts at home.
Alexis: Before the show, I like to keep quiet, concentrate.
TMR: Describe your show, visual and musically ? And tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.
Mario: It’s a heavy metal concert, with leather and steel and fire… hehehehe. We haven’t scheduled any concerts yet, cause we’re waiting for the releasing of the new album.
TMR: What is the dumbest question you have ever been asked? [for everyone personal]
Mario: I like to answer all the questions sincerely and politely, even if sometimes it takes some patience.
Fabio: This question
Raphael: This one!
Alexis: why your guitar has four strings?
TMR: Do you have a life philosophy? [for everyone personal]
Mario: I try to do good for everyone.
Raphael: Just try to have fun in everything I do.
Alexis: Just do what you like, and be yourself
TMR: Are you visiting many gigs and what do you listen to these days? [for everyone personal]
Mario: Not many, but listening to many things, like Uriah Heep, Queensryche, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Dio.
Fabio: Queensryche, Zalvarinis (Lithuanian band), Angel Dust, Forbidden
Raphael: The last gig I went was Iron Maiden, in Brazil, 2011. I am listen to Adele and Black Country Communion everyday.
Alexis: I go to many concerts (accept, iron maiden, europe, mr. Big, grave digger, judas priest, etc.). I am listen old Judas Priest, Primal Fear, Unisonic, Kiske, The Cranberries, The Corrs, Badlands etc. There are many good bands, but few good places to play and little appeal in large scale media.
TMR: What’s your outlook on the record-industry today?
Mario: On one hand, Internet helps bands without a label. On the other hand, piracy makes the sales of albums harder to happen.
TMR: About your latest album ‘The End Of Our Flames’, tell us about the songs, the recording proces, artwork, etc.
A :The songs are faster and heavier than ever, the recording was made in Fabio’s home studio, and was mostly composed and produced by Raphael. I wrote the vocal lines, Alexis worked with us on the lyrics, and the artwork was made by Marcelo de Paiva, just like in the first album, and he is also a drummer when Fabio is not able to play.
TMR: Which label released the album. And where can people buy it ?
Mario: In Brazil it was not labeled, and people can purchase the album with us, via facebook, myspace, twitter, etc. In Japan, we were released by Hydrant Music, and can be ordered via Amazon.com.
TMR: What about your plans for the near future ? [European Tour / New album?]
Mario: We’re waiting for the producers’ response for concerts. We want to show our music worldwide.
TMR: What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Mario: Deliver good messages, be good people.
TMR: What are the biggest obstacles for bands ?
Mario: Lack of support and investments on the heavy metal scene.
TMR: Guys thanks for your time and the interview, we wish ‘Pastore’ all the best … Is there anything you wanna say at last? [any final statement ?]
Mario: Thank you very much for the interview, we wish for the dutch metal fans all the best, and we hope to see you in a short future!
Discography:
Promo Single [Single,2008]
The Price For The Human Sins [Full lenght, 2010]
The End Of Our Flames [Full Lenght, 2012]
Band: Alexis, Raphael, Mario, Fabio