H R H - I N T E R V I E W S

Alex Meister (Pleasure Maker)
Interview July 2006

Hardrock Haven: Hey Alex, thanks for taking the time to talk with Hardrock Haven. For those who aren't familiar with Pleasure Maker, why don't you give us a brief background on the band.

Meister: Hello everybody! Pleasure Maker is a Melodic Hard Rock band from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - incredible as it may seem [smile]. We've been on the road since 2001, and by the end of 2004 we independently produced our first CD, "Love on the Rocks," which is now being reissued in Japan by Spiritual Beast (Warrant, Bonfire and others). For those who enjoy the good old Hard Rock of the eighties, we do recommend ourselves! There are sticky refrains, many choruses, pop arrangements and guitar solos!

HRH: You were previously in a band called Thoten, a much heavier band than Pleasure Maker. Why did you choose to go back to melodic hard rock instead of something heavier?

Meister: That´s because I grew up listening to Hard Rock! I like Heavy Metal, but the Hard Rock style has always been my favorite. The Metal environment is much stronger around here, but I preferred to play the sound which I identify myself with. You don´t need to get so heavy in order to kick someone´s ass!

HRH: Let's get into the biggest news first: Pleasure Maker just signed a multi-album deal with Japan's Spiritual Beast Records, and you also re-released your debut album, Love On The Rocks. How did the deal with Spiritual Beast Records come into play?

Meister: The good reviews have helped us very much, including yours. Thank U Derric! Our album is being well received in various parts of the world, so we managed to get several distribution points in the world. When we sent the CD to Spiritual Beast Records, they liked it and decided to bet on us and release it in Japan, which is one of the largest musical markets for Rock N Roll in general. That´s why we are now very eager!

HRH: The Japanese edition was remastered and new art work was done as well, but you produced the original CD. Did you produce the Japanese edition as well?

Meister: The original mixing was maintained. A remastering was performed in a Japanese studio, as agreed by band and the label. In other words, it´s still my original production, but now remastered in Japan. It´s like the sound receiving a brand new polish. It came out fine and this new edition is ready for sale! The new cover art is by Gustavo Sazes, a Brazilian designer.

HRH: Love On The Rocks was well received all over the world. Hardrock Haven gave it a very positive review, and Melodic Rock also nominated one of your songs for "2005 Song Of The Year". Why do you think your music is catching on from America to Australia and everywhere in between?

Mesiter: [Smiles] Once again, thanks Derric! Well, I believe people like it so much because our Hard Rock is very similar to what used to be done in the eighties. Most of the present bands - and even those still performing - do produce a much more "modern," heavier, sound. I believe this is what raises people´s attention - a present-day band playing the way Hard Rock was really done! It was very surprising to ourselves, for on preparing the album our only intention was to play the sound we like while having fun with it. We never thought it might get that far! Last but not least, the reviews we received helped us very much indeed! This opened many doors and we are very thankful for that!!

HRH: Pleasure Maker was formerly a Bon Jovi tribute band, and you can hear some of those same melodic tendencies in the music and in your singer C. Marshall's voice, but as far as guitars, you are much closer to band's like Dokken. Is George Lynch an influence on you? And who else influences you?
Meister: Starting as a Bon Jovi cover band was an excellent headstart. But on beginning our own compositions we rescued all other influences in order to assume our own identity. This is why our music goes from Ratt to Dokken and meanders through Bon Jovi, Winger and others. George Lynch is of course an influence to me, as well as many other famous guitars like Reb Beach, Steve Vai, Richie Kotzen, Andy Timmons and Warren DeMartini. To be compared to Lynch is obviously a great honor, but to me somewhat funny because I ain´t able to recognize the mentioned similarities with him. I´m happy anyway!

HRH: What is the music scene like in Brazil, and how does Pleasure Maker fit in?

Meister: The music scene for Melodic Hard Rock is still very incipient around here. But things are improving, especially for Pleasure Maker, because we are getting to be known abroad. As funny as it may seem, the acceptance you reach in other countries does make a great difference in Brazil, when you try to deal with foreign rhythms. This has also happened with Heavy Metal´s Sepultura - to obtain wide recognition over here, they had first to rock other part of the world! Our local magazines are already beginning to pay more attention to Pleasure Maker. Good news indeed!

HRH: There is not really any band I can think of that is this melodic and yet has such a shredder on guitar. Will the new songs keep this sort of mentality: melodic yet with guitar-driven compositions?

Meister: Well, thanks for the "shredder" comment, as you say [smile] The basic concept of our next songs will be practically the same, but we intend to allow a little more space for the keyboards and the very "kitchen" of the band to appear. I´m not that selfish ... [smile]. This way, we may come out with songs still cooler than as in the first album - I´ve been thinking a lot about this.
It´s funny: some time ago I was commenting with some of my friends about the guitar being left relatively aside in music nowadays. It´s sad: we can feel a lack of much new and good guitar players who may influence the younger generation to start guitar studies!

HRH: What do your tour plans look like for the summer. Any chance of hitting the United States?

Meister: Well, over here it is winter now ´cause we´re in the southern hemisphere... [smile]. We performed no shows during the first semester while resolving some contractual questions. This second semester we are already concentrating on possible performances in various cities in Brazil. We still don´t have anything programmed abroad, but certainly hope it will not take long to happen! About performing in the USA … certainly we're most eager about! But it depends on an invitation ... Anyone interested? [smile]

HRH: What's next for Pleasure Maker? A video, a DVD, anything like that in the works?

Meister: This also depends on arrangements with our label - we have not talked about it yet. For the moment, one can watch videos of some of our shows only via the Internet - to be checked at our official site, OK?

HRH: Is there anything I left out that you'd like to leave with out Hardrock Haven faithful?

Meister: OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS to Hardrock Haven for the support given from the very beginning. That´s the kind of thing we cannot forget! Also, our THANKS to all who are buying the album, sending us e-mails and partying together! We´ll always try and do the best for such a party to keep increasing! Let´s stay in touch - we´re at www.pleasuremaker.com ! KEEP THE FIRE BURNIN'!