TNT
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 8th February 2011.
Norwegian based hard rock band TNT have an excellent new album "A Farewell To Arms" out.
We caught up with their English singer Tony Mills (who we last talked to when he was with the band State Of Rock) to find out more.
Hi Tony, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Tony: Fine thanks, Jon!
I believe you had a heart scare a little while back, but are you back to full health now?
Tony: Yes, that’s correct, but… Well, it's been five months since then, and a few hospital visits, but I'm pretty much back to my old self.
Is it a good feeling to have your 3rd TNT album in the bag then?
Tony: Of course; it was like coming home at last when this record was finished! It was heading exactly where it wanted to go and we’ve really released a lot of pent up energy.
Your first two albums with the band garnered a fair few negative comments. Has the band taken on that, er, “feedback” and altered the approach for “A Farewell To Arms”, or is TNT a band that does things its own way regardless?
Tony: I think it’s been well documented… There was definitely a period, when last singer Tony Harnell left the band, that Ronni Le Tekro (guitar) had a lot of material that he needed to get out, which he felt unable to do, and even couldn’t possibly do, before.
A lot of those ideas found their way into the last two TNT records and it was always going to happen. With all that said and done, the new album is very much a ‘co-written’ album, between Ronni and myself, and the result is the result of those combined forces.
I have to say I haven’t heard your other two TNT albums, but I personally think this new one is excellent. What is your take on it? Do you feel it’s your finest album with the guys?
Tony: Yes, definitely! This album took a huge leap from the style of the previous albums, but it was definitely in the right direction. We wanted it hard and heavy and still melodic; and that's exactly what happened. Its very indicative of where the band will head in the future as well; we are that confident in the style, that it must now set the tone for the future.
In retrospect what do you think of the first two albums?
Tony: They’re, “A surge of artistic exhaust” I’d say? Ronni got a lot out of his system and I helped him do that. Some high points, some low points; but the truth always lies in your live set list, and all the new songs we’ve been filling the set list with now, have replaced any songs from the last two albums in the live show!
How does “A Farewell To Arms” compare style wise? Is this a continuation of what you’ve done before, or a marked change in vibe?
Tony: Oh, a definite change! This album doesn't really “play with” people. It isn't comic in any of its elements. It is much more focused on getting points over rather than entertaining someone’s particular comic angle on rock. The focus really lies in the guitar work and the vocals very much compliment that work. The themes are very traditional.
Were deliberate decisions made in the creation of the album’s sound, or do you simply go with the flow and see where the creative juices take you?
Tony: You need to be together in this band really. I usually work very separately from many artists, but when it comes to writing with TNT, everyone has to be together. An album, with this band, grows in the making and it can go in any different direction. Ronni knows what he wants out of his guitars and when he's done, I get the music to write to; and we bounce different ideas between each other until we are happy. Everybody gets involved in the sessions and we let them bring their own influence in as well.
What are your favourite moments on the album?
Tony: Well, the vocal melody on “Refugee” stands out for me certainly; it was a lovely chord structure and it was great to sing over. I also love “Take It Like A Man, Woman”, because it is just so Judas Priest-like. “God Natt, Marie” is the closest thing to a ballad on the album, but it is a sad story about a girl who has broken men's hearts all her life. One night she hears someone outside her window and she goes out to follow a trail of blood leading through the snow out into the night. When she reaches the end of the trail, it leads her back to her own doorstep and she realises she has taken her own life because of her own broken heart.
How long did the album take to record, and did it come together easily...or was it real hard work?
Tony: The album was partly written in Spain and partly in Oslo but it was a very smooth process. It was all recorded in Oslo and mixed in Copenhagen. All told, it took about eight months altogether. It was very simple…. Because the music was so strong that the vocals were effortless to write, I was finished in three weeks from start to finish; including the writing.
Did you base yourself over in Norway for the recording, or did the internet play its part in the album’s creation?
Tony: No internet for us… It's not possible to obtain the feel and the sound we wanted over the internet, so it's always understood that we are all together for the recording of records. It’s just how it’s always been… It works, so why change it?
I’ve heard all sorts of stories about how Ronni gets his guitar sound – drilling holes in his amps etc. Did he do anything out of the ordinary this time, or is it possible to get those amazing sounds purely with digital tech these days?
Tony: Well, you’re not going to believe this maybe, but Ronni doesn't actually use any digital equipment at all. He only ever uses Marshall heads. The difference maybe, is that he purchased an enormous amount of EL34 valves for the amp heads (from Marshall - in the 80's) and has stored them for years. They just sound so warm… His sound can remain exactly where he wants it while many others change around him.
How does the writing work in TNT? How is a typical song created and who is involved at what stage?
Tony: Everything starts with Ronni… Ronni always writes all the music. If he has any vocal melodies or any lyrical idea that he would like to use, then I incorporate it into the writing and complete the track. Sometimes he’ll just give me the completed track with no vocal ideas and I write it from scratch. Ronni produces and attends the mixing of the songs, and it works.
There are a few gig dates listed at present. Are there plans for a big tour on the back of this release?
Tony: The dates are growing as we play, from day to day, and it looks likely that this will be a major year for the band. I can’t give you too many details right now, but at the moment, we are looking to hook up with U.D.O., Stryper and Ozzy amongst others, in the coming year!
You have now officially left Serpentine, correct? I assume that was a friendly departure to concentrate on TNT above anything else?
Tony: Quite right. I have finished writing and recording their second album and I hope everyone gets behind it on its release, but I had to make sure they had a replacement for me as TNT is realistically now my only real focus… They have a guy called Matt Black singing for them, and I wish them all the success. I mean, I was leaving the UK to move here, to Scandinavia - and I have moved here permanently now - so it was a necessity for them. We remain great friends and we shall be working together in the future, for sure!
Does “State Of Rock” still exist with you in its ranks?
Tony: There are rumours concerning the writing and recording of another record, and I will think about it if it happens again…
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Tony: Ha! Ha! What sort of a question is that???!!!!!!!!! I refuse to answer, as the question is misleading, my Lord!!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Tony: I’m continuing preparation for the forthcoming shows… We’re getting ready for more Norwegian release concerts in Hamar and Kristiansand, with a full video shoot!! Exciting times!
Anything else you would like to mention?
Tony: Yes Jon, I hope everyone likes the new record, called, of course, “A Farewell To Arms” (and actually called “Engine” here in Scandinavia!!)… We hope to bring that to everyone in Europe this year, so thanks for believing in the band….
But, I just wanted to mention that, I’ve also recently recorded an album with Goran Edman and John Payne for a sci-fi prog, rock album called “The Mystic Technocracy”. The group is called 'Docker's Guild', and the record is a fantastic YES style project with major production, based in Milan; a terrific album worth checking out!!
Cheers for the interview.
Thanks again to Tony for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of TNT's latest album "A Farewell To Arms by clicking here.
Label: Metal Heaven
Artist's website(s): TNT | MySpace | Facebook
