H.e.a.t is a new band that rocked the boat in the A.O.R/Hard Rock scene with its self-titled debut that is definitely one of the best releases of the last years. H.e.a.t. are becoming bigger and bigger with more and more fans all over the world and they are one of the most hopeful bands of the genre. Solid Rock had the chance to speak with H.e.a.t.’s talented singer/frontman Kenny Leckremo about the “H.e.a.t.” phenomenon, their future plans and expectations…

Solid Rock: For the benefit of our readers and for those who haven’t discovered H.E.A.T. yet, would you like to give us a short background of the band?

Kenny: H.E.A.T was started roughly two years ago out of 4 guys from a band called Trading Fate and 2 guys from a studio project called Dream.

Ever since then we have been supporting big acts and played a lot of shows all across Europe.

Solid Rock: By listening to your debut album, it’s obvious that your main influence is the 80s hard rock scene – correct me if I’m wrong - but how do you manage to recreate this 80s hard rock feeling so successfully in 2008?

Kenny: We didn’t set out to faithfully recreate the sound of the eighties as such, we just wanted to create music that we like and enjoy playing. Of course we have a lot of influences from that period, and if we aimed to recreate anything it’s the positive vibes you get from listening to melodic hard rock of the time.

Solid Rock: Are you satisfied with the final result and the album sales so far?

Kenny: It’s been great, we are very impressed with the results so far!

Solid Rock: The only sad thing I can think of this album is that –at least at the moment- it’s released only in Sweden and it’s really hard to find elsewhere. I bet there are a lot of people who are waiting to discover H.E.A.T. and there are already those who are looking to buy it. Are there any plans for a worldwide release in order to give everyone the opportunity to find and buy it?

Kenny: We are constantly working towards an album release in as many countries as possible. I agree, it is unfortunate that the album isn’t more readily available in more countries and like I said, we are working on getting the album out to the rest of the world as we speak.

Solid Rock: Would you say that it is kind of difficult to come up with a really good original sound full of inspiration these days when the majority of the new hard rock/A.O.R. albums seem to be a “bad copy” of something else?

Kenny: Tough question... I think it’s hard to write fresh and new music when most of it has been done. I reckon the most important thing is to write music that you like, and that you enjoy playing. Only then will you be able to make people believe in it as much as you do.

Solid Rock: Are there any plans for a video clip(s)? And if “yes”, for what song(s) would that be?

Kenny:  Yeah for sure we have plans for a video, but the song hasn’t been chosen yet.

Solid Rock: For a new band I suppose it was really something to open for TOTO and Hanoi Rocks. Tell me what this experience meant for you…

Kenny: To open for Toto was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. They have meant so much to me and the other guys. Musically, they are a great inspiration to us.

Solid Rock: Which band originally influenced ‘H.E.A.T.” in songwriting and the overall style of the band?

Kenny: There is not one band in particular that I could say was the sole original influence. In fact our influences came from all sorts of music from varying genres. 

Solid Rock: Another thing I was also blown away with was your vocal abilities. No doubt that you’re one of the greatest new singers out there! Apart from the obvious charisma, what’s the driving force behind this great voice if yours? Can we say it’s a result of the right influences and a lot of vocal lessons?

Kenny: Thank you very much! Actually, I’ve never had a vocal lesson before, I suppose you could say I’m self taught. I think listening to a variety of styles has helped me and I wouldn’t encourage any singer to lock themselves into one genre or style.

Solid Rock: Let’s talk about tour plans and future plans in general… You are touring with Edguy now. Tell us about that and also about what’s coming next.

Kenny: Well, we just got back from the tour with Edguy, it was great! We love to play live and it was fantastic to visit eight different countries in one month. We managed to get a lot of new fans along the way.

Solid Rock: The last words belongs to you…Any message you’d like to send to the Solid Rock readers?

Kenny: I hope you enjoy listening to our album as much as we enjoyed making it! I shall see you at a H.E.A.T show soon!



For more info on H.e.a.t. you can visit band's official web site and official myspace page at the following links:

www.heatsweden.com
www.mysspace.com/heatsweden

_{Copyright © 2008-2009 solidrock.gr.}