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Band page - Lion´s Share
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Lars Chriss, guitar.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The first album was released 1995, and back then we were more into the progressive stuff and probably sounded like a mix between Black Sabbath (R.J Dio/ Tony Martin era), Dream Theater and Queensryche. We then signed to Century Media and did "A Touch Of Evil" for "A Tribute To Judas Priest - legends of metal Vol. 1" with Helloween, Testament, Saxon, Devin Townsend among others. We did a European tour with Saxon and in early 1997 we released our second album "Two". Then we toured Europe with Iced Earth and Nevermore, plus did another tour with Saxon at the end of the year. More touring followed with U.D.O., Dee Snider, on our own etc. and we also did our first visit at Sweden Rock Festival (Manowar, Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, DIO, Motörhead, HammerFall), before our third album "Fall From Grace" was recorded. Right before it came out with did a month of arenas opening up for DIO, Manowar & Motörhead in a package called "Monsters Of The Millennium". In 2001 we released "Entrance" and at the end of that year I more or less overnight hit rock bottom, feeling totally burnt out so I put the band on hold for six years.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
No.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
It's called "Emotional Coma" and is just released on AFM Records. We have some cool guests on it as well like Bruce Kulick from KISS, Glen Drover from Megadeth and Mats Levén from Yngwie, Therion etc. If you like well written, well played and well produced Metal with a lot of cool riffs and strong melodies, you should definitely check it out.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Old school, classic Heavy Metal. We are mainly influenced by bands like Black Sabbath (especially with R.J. Dio), Megadeth, Judas Priest, Saxon, Accept, Queensryche, but also by newer bands like Rammstein, Soilwork etc. For the first couple of albums we were more progressive and influenced by for example Dream Theater. Now we are back at our roots and the new cd kick major butt.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
I would say all the great tours we've done with bands like Manowar, Dio, Saxon, U.D.O., Iced Earth, Nevermore etc. Playing Sweden Rock Festival this year was great and we just came back from playing to 10.000 crazy Germans at the Magic Circle Festival.
How is the writing process in the band?
We have no set rules about this, but for this record I wrote most of the music and melodies. This was probably mainly because most of the songs were written before Sampo joined. After he joined he and I started writing the music and riffs together. Usually with one of us coming up with the first riff and then we keep on writing till we have a music background with guitars, bass and drum machine. We later replace everything for the album of course with real drums etc. Patrik wrote all lyrics.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
KISS. Heard them when I was 8 years old and that was it!
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I grew up with old school Heavy Metal and bands like Judas Priest, Saxon, Anvil, Angel Witch, Accept, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Queensryche. The reason I started playing in the first place was because of KISS. I like pop too like ABBA and The Beatles, I like AOR like Foreigner, progressive stuff, but also newer bands like Rammstein, Soilwork, Arch Enemy etc. Among guitar players I like Gary Moore during the 80s, George Lynch, Marty Friedman, Uli John Roth, Michael Schenker. Tony Iommi is of course the god of riffs. My favourite singers are Ronnie James Dio, Tony Martin, Jörn Lande, Russel Allen, Paul Stanley.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
There are a couple of songs that don't fit with the Lion's Share sound of today, but back then we thought it made sense so no regrets in that sense.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Not really.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
I don't, and can't write lyrics so to me personally they are not very important. I never listen to lyrics. Hopefully they are important to the person who writes them though...
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
It's bleeding due to the illegal downloading.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
To make people understand that this is hurting the quality of the productions badly. Less income for the label leads to smaller budgets (if any) for the bands to record their albums.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I hope every day will be different. I get bored easily if things start to get too predictable. Every day starts with some coffee though.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I love the ocean. I like to be out on the sea with a boat of some kind. I love Ice Hockey too.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
A lot of crazy things through the years. It's not something I can write about here though...
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums: Black Sabbath "Mob Rules", Def Leppard "Pyromania", Lion's Share "Emotional Coma". Movies: Kiss "Kissology Vol. 1", "Kissology Vol. 2", Rainbow "Live In Munich 1977". Books: "Kisstory", "Kiss & Tell", "Sealed With A Kiss"
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
Next we'll play the Metal Heart Festival in Norway with Testament, Queensryche and others. We have some club dates confirmed for September and hopefully a tour in December or so. We will start writing for the next album in October so it won't take six years again... Sampo and I will release our side project Road To Ruin on Metal Heaven Records in October so we're keeping busy.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks for supporting Lion's Share!! Check out "Emotional Coma" and stop by our homepage at www.lionsshare.org
Added by Steen - 8/20/2007
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Band Information - Band Information
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Album Review - Emotional Coma
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