Interview with Keld from Jerkstore by Jen

Give us some Jerkstore history...When you got together, how you got together, etc...
"The origins of Jerkstore dates back to the beginning of '95. Stefan (drums) and I (vocals) formed the band Delhi Download along with a guitarist and a bass player. They'd all been playing in a band called Strain that I auditioned for. I didn't make the audition but the guitarist quit the band to start a new band with me and eventually we stole two of their members. We recorded a demo tape and shortly after threw the bass player out of the band. In the autumn of '95 Lars (bass) joined. In the Spring of '96 we recorded another demo tape and a demo-cd followed in the fall. '97 saw a lot of changes. The original guitarist split the band, and two new guitarists joined: myself & Henrik. The sound was toughened up and the band name was changed to Jerkstore inspired by an episode of American sitcom Seinfeld. After having cut a demo in '98 that only a few selected people received but nevertheless resulted in rave reviews, we headed for the studio and recorded our debut-album in 13 hectic days. It was the summer of '98. The outcome: Anti-Jukebox. We spend a year shopping the album. We received airplay on national Danish radio. For six weeks the song the Non-existent was placed on the chart for unsigned bands that deserved a record deal. It was the Spring of '99. In the beginning of the Summer, we were offered a deal by Danish label Mighty Music. Anti-Jukebox was released on the 4th of October to critical acclaim on the Mighty Music sub-label Drug(s)."
Who are the members and what does everyone do?
"Well if you mean in our civil lives Stefan our drummer is working at the Volvo/renault car dealer here in Aalborg at the moment. Henrik is studying to be what you'd call a teacher (we have another word for it in Danish because it has nothing to do with educating), he's going to be looking after really young kids, disabled or malfunctioning people. Lars (bass) has just finished his study's and is looking for work. He has a business degree with emphasis on human resource management. I have a masters degree in Danish and communication and I'm working at a local municipality doing press, web site and layout."
Did you guys play in previous bands before and if yes, who?
"We've all been playing in bands before but nothing you'd have heard of. Lars was playing death thrash before he joined (Obscenity was the band). Originally being a guitarist. Henrik had been playing hardcore crossover thrash in a band called decline. And Stefan had been playing more grunge orientated stuff in a band called Strain. I've been playing guitar rock before in a band called Moonheads. Lars, Stefan and I were all part of Delhi Download that eventually turned into Jerkstore."
When was "Hard Words Softly Spoken" recorded and released?
"Now that's a tricky question. The album was recorded in the summer of 2000 and mixed in the fall. Now to the tricky part. It was released in Denmark in November 2000 in the rest of Scandinavia and Japan in the Spring of 2001 in the rest of Europe late summer to fall 2001. I think there maybe more releases coming up. America and Russia. But I don't know."
Will you be touring or playing a lot of shows to promote the new album?
"We already have in Denmark. We'll tour a bit more but not a lot. And then we'll start working intensely on our third album."
When was your first release, "Anti-Jukebox" released?
"In the fall of 1999."
How does that release differ from the new one? Have the styles changed a great deal? Are there any new members, who contributed?
"It was a bit more primitive. And the vocals were distorted all the way through more or less. So were the bass parts. And the songs were shorter. I don't think it's that different in style even though the two albums are quite different in vibe. And no we haven't changed any members."
To someone who never heard you, how would you describe your music to them?
"It's heavy, energetic and catchy. We combine influences from rock, metal and hardcore. To me our music is very condensed. The songs are quite short and to the point."
As a band, and individually, who are some of your influences?
"As a band some of early influences were Helmet, Only Living Witness, (NICE!-JEN) Handsome and Entombed. We have shared references in bands like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Anthrax, Pantera and Metallica. And some of that stuff pops up here and there. In addition to that we listen to all that's heavy, groovy and energetic. And we get inspired by a lot of that stuff. Personally some of my influences as a vocalist are Jonah Jenkins (Only Living Witness), Phil Anselmo, Chris Cornell, Doug Pinnick (King's X) and Mike Patton."
What top 10 cd's are in your cd changer right now?
"My top ten would be something like this:
1. Sevendust: Animosity
2. System of a down: Toxicity
3. The Tea Party: The Interzone Mantras
4. Rival Schools: debut album
5. Buckcherry: Timebomb
6. Barcode: Hardcore
7. American Head Charge: The War Of Art
8. AC/DC: Everything
9. John Coltrane: My Favorite Things
10. Entombed: Morning Star
Have you played many shows? Who is your favorite band to play with, or what was your favorite show, and why.
"Not many. But we're getting there firmly and steady. I have a lot of bands I like to play with but two of my favorites are Mevadio and Pariah Flame both from Herning in Denmark. I like their music a lot and they come from the same area in Denmark as myself so I understand what they're saying and I get their sense of humor. My favorite show is probably our last one at Sysseltinget in Hjørring, Denmark. It wasn't packed but we did a great gig and the people there were so into. It was a laugh."
Every band has at least one bad experience...What was yours?
"Our show before that. We were way too drunk. There were lots of people they're to but most of them didn't even mind I think they were just as drunk. So from now on we have a very strick"no drinking before or during shows-policy."
How did you hook up with label Drug[s]?
"I knew both Michael and Bjarke from the Danish metal scene. We never thought of approaching them because they were running a extreme metal label. Eventually I mailed Bjarke a copy of Anti-Jukebox (it hadn't been released then) first and foremost because he was the editor of a magazine back then. Bjarke played some of the tracks for a friend at the Danish national radio. We received airplay. And drug(s) signed us and released the album at the end of 1999."
How are they treating you so far?
"They're nice but not exactly wealthy folks. They're doing the best they can with the resources hey have. But we do feel that our music has the potential to reach a much wider audience given the proper amount of promotion that we haven't had yet because we're on a small label with a limited amount of funds."
Currently, what are you doing? Writing? Touring? Catching up on sleep?
"We're doing some demos for promo purposes. Our deal with drug(s) were for two albums and we've done them so we need to get a new deal. We're also doing a lot of writing. It's looking really good. We've got close to 20 songs now and I think they're of a really high standard. At the same time we're taking a few chances on some of the songs. Some are a lot heavier. Some are a lot mellower. So that'll definitely be interesting. We can't wait to record them properly. We'll play some more shows in the Spring other than that we're doing side projects. Some are pure fun others are more serious."
Anything else you would like to add?
"We suggest that everybody who's just the slightest interested in our music check us out. you can do so by visiting our web site."
Jerkstore: http://www.jerkstore.net
Jerkstore on Myspace: http://myspace.com/jerkstoremusic
Mighty Music/Drugs: http://www.mightymusic.dk
Anger Earthling: http://www.angryearthling.dk/
Sleazy Rider Records: http://www.sleaszyrider.com/