Brazilian melodic hard rock band Leatherjacks are set to release their new single ‘I Hate To Fall In Love‘ in time for Christmas this year, the follow up to their debut album “The Lost Arts Of Rock And Roll“. LeatherJacks was created in 2016 by singer, songwriter and guitarist Mauro Cordeiro, with the guts and nuts to achieve the good and old Rock / Hard Rock / AOR, but with a new and modern spice on it! The main concept is to bring back a more classic style of rock that many feel are missing in today’s hit and miss musical world. The debut album “The Lost Arts Of Rock And Roll”, released earlier this year, touched on the human condition with an emphasis on the songwriting. Rock songs, love songs, songs to think, songs to headbang and songs to listen to over and over again. We get a few words from the main visionary behind the band, Mauro Cordeiro to find out more about the band and the upcoming release.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs.
Hello everyone at The Rock Pit! Hello readers and rockers! Well, the first album was written 100 percent by myself, ’cause at that time, I still wasn’t with a full band. All lyrics, riffs and songs… I mean… That was a F… tough work to do, but I did with total passion and dedication for all fans and listeners. The whole album was recorded at my little home studio. I recorded all voices, basses and guitars, sampled the drums and keys, then I mixed and mastered. For now I am my own manager, agent, investor and producer. It´s much tough at the beginning, mainly ’cause I live at the country of Samba, Country and brazilian Funk… Rock almost don’t have chances here. So I can say I swim against every tendency or music genre.
What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with the release?
The goals were and are to get recognized, ’cause this is a job I love so much, and to reach a great fan base and audience, I mean: People to exchange this amazing and magic rock and music energy. LeatherJacks has been growing almost exponentially, thank GOD! I mean… I released the first album in April 18th and looking what we achieved in some months, it’s extremely gratifying and mainly: I feel extremely thankful to all of you. I always say: “Dreams can come true! DARE TO DREAM!”
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
I personally love to write! But it depends on the flow. It’s like an “inspiration fountain”… Sometimes it’s a waterfall and sometimes I don’t have a single drop, you know? I always experiment a lot of Guitar Licks and Riffs, and I really throw away many things. I’m an extreme perfectionist and demanding with myself… So I have a strong selection filter for the final songs. I always write the song first, and then the lyrics comes out after this stage. This is how I make it: I absorb the harmonies and melodies, then I write the vocal lines based on vowels and metrics according to these melodies. I think when I get some gentle pressure, it’s also a good way and vibe. But I also think that inspiration comes naturally.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
Yeah! Always, haha! I always think: “Wow I felt this way, so I wrote this or that song… Are they going to like it? Will or did they feel the same way I did when I wrote this tune, or when I sing it live?” – But I think this is the magic that I always felt in my whole life: At first I write the song for me to like it and enjoy it. But then I always (And I Really mean… Always!) realize that the things I feel and felt, everybody feels or have felt somewhere, sometime and somehow in their lives. So I feel that instantaneous empathy for everyone. And… this is priceless. When I feel this sensation, it means I’m on the right way.
How does “I Hate To Fall In Love” compare to the first album?
Well, our upcoming single is called “I Hate To Fall In Love”, and it’s about every man and woman that falls in love but gets rejected. And it’s like we were smashed by a war tank. ‘Cause that’s the exact sensation everyone feels. Musically, in comparison to “The Lost Arks Of Rock And Roll” album, I think I sang more aggressively than the previous songs, and maybe I’ll continue this vocal approach for our upcoming 2018 EP and Album. We´ll decide it better next year.
What are the lyrical themes of the songs on “The Lost Arks Of Rock And Roll”?
The previous album has this cool name: The Lost Arks Of Rock And Roll. Why? Because LeatherJacks always had and always will have this 80´s Hair Metal / Hard Rock Nostalgia genre concept, you know? But I write about the most current themes. For example: The first song is called “People (We´re Chosen Ones” – It’s about our daily human hypocrisy (I include myself on it, by the way), but I give a solution at the chorus verses, etc. “Emotions On Sale” is about artificial human emotions, people staying much more at their jobs than with their families and stuff. “Crocodile’s Heart” and “Burning Wire” are also about love cruelties and rejection. LeatherJacks talks about “Unravel The Lost Arks Of Rock And Roll” – What could be cooler than this? Haha! “The Slammer” is our sci-fi song about an alien pacifier who came to save the earth from ourselves, something like the movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”. The title track is about our daily efforts to stay alive and still get the guts of Rock And Roll! “Do You Fucking Pay My Bills” was written when my sucker neighbor told me ironically “I was a punk, a vagabond”, just because I sleep late and wake up late. Then I thought: “Do you pay my bills to say that?” Then the idea came out. The song’s about our daily judgement about visuals, about appearances, aesthetics, money, cars, futile people. But poor people are forgotten. This is what the “Fucking Bills” song means.
Any favorite moments or songs?
In the first album, the songs I most love are “People (We’re Chosen Ones)”, “Crocodile’s Heart”, “The Slammer” and “Do You Fucking Pay My Bills”, but “I Hate To Fall In Love” is the song that will define LeatherJacks. Definitely. Stay tuned!
Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
Yeah! I’ve always wanted and planned them to sound live as good as in studio versions! I always tried and try this, ’cause the best songs (in my opinion) are the ones that sounds amazing both in studio and live situations. LeatherJacks is a great live band. We are always practising, both at band rehearsals and also personal studies (singing, guitar, drums, bass, etc).
What can people expect at a LeatherJacks live show?
Unforgetable moments, lots of fun, headbanging and 3 ugly guys to bother everyone at the stage! But at least we (try to) play beautifully haha!
What is your favorite song to play live?
I really really really LOVE to play “Crocodile’s Heart”. I think this is Dan and Arthur’s same opinions too haha! It’s a great tune to play live but we can barely wait to play “I Hate To Fall In love” live. We think it will sound amazing!
What is the process like for picking out a setlist?
We try to choose the songs in a “rollercoaster” concept, highs and lows you know? So the shows have dynamics and because we are an authoral (original) band, it’s easier to pick the song’s sequences ’cause we know their moods and what each one will bring live to the crowd. Yeah, we like to play some covers but we do that more like a jam you know? Sometimes we have to play covers live at pubs and gigs, but we feel that’s an obligation ’cause our real job is to play our own songs. Of course we do like to cover our rock heroes, but our own songs are like us raising children haha!
How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far?
One word: it’s been AMAZING! We are stage/crowd addicts! We’re extremely excited and happy everywhere we play! We really love to play at Manifesto, it’s a famous rock/metal pub located here in São Paulo city in Brasil but there are lots of cool places we really like to play. I personally think a show highlight we always have is the crowd, the audience feedback is priceless! People always get extremely happy and they rock on with us. It´s amazing! Come feel this energy at our gigs! This is LeatherJacks.
How did the band form and get started?
Everything started by myself in 2015 when I wrote “Burning Wire”. Then I thought: “Wow… THIS IS A GOOD SONG” – So despite the fact I was with no band at that moment, I got really motivated to make more songs. So “Crocodile’s Heart” was born, and then “Do You Fucking Pay My Bills?”. At first I thought about making an EP, but the songs were coming and coming, so I did the whole album. I released the album in April 18th, like mentioned before. Two months later, I found Dan Werneck on Drums, and then I recruted a long time friend of mine, Arthur Inacio on bass. So despite Jack’s embryo being created in 2015, it took me one whole year to record, produce and finish the album. Then I found the band members, so the band have only been together a few months but we feel as if we were playing since 1993 haha!
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
I think every starting band have these three main challenges: Write great and original songs, build fanbase engagement and get media,investors and management. This is our main difficulties, and it’s really tough to reach ’cause it takes lots of dedication and time.
Review: The Lost Arks Of Rock And Roll
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
I personally think Heavy Metal and Rock ´N´ Roll will never die, ’cause there will always be new, young people who will get really enchanted by looking to drummers, guitarists, high note singing and screams. There is always hope, mainly because in my opinion, when I was 14 or 15, in 2000 / 2001, I used to take days, weeks, to download one video at Napster or Kazaa or to download some guitar masterclass for example. Now anyone can find it at the speed of light. It’s just about searching for what you really want to learn and discover. I mean the internet can be a huge ally instead of a villain, you know? There is only one (and a HUGE one) problem: Nowadays everyone can have a band, record at home and release an album or a video. Different from the 80’s or 90’s or even 2000’s… We don’t have MTV or VH1 Rock / Metal videos anymore (with rare exceptions). So you really must be amazingly original and good to attract people’s attention mainly because Rock and Metal have never been in the mainstream. So in our generation the difficulties multiply by 100 or 1000. But nothing is impossible when you really dedicate and when you really know what you love to play and who is your crowd. You have to understand what people want, it´s all about it.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Be a simple person. Be a humble person. If envious people try to take out your peace of mind, don’t give power to them. Never. And mainly: You’re the best! You’re a winner to God (for those who believe) and to Life! So, ROCK ON and dream Limitless!
Who are some of your main influences?
The main ones are Iron Maiden, Dio, Rainbow, Gotthard, Whitesnake, Halestorm, Megadeth and Metallica. But there are many other ones I love, I listen up to Jazz stuff haha!
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and/or play music?
Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden! I was 10, in 1996. The first time I saw him live, it was watching that Maiden England show. I recorded it at my VHS (Video Cassette haha). And I always watched again, and again and again.
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
I feel disgusted. Unfortunately, I don´t have another word to define what I feel. I mean it’s only about Pop, girls shaking asses and singing with auto tune, almost robotic songs. The only true pop band I really say I love is Maroon 5, Adam is an AMAZING musician. The rest? Please throw all in the trash garbage, ’cause it’s useless haha! Substitute everything for HEAVY METAL, please! (At least it’s still free from taxes to daydream haha!).
Do you believe music can still change the world?
I do. I really do! I mean if music is made for people, it can be like a Mantra. We all sing along with our favorite artists, don’t we? So if we have great words to tell people, they will instantly identify with you, create empathy and learn and teach good things to other people. So music can change the world for sure, I totally believe it!
If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Hum tough question haha! I think I would visit Dio – Holy Diver! What an amazing album!
What is the meaning of life?
In my belief… Above it all, God. But I think we must live the most we can! So breath, love, search peace, respect each other, laugh, cry, cry in laughing, laugh after cry, but mainly: LOVE YOUR FAMILY. The true heroes are your mom and dad. It’s all about it. First God, then Mom and Dad, then family, friends, then the Rockers, ok? Don’t forget the Rockers too haha! Life also means TO ROCK AND ROLL! Preferably with LeatherJacks haha… kidding! WE ROCK!
The new single “I Hate To Fall In Love” will be released on December 24th 2017. For more info on LeatherJacks go to leatherjacksofficial.com and facebook.com/leatherjacksofficial.
