After Gorefest’s second break-up Boudewijn Bonebakker formed a new band called Gingerpig. His true musical passion was always classic rock and that’s exactly what his new musical venture is all about. With a second album, entitled Hidden From View, ready for release, Boudewijn took the time to sit down with Ghost Cult and share his insights on his latest project.
The new Gingerpig album is recorded as a three-piece. In what way does it differ from recording an album as a four-piece?
The album’s base was recorded with drums, bass and guitar and thus it was more focused on a rock, guitar-oriented feel. Although we chose to keep some organ accompaniment, a couple of songs are without any. The overall result is thick and a lot heavier. We didn’t need to clear guitar anymore to give the keys space. Another good side of recording with three is that it’s easier to lock-in together with fewer people.
Hidden From View is way more song-orientated compared to the previous album. Will this be the way forward for the next few Gingerpig albums?
Yeah. The first album was built on experimenting, trying to find a way. To see how we responded to each other and to the material, improvising ways. This album, it was quite clear from the start what direction I wanted to follow. I didn’t want to wait for us to be in the studio before letting the music take shape. Everything was well prepared this time.
How did you guys go about capturing that elusive vintage rock sound in the studio?
By recording the old-fashioned way, straight on to tape with vintage equipment, playing live together in the same room. Playing like humans and trying to capture as much humanity as possible. No punch-ins and no editing afterwards. If a session was bad or timing was off we had to accept that.
In the biography it’s mentioned that ‘the obvious limitations of working as a three-piece also meant freedom.’ Care to explain?
I didn’t feel limited by having to have incorporate keys in to the songs anymore. Not every guitar riff has a natural counterpart on piano or organ and before, sometimes the best guitar parts were ditched ‘cause of that. There’s no two ways about it, I’m a guitarist and thinking guitar is my nature so if I only have to think guitar I feel a lot less limited.
Be it rock or metal, more and more bands are getting back to the roots of both genres. What is so appealing in rediscovering the music of Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, for instance?
It’s the craftsmanship where Thin Lizzy are concerned. And there is a honesty in sound when I listen to ‘In Rock’. What you hear is what you get, and yet it’s magical. Also Led Zep and DeePee were pioneers, the ones to set a benchmark.
Nowadays it’s even harder for musicians to make some kind of living off their music, if any. How do you guys cope with the current misery within the music industry?
We work on the side. We try to organize the band so that we can cover the costs. This is very hard but we somehow manage to get by. Downside is that we sometimes have to decline well-willing offers.
You have a history of playing extreme metal in your Gorefest days. Gingerpig is something totally different musically speaking. Would you ever consider playing extreme metal again in some side project for instance?
No, not very likely.
There’s an album presentation planned at a venue in Breda. What do you have in store for us?
It’ll be a show with lots of guest appearances (Gorefest’s Frank and Vanderbuyst’s Willem to name a few) and the only chance to hear the songs album-style, live with Hammond, flute and percussion. Also, we will be playing a lot of the older material as a power-rock trio which will be different and a lot more unpolished sounding. We’re looking forward to this show but even more to going on the road and rocking everybody’s socks off.
What plans do you have as far as touring abroad?
We’ll be expecting to play a lot more abroad this time. We have internationally operating agents now who are booking us shows actively instead of waiting what crosses our path so I expect a lot more happening. But let’s see how the album does first.
Finally, what are the five records that changed your life and why?
Queen – II: That album is a journey and still intrigues me.
Deep Purple – In Rock: Pure raw energy, incredible power and groovy as fuck.
Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak: Super songwriting, craftsmanship and beautiful guitar playing.
Pretty Things – Parachute: A trip beyond comprehension
Iron Maiden – Powerslave: My first venture into metal, terrific songs and excellent guitar work.
Raymond Westland