|
>>>
BERRY | 2007-04-26 >>>
ZERO BUDGET PRODUCTIONS
"Own Label at 18"
a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h M a r t i n
B r ò o v j á k
 The
first entry in this country’s metal discography for this year was
provided by Zero Budget Productions, Brno based label, namely by
releasing the LP Absurd Conflict "s/t". The noteworthy record has
become a topic for our early spring talk along with the previous
releases, label itself, the bands See You In Hell and Absurd Conflict,
where Martin Bròovják has been active, and naturally the vinyl
collector’s passion.
Let’s start in a somewhat non-traditional way… Did you grow up in a
family who owned a gramophone? What did the first records mean to you?
Unfortunately not. And I know I was very sorry we didn‘t have one,
because I was a passionate music listener. My parents had plenty of
recording on old tapes, so I used to sit around, listen to Elvis,
Smokie, Abba, Boney M. But when my schoolmates started showing up at
school with LPs of CITRON and TUBLATANKA, and recorded tapes of
HELLOWEEN, JUDAS PRIEST etc., I was almost pissed I couldn’t have
these things at home. So it all came with time, gradually, by my own
doing. For a long time vinyl records were something I could only look
at in the shops or rather at the illegal marketplace, where the offer
was more attractive and it had a kind of magic touch to it. Can you
imagine the chat at school the Monday after: „Dude, I saw the LP "Walls
of Jericho" at the market!“. All I could do was buy a crappy black and
white miniphoto and stick it in my student’s book. Funny, that’s the
way it really was.
Indeed, I used to have a colour miniature of "South Of Heaven", so I
see what you mean. You do have the LP "Walls of Jericho" now, don’t
you?! When did the dream come true?
I do, indeed, but I acquired this one in the vinyl form much later,
and it was more a part of completing my 80’s collection, so no
breakthrough type of thing anymore. Speaking of buying vinyl, it
started predominantly with underground items. But I do not remember
which was the first one, and when exactly, really. I got stuck with
tapes for a very long time; I started purchasing CDs and vinyls in
about mid 90’s.
And then you got the idea of founding your own label… How long did it
take to believe it would materialize?
NI read somewhere, that every music fan wants to have his own band
at 12, own magazine at 15 and own label at 18. Now, it took much
longer in my case, I am definitely the fastest guy, but somehow I made
it all. Praised be the amateur underground music scene, especially
metal and punk, that allows anyone become active and even get some
supportive response for like-minded people. Back in the day of copied
tapes and xeroxed zines you didn’t need any extensive assets, rather
it was the dedication and the willingness to communicate and spend
time doing it that counted. That’s how Zero Budget Productions came to
being. Eventually I had the chance to take part in releasing the SEE
YOU IN HELL / THE PUBLIC split that meant the logical step to increase
the label’s prestige. He, he.
 
This was the first vinyl effort of Zero Budget, correct? It’s not a
secret that you played guitar with SEE YOU IN HELL at that time. Can
you tell something about the coincidences of this experience?
There was a lot going on during my almost a year with SEE YOU IN HELL,
and I really appreciate I had been offered this opportunity. They are
a band that achieved a top with very limited resources and they still
remain very modest. I had been in touch with Filip before and he had
the idea to enrich the sound with the second guitar, I was around, so,
good for me. Else, I wouldn’t overestimate my contribution, as I say,
it was rather and experience for me, among others the kick- off
for my vinyl releasing efforts.
So what were the reasons that you quit with hardcore SEE YOU IN HELL?
Did you prefer the melodic death metal of ABSURD CONFLICT that you
joined immediately after?
That was a matter of coincidence. I just was not able to keep up
with the requirements SEE YOU IN HELL had fully, that was it. I had
been working with ABSURD CONFLICT long before that, so when they
weren’t successful finding a new singer while the dates for their tour
with NEGLECTED FIELDS and the studio session were approaching, I
simple decided to do my best and take the job. I mean, it was
originally meant as helping out on the tour, really, but it developed
into a full cooperation, which is fine. I didn’t pay much attention to
the style shift, both genres are on the top of my listening
preferences, and what both of the bands had to offer was quality music
and also quality relationships within the band, which is perhaps the
most important.
 Not
perhaps, it is! We’ll take a look at ABSURD CONFLICT later. Right now,
introduce your second release, that is 7“ EP of Czech thrash metal
legend V.A.R.?
Another coincidence. I was running the band’s web pages and Jeny (drums)
kept bringing me lots of stuff from the band’s archives. I found
inspiration in a video footage of their show where they played new
songs with no lyrics, so Berun was singing something like nonsense
English phrases in it. So I thought, why not make a proper English
version. I suggested some songs, we discussed it with the band, then I
made the English lyrics, recorded it on a tape, so that Berun could
follow the pronunciation and intonation, they took it to the studio
and recorded the stuff anew. Then I also had the idea of the booklet
to look more representative, once the band was not much known to
foreign public. The graphic work was as usual done by Dalibor of
PARASOPHISMA. I guess it’s a great release. By the way, there was one
more song from the studio session - "Dancing on the Edge", now as a
special bonus on their new CD. I was aided by three more record labels,
which was still a small number compared to the numerous cooperation on
SEE YOU IN HELL / THE PUBLIC, anyway, another step to become a serious
record label for me, he he.
 Cooperation
with three more labels - can you explain how this works? I noticed it
has become common not only releasing 7“ EPs, but also LPs and other
formats…
Yes, sometimes it’s the only way to handle the high cost of the
initial investment. You of course have to pay everything at once, and
it’s just too much for one’s budget. You can take a loan, but given
the long term to possible return, if any, makes this not very
favourable option. So it’s nice if more people can agree on putting
their money together and have their share on records afterwards.
That’s actually also part of the initial distribution made. This type
of record releasing practice is common on the punk/HC scene, which is
mutually supportive. It’s not uncommon that the numbers of cooperating
labels has two digits. And it’s still more common with vinyls, not
just because of the high costs, but I believe that the vinyl fans are
more close to the underground thinking and thus more open to sharing
with others.
So metal labels are more solo efforts… Your third and currently latest
release is an LP ABSURD CONFLICT "s/t", solely on your own label. Was
there no interest in cooperation or didn’t you simply contact anyone?
Let’s say I felt so ambitious I had to do this on my own. He, he. Of
course it’s about the situation again. It feels unpleasant, if you
organize something and than had to wait for someone to do their deal
while others are angry with you, because they already have done theirs
and wait for results… So I took care of everything myself as felt
convenient, no worries. Of course I had to find other ways to finance
this, i.e. dig deep into my overdraft…
 LP
has been out for three months. How are the sales? Are there any
individuals and distributors interested? At home, abroad? Can you give
an overview … Do you also distribute other releases apart from your
own?
It’s just very slow to say the truth… I mean, that’s the way I
expected it. I don’t need any stress, just when there’s time and I
feel like it, I push it further. 100 copies are gone, mainly trades,
and not counting home based distros, almost everything goes abroad.
But the Czechs don’t buy CDs either, so I’m not judging this. As
distribution goes, I don’t have time nor interest to keep busy with
this. I of course have a full stock of stuff I got in trade, so I pass
them further or just give them to my friends, he he. The biggest
problem I’m actually facing now is the lack of space in my one bedroom
flat. But I don’t know what to release to make money for a big two
floor house…
Simple - get rid of your releasing activities and start building. Well!
Why do we have so many releases when nobody buys them? Did you expect
you’d send most LPs abroad in the beginning? Can you tell us who your
distributors are? How do you contact them?
No, no detailed planning, no pre-orders nor contracts for
distribution. At least, today’s communication facilities allow for
talking to basically anyone anywhere, so I keep addressing my mates
and people whom I think might be interested. It’s also nice if
somebody gets in touch about the record, so that’s fine the
underground spirit is still there. Of course almost everything goes
abroad. I‘m not bothered with the Czech market, underground world is
global anyway. Speaking of this, I should remind you that ABSURD
CONFLICT are more respected abroad than in the Czech republic.
As you mention, I should ask about ABSURD CONFLICT as a band. I feel
the band keeps going - perhaps slowly, but constantly - to its goal.
What goal is it? To have fun, release a debut record under a major
label, support some famous bands, get on an international tour? Are
your thought unified in this? Can you introduce the
 people
in the band…
NI might find it hard to answer a question put this way.
Personally, I am aware that people see the band as one whole, and it’s
not so important in the end, what each of us thinks, does, expects or
how we individually contribute to the band, because it’s all put and
seen together afterwards. And to address the first half of the
question - I do not think we aim at certain goal, let’s say the way we
go is the actual goal we’re constantly reaching. Including all its
positive and negative aspects. The fact we go very slowly is also
annoying for us, but in order to maintain its integrity the herd has
to keep the pace of its slowest individuals...
Well answered… One common question to follow - what do you prefer
most: recording, releasing and all the marketing buzz or live playing,
concerts anytime anywhere?
Concerts. Anytime anywhere. This is nothing to take away from all
other activities involved. Personally I enjoy everything from hanging
out in the rehearsal room, going out for drinks to answering e-mails
and packing and sending records.
Band in the first place, all right. You have plenty of things at home,
so the collector’s passion must be part of your life. Top five Czech
and top five foreign rare items in your collection… And don’t tell me
you do not collect rare stuff and don’t want to name anything. He, he.
Music first, that’s correct. Of course, rare items and all kinds
of special releases are my top interest. Still, it might be difficult
to judge the most precious items. Right now I came back from the IRON
MAIDEN show picking up a rare LP release of my beloved BIJELO DUGME -
an excellent live recording from 5.4.1981. There’s a sticker - limited
edition only 20.000 copies. From the perspective of an underground
record collector these words just don’t come together. Metal related I
could name the silver vinyl 7“ WITCHFINDER GENERAL "Music", then some
less ancient stuff - DISSECTION "The Grief Prophecy" and IMPALED
NAZARENE "The Oath of the Goat" - it’s of course vice versa, but did
you notice the typo on the sleeve? Some might appreciate the solo LP
of JOE HASSELVANDER. Not that these are all rare things, they are also
my favourite bands, the rarity itself is hardly enough to make me
happy. I could easily pick up five different titles, like MAYHEM
bootlegs, some of which are generally unknown, a good collection of
Japanese SABBAT in all possible formats (although the best pick is the
anniversary t-shirt!), an obscure CATHEDRAL 7“, old vinyls from the
beginnings of Swedish death metal, solo 2LP by Proscriptor of ABSU,
with all kinds of music styles and moods presented… Sometimes the rare
aspect is given by acquiring the record from the bands and people
personally … I could keep going on, it’s not often you have a chance
to introduce your achievements, he he. On the other hand Czech top
five might be a problem. The vinyl scene is well documented and rather
I realized thanks to your listings that I’m still missing some CITRON
singles although I thought I had them all. So I might say what I’m
missing instead, namely the LP by KRITICKÁ SITUACE, that I should have
out of sheer respect for the band.
 I
got hold of the KRITICKÁ SITUACE LP just a few days ago… Do you have
the CITRON singles in all possible versions sleeves or don’t you go
such lengths?
I do have some of it, but I’m not focused on it. At least not with
CITRON. Honestly, sometimes I see the attempts at making some special
limited editions a bit silly, especially underground bands don’t need
it. On the other hand, there are real delicacies like handmade covers,
where each of them is unique. Respect for people like Radek of
NAPALMED to give an example. I might not like their music so much, but
I believe the guy really loves what he does.
Do you collect Czech classic rock or hard´n´heavy records
systematically? Or what is your scope of collecting interest?
Eh, that’s a too systematising question for someone who prefers
natural chaos. But of course I have some unified parts of my
collection that are closely linked to my listening preferences. I have
mentioned SABBAT, so I could extend it to the entire Japanese NWOBHM
tribute scene (greetings to Pavel Tušl of View Beyond ever busy
looking for new stuff for me), I also love to get more original NWOBHM
things from early 80’s England, today’s releases belong most often to
the classical doom metal rank, and I have also piled up a bunch of
American and Scandinavian crust bands in recent years. You mentioned
hard and heavy, so of course, yes, especially eastern countries, but
I’m not hunting for anything particular anymore, as I already have
almost anything I wanted.
Do you monitor your local „competitors“? In a passive or active way?
Are you more interested in Czech ones or foreign ones or is there no
difference?
Competitors… He, he. Of course I try to be very active in
supporting them! If for no other reasons, then you can easily
calculate the cost of shipping within the country and from overseas!
Else, not much difference to speak about, actually. There are not so
many people and all of us must have hit in the head the same way when
we young, so we think more or less alike. Ha, ha.
That must be definitely true! You also run some webpages. Your bands
have great „e-service“ - ABSURD CONFLICT, V.A.R. and SEE YOU IN HELL
have their websites from you, constantly updated. Is it your hobby or
do you want to have everything under control? And what about you and
the Internet? A good servant and a bad master?
Internet is a great servant, yes ... Although we could speak of
some impact on downgrading certain values. But I called for death to
mp3s elsewhere already. The website - they are nothing special, I am
not good at graphics, but I try to make us of the key function of the
information technologies, that is passing the information. Else, to
make it correct, the SEE YOU IN HELL web is maintained by Filip
himself, although keeps my original design, which is fine, I love to
see my things are useful.
By the way, you are a professional translator... Don’t you want to
take a stable place in the Vinyl Disk Musick? We need English speaking
vinyl lovers! Ha, ha!
Well, I have to pay rent and live off something. Sometimes it’s
not fun not having a regular job, but on the other hand I am flexible
to do the things I need at the moment. Thank you for your offer, I
have to decline it (unless you replaced „stable“ with „well paid with
all possible employment benefits“), but I am available to help if
necessary.
Yes, we could have provided you food tickets, great pay and you
needn’t be worried with bills. Now, your choice. What are your visions
of the future of Zero Budget Productions? Is there any release plan or
are you driven by your momentary feelings and considerations based on
current factors around you?
No plans, no visions, actually I always only decide in the morning
what to do each day based on my hangover and/or weather outside. So
momentary decisions as conditioned by my faculties and facilities. I
do have some ideas, of course, and I hope they will materialize.
Thanks for your time and interest! Long live vinyl!!!
I know of no way to say it better, so: Thanks for your time and
interest! Long live vinyl!!! |
