Interview with JOE DUPLANTIER of GOJIRA
GOJIRA is a progressive death metal band out of France who are becoming quite popular following the release of their latest album, From Mars to Sirius. They are known for their diverse sound (combining thrash, death, and prog elements) and their unique lyrical basis of the environment. I had the pleasure of talking to frontman/guitarist Joe Duplantier when I saw them on tour with AMON AMARTH and CHILDREN of BODOM late last month. FoundryMusicJosh: It seems like Progressive Metal has become all the rage, how do you feel to be a band at the forefront of this scene?
Joe Duplantier: I don’t even consider that we lead the direction. We just go our own way and do our best so we feel good about it.
FoundryMusicJosh: On your most recent release, From Mars to Sirius, your lyrics focus more on the environment. What led you to differ from the normal metal lyrics and begin writing about life on planet Earth?
Joe Duplantier: To us, it’s not just about being a band and hanging around, doing shows. There is more than that. This is the place we live, planet Earth and humanity in general. Our lyrics are really about what we feel truly so we just try to be honest, it’s our way.
FoundryMusicJosh: How have your fans reacted to this?
Joe Duplantier: Well, they understand most of the time. They are from France but our lyrics are in English but they understand what we’re saying a little and we talk a lot with them about our message. In interviews, we explain why – actually, we learn how to explain because the first thing for us was to just play songs and scream words and this message was just something spontaneous. The fans are really with us.
FoundryMusicJosh: Being from France, why did Gojira decide to write in English?
Joe Duplantier: Because we have been influenced by Metallica, Sepultura, and all of those heavy metal bands that write and sing in English. We, really, just wanted to be exactly like Metallica. On top of that, we are French and the French language is not a language that you can share with other people and other countries. Spontaneously, we began writing in English because this message is for the world – and it’s not pretentious to say that. It’s just a fact. We like to talk to everybody so we chose English
FoundryMusicJosh: What is the metal scene in France like these days?
Joe Duplantier: In France, we have a pretty strong metal scene actually but most of the bands sing in French so they are unable to negotiate contracts and get their music distributed outside of the borders. We have very, very strong bands though. I mean, if I could pull two of our French metal bands up on stage with us tonight, the crowd would go nuts and bang their heads. We have good stuff.
FoundryMusicJosh: The name ‘Gojira’ is actually Japanese for Godzilla. Were you and the rest of the band big Godzilla fans growing up?
Joe Duplantier: We were and we had to pick a name. We wanted something BIG and, at the same time, we try not to take ourselves too seriously. We like to have some fun and Godzilla was a funny, big, piece of I don’t know. You could see the guy in the suit and he was smashing buildings and we wanted something big so we just went with it.
FoundryMusicJosh: With playing so many concerts around the world, both in France and now America, does it all seem to blur together night-in and night-out?
Joe Duplantier: No, not at all, really. Each time we play a new show in a new country, we meet new fans and discover a new culture. People normally enjoy what we do when we step on stage for the concert and they show this in different ways depending on where we are playing. Everywhere we go, we really enjoy seeing the new people and new lands. That’s one of the reasons we are so happy to be in America. This is our first time coming to The States and we love the reactions of the American fans. They are very passionate about the music. It’s been great.
FoundryMusicJosh: How do you like the food?
Joe Duplantier: You know I come from France, and we like junk food, but now I get sick. We eat a lot of cheeseburgers. In France, we are used to pretty good, organic food so on our riders we ask for some of the better things. The food here is ok.
FoundryMusicJosh: How do you, as a guitarist, deviate from the usual metal guitar riffs?
Joe Duplantier: I consider my guitar as a tool and I just make noises and sounds with it. I don’t even really consider myself a guitarist. I just look at myself as a regular guy trying to make some good stuff. I like to hit the guitar and bend it. I like to hear the different sounds that I can make so that’s how I consider my guitar, almost as a drum.
FoundryMusicJosh: How do you guys feel about being on the covers of magazines and becoming metal stars in America?
Joe Duplantier: It’s like a dream come true. When we started the band, we were totally unknown without a label or anything else so it’s a handmade success. We are not prideful in it, but we are very happy to see our faces on the covers of the American magazines.
FoundryMusicJosh: I recently read an interview with Jens Kidman (MESHUGGAH) saying that he didn’t listen to metal as much in his spare time and enjoyed listening so Squarepusher. What do you listen to in your spare time?
Joe Duplantier: Actually I am really into everything. There is this singer, from Finland I believe, and she is really awesome. I listen to everything though – jazz, country, hip-hop, and everything else.
Visit GOJIRA on the internet: Gojira-Music.com Myspace: Gojira Check out GOJIRA's latest disc: From Mars To Sirius
