With:	Charles Zampol (head promoter)
Conducted by:	Jeff (e-mail)
Published:	06.09.2009

- Hello Charles! Tattoo The Mind Festival is like a new festival, so in few words can you introduce this event to our readers?

The Tattoo The Mind is probably new in its concept which wants to be more eclectic than in the past, but I still claim my love to the extreme scene and Behemoth and Trepalium will be back with five more years of live experience! At first we wanted that The Tattoo The Mind Festival was focused on Death and Black Metal in parallel to Metal Therapy, which was more open minded and that I used to manage with Pierre of Evolution Prod, the head promoter of Metal Therapy.


- If I'm not wrong, a first edition was released five years ago and? nothing else? What happened?

You're right, in a month it will be the 5th anniversary. But we have suffered of the fact that the 2 venues that we used to do this show have closed their doors (note from Jeff: The festivals have always been released in public venues). It was not easy to find new places for our favorite music, which is absolutely not popular, politically speaking, in my region. I would like to add that we still have really good relations with the cities which hosted the two first Metal Therapy Festivals and this is the proof that some in politics are open minded and support Metal.


- How did you manage to become the boss of the festival? What have you done?

I'm the Head Promoter and building at this time Fusion Lorraine, William Munerato from Prodige Music is the boss who's taking care about financial & logistic aspects. We combined our strengths and have the same goal: success and stability of the festival! We're co-producers and we have split the work. I choose the bands and do the promotion and marketing of the event (including Myspace, Facebook, etc) plus the accreditations and animations. It's fascinating job but it's not easy and time is our main enemy! I started to read stuff about Metal and to listen to it 17 years ago and I decided to organize concerts, in addition of my studies, in 2001 at Metz. At the same time I joined a label that I had to leave after 8 years of work as a result of the crisis in the musical industry which is clearly condemned to disappear in a near future?


- What do you think of the situation of Metal in France? It seems that it's starting to "move" with bands like Gojira or Ultra Vomit. What are your feelings about it?

The French Metal scene lived in Europe because of Loudblast, Agressor, Crusher and Massacra. Two of them are still active and still released good albums! Despite this nostalgia, it's true that French market has always suffered of lack of real serious leaders like Gojira, Dagoba, Punish Yourself, Hacride, The CNK, Otargos, Trepalium, Ananta among many others. For Ultra Vomit, I think that they arrived at good time to find success. It is true, too, that Laurent of Listenable Records transforms all what he touches to gold and he is, with Mika of Season Of Mist, one of the best label managers who clearly work hard for the French Metal scene! All of our bands are becoming more professional, but I still regret the prices of the venues which are clearly not open to everyone? In my opinion our underground scene is one of the best with bands like Blut Aus Nord, DeathSpell Omega, Vorkreist and Inhumate to give some names and "true" labels which still have a lot of passion in what they do like Debemur Morti (which just has released the great Nastrond and Arckanum!). To sum up, Loudblast opened the doors and Joe and Gojira keep them open when the newcomers are joining them in this world, one which was ruled by Scandinavian scene, which is not so good now, not as a few years ago?. But things are changing?


- However it seems that our music is still not accepted by general media and by the general public. You even had problems for Metal Therapy in reason of people who sued you because of the name "Impaled Nazarene" which was featured on the bill?

I have to tell you that we have been threatened by AGRIF's lawyer, someone who work with Front National (Note fromJeff: extreme right French politic party) by the way. It was for Metal Therapy 3, which was also produced by Pierre of Evolution Prod. Impaled Nazarene had to cancel their show even if they were paid? It's the only problem that we had until now but it was well done and obviously they planned it really well before the festival? It won't happen again and I tried to speak with them. They were only shocked by the name of the band! Just imagine that the headliner was Mayhem, which has a less offensive name, but no need to talk about what they say and about the members! Their lack of culture and stupidity was funny in the end and the fact that tribunals closed this chapter saying that it was not serious calmed them down a bit I think.





- And what do you think about it? Do you have any ideas to change things?

I think that things are changing! Just have a look at Hellfest which is still alive despite the numerous attacks of those stupid people? People will understand soon that Metal is not full of idiots. The best example which comes to my mind is Sublime Cadaveric Decomposition, the ultra gore combo! Seb who is one of the most aggressive singer is a famous French architect and works both in France and all around the world! A lot of fans and musicians have really important jobs with lot of responsibilities and are not crazy despite what some people would like you to believe! In September, the big radio OUI FM (which has been bought by the French TV animator Arthur) will have a special Metal show every Friday! Mentalities are changing and if bands like AC/DC and Metallica who have sold out shows in famous big venues and stadiums help the scene a lot, people just have to remember that it can be good to support local associations too. People must know that Eurockéennes like Vieilles Charrues for example (note from Jeff : two really famous French Rock festivals) are still associative organizers and do their best to defend this French cultural originality against giants like LiveNation which try to take over their business in the country.


- What will we see at Tattoo The Mind?

I will give you some numbers: 2 days, 28 bands, 26 hours of non-stop Metal music, a main stage of 15mx22m, a tattoo parlor, Air Guitar and skate contests, Rock 'n' Roll bars and of course a great atmosphere with the fans! I think that our success comes from the fans which are always been really respectful and friendly. I'm sure that it will be the same and I promise that they will have a fantastic "headbanging" week end!


- I think that an indoor festival in autumn is a good alternative to the summer festivals. Why did you choose this date?

We stayed around the same period of the year but we have decided to do the festival a bit early because lots of bands have chosen to start their tours early as well. Agents have been cool and easy to work with and I have to thank them for the hard work we did to help to promote the bands! The main problem is to manage a festival at a real important period of the year. Hellfest is lucky because they can book big bands which are used to touring in summer. They were the first to do that in France and they've managed to be the most successful. It was not easy but it has paid off! Ben is one of the most active guys in the business and the success of the festival, this is just the result of his and his team's hard work. I challenge all the people who are always whining on the forums to act and we will see what will happen! Leave your computers and do things, we wanna see!



- Of what are you the most proud?
- In your Organization
- In the bands

I'm proud that we have managed to "rebirth" this festival after a lot of time. I'm proud to work with more important partners now like MTV or Oui FM. For the bands, I think that we have done the good choices in the 100 (and more) names that we got but I'm proud to have Saxon, who are managed by Wacken boss. It's great honor for us!






- Two bands which will play Sunday are not especially known by the metalheads. First, the Tambours du Bronx but also Yotangor a new band from Toulouse France. Can you talk a bit about them and let us know why you chose them?

Les Tambours du Bronx which have just done a fantastic show at les Vieilles Charrues and will release a new album in September/October which will destroy everything !!! You must know that Max Cavalera even sings on a song so be sure that you'll see a real devastating show with 22 genius percussionists! They played for 25 years now and they're known all around the world. I'm quite sure that you'll be surprised to see them play at another big French festival soon

I probably have to justify my choice of Mass Hysteria and I totally cop to it! They have opened for Limp Bizkit at Paris and Metallica at Nîmes, do you really think that it was for nothing? This band has been one of the most important Metal acts in France before Lofora and Gojia! They have a solid fan base here so it was natural to do something for their fans too, especially now that their new album has been released!

About Yotangor I would say that you already know of what I'm talking about since that you have been invited to a listening session with Rémi of the French national radio Le Mouv. I'm sure that we're in front of the next future big French bands and when I see the reactions of the fans and labels I'm just sure of myself. So why Yotangor? and why so high on the bill? When I was a student, I had the chance to meet Eurockéennes who talked a lot about the one who choose the bands? Yes this choice comes from the heart and I like the fact that we can give the opportunity to a newcomer to play in such perfect conditions before that they become big! I understand some criticisms but I'm sad to read some jealous comments too? I believe in this band and I just remember that I've booked Textures at the first Tattoo The Mind. They played with Seth, Ancient, Atrocity, Anteeus and Dissection the Sunday and they are absolutely not in the same musical category. Guess what? They we're absolutely sensational and everybody loved them? and they just have signed with Nuclear Blast? To finish let's just people do their work? you'll not be disappointed?.


- What do you want to do for the future of your festival?

We're already talking about the next edition with some agents and we're waiting for the confirmation of a nice concert with a big famous band. I hope that it will be ok!

We have other projects for the future and we will talk about it later. We're back to be as good as our colleagues from the west (Note from Jeff: Hellfest people ). This is not concurrence but the same fight animated by the same passion and true respect for the audience.


- You have probably lived cool and bad things in the past. What are your best and worst memories?

The best recollection was our meeting with Blaze Bayley. It was great to see him happy all day long and hear the really nice words of his manager about the organization and the team. I will never forget it! The worst? I will only give two: Members of Seth and again clown members of Seth which have painted the walls with ketchup? I'm happy to know that Heimoth was not in this shit, he was the only respectable member of the band and I will always say it!


- To finish, please give us your final word!

This new edition will be important for the future of metal in this part of France. It's important that people from France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany come to the festival! We count on in you guys especially because there are not others festivals at this time. Be open minded, this is the key to be a real Metal fan all your life!


Thx to Charles for the interview!