Interview Rotor Jambreks - eng

[Rotor Jambreks - April 2009]

He was supporting Ceux qui Marchent Debout at the Ubu Club on March 5 and we couldn’t interview him. Put the blame on the bad manager, and not the bad network, ... But here at 100% Sucre we are not vindictive. So we showed a brave face and decided to make an interview by mail. Ten fine questions and the most appropriate answers confirmed we were right to strive an artist of, I quote, the ‘style genre’.

1) Who is Rotor Jambreaks ?

 Firstly, Rotor Jambreks is a catchy name which sounds amazing. By the way, there is no ‘a’ in Jambreks, because we are not going to take a break! He is now more than 29 years old, and since two years has been walking on an exciting artistic road. He started from nowhere to go God knows where. But he is going somewhere, for sure. Horning in with no fear. Also, Rotor Jambreks does not usually speak about him using the third person. I don’t know why I am using it here. And so, basically, I try to create my own space in the world of sounds, with as much finesse and savagery as I can, using bass and snare drums, a guitar, my voice and many rock/soul/blues references I chose with care.

2) What are your musical influences? And other influences?

 To begin with, I must say my great-aunt Josiane’s canvas have been a great influence. She had a great taste and liked canvas representing the countryside in Normandy.
Otherwise, as far as music is concerned, I grew up listening to Sebadoh and The Blues Explosion. Then one thing leading to another I listened to many bands from Can to Erik Truffaz, from The Music Machine to Nicole Willis and from The Black Keys to other more or less surprising bands. But I try to follow one road, a sort of digestion of blues from the 50s, pop and soul from the 60s as well, basically.

3) What is your favourite TV series?

 Very good question Callaghan. Very good indeed because I can’t give an answer with certainty. If you don’t mind, I’ll discretely turn the potential unicity of the question by using categories, just to pretend I’m ‘style genre’. To start with, my favourite cartoon is South Park, I love Eric Cartman. Also, in the ‘series with Jack Bauer’ category, I must admit I really like 24. And among the Showtime series, which a lot of people speak greatly of, I can’t wait for the next season of Californication to be released.

4) The best present someone gave you?

 A garish red Prince strat guitar which I can’t find anymore and a 10W amplifier that I actually still have and use. Present from my parents, 1993. Poor fellows. They did not know what they would be responsible of in doing this.

5) Are you worried about the crisis?

 You bet I am. My stock-option wallet is not so great to look at. Adam Smith’s invisible hand probably went on holiday. But I’m not worried; it should get better when it comes back to work, all tanned, full of pep and envy. Do not panic.

6) What do you do to ease a headache?

 It is not to pretend I am ‘style genre’, but I very rarely suffer from headaches. And here I present my deepest condolences to the persons who are affected. If my head hurts, I usually take two pills of paracetamol and then it’s over. Again allow me to present my deepest condolences to the persons suffering from headaches, in particular ophthalmic headaches. 

7) If you had to take the licence test again, do you think you would pass?
 
Well, hunting permit, don’t have one and not interested. I have a fishing permit but I don’t want it anymore. A boat licence would be useless as I don’t know how to swim… Remains the driving licence and I really think I would have to revise the theory thing a lot in order to pass, because driving is not a big deal, even parking backwards. Otherwise, there is the licence to kill, but I am not James Bond and I live in the love of my neighbour. So I’ll just ignore this one.

8) What would you do if you had one day left on earth?

  First I think that I would be sad somewhat, what can easily be understood. And, globally, I would have a great goodbye gig, would say goodbye to friends and family as well. Also I would try two or three crazy and/or dangerous things, which I cannot name. Once you know you’re going to die…         

9) Can you share a cooking recipe please?

  I’m hesitating…
  I know a really easy recipe, to start with. Frozen lasagnas. So, it is not difficult. You take the pack, see what it is huh? A pack looking like a rectangle. Make sure it is not empty and that ‘lasagnas’ is written on it. As far as the flavour is concerned, you have many choices. Personally I’m a big fan of cheese and spinach lasagnas but it’s really up to you. Anyway, you take the pack and open it, then you take the tray, get rid of the plastic film and all. Once you’ve done that you put the tray into the oven that you had pre-heated at an adequate temperature. Alright, when the temperature is OK, you can put the tray into the oven. Not before. Then after a moment – you’ll have read the cooking time on the packaging, before throwing it in the bin for cleanliness purposes- you can take the tray out of the oven and enjoy an excellent meal, frozen lasagnas tasting of industrial tomato sauce that no chef can cook. Why not add some salad and vinegar dressing as well? Most delightful. Well, kind of, let's say.
   AIso, as we are experimenting a crisis, I can give you a recipe that is not so bad, and is simple and cheap- tagliatelle al dente with smoked salmon. Simmer in a pan with cream and pepper. The order in which you put the ingredients is the secret for the meal to look like a posh one… First you put the pastas, in the middle, then the cream and pepper and in the end, sprinkle some dill. That’s the posh touch. Cheap yet impressive. It reminds me of a book in which a character added a sprig of parsley on top of all his meals. He was extremely sad for a reason I have forgotten, yet this sprig of parsley enabled him to prove to himself that he had not lost everything yet. Well, it is explained in the novel, the title of which I forgot. It’s a great novel written by a great author. Which name I also have forgotten. Well, well.

Translated by Comète.