- Band: dez:in:volt
- Function / Instrument: Drummer
- Back to Romain's page
Romain lent himself to the game of portraits, here are some answers to our questions ...
RdvROCK
Since when do you evolve in music?
Romain :
For 25 years or so. It all started around 15/16 years old. Three of my best friends were guitarists and they needed someone to give them the rhythm on the beach, during the first evenings with friends, the first jams where I first discovered percussion, and mainly the djumbe. They being very gifted on the guitar, I quickly took refuge behind the drums. A bit like the kids who play soccer at recess and who put the least good guy in the goal you know... :) then the first time behind the drums was an evidence, I quickly found the independence of my members, for once I was better than my buddies in the music, so I did not let go the drum.
The first "serious" band arrived around 17/18 years old, De Vermis Mysteriis, pure black metal, although I didn't know this universe at all. I discovered the double pedal and the 240 tempo...
After several local formations of covers and compositions (rather punk/rock) I stop completely the zik towards 28 years to look after my kids.
I start again in 2013 at 34 years old in 2 tribute bands to Muse and Nirvana. The sensations come back and I join in 2016 the alternative rock band Mills. I will never have gone so far in the projection, the sacrifices and the life of a band of compos, a unique human experience.
And finally lastly, only musical activity today, [dez:in:volt] tribute to Noir Désir.
RdvROCK
What are your musical influences?
Romain :
The alternative metal or neo metal, with the American scene Korn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot or RATM the precursors of course. The British rock like Arctic Monkeys, the first Muse, Royal Blood recently...
French rock, Noir Désir, Mass Hysteria, Tagada Jones, Les Têtes Raides or Mano Solo (yes, it's rock!)
I also and especially like when it merges, understand to mix the genres, to surprise...
Like what Max Cavalera did with Sepultura and Soulfly at the end of 90s and beginning of 2000, with his tribal metal or even World metal. He knew how to gather in fact all what I like, the trans and the shamanism of the percussions, the vocal power of the thrash, the efficiency and the groove of the neo metal riffs, with soaring and atmospheric atmospheres...
I also like a lot the gypsy music from the East like Kusturica did, and all this festive side that the brass instruments can bring.
And finally on the rap side with good US sound like Cypress Hill, which joins the loop on the other side by linking the neo metal, displease the purists !
But I am a world musician, I could play on everything, I even accompanied to the djumbe once an electro DJ, a treat for the impulse of the percussions.
(Actually I think I'm better on drums than on percussion, haha).
RdvROCK
Have you already recorded an album or an EP?
Romain :
With Mills in 2018, album "The Red Pill", 12 tracks of nervous and corrosive alternative rock, 90's style.
RdvROCK
Which song fits you best?
Romain :
"Passenger" by Deftones, for the night and the soaring atmospheres.
"En route pour la joie" by Noir Désir. (All the discography of ND in fact)
"Dieu d'amour" by Dooz Kawa (French rapper), text in the middle of the bull's eye currently...
"Blizzard" by Fauve, the only song that managed to get me up when I fell in 2013...
RdvROCK
Which artist would you like to share the stage with?
Romain :
Mass Hysteria, golden guys, accessible, generous... Matthieu Chedid, a crazy thing on stage ! 2h30 of sharing, never seen that, bluffing ! And certainly Max Cavalera for the whole of his work, with whom my elder son, him, really shared the scene to the square nights in Antibes 2 years ago... Unforgettable !
RdvROCK
What are your other passions or interests besides music?
Romain :
Music fills all my time outside of family and work, so there's not much room left. But I would still say without complex the soccer and the ultra world, which I frequented for many years.
I say without complex because I find that in France and particularly in rock in general it is a shame or a tare to like soccer. Almost by intellectualization of the French rock I would say...
Look at England, Pete Doherty, Damon Albarn, Elton John, Iron Maiden, Oasis, the Beatles, the Smiths, even Joy Division! All have or have had a crazy love declared for their club of heart. In France, in the rock world, you say that, you are considered a has-been or "low level"...
Whereas soccer is the most universal thing in the world. Wherever you go abroad, if you can't speak, you'll be able to make yourself understood by speaking soccer. Almost every kid in the world, especially in the poorest countries, has a soccer player as his first idol.
An ultra stand is the only place where you can gather all the diversity of the world, all the social classes, without any prejudice, where everyone will sing in unison... I know that business soccer has spoiled everything, but people's soccer still manages to bring people together and unify them.
RdvROCK
If you could only keep 3 albums among all the ones you own, which ones would you keep?
Romain :
"King For A Day" by Faith No More.
"Dies Irae", double live album of Noir Désir, unique !
"White Pony" by Deftones.
RdvROCK
What is the unmentionable song you sing in your shower?
Romain :
Toxic by Britney Spears !!! A huge production !!! And more recently Clara Luciani with "Ma Sœur" and "La Grenade
RdvROCK
Define, in 3 words, what music means to you
Romain :
Escape, sharing, adrenaline
