You have been working in the metal world for more than ten years, and nothing in life is easy, so what is the most difficult part of your job? And what are the things you're proud of?
Yes, I started to work with bands in 1997, so in times when Internet was something new, we were writing letters to each other, used phones or even meet more often. The market and the scene has changed very much since then. For example, I remember when I was starting, when bands had "limited edition" version of their new albums - and I don't have in mind major acts like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, but much smaller ones - you could see stickers "limited to 20 000 copies" or similar. Now if you sell you 20 000 copies of your album you receive golden or platinum record award, and basically numbers like that look surreal. Today Heavy Metal band who sell 5000 - 8000 copies of their album in general, is considered as a big one, and if someone makes limited edition release then it's usually 500 or 1000 copies. With so low album sales, there are almost no budgets that could be used by bands or labels, no budgets for cool video clips, for recording in real studios, for touring, for hiring a producer or famous artist to paint front cover artwork for your album, and so on. Lot of people say that in the '80s or even in the '90s everything was better - that's right, but it's because there were bigger budgets available, more money on the table to do something cool. It's all because of Internet, while it's blessing and best possible tool for promotion and distribution, it's a curse for bands, especially smaller ones, as most people prefer free downloads, not buying real albums. And no album sales means no budget. So most difficult part is working when you have no budget, your head is full of ideas, you want to do something, but your hands are tied because you have no funds to finance your idea or your project. To answer second part of your question: I'm proud of many things, but what makes me most proud and happy is that I managed to sacrifice my life to art, music, and Heavy Metal.
When and how did you start with Skol Records?
The name "Skol Records" firstly appeared in 2009, when I needed label to release CD single of Crystal Viper, one of the bands I manage. It was first Skol Records release, but we started for good in 2011. Original plan was to run small label that would support and help bands related to Gabriel Management, but we had so great feedback from Heavy Metal fans around the globe, that Skol Records quickly turned into regular label. We focus on reissues of classic or unknown and unreleased albums from the past, plus now we also start signing young and active bands.
Skol Records is an international label that works with bands of the traditional metal genres (and specially that's something that I like of it, because without those genres we maybe wouldn't have metal as we know it), but have you though of introducing another sub-genres to the label? If it's yes or not, why?
Skol Records is not international label, we have no divisions or offices in other countries. But you are right - we kind of specialize in Traditional Metal, and it's because Traditional Heavy Metal has special place in my heart. So when I made this decision that Skol Records will be regular label, it was clear I will mainly work with Heavy Metal acts. I have pretty simple philosophy here: I want to bring back good bands from the past - be it by reissuing their out of print albums, or issuing materials that never saw light of the day - and introduce best young Heavy Metal bands. But what is most important, we offer the bands best possible conditions, I offer deals which I would like to sign if I would play in a band. I keep on saying I'm on bands' side of the barricade: we all heard stories how bands were ripped off by labels, how they lost rights to some material and so on. So the main rule in Skol Records is to make sure the band is happy. Regarding other sub genres - I'm a huge, huge fan of Black and Death Metal, especially old school Black and Death Metal from the '80s and '90s, so it's very possible sooner or later I will start another label that will specialize in those sub genres. But if that will happen, I will rather start new label - fans already know that Skol Records is the home of Traditional Metal, and I will keep it as it is.
What does a band need to have for signing with Skol Records?
Good music. And if they are not assholes, and if they are realistic, it helps as well. I already had few talks with bands that I wanted to work with, who told me "add two zeros to the amount and then we will talk". No, sorry, we won't talk. Because if we are talking about release that is limited to 500 copies, where I give the band good percentage, where I pay mechanical rights, where I pay for the artwork and physical making of the CDs, and where I have really low wholesale price to make sure distributors want to distribute my releases - then I can't offer more, as there is no budget for it. There is this myth going around that "making the CD costs $2 ". That's true, making of the CD costs less or more $2 - but only in case someone gives you the music for free, in case you have the artwork for free, in case someone makes booklet design for free, in case you don't need to pay the mechanical rights to the songs, and in case you have shipping for free. Plus there are also costs of promotion, marketing, distribution and so on. Lot of people doesn't realize that, I have seen many bands that started their own labels, and then failed. Of course it's different when you have regular well paid job, you have funds, and your band is just a hobby and you don't care how much money you lose.
You are also a band's manager, so what does a band need to have if they want to be managed by you?
See the previous answer, it would be less or more the same. If I like the band, they are cool people to work with, and what is most important - my schedule isn't already full - then yeah, we can talk about possible cooperation.
It's very easy for some people to hear an album and immediately judge it, nevertheless there is a hard work behind every song of a record. What is the approximate time a band uses for recording an album?
There is no something like approximate time of recording, as every single band and musician has own tempo and own way of recording and working. I know bands that worked on their albums for few years, and I know bands that were able to record an album in 3-4 days. It also depends how serious the band is, because if you go to the studio and you don't know what you want to record, if you write music in the studio, or if you go to the studio and drink beer and fool around with friends, then yeah, it may take even 10 years to complete the album. But from my experience I know, that if the band is serious, and goes through pre-production process, then they can record really good sounding album in professional recording studio within 7-12 days.
Skol Records has made an Anvil tribute album and now is working on a Riot's one, what can you tell us about that release?
I realize it will sound clichee, but tribute albums I produce or in which I'm involved, are the tributes in true meaning of this word. It needs to be band I like and respect for some reason, or when I have this gut feeling that the band deserve to have tribute album. And it's like that with Riot tribute album. If you know the story of the band, then you know they went through a lof ot tragic events. But their music is immortal, it will stay forever. So this Riot tribute album is again a tribute in true meaning of this word: it's a tribute for passion that was guiding Mark Reale through his life, passion that inspired many bands and people. Let's face it, it won't be a bestseller. I plan to make only 500 copies of this release, and I don't know if we will sell that many (I hope so, as the income from this album will be given to Mark Reale's father). For me it's like building a monument, when the CDs will arrive here, I will raise a glass and I will say "it's for you Mark, shine on!".
You are related with some Metal festivals in Europe, why not starting to move Skol Records and Gabriel Management through Latin America?
Well, probably only because my day has only 24 hours. I would love to work with more bands from Latin America, and present our bands to Latin American fans. I have deep respect for you guys out there, I know Metal is alive and well in that part of the world!
Where can people from all over the world can get Skol Records releases?
It's quite easy: just go to skolrecords.com and see who is responsible for distribution of our titles in your country, or in nearest country. All our distributors have mailorders or webshops, so you can order our releases without going out.
Any advice you can give to bands that are starting as professional bands?
Yes, if you want to be professional, act and behave professional. Use given chances, respect people you work with, and learn from the best ones. Be humble, work hard, and don't be an asshole, as you can be most talented and great musician on earth, but if you are an asshole, no one will want to work with you. I would also say each band needs a leader. Democracy inside the bands is cool when it comes to discussing ideas, checking different points of view and so on. But the same way as every company needs a boss, each movie needs a director, or each car needs a driver, also each band needs a leader. If you have 4 or 5 persons in the band, each person has different vision what the band should do, then such band has no chances to achieve anything. So if you are a band leader, don't waste your time on working with wrong people.
In my role in Robespierre, I have had dealings with Bart. He gave us some scathing criticism of our recordings with Robespierre. He gave us tons of advice which we took on board and recorded the entire album again. We were improved 100%. When someone has such knowledge, only a fool would not take heed. The album is to be released very soon and Bart has a thank you on it. May he continue to go from strength to strength.
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