Posted on Feb 13, 2007 by Tom

While close to a fairytale in earlier years, the story of Undeclinable Ambuscade has been somewhat more complicated as of late. What with having changed their name to Undeclinable after their 2003 release “Sound City Burning” as a result of a change in musical direction, a long period of inactivity ensuing that release, and the recent joy of many fans after some new (rocking old-style) demos were posted on purevolume quickly turning into despair as singer Jasper Vergeer announced his leaving the band which ended with the whole band throwing in the collective towel. But the fans didn’t relent and simply demanded the half-finished album (minus the vocals) to be released despite, after which the band saw no other option than to go on with a new singer. Enough stuff for us to shoot some questions at the band concerning the progress of the new album, what to expect and of course the story behind the old and new singers!

Please tell us who you are and what your function is in The Undeclinables! If there’s anything else about yourself that you’d like to share knock yourself out!

- Erik, singer.

- Skanne, bassplayer.

- Helmer, guitarplayer. He also just became daddy.

- Dennis, guitarplayer.

- Jorg, drummer.

You started booking some first dates since a very very long time. Excited to almost being on the road again?

Yes ofcourse, that’s basicly why we’re still in the band. We decided some years ago to at least make on more record do be ably to keep on playing live. The few shows we did the last months, with Erik our new singer, were awesome and it was a pleasure to be on stage and play again!!

What can people expect from the gigs? Will you only play songs from your upcoming record “Ambuscade”, or has new lead vocalist Erik van Haaren also studied the Undeclinable classics like “African Song”?

We’re playing new and old songs at shows. Erik’s studied some off the old songs and we’re planning to practise all the old work. Some songs are easier and more fun than others and African Song is a song of discussion, although we know we probably have to play it forever...

The new album has been in the works for about two years now, and the demo’s that surfaced so far (with Jasper on vocals still, admittedly) sounded like a major return to your melodic punk sound of old compared to the more pop-rock approach of Sound City Burning. Was that a conscious choice (if so, why?)?

First of all it’s been about 5 years that we’ve been working on this album... so it’s kind of hard to exactly remember every choice we made. In the end we’re glad the way the songs turned out and with Erik on vocals it sounds even more punk-rock. It’s not a consious choice, but we’re happy with the outcome!!

What else can we expect from the album? One title that already leaked was “Good And Bad Religion”. Will that still make the record? And what is it about?

The song will make it on the record, but it has Erik’s lyrics and partly his melody on it now. It’s now called “Another Questionmark” and it’s about some writer that Erik doesn’t remember at this moment... Richard Klinkhamer it seems... He killed his wife, the writer that is. And further, were not sure if the album is going to be named Ambuscade. We’ll have to still see about that.

There’s a few Belgian dates in the mix. Still feel like you have a strong fanbase here?

Well at the last show in Belgium there weren’t that many people, so we wonder a bit how it is with our fanbase today. Time and the new record will tell if we can still get the venues filled. Let’s hope so!

How’s the Dutch scene doing? Because it only seems like a few bands have been able to break out of the Dutch borders. There’s Travoltas, I against I, Peter Pan Speedrock, Cooper and the untiresome Heideroosjes, but other than that … Do you think small Dutch bands get enough opportunities? There’s a lot of US bands playing in big venues, but you almost never see the smaller bands get their shot of fame on those occasions …

It’s true that it’s hard to get good opportunities, but it’s also true that a lot of bands are just horrible and real untight mainly. We’ve played with many, many punk-rock bands over the years and apart a few (NT social) they all sucked!! Tonight we looked at the pile of demos we got over the years and listened to some, but it’s almost frightening to be going back on the road again, ‘cuz we’re gonna have to listen to that crap again.

(would he be serious???)

But seriously we think if you keep trying you’ll get your shot of fame sometime!

A deal with Rude Records has been made for the distribution of the new CD. What does the deal entail and how did you get in touch?

We have been in touch with Rude Records, true. But there’s no deal or anyting yet.

Were/are there other interested parties?

Wherever they are at the moment...

Do you feel a bit cheated by Epitaph? Because in the European circuit you were one of the most highly regarded melodic punkrock bands. Do you feel like they tried to get the most out of the band promotional-wise? Why has there never been a US tour in the past for example? You’ve been featured on Epitaph samplers with very good comments form overseas, so it seemed like a logical step?

We don’t feel cheated, but we’re dissapointed that the opportunity didn’t bring exactly what we imagined. Epitaph did their thing for us and we’ve been able to tour, make videos, release albums, but it’s also a big record company with very big bands. So we weren’t the most important band for Epitaph and because we didn’t hit off real fast in Europe, we never got the chance in the US. And Mr. Brett had problems with our name, so we changed it to Undeclinable for S.C.B. which lead us nowhere in the end...

Sound City Burning was your last album for Epitaph, after which it went a bit quiet around the band. How has the uncertainty of being without a label added to jasper’s departure you think?

No comment, you should ask Jasper.

Does it feel a bit weird with a new singer after 13 years with the same formation?

Not really, Erik fits in really well and it’s a pleasure working with him. We’re more free to do our own thing vocals wise and that’s great, easier. So no, it doesn’t feel weird.

What will happen with One In A Million now? Will Erik be sharing his time between both bands? Their Myspace tell us they’re recording as well …

One in a Million will go on just like the Undeclinables. We’re sure it’s not gonna bring any problems to any of the bands.

Do you still have contact with Jasper?

Not really. We run into him every once in a while and have a chat.

How would you explain his sudden disinterest in finishing the album, promoting it and touring, as I gather most of the music was already written, and you were just waiting on Jasper to finish the vocal aspect of the album?

We’ve stated our side of the story on our website and we don’t really feel like going on about it. For details about Jasper’s decision, you should really ask Jasper himself. We just want to focus on finishing the album and getting back on the road!

How difficult was that period after Jasper just quit? And was it really the fans that finally swayed you guys to re-form with a new singer, or were you just not ready to lay the beast to rest just yet?

The reactions on our website definitly pushed us towards the decision to go on. And we also figured it would be a too big shame to not release the songs we had been working on for some time. We just have too much fun playing this kind of music still!!

Has Erik re-worked some of the vocal input that Jasper and Helmer were working on (I gather they already finished lyrics for like 5 tracks)?

Erik used some of Jasper’s melodies as a guid, but we wanted him to write new lyrics for all the songs. Helmer wrote some lyrics as well which Erik and he implemented in some songs.

It’s no secret that jasper had a lot of talent in the production department (judging by that last Five Days Off album and his work/deal with Oscar Holleman), and I can imagine he had a lot of input in the bands’ songs, so how sorely will he be missed in the band?

We’re not thinking about Jasper anymore and we don’t miss him so far. We’re working with Erik as our singer and that’s working just fine.

I think Jasper had a radio hit on the radio some time ago, a duet with a female singer I believe! Do you know more about that? I kind of liked it …

I think you’re one of the few that heard it...

What are your ambitions for the band at this point? Grow out to the same popular level as before, or is there need for more modesty at this point?

We’re getting real old and are working or studying, but we really feel like releasing the album, go on tour and have some fun. The ambition is very modest, but it has been for some years now; we’ll see what the future brings...

Undeclinable Ambuscade was formed in 1992. 2007 will mark the 15th birthday of the band. Got anything special in mind for that occasion?

Not really yet, maybe release an album for our 15th anniversary!!

Time to get a bit acquainted with your personal preferences then: What song that is currently on the radio do you shamefully admit to liking?

Dennis: tatadadatadtadadadadadadatadadatadadatadadadadadada…? Or something.

Helmer: don’t know, i almost never listen to the radio.

Jorg: All snoop dogg songs.

Erik: i never listen to the radio.

Skanne: all dutch folk music

What’s playing in your stereo at the moment?

Dennis: Bad Religion – Process of Belief

Helmer: Killers – Sam’s Town

Jorg: Nels Andrews – first album

Erik: Undeclinable stuff to learn the songs

Skanne: Arctic Monkeys

Everyone has this one CD they listen to when they want to get away from everyday life's worries. Which record would that be for you?

Dennis: ...?

Helmer: Foo Fighters – Colour and the Shape

Jorg: Propagandhi – potemkin city limits

Erik: Black Flag - Damaged

Skanne: david hasselhoff – i’ve been looking for freedom

Anything left you want to get off your chest?

That damn hair...

Famous last words?

Wawaweewaa, i like!!

Taken On:

January 31st, 2007

Interviewees:

- Erik, singer.
- Skanne, bassplayer.
- Helmer, guitarplayer. He also just became daddy.
- Dennis, guitarplayer.
- Jorg, drummer.

Related Links:

• www.undeclinable.nl

Band Profile

Band Of The Month January 2007

Gig Reviews

Mar 17, 2007 Dynamo, Eindhoven

Interviews

Jan 31, 2007