Interview with Bazooka Troopaz

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

We all got into this heavy metal music when we were young and when a lot of us do we become heavy metal lifers. Have we not gotten into heavy metal music we would probably still be cool, but not as cool. We would probably be like amish versions of what we are today, so thank god for heavy music!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Music is probably the main hobby of all 3 of us, other than that we like to drink beer and have a good time. Pro wrestling is also something we enjoy, so we try to throw in a couple of 'rasslin references every now and then in our songs.

How long has your band been around?

Well, we started just last year and our debut album dropped in November 2023. So we're a pretty new act, even though album nr 2 is right around the corner.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Our band is based out of Trondheim, Norway and we might throw in some nuggets about where we are from in our songs. Not sure how it influences us, but the scene up here is great so we thrive to be as good as the other kickass bands up here.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

The name is the name of our original unit in the Norwegian secret military force, the story of the band is detailed in great detail in our intro song 'Booze Alley Brutal' on the debut album

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Well, since we've just played one gig yet we will have to go with the obvious choice which is that one when we were the support act for the great Trondheim-band Undertakers.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

For our city there is a couple of great joints to play, but we'll go with Verkstedhallen/Lobbyen for that one. Places we would like to play? Whatever ones pay the most for the Troopaz services.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self and if you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

We live in the present, and don't look back much. So not really sure that The Troopaz will offer the best life advice since we are hellraisers and beer-drinkers.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

There is a song on the new album called 'Tank Abbott Diet' which is a real song about self-belief, so we'll go with that one. It's got the great opening line 'There's no nutrition needed to be as bad as they come' which pretty much sums up how we want to live. Calorie-counting fools will run to their mommies in fear after hearing that tune.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Most of our setlist went over pretty well live last time, but it was probably most fun to do the cult classic 'Beer Slam'!

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

There's no plan, we just make it up as we go along. Don usually comes up with the riffs, and Frankie adds some sweet drumbeats. Sgt Summers hasnt been in the band a long time yet, so his contributions are yet to be heard to a huge degree, but it's coming on the next release and it's going to be rad!

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

We cover topics such as drinking beer, having a good time and drinking more beer. Also we have some pro wrestling themed songs on each of our releases. The new album has a song called 'White Russian Leg Sweep' which is a tribute to 'The Sandman'.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Nah, we don't have time for bullshit. We have a very nonchalant style in that way, so it keeps it simple. If we disagree, we usually get into a wrestling match which Frankie usually wins. Always wins? We try our best to pin him to the ground every now and then though.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We just aim to have fun with Bazooka Troopaz, we are all seasoned musicians so we know how we want to proceed with this band. Keep your eyes peeled for more Bazooka Troopaz coming your way soon!