YATTAÏ Interview.

1. Hello Gautier. I want you to give me a short bio of Yattai.
Hi Pavlos. Here is the bi, hope it won't be too long haha !!!!
The band was created end of 2004, with the aim of doing some grind music, nothing else.
We define our style as hardboiled grindcore because of the very direct but yet complex approach of the songs.
After a few line up changes beginning of 2005, YATTAÏ released his 1st demo and some more songs that feature on the following
releases :
- Split CD-R with GASTRICK BURST : "Dance, you stupid" on Traumatized Records
- The DPP's Compilation (Diffusion Phonographique Populaire)
- The Mutilated Records' Compilation "Spreading the Sickness Vol. I" (Mutilated Records) - "Emo Decimation" Compilation
(Dissected Angels Records)
- Split CD-R with DOSA/LOSTEROR/GRUUTHAAGY : "Experiment in terror" (Roots ACtive Productions)
A few shows later, YATTAÏ has been working on new songs for the next releases. The songs are faster, but also darker. In
december 2006, we recorded 15 new tracks for the following releases :
- Split CD with CAKEWET (Dead Cirkus Records)
- Split EP with GRUNT GRUNT (Dead Cirkus Records)
One song has been kept to feature on :
- Compilation Contribution Part 3 (Teriack Records)
And another ones features on the following compilations :
- DIY Double CD-R Compilation (In Grind We Crust)
- "Fast Compil" Cassette compilation (Sassbologna Records)
The next releases are now
- split EP with our great friends of THE FANTASTIKOL HOLE
- split CD with insane KRUPSKAYA
But unfortunetly, we've been told the split CD with KRUPSKAYA won't be released before 2009 now... What a sad story. haha
These songs, that have been recorded in february 2008, are heavier than before, more intense but also more varied.
We are going back in the studio in beginning 2009 for new a new split CD. I think the songs are more efficient, catchier, in
a real old school vibe but still tight as fuck as we love to play it !
Here's the line up :
will : guitars
daniel : guitars
vian : bass
thomas : drums
gautier : vocals
2. I know that you have released many splits. What about a full length?
In fact we all believe our music won't be as effective on a full length. We think our stuff doesn't deserve yet to feature on
such a format. Maybe we'll change our mind but now that the way we do things.
Another good thing about the split is the fact of sharing something with another band(s). I truly believe extreme stuff
should be more focused on sharing things. I love buying split stuff because it is always a good way to discover some new
stuff. But hey, you know, only stupid persons never change their mind he he !!!!
3. You have many extreme bands in France. Are there any of them that you like a lot? I mostly talk about not “big”,
underground bands.
We have many good friends in the french scene. To name a few : DESECRATOR, THE FANTASTIKOL HOLE, ZUBROWSKA, ESCARRES,
DISASTER, STUNTMAN, ATARA, TREPAN DEAD, NOLENTIA, PULMONARY FIBROSIS, DEEP VEIN, SICKBAG, ELYSIUM, EAT SHIT EXPERIENCE,
XAROS, SYLVESTER STALLINE, GRONIBARD, INHUMATE, FLY FUCKERS, MASS APPEAL MADNESS, CARMINA, IOST, etc... For those i don't
know personnaly : BLOCKHEADS, BENIGHTED, SURGERY, CRAFT, MONARCH, RAINBOW OF DEATH, INFEST, RISING TERROR... The list is
quite long in fact.
Try each one of them and be sure you'll find other connexions with the french scene.
4. How much has commercialism affected the extreme scene in France? It is a fact that many people worldwide start to listen
to these kinds of stuff.
Interesting question... To me, commercialism hasn't affected the scene. There are bands that have worked hard to have their
musician skill that now want to have better conditions when they play, when they record stuff. I think that is fair and even
a good distribution of their stuff won't allow them to live rich !!! haha
But something i truly dislike is a new kind of bands, considering they are the best and that believe they deserve the best.
They act like rock stars : they want the best label, they want money, they want everything... They make their show without
talking to anyone. That is not the right attitude to have. That is not the true UG attitude. Take care Icarus, you're too
close to the sun...
Talking about the general business, there are now labels that are well distributed and some of them, don't now act as an UG
label. They don't do trade anymore, and the prices of their releases is very high because they have distributors that take
lot of money.
To be honest, i'm happy for the bands that are now well distributed, that have great artworks and sound, but now the fan has
to pay an expensive price for that. I never forget i listen to blasting (or else) music. In france, some RELAPSE stuff can
reach 20€. 20€ for a blasting CD, cannot believe it !
On another hand, there are labels (old and new) that are truly dedicated to UG stuff with good releases but that are
sometimes hard to find. Not a problem for me, because i'm quite well involved in the small DIY distro and labels, but i can
easily understand that some people cannot get everything they want because they don't know where to find it.
That is a crucial question : what's the good way between handle the bands properly and being able to keep releases at a
reasonable price (so not to act like a major)...
5. What do you think about those who support that extreme stuff should only stay in D.I.Y. level?
DIY is the way we always were in and probably we'll always be in. It is important not to gforget the music we play : grind
music isn't a commercial stuff, so the best way playing a show or releasing stuff is to keep it DIY. You know that most of
our releases have been self produced ? Now, as i stop all my label activities, it is good for us to find label that want to
release it for us be we used to not wait for any kind of help in order to promote the band.
But, you know, people in ROTTEN SOUND now have deals that allow them to record stuff with great sound and good promotion. But
they never forget to be UG people (i saw them answering to lot of UG zines very nicely, after their show their talk to
people, etc). I think they are aware of their condition being a grinding band but just want to keep it higher and higher in
terms of tours and releases. Can we blame them not being DIY anymore ? I won't.
As i told in the previous question, to me, it is more a question of attitude than just a commercial/DIY debate. As long as
people doing extreme/UG stuff don't forget where they come from, seeing them having great opportunities isn't a crime.
Just it is not the way we live it that's all.
6. Which bands, if there are any are an influence for you?
Arghhhhhhh, this is a quite hard question... We all have many influences. I'm probably the most stupid grindhead of the band
even if i don't listen to that stuff only. We all have preferences going from dub to death metal, from hip hop to hardcore...
The band that makes the unanimity is REGURGITATE even if i think people won't feel it when listening to YATTAI's stuff.
Nowadays, i feel like our music is a mix between the swedish approach of the grind and something more complex, influenced by
the american scene.
Naming bands we feel influenced by would be difficult. Everytime i read bands talking about their influences, i don't
recognize any when i listen to them ha ha !!!! So i will keep these influences for me ha ha !!!! The real question is : what
people feel like our influences when listening to our stuff ? Don't hesitate to send me mails to tell me what you think about
it.
7. Are there any future plans for Yattai?
For now, i'd really like to release the stuff we recorded this year. So i cannot wait for the split CD and the split EP. Next
on the list is to do show whenever we can (we all have full time jobs that don't allow us to tour as we'd like to).
Something i'd truly want is also to go back in germany. We met lot of great people, it was a great time there.
We also are working hard for the next recording beginning of 2009. We already have about 7 songs and a BRUTAL TRUTH cover. I
truly love these new songs. Hope that will be the same for you.
Next real plan would be to see another countries. We have lot of plans in europe, hope we'll be able to go anywhere we've
been invited one day.
8. Talking about live performances i am aware of the fact that you have not toured in Europe yet. Is there a chance to ever
see you perform in Greece?
As i told in the previous answer, we've only been in Germany right now. We'd really like to make more if possible.
Playing in Greece would be great man, be sure we'd love to play in your country ! I'll manage that only for you my friend
haha !!!!
9. I would like to thank you for the interview. Choose the last words yourself!
Thank you man for that opportunity. Hope not having been too long in my answers.
Keep the right attitude and keep grinding ha ha !!!!!

(Interview done at 06/10/2008).