Interviews

Ancara was founded as "Metal Circus" (shortened to MC) in 1985, then renamed to "Resistance", and finally "Ancara". Why did you change the name?

Because band members were changing all the time in that period of time. We were young of course. I can't even remember when I started the band, it was 1991 or something like that, I'm not sure. But anyway, at this time we had only the drummer which is the longest member.

You had several other changes in the band line-up since 1985. Now it seems to be very stable. That’s right?

We changed the names because of changing the members. If I look back to the past I love the "Metal Circus" name, I think it's really cool! The plan is, some day we're going to make a record - now it's "The Dawn" - but maybe the next one, no, the next after that will be named "Metal Circus". But let's see about that. We must play heavy music, heavier than ever before we can do that!

Where does the name Ancara come from? Has it something to do with the city Ankara?

No! Ankara with the k letter means "strict" in the Finnish language. So like tough, strict. And the name Ancara just came, I don't know why. Thing was, the members of the band thougt it's cool, the best name ever, but what if we just change the k with the c?! So it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't like Metal Circus had, serious stuff like that. And because Ankara is meaning "strict" and Ancara doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean anything, anywhere! (Sammy laughs a lot).

Sammy, you became new lead singer in 1991. What did you do before? Another band?

Yes, I was singing in other bands and everyone else did. I was singing in a band called "Deep Silence", and what was the other band? I can' t remember. Just, you know, demo bands. We were 14, 15 years old, youngsters, learning to play. I played drums for four years before I started to play base guitar. Then I played base guitars about four years and then I started to sing. And the thing is, then everybody claimed I'm the best drummer in the world and I don't know how to play the fucking base guitar, so let's just stick to singing, ok? Nobody's complaining now because we have three really good singers in the band. Not just me, but also Samuel (guitar) and Juha (guitar). They're really great vocals.

I read that Ancara recorded several promo singles. Did you record also an album or do you plan to do it?

In January 07 we're going to record our next, the second album. We're starting to prepare the last of our new songs. We don't know when it's gonna be released, before or after the summer. Of course it's not always about us when it's going to be released. But it will be ready at march.

How well known ist Ancara in Finland / outside Finland?

Not outside Finland. We are not that popular yet because nobody knows about us and nobody knows how to get our records. This is the first gig we made outside of Finland, here in Switzerland (Author's note: December 1, 2006 in Rock-City, Uster). But it's really fun and we're looking forward to come back any time soon!

There'll be a second show tomorrow evening...

Yes, tomorrow evening (December 2, 2006) at the Metal Night in Frutigen (Author's note: the show was sold out!).

What are the plans for Ancara’s future?

We're gonna break in huge! (Sammy and Samuel both laugh)

Promotion will start in Finland first because it's easier for us, there are all the doors open. We are not that popular yet but something will happen because we were in the Finish charts for two weeks with the debut album "The Dawn" in 2006. Last midsummer we released the single "The World" and that was for 6 weeks in the Finish Top 10 charts. The best place was numer 2! That was nice.

Who was number one?

Lordi! Lordi was number one and we were number two.

Do you like Lordi?

Not that much. Of course we respect him and he is a nice guy. Probably we don't know him but he knows his job - and we know ours.

Do you think you had the chance to climb up to the number one position if Lordi wasn't there?

I think so, yeah. We will see what'll happen with the next album. I hope for the best. The next record is going to be called "Beyond the Dark". That's all I can say now. It's gonna be a little bit darker and much heavier but Ancara is a Melodic Hardrock Band and we're going to stick to that.

Is that kind of music very popular in Finland?

Not that much. We have much Death Metal Bands and Speed/Trash stuff like Winterborn and Children Of Bodom. That's much more popular I think.

Your formerly member Timo Kytölä foundet the Peacemakers recording studio. The original idea was to record the band’s own material. To be able to run the studio, there was a need for paying customers. HIM for example recorded some material there. Are there other known band who used the studio?

Yes, HIM recorded some songs for their first album at the Peacemakers studio, not the entirely album. Timo had the idea to use the studio for himself, ourselves, the band, and we did make an album but it was never to be released anywhere. We still have it in our backpockets. Like 5 copies of that with 10 songs, I think no one will never hear.

Does the studio still exist? You still record your material there?

No, Timo Kytölä sold the place and all his stuff. He has four kids and a wife now, so he has better things to do.