A Dirty Dozen with HAL MARABEL from MAD INVASION – July 2021

According to a recent press release: “Swedish band MAD INVASION combines vintage 70’s hard rock influences with a modern approach and soundscape. The vast experience of the band members as musicians, songwriters and performing artists −includes numerous album releases and tours over the years. In September MAD INVASION release their long awaited debut album entitled Edge Of The World, an album that offers a wide range of heavy songs with bone crushing guitars, airy keyboards, and a dynamic rhythm section – adding the final touches to the very distinct MAD INVASION sound. The three first videos also feature special guest Mikkey Dee from Motörhead and Scorpions. Join the MAD INVASION journey and rediscover the golden age of rock – in a new suit of armour.” We get guitarist Hal to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our first album is very straight forward in its approach and delivery, classic hard rock but refined and enhanced – the old in a new suit of armor. This is the way the old bands wanted to sound back then, but couldn’t due to the technological limitations of the time.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My father taught me guitar from the age of 6 and at first I was mostly inspired by troubadour and folk music, but when I heard the Jimi Hendrix for the first time (1971), I was blown away by how he could make his guitar sound. The following years I started to discover bands like Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple – a new world opened up. When the more visual bands like Kiss, Sweet and Slade appeared, I just knew that I had to get into this band business myself. I formed my first rock band in 1978, at the age of 14.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced (1968), the songs “Foxy Lady,” “Purple Haze,” “Manic Depression.” and “Hey Joe”; Black Sabbath – Masters Of Reality (1971), the songs “Sweet Leaf,” “Children Of The Grave,” and “Into The Void”; Deep Purple – Machine Head (1972), the songs “Highway Star,” “Smoke On The Water,” “Lazy,” and “Space Truckin”; AC/DC – High Voltage (1976), the songs “It’s A Long Way To The Top,” “Live Wire,” “TNT,” and “She’s Got Balls”; and Kiss – Destroyer (1976), the songs “Detroit Rock City,” “God Of Thunder,” “Great Expectations,” and “Flaming Youth.”

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d love to do a song with the legendary singers Bon Scott and Ronnie James Dio – just because they were such a great singers, perfect for heavy and crunchy guitar riffs.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like spending time with my daughter and girlfriend. I also work out at the gym a few times a week, to stay in shape. Other than that, music does take up much of my time.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

MAD INVASION plays heavy classic rock with a modern, fresh, and distinct sound that makes the band stand out in the hard rock genre. The musical approach is pure and energetic and is bound to get rock lovers going. As far as reviews, we have only just started to get them since only a few media have been able to listen to the full album at this point. The reviews so far have been good so nothing to disagree with yet.

7. Your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Ha, ha, ha… great question… : ) Björn will cook and fix drinks, Pete will be the first to get the acoustic guitar going. Mats J, Mats, B, and I will tag along and ramp things up as we go.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

It was a very long time ago, but it was great to meet the guys in Sweet and Slade backstage at a gig when I was a teenager. My friend had somehow got us backstage passes and we were both very starstruck… : )

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is the freedom and flexibility – being able to decide when and how to create and produce your music as well as how you package your product. If not being a musician, I would work with coaching and behavioral change in big organizations, as this is a much-needed area in these times.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

So far, I think that I have gotten the questions that I want to have – regarding the concept and thinking behind music, plans ahead, and influences. Sometimes I get surprised about the type of questions I get but the areas mentioned above are the ones that I mostly enjoy talking about. I prefer not to get questions about what my view is on politics, religion, etc. – as I prefer to talk about the music.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not really, my philosophy is that everything has happens for a reason – to learn and evolve over time, even when things don’t go your way. I wouldn’t change anything since I then wouldn’t be who and where I am today.  If anything, maybe that I could have started sooner with treating music seriously, as it would have saved some time… : )

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced, Deep Purple – Machine Head, AC/DC – High Voltage, Kiss – Destroyer, Van Halen, Boston, and Journey (Escape). All legendary recordings with magical songs, dynamics and ambience – that affected me strongly and inspired my development in the early stages of my musical journey.

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Category: Interviews