Hard Blast - Toxic Heart – Hair Metal

Toxic Heart – Hair Metal – Eslovênia

By: Maila-Kaarina Riippa
Pictures: Promo

Atypical for sure and this is what makes it so good! A hard rock band from Slovenia, a small country in Central Europe, bordering Italy to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the Southwest, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the North. The capital has this unpronounceable name: Ljubljana and the country has only 2 million people.

A rock country? Not exactly but it´s home for a great hard rock band: TOXIC HEART.

The lineup is formed by Axl (Vocals), Mike Pipenbaher (Guitars), Rider (Bass) and GG (Drums) and the band exists since 2007.
They have just released their first full length album, RIDE YOUR LIFE, 100% independent and are very proud to say that everything was recorded in 14 days.

Recently they´ve got a good deal with a manager from the US, Mr. JT Cane, and since then have been studying labels´ proposals.

Toxic heart plays hard rock in the hair metal bands shape and it´s true music, made by 4 Slovenian young boys who bet on their future into rock. Check them out at Myspace and support for them and for the new scene they represent!
Toxic Heart rules!

Check it out: Toxic Heart Slovenia

Stay rock!

Maila: A hard rock band from Slovenia, something we don´t usually see around. How is the rock scene in your country?

Mike: I don’t think it´s big You need to know that Slovenia is a very small country – only 2 million people. There are lots of bands but none of them seem to work hard enough to make something happen. I would say that hard rock scene is not that big, at this time I think thrash metal is kinda coming back.

Maila: What made you choose hard rock? How did your passion to the style came out?

Mike: Well, we can’t really say we’re a hard rock band ´cause we have so many different styles in our music – from glam to metal to some country, so we like to stick to “hair metal” if you wish. We’re all huge fans of the 80s, not only rock but pop songs as well. We feel good when playing our music and this is what makes us who we are. We’ve been listening to these styles for at least ten years now and we still can’t get enough of it. :)

Maila: Do you guys live on music or have other jobs to make demands?

Mike: It is almost impossible to make a living on music in Slovenia since the scene is so small. So far most of us is still in College so we have the time to do it. We love it and would give it all to make a living out of doing what we really love – making music.

Maila: You have just released a CD, RIDE YOUR LIFE. Is it your first album?

Mike: We have just released our first album. The release date was the 18th of September in our country and it is independent. We have interest from different record labels but I will let you know when it’s down on paper.

Maila: Did you guys make the songs together or there is a main composer? Tell us a bit of the music making process of the album.

Mike: Basically I do all the songs. I´m opened for all ideas but this album just came out in my head with some help of my younger brother Rider (bass player). We started of with a riff and then built the song. Sometimes all songs just feel right and fall together perfectly.

But sometimes we have no idea how to go on with a different riff or a melody so we don’t force it and just let it come our way. Once we did all that we went to the studio RSL in Slovenia and recorded the album. We have so many new songs – enough to make 3 more full albums!

Maila: Which songs would you bet on if you were a producer listening to Toxic Heart and why would you choose them?

Mike: I would most definitely say “Ride Your Life”. It is a song we all love and about all we are. This song really describes the band just the way it is. My other personal favorites are “The One”, “Makin’ Me Bad” and “Big Time”. They have all the elements of great songs – at least I like to think that way. A great opening riff, catchy hooks and chorus and a great guitar solo!

Maila: What do you think about the actual music scene for rock? Talk about opportunities, your market vision.

Mike: I would say that too many “shitty” bands are coming out with no meaning, no ideas just the same new “tuff guys” looking evil with the music they don’t feel, don’t get but they just wanna be rockstars. It is true that these days it is impossible to come up with something new but you can find something that suits you and do it your way. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing how do you expect someone else to believe in you?
And the market vision? It’s hard to say, that’s why we have our manager and he takes care of that. I’m sure there’s a spot for us to leave a mark but the way there is really hard. But we’re ready to give it all!

Maila: Do you have a funny story on a gig or tour to tell us?

Mike: You know we have tons of them like every band I guess. We were just a day or two away from making our first video, “Ride Your Life”, and we got a call from Mogy’s girlfriend saying that he wouldn´t be able to come since he had a snowboarding accident and was taken to hospital with a chopper. Of course we had to postpone the video and rush to the hospital to see him. It wasn’t funny then but as we look back we like to laugh at how clumsy he was and pretty lucky that he did not get hurt.
Besides that I think no one wants to be in the backstage with us cause we’re always having fun and sometimes deliberately act gay to make someone feel uncomfortable hahaha.

Maila: What´s always on your ipod or cd player?

Mike: Music! haha. I like all music; metal, country, 80s, pop, I mean everything. At this time I’m listening a lot to Giant, Big&Rich and the new outstanding album from Extreme.

Maila:What´s your dream come true gig? Where would it be and who would be playing with you?

Mike: Uff…there are so many festivals and shows that we would like to be a part of. I would say our dream came true gig is every gig where’s a lot of people that really like our music. The more the merrier

Maila: Say something you think it´s important in the band´s history, any information you would like to read about.

Mike: This band wasn’t formed to be a fake band. This band is what you hear. We don’t lie, our music doesn’t lie. We are a bunch of young guys that love music and will never stop doing it. We live in a positive way, having fun and don’t give a f*ck about all the shit that’s going on in the world. Everyone is trying to sell something and in this case we’re selling, oh no, spreading out positive energy and I think this is the only energy in our planet that comes for free! Ha!

Maila: Leave a message to the readers.

Mike: We always like to say just like the chorus in our song; Ride your life and feel your heart!

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Hard Blast 2010