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The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tommi Holappa of Dozer / Greenleaf

Tracing their roots back to 1995 and releasing their first album on Man’s Ruin in the form of 2000’s classic In the Tail of a Comet, Dozer have proven to be one of the most enduring and influential names in Swedish heavy rock. After releasing their stellar fifth album, Beyond Colossal, on Small Stone in 2008, the four-piece went on hiatus. In that time, guitarist Tommi Holappa focused on his other outfit, Greenleaf, who put out Nest of Vipers (review here) as one of the year’s best in 2012. After performing there with Greenleaf last year, Holappa returned to Desertfest in 2013 with a resurgent Dozer, and this year the band also released a split 7″ on Transubstans with NYMF and a digital EP, Vultures (review here), culled from demo tracks recorded prior to 2005’s brilliant Through the Eyes of Heathens.

Dozer are slated to continue playing live shows into 2014 (accompanied by Lowrider as they were at Desertfest), and Greenleaf have a new full-length in progress as well, set for issue in the New Year. Enjoy:

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tommi Holappa

How did you come to do what you do?

Discovering KISS when I was around seven or eight or so is what started the whole thing. That’s when I got interested in rock music. And when I was 14 I got my first guitar and the rest is history! But yeah, you can blame it on KISS why I’m in this rock and roll business now.

Describe your first musical memory.

I have really vague memories of seeing Elvis on TV, I must have been like two or three years old or something. I also remember getting my first vinyl, it was a Muppet Show vinyl. This must have been around the same time.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

This is impossible! I have too many good musical memories! It’s really hard to just choose one. Here’s just a few things that come to mind: Getting my first guitar, Getting the first record deal, Recording for the first time, Touring for the first time, Hearing Sky Valley with Kyuss for the first time (and seeing them live), Seeing KISS live when I was young. I could make this list endless with all the good bands I have seen and records I have heard over the years!

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

I can’t come up with anything at the moment.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

To a happier life.

How do you define success?

To go on tour and people show up to see you play your music!

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

KISS live earlier this year! Actually the show wasn’t too bad but Paul Stanley has totally lost his voice. You could really see it in his eyes how much he was suffering on stage.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

A space rock album! It would probably sound something like Hawkwind meets a satanic Pink Floyd.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Summer!

Dozer, “The Blood is Cold” from Vultures (2013)

Dozer’s website

Greenleaf on Thee Facebooks

Small Stone Records

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One Response to “The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tommi Holappa of Dozer / Greenleaf”

  1. Jose Humberto says:

    I need a new Dozer album, as well a new Lowrider album

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