Ill Nino: Nino Future.

Revolution Revolution is in stores now.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Dave Chavarri, Ill Nino’s drummer and spokesman. Dave is open and up front as you will discover, and here he discusses his hopes for Ill Nino, the way they will expand their sound without actually changing it, and more.

Ill Nino appear to be entering something of a transitional phase, and are suddenly presented with the prospect of being a more commercially viable band.

“That was one of the ideas originally,” replies the drummer frankly. “We wanted to be a band that was brutal and at the same time melodic; something like Soulfly meets Incubus. When we were deciding on a singer, that’s what we were looking for, and that’s why Cristian was the man for the job. We wanted someone who could just scream their ass off and then sing melodiously. And being this type of band, I’m really happy that we can have one foot in the underground and one foot in the commercial realms.”

I think that many people will be somewhat surprised by this revelation, perceiving Ill Nino as being a band of generally heavier intentions. And then to learn that it was a preconceived idea…

“I come from a really heavy background, and I played in bands like Pro-Pain, M.O.D. and Soulfly,” Dave reveals. “Everything I’ve done for my entire life has been heavy, so I wanted to change the style of the music we were writing as a band before we became Ill Nino. We definitely want to be a big band and not just a small hardcore act.”

Revolution Revolution has been out for a little while now, and Ill Nino are starting to enjoy quite a degree of success. Will this push the band further into the realms of commercial viability?

“I can guarantee you that Ill Nino will always been Ill Nino,” says the drummer. “It’s really hard to have commercial type songs, that are radio-friendly, and to be very energetic as a live band. You can’t have somebody going crazy to a soft song. And that’s something that will never change with this band.”

Put simply, Ill Nino seek a balance.

“I just want the band to be heavy,” he elaborates, “but at the same time if we have some commercial success I think we’ll write a couple more songs like What Comes Around on the next record. Either way, we’re not going to stop being heavy just to sell records.”

The advent of the new millennium has brought with it a rise in popularity with heavy bands, and there are more than a few that are achieving gold and platinum sales status. It’s as though there is a parallel between the glam scene of the 80s and today’s heavy music scene.

“I think that bands like System Of A Down, Rob Zombie, Incubus and Staind have just opened up so many doors for this kind of music,” Dave expresses his opinions on the matter. “They have made it bigger, and have also commercialised heavier music. A lot of people say that that’s a bad thing or they think it’s selling out, but I think it’s a great, because we can reach more people.”

“The type of person that would usually pick up a Britney Spears CD, can now walk into a Virgin Megastore and see advertising for heavier bands,” he continues, “and it gives the person an impression of greatness. A young impressionable kid, looking for something cool to buy will never be drawn to heavy music otherwise. I don’t think heavy music has ever been given the chance to really prove itself, and now finally we are being given the opportunity. We are getting the spotlight and attention we deserve.”

There are conflicting opinions about the fortunes of more nu metal oriented bands in Europe. Some people seem comfortable in the notion that the old school sounds will always dominate, while the stats tend to offer an alternative opinion. Ill Nino’s stint with Ozzfest Europe appears to have made a remarkable impact.

“They’re a little more fanatical in Europe,” he says with a chuckle. “You’re also going to get a lot more dates in the US out of a band than you would in Europe. If you miss the first tour in the US, there’s nothing to worry about because you know there’ll be a second.”

“In Europe you definitely have to go see it the first time around, because you’ll be lucky to get a second one. I have to say that heavy metal and hard rock is looked upon with a lot more potential and respect in Europe.”

So what would Chavarri like most to achieve with Ill Nino?

“Our band is very close-knit,” he says with a nostalgic tone. “We’re a family. I just want to have this band continue and grow and to build our fanbase as big as possible. We are a workhorse and we will be touring as much as possible. This band rarely takes time off and I’m glad that this is the way we are, because a lot of bands like to relax a little too much sometimes and that usually hurts the band. I just want people to know about us, and to know that we’ll be around for a long time.”