MISTER (Trauma)

The G-String Series with Jaroslaw "Mister" Misterkiewicz from TRAUMA.

When did you start playing the guitar? In what age and which band was actually the one that made you wanting to grab a guitar and start playing?

Initially, when I was starting to be interested in music,  I wanted to be drummer. After a short time I found it as a very exhausting thing but main drawback was that people can’t see you when you are sitting behind a drum set. I was teenager an I was trying to kill two birds with one stone. I wanted to be in the band as well as to be more attractive to womens ha ha ha. I thought I should be more visible on the stage than drummer so that was time to try another instrument….a guitar. When did I start playing the guitar? I remember this time very well, it was over 30 years ago. I bought my first guitar when I was 13. Guitar was used and looked really shabby. I had no idea how to play on it whatsoever so I was posing in front of the mirror with backcomed hair. In Poland there was a totalitarianism time so was no access to any music equipment or music. I was self-taught an my beginigs with guitar were not easy but as you can see my passion is still alive. That provs it was not any juvenile caprice. In my opinion, music is a lifestyle, diffrent way of spending a time and being fulfilled musician and man. You asking me who made me wanting to grab a guitar. I have never had a favourite. As bopper I was listening Polish punk-rock bands contesting a political situstion in Poland. I liked Bristish and American punk-rock groups such us B.H, Discharge, Exploited, Dead Kennedys and finally I stared to be interested in metal. I come accross Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Gorefest and Pestilence. I was dragged by this strong specific and unique style and till now I love to compose my own non-commercialized music. It purges me from bad emotions and stress. I seems to be the best therapy for bloke at my age.

What actually makes a guitarist unique? Feeling or technique? Many people for example cannot stand Satriani…who is absolutely a master when it comes to technique

The world of music is as big and deep as Atlatic Ocean and is full of diversity. Is lush an colourfull, rich with a milions organisms of various shapes and sizes. The same with music, all depends on the preferences of the artist and the listener.

Technique of playing is an incredibly important issue but in my opinion this is not the most important element to the music. First of all an interaction between maker and recipient is a signifacnt. If this sort of connection is established it makes an ideal situation. That’s what music is all about. I know there are many opinions about Joe Satriani floating around but this is normal. He has been a subject to adoration of funs on the other hand also to criticism. I personally like him and his amazing skills, technique but also for the subtlety and incredible sense.

What was your first guitar? Do you still have it?

In 80’s we used to play on realy shitty stuff so you could go deaf. Amps and whole stuff  borrowed from a local Coumunity Centre remember the Beatles times. Using ELTRON amps, POLMUZ drums we recorded the first demo of Thanatos „ Deo Optimo Maximo" in 1989. You are asking me about my first guitar…hmm….I bought it entireley accidently toward the end of  my primary school in 1984. That was an old Polish guitar DEFIL with a beautifull body. I was playing on it till 1986 when I bought electric guitar ASTER. I haven’t got this instrument anymore but has been in possesion for quite long. My another guitar was an imitation of  Fender Stratocaster ordered from luthier MAYONES from Gdansk and then warclock shaped guitar which was creafted by Mr. Dziewulski in 1989. I had also guitars such us UFNAL, MEG, MENSWELD, JACKON KELY and 7string IBANEZ UNIVERSE

Do you think that the guitarist is making the quality or maybe the equipment can do magic?

Generally I think that only a human factor is able to perform miracles. Equipent is only a tool you can use. Proffesional equipment and technology is very helpfull however with no talent, feeling, expirience, instinct, personality and ability to using an instrument and electronic effects everything becomes a scrap.

What kind of equipment do you use? Guitars…pick ups…amps…? Do you use different equipment in the studio and different while playing live? If yes then what is the reason?

I had many guitars in my life. At the moment I have got my own signature guitar with personalized feature like my nickname placed on fret. I treat this model as a primary one wchich I play a gigs on it. It’s one of the best instruments I have ever had. I have also got very good model of Washborn WI 66pro made of  mahogany, 7-string Schecter guitar with Polish Merlin picups which I used on latest Trauma album "Karma Obscura" and Variax guitar manufactured by Line 6. An amplifier I use is Mesa Boogi Dual Rectifer solo head and custom made guitar cabinet DL with Celestion vintage 30 speakers. I use a two kind of pickups depending on a guitar I play: active pickups EMG81 or Marlin. As to strings I like DR and Ernie Ball. To improve a sound I use only a Delay and wah-wah pedal Morley Bad Horsie 2.

I have had a guitar like this for a few years. This is guitar made by luthier Malowood.  It has got on pick-up EMG81 and Ibanez bridge lo pro edge 3 on it. Body is made of alder with maple. Im finding it as a amazing instrument and I will never sell it.

Now form the band of your dreams…with you participating of course…Which individuals you think would fit like a glove to your style?

Maybe I’m being an arrogant but I dont have to form any band of my dreams because I have got one I have been playing in for 25 years. Together with Maly we have been playing continuisly for over 23 years and our music communication becomes better. Chudy -our vocalist- has been with us for a while too. He sang on three albums and one mini-album. All of us together we played a hundreds gigs. Its very good band. We all are pals, freaks and none of us is after a money from music.

Are you participating in the composing of your bands material or you’re just a performer? How important is it for an artist to be able to express himself? I mean, if for example you were in a band only for performing someone else’s musical themes…would you handle it not participating…not being able to express yourself?

Well, I have always been composing music and been full of visions and ideas and nothing has changed so far. You could notice a diffrent kinds of musicians in the world. Some of them are happy with playing in the band, part of them are not satisfied with just being in the team. They feel a strong need and temptation to express themselfs by creating  their own music. I consider myself as a part of them. I’m giving  a lot of guitar lessons and tuitions and I’m running my own small firm. That’s what I do for a living and I got money from. It makes me happy man having a time for composing and creation. Responding to your queation…withou being able to creating my own music picture i wouldn’t  be 100% fulfilled musicwise man

Have you ever run out of ideas while composing a new album? How did you fight it? What was the solution?

No one is perfect and there is no always cooking on gas if You know what I mean. There is an old Polish proverb which could be translated as "One time riding the wagon, the next time under it". Noone is always lucky, always healthy, always young  and … always creative I think. Being temporarely not creative while composing is absolutely normal thing. It happens to everyone.

Do you have endorsements? Do you think endorsements are important for an artist? 

Yes, I made a deal with couple of brands. I have got Merlin pickups endorsement (Polish company) , a marvelous guitar cabinets made especially for me by Dawid Laboga from D.L. and magic guitars from an oudstanding Polish luthier Malwood. I think, if there is a chance to get from any componay some sort of support, discount or even a gift You should go for it and try. It’s a norm nowadays.

In all the years that you’ve been playing did something go totally wrong during a concert of yours? If yes, what was it. Please go ahead!

Yes indeed. Once I triped on amplifier while headbanging so we had to stop a show for a moment until I picked myself up. I must admit I was drunk but it was 25 years ago and this gig was the last one I played being drunk. I feel ashamed even now when I think about it.

One last thing now! Who is the guitarist that you admire or that you would like to "punish" by have him answering these same questions? Thanks again and good luck with your project(s).

I do admire many guitarists like Jeff Loomis, John Petrucci, Vogg, Satriani but Im not sure if  I would ask them to answer those questions.

 

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