Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
Gunner: Hi Metal Asylum, is nice to talk with you! The band’s history starts in 1980 in Bologna, and during 4 decades various musicians changed. The long lasting member is Amos, the spine of the band.
After a lot or records and tours, in Italy, Europe, and U.S.A., the current line up is formed by Amos on guitars and backing vocals, Freddy V on lead guitar, Gabry The King on bass guitar, Evil Mala on lead vocals and myself on drums.
Evil Mala: the name “Rain” was chosen because short, easy to remember and adaptable to various music styles, and then rain is life!
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Gunner: The band is based in Bologna, Amos and Evil Mala are from Bologna, me and Freddy V from Modena, Gabry is from Ravenna, all towns located in Emilia Romagna region. The current line up has consolidated in 2016.
Evil Mala: apart from the classics I have nu and modern metal influences.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
Gunner: we all listen to different bands, but the common element is about some classics, like Kiss, Motley Crue, Motorhead, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Pantera, Metallica, and “new” ones like Five finger Death Punch. The band’s sound is influenced by our backgrounds, and the sound in heavy and hard rock oriented, with a modern taste in vocals and riffs.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Gunner: we all started with the ambition to be professional musicians, and we still act like professional musicians, even if we all (exept for Freddy V) have different main jobs. Life takes his paths but our dreams are still alive.
Evil Mala: professionals or not, for me the most important thing is to spread our music worldwide.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
Gunner: Right now Slayer, Testament, Coldplay, Poets of the Fall and gothic music from Finland.
Evil Mala: 5FDP, Nickelback, Shinedown, Fozzy, Seether.
Do you sing in the shower?
Gunner: of course even if I’m pretty out of tune!
Evil Mala: for sure, that is the place where the better songs get born.
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
Gunner: yeah we have a lot of plans, mainly the release of the new album “A New Tomorrow”, scheduled for September 23rd, promotion, a new video scheduled for October, touring in Italy and close the deal for an European tour for 2023.
Evil Mala: Conquer the world.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
Gunner: yes, as I mentioned before, we have a full album ready to go, plus a new single that will be released September 9th!
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
Gunner: Tavastia, Helsinki.
Evil Mala: Wembley Stadium, London.
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
Gunner: It’s a really hard question, there are so many records that I listen to and that are deep in my heart, I can mention Symbolic (Death), Images and words (Dream Theater), Love metal (HIM), Dr. Feelgood (Motley Crue).
Evil Mala: Sound of madness (Shinedown), Killers (Iron Maiden), Take a look in the mirror (Korn), The sound of perseverance (Death).
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
Gunner: Cradled in love (Poets of the Fall)
Evil Mala: Another brick in the wall (Pink Floyd)
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Gunner: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Slayer, Slipknot, Dream Theater.
Evil Mala: The same for me!
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Gunner: The Final Countdown (Europe), and I still got it.
Evil Mala: Live after death (Iron Maiden)
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
Gunner: yeah, we are very excited about the new album and we are confident that that music will excite you too, so don’t miss it!
Evil Mala: There is no life without Rain!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
Gunner: the official website is www.raincrew.com, we are on facebook and Instagram as rain_band_italy, and on twitter as Rainbologna.
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
Gunner: just a huge thank you to you or the opportunity, horns up and keep follow RAIN!
Evil Mala: thanks to everyone for your support!
This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum