Valrock zine: Interview with lead vocals Sandro Giampietro of Starchild

Starchild: Michael Ehré, Dennis Hormes, Sandro Giampietro, Esmeralda and Jens Becker

Starchild is a german melodic metal band and started in 2012 by Sandro Giampietro / Lead Vocals & Guitars (Zillion, songwriter & producer for Michael Kiske, co-songwriter for Unisonic) who feature with Jens Becker / Bass (Zillion, Grave Digger), Michael Ehré / Drums (Love Might Kill, Gamma Ray), Esmeralda / Electric Violin (Violin Virtuoso from Sankt Petersburg) and Dennis Hormes, the new 2nd guitar player. Last month the band released your first album titled "Starchild". Our interview with Sandro which will tell more about your new band.

By Vivian Oliveira

Valrock zine: How was Starchild born and who came up with the name?

Sandro Giampietro: After the Zillion (Mike Terrana/Drums, Jens Becker/Bass) I was very busy with my Family and Studio work and a lot of Touring as well. Within the last 3 years I was very in the mood to build up a new Metalband. I had a lot of songs written which fit together perfect. I started to make Demos of the songs and had so much fun doing it that I knew this is the right thing to do. I knew the drummer Michael Ehrè since many years. We thought that it’s so stupid that we never had a band together for all these years. So Michael was the choice no.1. Jens Becker, my cousin, is one of the best Bass player for Metal. The violin player Esmeralda was recording a CD in my studio. I was impressed from her passionate playing. After the recording session we started to jam Vivaldi and Paganini on Violin and Electric Guitar. Then I showed her some Starchild songs: she was exited to join the band and I trout so too. I’m a big SciFi fan. As I heard about the Starchild skull that was found in Mexico with only half of the DNA being Human, I thought that this is the perfect name for the band.

Sandro Giampietro

VZ: In "Black And White Forever", Michael Kiske sings a duet with you on the track and the German comedian Helge Schneider also play the organ in that track. The benefits of this song will be donated to a cancer aid and research foundation. How does this idea come from?
Sandro: Last year was a very terrible year for my Family. We had luck with the Hospital in Marburg, Germany, which brought us health. This was the inspiration for the song.

VZ: Tell us about the guest of Helge Schneider (who also plays on "Visions" track) and Sandy Brechin (accordionist) on "Forever".
Sandro: Helge Schneider is one of the most famous German Comedians. I played a few hundred gigs with Helge. We played a few years with Pete York (Spencer Davis Group) and had a real good time playing old Jazz tunes and the funny Songs of Helge. He plays so much instruments so good, but I loved him playing organ most. Helge played also on the charity duet with Michael Kiske. Sandy Brechin is a famous accordionist from Scotland. He played a few gigs with a friend of mine and played some tracks on an album I produced in my studio. That was the right time to ask him to play on the song "Forever".

Video clip image: "Starchild"

VZ: You also already played with Jens in the Zillion. What more differs over the two bands?
Sandro: The Band Zillion was a totally different story. Starchild is a lot more in the melodic power metal style. Zillion was a melodic Hardrock band.

VZ: Starchild was confirmed on Wacken Open Air in 31.07.2014. Is this the first scheduled show? There will be a album release show?
Sandro: We are very proud to play on Wacken O.A.. This is so unbelievable fast to have a gig on this huge festival for such a new band. We will have a warm up Gig on the 26th of July. Everyone is Invited. :)

Starchild Album (2014)

VZ: When will be the events outside Germany? Or even outside Europe?
Sandro: We are working hard on a support tour with the agency All Access. We will be very happy to tour outside from Europe.

VZ: Now, Dennis is the new guitarist. Why the decision to add a second guitarist?
Sandro: Dennis Hormes is one of my favorite guitarists for a long time. He is known as one of the best German players. Now I have more space to just perform as the singer of the band. Of course I will still play some tunes but not always. Dennis will also sing the back vocal.

VZ: How do you knew him?
Sandro: I saw him playing on a session and was impressed by his nice Tone.

VZ: He will play with the band at the W.O.A. or only from the band's second show?
Sandro: Yes, we are a real band and if it’s possible we play all together. Dennis will surely be with us on Wacken.

VZ: What do you know about festivals heavy metal in Latin America?
Sandro: I know that there are many metal fans out there in Brazil. If we’re getting to reach a lot more people, I’m sure we’ll be on a festival soon.

VZ: Give a message to the Brazilian metalheads!
Sandro: Hey Brazil, we’re longing to rock with you! Metal lives in Brazil!