In this episode of Good Job Podcast, Beth Roars talks to Primal Fear and Gamma Ray vocalist; Ralf Scheepers. Ralf discusses his journey, how he developed his talent and the importance of staying grounded and humble. He also opens up about how he supported himself when starting out, what it takes to become a heavy metal singer and how his voice and the music industry have changed since he began his career.
““Five minutes before the show, there is a healthy nervousness, that you really have to have to be focused in the end. The cocktail of adrenaline and the nervousness you have is just really healthy to do a good show.” ”
Podcast Episode Highlights:
00:32 - Beth Roars introduces Ralf Scheepers as the latest Good Job podcast guest lead singer of Primal Fear and Gamma Ray
01:14 - What was Ralf Scheepers’ worst ever job?
01:42 - How did Ralf first get involved in music?
03:14 - Has Ralf ever been nervous performing and does he still feel this now?
03:20 - Can anyone sing or is there a pre-required talent and skill needed?
04:08 - Is a song only good if you are performing ‘vocal gymnastics’?
04:58 - How has the industry changed over the years since Ralf has been singing?
05:36 - The bonding nature of metal music and community it forms
06:50 - Why does Ralf Scheepers believe people are attracted to heavy metal?
07:59 - How has Ralf Scheepers managed to continue to improve his voice with age?
09:27 - Is it hard to live a ‘rock’n’roll’ lifestyle alongside keeping the voice healthy?
09:50 - What are the ways that Ralf keeps himself healthy?
10:35 - How does Ralf Scheepers warm up?
11:16 - What has Ralf Scheepers' relationship with Judas Priest been like?
12:05 - Did Ralf Scheepers audition for Judas Priest?
13:12 - Are people humble within the music industry and is that a quality that is important?
13:35 - What is the function of a manager?
14:34 - How has Ralf Scheepers dealt with the difficulties of fame?
15:14 - What have been his best moments of Ralf’s career?
15:51 - The importance of touring with good people
16:11 - What advice would Ralf give to singers at the start of their careers?
17:30 - Does Ralf Scheepers still support himself with jobs outside of music
18:08 - How has Ralf remained grounded?
18:39 - Are Ralf Scheepers’ family supportive of his music?
19:08 - Has heavy metal always been Ralf Scheepers’ core genre?
19:38 - Who writes the songs for Primal Fear?
20:10 - Does Ralf have advice for writing songs
21:15 - What is Ralf Scheepers up to musically now? Can Good Job listeners expect another Primal Fear album?
Key Points
Heavy metal audiences connect to you through the communal exchange of energy between fans and performers. There is a mutual need for one another.
Talent, humbleness, and honesty are gifts musicians should give back to their audience.
Don’t always go for the obvious - eg. singing the riff. Be experimental and learn music so you have more tools at your disposal. Learn how to sing harmonies, music theory, and learn major and minor.
Look after your voice. If that means taking a rest day when you have a heavy schedule, do that.
Quotes
“Whenever you say, ‘Well, I’m satisfied. I’ll keep it (voice) that way,’ then maybe you should retire.”
Ralf Scheepers
“Look forward and go your own way. Think positive. That’s what I did”
Ralf Scheepers
“I always say it’s a big family, if you’re on stage as a musician or a fan downstairs, we both need each other”
Ralf Scheepers
“You always somehow try to improve. Whenever you say, ‘Well, I’m satisfied. I’ll keep it (my voice) that way,’ then maybe you should retire.”
Ralf Scheepers
“When a wine gets older it tastes better, that’s how people compare my voice to my younger days. I’m really grateful”
Ralf Scheepers
“It’s almost 40 years of screaming and singing now and I’m really happy that it (my voice) is still there.”
Ralf Scheepers
“If somebody is well talented but you stay humble still, that’s just a great thing to do. That’s what you can give back to the people, just being friendly on an honest level”
Ralf Scheepers
“There’s a misconception that people who are successful are also horrible and have had to stamp on other people to get there, but it’s just not true”
Beth Roars
“When you travel the world, to have people around you that you went through every s*** together, good and bad things, that’s a good thing, to be in good company on the road”
Ralf Scheepers
“If you have great talent and that’s your conviction and you’re totally convinced that you are on a good path, then don’t stop, go go go”
Ralf Scheepers
“People think that once you’ve made it to a certain level that you’ve made it and suddenly you’re a millionaire, but you’re not, you’re still continuing with the same jobs and a lot of people at very high levels are doing that”
Beth Roars
Resources Mentioned:
Judas Priest - Rob Halford, Tim Owens (referred to as ‘Ripper’)
