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SERPICO: The Chosen Four Re-Release
1. The Re-Release & Bonus Track
1. What inspired you to re-release The Chosen Four now, three years after its original release?
Vee Dour: In my opinion the album didn’t get as much attention as it would have earned. It’s very
good and solid rock’n roll album and I hope it reaches the listeners even better than on the first
release. Back in time people had more important things on their minds than music like their own
health. And of course I won’t judge them for it. Originally we had intentions to have released
physical analog copies like vinyls of this album but had some issues with pressing methods. And
the times were as they were with the global pandemic and stuff so reasonably it didn’t reach news
topics so well. We now want to offer the listener this maginificent experience to hear it as it was
supposed to be heard on analog formate too.
2. “Heat Of The Moment” is a previously unreleased track—how did it feel to finally share it with the
world?
Vee Dour: I am very happy to share it with people. It’s a cool song that didn’t quite make on the
album but was one of the strongest candidates to be there in the beginning of co-workin with
Anssi.
Jani Serpico: It was actually supposed to be released as a bonus track on the Japanese edition.
Unfortunately, our previous label never got around to it.
3. When adding the bonus track, did it change the flow or feel of the album at all, or was it always part
of the original vision?
Vee Dour: Like I said the song was good enough from producer’s point of view to be pre-
produced, rehearsed and after those put on tape in the first recording session. If I remember
correctly it was decided to have its place as a bonus song in the finishing meters. It’s great to have
it now released. The recording equipments were the same as they were on the songs that remained
on the album. The sound doesn’t vary much from the album’s songs for that. And I’m quite sure it
was mastered at the same time as the rest of the album was.
2. Recording & Production
4. This was your first fully analog album with producer Anssi Kippo at Astia-Studio. How did recording
analog affect the energy and feel of the record?
Vee Dour: It maintained the same energy that we had in our rehearsal room playing those songs.
The work to record on analog is much harder but the result is way more rewarding.
5. Listening back now, what do you think makes the analog approach stand out compared to modern
digital production?
Vee Dour: This is very good question. Recording analogue doesn’t change the natural sound of
instruments including a human voice. Also the feed back is better when you don’t have any
unintentional delay on hearing like digital stuff often has. It gains comfort and trust that you sing
in same time with the rest of the band. Not near, exactly the same.
6. Were there any moments in the studio that became particularly memorable or challenging while
tracking The Chosen Four?
Vee Dour: Well, I had issues with backing tracks on the last song of the album called ”The Last
Days Of Monopoly”. I couldn’t understand the rhythm how the notes changed so Anssi put me on
the bench next to the keyboard and made me to play the melody with one finger making sure that
I’d learn it correctly. Now, when I think about, it was kind of hilarious but back then it was serious.
I couldn’t ruin the song with bad backing vocals so I understand why I had to get it. I learned it for
the next session because we hadn’t time to waste. On the next session I could sing it solidly with
not much effort on the record.
3. Musical Identity & Influences
7. SERPICO’s sound has often been compared to Guns N’ Roses, Hanoi Rocks, and Alice Cooper. How
do you balance those influences while keeping your own identity?
Vee Dour: Yeah, we do share the same kind of influences but I have never liked about copying
and I’m also very bad at imitating the others. Everybody has influences but going by your own
path is the thing that is remarkable for me. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t compose new songs. I would
instead only be playing the songs that are already written by somebody else. But it wouldn’t tame
my hunger for creativity.
8. What do you hope new listeners take away from The Chosen Four now that it’s available on
streaming platforms?
Vee Dour: I hope you to have a great listening experience, feel the vary of emotions. I hope you
wanna hear our newest album after this and find similarities and differences on them.
9. With hard rock and rock ’n’ roll continuing to evolve, what does staying “raw and dangerous” mean
to you as a band today?
Vee Dour: It means not to let a machine do the work for you instead of using your creativity,
beautiful brains and intuition. It means hearing other instruments too not just what you’re playing.
It means doing together, having brainstorms, silly ideas that are worth trying. It means to feel it
with your body.
4. Vinyl, Cassette & Collectors’ Editions
10. You’re releasing full analog vinyl and a numbered 50-piece edition—what excites you most about
giving fans these tangible formats?
Vee Dour: For me it is exciting that people can hear our work properly on the form as it was made
to hear initially.
11. A cassette edition is also planned. Do you see these analog releases as a statement about physical
media in the digital age, or just a fun way to connect with fans?
Vee Dour: I prefer vinyls more but the sound quality is much better if it is recorded analogue
whether it was about either formate. I hope they see the greatness of not skipping the songs that
are not their favourite ones. I’ve always hated skipping the songs, here’s the tip: You can always
put the volume a bit down during the song that you don’t like so much about.
12. How do you think experiencing The Chosen Four on vinyl or cassette differs from streaming it
digitally?
Vee Dour: It gains our sound when there isn’t any digital stuff added on it’s own. On vinyl and
cassette you can hear only the frequences that was meant to be there.
5. Band Chemistry & Philosophy
13. Looking back at the original recording, how has the band evolved since then—musically, personally,
or philosophically?
Vee Dour: Musically: Band isn’t a band if it’s not evolving due the journey of music. I’ve had so
many answers to my long pondered questions. Now we know a bit more and we have new tools
for composing and playing together. Personally, I’ve had many good crises since the first sessions
at Astia-studio and philosophically it is necessary for a man to start thinking about life differently
when gaining the age more.
14. “This isn’t a comeback—it’s a reminder.” How does that statement sum up the SERPICO mindset?
Vee Dour: Every time when we step on the stage it is a reminder! So suites us very well.
15. After revisiting the record, what’s your favorite track to perform live, and why?
Vee Dour: This is easy, it’s ”Smokin’ Hot Mama”. And why… Because of it’s mood and the
lyrics. The song is playful and the shuffle rhythm is a wake-up call to the audience and the band. It
is very delightful to perform it live on the stage.
6. Legacy & Next Steps
16. With the album back in circulation, what’s next for SERPICO in 2026? Any new material or tours
on the horizon?
Jani Serpico: The intention is now to play gigs mainly in Finland in 2026, but nothing is ruled
out. Next year we will try to arrange foreign gigs with our partners. Our gig booker is constantly
working to make things progress.
17. How do you hope The Chosen Four resonates with fans old and new in this re-release cycle?
Vee Dour: I hope us to have many new listeners who realises that rock n’ roll is not dead same
time having old faithfuls beside us.
18. Finally, if someone has never heard SERPICO before, which track would you hand them first to
represent the band’s sound and attitude?
Vee Dour: I guess some of the singles from the two newest albums. They are all worth hearing but
yeah it depends on listener. For those people that I know well who didn’t know to like rock-music
earlier ”Midnight Cowboy” worked for them very well.
