What's it like not to pass out behind the drumkit while playing insanely fast sets, when you're also singing at the same time, what's it like splashing in the creek alongside members of world-famous punk bands during Punk Rock Holiday festival, but of course also what about the latest record that these witty Bavarians are releasing in March on SBÄM Records.
Your new record coming out on SBÄM sounds great. Where did you record it and who produced it? The cover design is also very nice, who is the author?
Hi Brano, first of all, thanks for having us on your blog, we really appreciate the effort and dedication that amazing people like you put into supporting underground bands.
So “A Postcard From A Parahell Universe” is our third album and will be released on SBÄM, Bearded Punk Records, Pee Records (Australia) and Double Helix (USA). We recorded the album in August 2024 in a small town near our hometown in the Bavarian outback. We don't have a real producer because we write and compose all the songs ourselves in our rehearsal room, do pre-production, and add final touches in the studio. BUT, we are very happy to have Jakob and Marvin (studio owner) on board again. These two amazing musicians have already worked with us on our previous albums. Jakob also took care of the mix and mastering.
The cover design was done by our Italian friend Marco Diverimenti, who has already done some artwork for us, including our cat logo. We love his style and it fits the band's sound and attitude perfectly.
The last piece of music that played in your band van that you can remember. No cheating!
Hahaha, that's a tricky question.... *phew*... I don't remember the actual song, but we like to keep it fun, so in addition to checking out new releases from bands and friends, I often force my colleagues to listen to my free-jazz playlist. Fortunately, no one has jumped out of the van yet...
How the band actually got together? What was the initial inspiration behind starting to annoy your surroundings with your favorite noise and dream about conquering the highways?
Well, that is actually a real long story, so I’ll try and keep it short n’ snappy. From my perspective, I’ve played in bands since I’ve been 16 and I also love several genres. However, Skatepunk has always been my favorite style and I desperately wanted to go back to playing the music that is deeply engrained in my heart. Luckily, I quickly found like-minded musicians in the Munich area and so Berni, Bart (Straightline), Mole (Fahnenflucht), and me started writing classic 90s - Skatepunk songs. Bart and Mole soon had to leave due to time-management reasons and so, my old friend Andy joined the band. I had known him from our former band and I knew he was on fire going back to playing in a band, and he simply is a great guitarist and songwriter. Berni was on fire as well, and I actually have to say that I immediately fell in love with our “bass-beacon”. So the three of us asked Manu, another friend we had known from a former Munich-based punk rock band called “Bread Pit” and it all worked out just fine. So we started annoying our surroundings with a maximum of fun and the music we love.
I saw you on the roster of Punk Rock Holiday again. How´d you describe taking part in the programme of one of the most favorite summer punk events in Europe to somebody who´s never been there so far and hesitates to visit?
Actually, every year, the line-up speaks for itself. Above that, the whole scenario is simply breathtaking. I mean, which festival do you know, that allows the people to raft down a beautiful river, landing right next to a stage located at a beach in the alps? Plus, you have a camping area in the forest, super friendly staff, and the best scene in the world. Sounds surrealistic? But that is reality!
We as a band and as regular visitors especially fell in love with the beach stage concept. If you want to get to know surprisingly stunning newcomers and the creme de la creme of the D.I.Y scene, this is the place to be! Amazing bands play all day, you can take a swim in the river or party in front of the stage while sipping lovely cocktails or downing a few cold beers. Just A M A Z I N G!
You´re one of those fast drumming vocalists (singing drummers?) in the scene. It´s pretty overwhelming to watch you guys play hardcore drums and singing in the tune at the same time. Any secret or advice to aspiring drumming singers to not completely collapse and spitting the lungs out after the first two tracks on stage?
After one of the first shows of my first skatepunk band back in 2002 (where I also used to drum and sing main vox), my mum used to say that me being capable of this must be due to some brain damage because she obviously dropped me after birth:)).
To be honest, I guess it’s all down to muscle memory. I usually practice the songs without singing first and then I add the lyrics and tunes step by step. Coordination is everything and if you are a capable drummer, I guess adding vocals to your playing isn’t too far off. I was inspired by Rodrigo from Satanic Surfers back in the late 90s and by Duncan from Snuff and so I simply locked myself into our rehearsal room and practiced for hours.
Other plans for 2025?
We have our release show in Munich coming up on the 8th of March at Backstage, Munich with our friends in Captain Asshole (Munich), Konrad 48 (Nuremberg), Drunktank (NL), and For I Am (BE). We also have the whole release process to work around. Physical release on vinyl and CD will be on the 7th of March so that collectors can enjoy the album a few weeks in advance, and the digital release date is the 28th of March.
Plus we’re announced for the legendary SBÄM Fest in May, Punkrock Holiday in August, and some other shows. Apart from those highlights, Berni outdid himself and made it possible for the band to go on tour in Japan in April! So, as you can see, a pretty exciting year ahead of us!
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