FMA 034: Boris “Bobby” Alexander Stein (Coyotes)

Boris “Bobby” Alexander Stein (Coyotes)

At the early stages of this project I send every band I wanted to talk to an email. But after a response rate of roughly 30% I decided to cut that effort from my daily to-do-lists, simply just stop by at shows and try my luck at the respective venue.

COYOTES, though, replied and agreed before the date of the show. At the show itself we came to terms to make the video after their set which, by the way, was that impressive, refreshing and not run-off-the-mill that I decided to buy their record “Only tocall it home”.

Bobby was one of the first 10 people I shot an interview with. This video, to me, stands out since he was the first interview partner who really opened up while talking. As I sat facing him I somehow could feel that he really spoke out of his chest, heart and inner core. To me Bobby’s contribution is one of FMA’s most sincere.

p.s.

Check out Bobby’s (BXBBY) individual efforts on Facebook and Instagram.

p.p.s

Watch "Only To Call It".

FMA 033: Max Campbell (Fathoms)

Max Campbell (Fathoms)

FATHOMS were the first band I ever did an FMA-video with.

That was almost 10 months ago in January 2016.

I asked them straight after their set if they may wanna join and help me.

Luckily, Max agreed and kickstarted this entire project.

Max nailed it in 30 seconds and delivered the shortest video of the project.

All in all it was a night of firsts.

I also met…

1.) … the people behind CoreEvents who would from then on enable me to stop by at their shows and talk to the respective bands during Get In or sound check.

2.) … Leif who, by now, runs Leif’s Band Shit and designs inlays, shirts, covers etc for local bands such as SOME KIND OF HOPE, DISPELLER, WORST CASE.

3.) … Jan-Eric, the CEO of Hangman Clothing which is a vegan, fair trade and handmade one man clothing supply and supports locals such as BORN AS LIONS. 

p.s.

Listen to and download "Deathwish".

FMA 032: Merle & Kurt (Femme Krawall)

Merle & Kurt (Femme Krawall)

As many of you might know FEMME KRAWALL have two singers. But for the other singer wanting to remain incognito Merle convinced Kurt to join the video.

It also was Kurt who agreed to even do the interview at all when I contacted them before the show. 

A “pay what you want”-vegan buffet made that matinee show pleasantly special. Merle even brought a cookie for me while picking up Kurt backstage.

Unfortunately, Merle has been one of only three women who joined FMA. I tried to shape FMA as diverse as possible. After all, the Alternative/Punk/Hardcore/Metalcore scene always brags about being tolerant, welcoming and open-minded. Still the question remains: Why do we then mostly just see white males performing on stage? That does not seem too diverse to me at all… Explanations, anyone?

p.s.
Watch "Verstand".

FMA 031: Rolo & David (No Altars)

A day before I attended NO ALTARS’ show a friend of mine - Bodo - went out to see them in Cottbus. That show was attended by 7 people. Yes, seven. On a Saturday night. 

NO ALTARS actually even considered not playing at all but Bodo convinced them to play at least a handful of songs. What NO ALTARS went on to do. Further, he informed them that I’d show up the following day to interview them.
Bodo left an striking impression as Rolo and David name him in the video when they talk about the Cancer Benefit "Mosh gegen Krebs" (@ about 03:50).

Rolo & David (No Altars)

When Rolo, who sings in NO ZODIAC, David and I walked back to the venue after recording the video David told me that he met Bodo again after curfew in a shady Rock-bar somewhere in Cottbus and he drank some shots with him till early morning and gave him their current CD “Chamber Ov Eternal Punishment”.

As if this would not be enough friendship entanglement of NO ALTARS in my life already:

Another friend of Bodo and me - Felix - once lived near Phoenix, NO ALTARS’ hometown, and that he still considers going back there at some point in his life. David immediately stated: “If he’s there tell him to hit us up. We’re gonna take care of him.”

Good guys. Doubtlessly.

Here you go, Felix. I just made some potential new friends for you.

You’re welcome!

Yours sincerely, Marcus.

p.s.

Watch "Devil In My Soul"

FMA 030: Andy (Human Touch)

3 up to 4 weeks after the MODERN LIFE IS WAR-show I waited at another show in Frankfurt to do some videos with a couple of bands when suddenly a familiar face popped out of a van. I didn’t recognize him immediately…
...and then it crossed my mind.

And his.

Simultaneously.

Andy (Human Touch)

I met Andy for the first time as the tour manager of GWLT. Funnily, I did not know that he sang in HUMAN TOUCH (or THE HAVERBROOK DISASTER before that).

HUMAN TOUCH opened the show that night. Beforehand they wanted to eat something and Andy needed to warm up his vocal chords. With all these must-dos we ran out of time to shoot the video. We exchanged phone numbers and Andy offered to do it by himself and then send me the result via email.

The following day I found out that HUMAN TOUCH would return to my area a month later to play in Friedberg. Via email we agreed to do it there.

On that Saturday though Andy forgot that I’d be there. Elsewise he would had put me on the guest list. Nonetheless we, of course, managed to shoot a video.

Afterwards he answered some of my questions towards what it takes to be a tour manager and introduced me to the rest of the band. What turned out to be another asset: Drummer Philipp drove me home that night.

As if that isn’t enough:
They’re a great live band, as well. They killed it that night in Friedberg and for the first time ever a band mentioned me and my project during their set.
15 seconds of spotlight, yeah!
Props!

*EDIT:

Unfortunately, HUMAN TOUCH have split up by now.
Once more we go with good old Sinatra:
“Getting high in April, shot down in May.”

Andy now plays guitar in SPRIT CRUSHER.

p.s.

Watch "Time To Pay".

FMA 029: Matt Fox (Shai Hulud)

Shortly after I had arrived at the venue I followed to find the not exactly outlined destination ‘merchandise’.

It was SHAI HULUD’s bassist’s shift – unfortunately I’ve forgotten his name. I directly introduced my intentions and asked him about

Matt Fox (Shai Hulud)

an interview. The tall man immediately referred to Matt for he is the only original member left in SHAI HULUD. Therefore he might be the best fit to talk to. We scheduled a retry after their set.

Well, their set… It was my first time seeing SHAI HULUD live. Afterwards I totally understood why SHAI HULUD enjoys such a high praise within the scene and is one of the most favorite bands of my friend Tritschi.

(One day before that show it was Tritschi’s birthday. Therefore I decided to buy him a little gift: a Misanthropy Pure-shirt.)

After my gift shopping I remained leaning up against the black colored walls to await Matt. But before I had the honor to shake Matt Fox’ hand another Matt stepped into my reality.
While waiting I congratulated the singer of SHAI HULUD which actually isn’t the singer: Matty Carlock who commonly is a country singer/songwriter replaced the actual vocalist only three weeks before the tour. Short time for prep but he definitely did a good job.

After Matty had wandered off to the backstage showers Matt delivered his rather unique FMA contribution.

“What makes Matt’s interview this special?” you may wonder. It was how he picked up and interpreted the question “How does creativity enrich your life?”. He really gave it an entirely different twist and approach than anybody before or after him.

*Fun fact for locals from Frankfurt/Wiesbaden:

After the interview Matt picked up a couple of CDs he had laid aside. One of them was “Empty Handed, Heavy Hearted” by SHATTERED LIONS.

FMA 028: Bryan Morris (Clouds & Oceans)

Bryan Morris (Clouds & Oceans)

First night out for FMA:

Bryan of CLOUDS & OCEANS was one of the first three persons I shot a video with as you will recognize by the inappropriate light situation.

No mistakes, no reflection, no progress.

Funny:

All three videos of that night are the shortest of the entire project.

Actually I can’t think back what I did differently that night. What questions did I not introduce? I guess I just hadn’t refined the core questions enough. Leaving my interview partners exposed to an open field of potential answers.

Concrete structures help everywhere.

Luckily, my questions got more precise every time I confronted another musician.

No mistakes, no reflection, no progress.

p.s.

Watch their video for "Our Voices, Our Dreams".