FMA 080: Malte Gerhardt & Benny Lampret (Canine)

Malte Gerhardt & Benny Lampret (Canine)

Benny was the first person in FMA to ask if I still would show up after we had scheduled the interview.

Although I had never heard of them, CANINE blew me away with their performance and kick ass drumming, all heavily REFUSED-influenced.

I found out that a part of CANINE’s current line-up had already played in AT THE FAREWELL PARTY and that they just had finished recording their debut LP which they recorded with Patrick, who just graduated from SAE and was about, with a partner, to start working in his own studio called B9. A couple of weeks later I had the chance to catch a sneak peak of their upcoming record which should be well recognized by fans, fanzines, bookers and receive overall positive reviews.

A couple of weeks after that interview their drummer left the band to join ANNISOKAY.

The most amazing fact about this interview is non-journalistic:

CANINE and I turned this entire thing into a friendship. Firstly, Benny asked me if I wanted o join him and Patrick on their trip to a LETLIVE-show in Cologne. Subsequently, I helped them out as a merch guy when they opened a show for SILVERSTEIN and BEING AS AN OCECAN at Club Vaudevile in Lindau. By now I’m also CANINE’s (part time) live show photographer. Benny and I even tried to book shows once a month together.

All that happening from a simple interview in an unimportant German suburb for a project that actually no one cares or cared too much about. Well, “my favorite things in life aren’t even things at all” (THE GHOST INSIDE).

FMA 079: David Mayonga & Fabian Füss (GWLT)

I wasn’t very sure if the guy who I saw at the merchandise actually played in GWLT. So I asked him. He denied and said that his name was Andy. He was the tour manager. I explained to him that I scheduled an interview with GWLT: “Yes, later, after their set. They’re preparing. They are the opening act tonight.” I understood and anticipated their set’s end.

Fabian Füss & David Mayonga (GWLT)

After their set Andy took me backstage where GWLT did a couple of other interviews before it was my turn.

They totally dug into the topic and I received one of my favorite videos of this entire project.

Right after the interview David rushed to get a taxi which should bring him to a gym. After all, tour life is all about staying healthy, sharp and in shape.

Their debut "Stein & Eisen" was one of my Top 10 records in 2016. Crossover at its best!

FMA 078: Sam Osborn & Wes Thompson (Napoleon)

Special notes regarding the NAPOLEON-interview:

Sam Osborn & Wes Thompson (Napoleon)

- After I had explained the way to the nearest ATM Sam said: "You got a pretty American accent."

- We sat down in front of Bonkers (Skate Shop).

- With 15 Wes fell in love with Japan after a family vacation. He once considered moving, living and maybe teaching English there. 

- Their stop in Frankfurt was the 18^th of 20^th.

- The day before they played in Paris where Wes went to see the Louvre and Notre-Dame. Normally, they do not have any time for sightseeing in any way.

- I bought the last ever "Keepers Of The Melodi Posi Passion Groove"-shirt.

- NAPOLEON considered releasing some acoustic material. Simi with whom I attended this show offered to help them out if they would need a violin player. She and Wes exchanged contacts. That marked the first time my project may enable a huge opportunity for one of my friends. (Yes, all that had been before they released “Stargazer (Acoustic)”.)

FMA 077: Chris Hell (FJØRT)

FJØRT responded pretty rapid to my interview request. We instantly scheduled it for their stop in Frankfurt during their “Kontakt”-Tour. But unfortunately they had a lot of interviews that day. Arriving late at the venue aggravated the situation. We agreed to delay it.

Then, a couple of weeks later, I accidently run into Chris at a LETLIVE show in Cologne’s MTC. I was stunned when he told me that he remembered the project and was still working on his contribution. As a gentleman, I charmed him as well pleading him to keep on writing such fantastic lyrics.

Chris Hell (FJØRT)

I had offered various artists to do the video on their own and hand it in later. FJØRT was the only band to do so, e.g. Daniel Gun or ZOAX didn’t. I still feel overwhelmingly grateful and flattered that Chris never forgot about this project despite his university, band and general life duties.

FMA 076: Matteo Gelsomino & Nicolas Delestrade (Novelists)

Matteo Gelsomino & Nicolas Delestrade (Novelists)

Actually I visited Dresden to watch “Captain America3: Civil War” with a friend. Surprisingly, I found out that the SMASH IT-Fest premiered on that weekend – offering no one else as headliner than French groove phenomenon NOVELISTS. So after we watched one of the best fighting scenes in Marvel history (yes, the airport face off with all characters) I made my way to Club Puschkin.

I quickly ran into Matteo, the singer, and asked him, deal done. So we sat down in the open air area which was Nicolas’ idea. “To have some background action wouldn’t be too bad.” I agreed and witnessed one of the funniest interviews I had recorded. The 14 minutes passed by incredibly quickly.

Still I don’t know how Nicolas played (and survived) NOVELISTS set flawlessly at 11:30 p.m. although he was already pretty drunk during the video (at 6 p.m.). Well, he made it! (Maybe he got used to German beer since he has been living in Berlin for quite some time now.)

I also met Matthias who was the stage tech for NOVELISTS that day. He is part of the PITCAM-team based in Berlin that produced music videos for DEFEATER, PLACENTA or A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS.

Matteo Gelsomino & Nicolas Delestrade (Novelists)

FMA 075: Tobias Rische & Julian Englisch (ALAZKA) [ex-Burning Down Alaska]

Once again the incredible Nana allowed me to annoy bands during Get-In.

ALAZKA (formerly known as "Burning Down Alaska") organized their shirts, bags and CDs when I showed up. Subsequently I had introduced the topic of FMA the first thing they asked me was how my online presence is structured. That confused me bit. “Do they solemnly focus on marketing strategies?” I wondered. They told me that they firstly wanted to talk about it within the band to come to terms who wants to do it.

While they discussed I checked out the backstage area where I met Flo of Black Moments Video who interviews bands, as well. Kindness struck when he offered me to borrow and set up his lighting equipment.

Tobias Rische & Julian Englisch (ALAZKA)

Tobias and Julian contributed sincerely and warm-hearted while the audience started to fill up the venue.  I’m still impressed that a band this young can draw such huge crowds and already sell out venues as well as tour all over Europe. I guess their age also explains their focus on online presence. Digital Natives just handle things differently than a 90’s kid.

FMA 074: Patrick Sheridan & Joseph Badolato (Fit For An Autopsy)

During this project I increasingly gained more and more self-confidence walking around backstage areas. I entered FIT FOR ANAUTOPSY’s asking “Does anyone in here play in FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY?”

“Yes, we all do!” was the prompt response.

Patrick was checking his phone as I entered but he immediately dropped it after I asked for an interview. That quickly I ended up having a chat with a father and a barber.

Patrick Sheridan & Joseph Badolato (Fit For An Autopsy)

After the interview Jo disclosed how he became the new FFAA-singer:
The band discovered him through a YouTube-video. One week before recording. They mailed him 11 songs letting him know that they would hit the studio in roughly 10 days. Luckily, he knew guitarist Tom through shows in New York.

It was his first time in Europe and he liked my MUDVAYNE-shirt.

p.s.

Check their new record "The Great Collapse"!