FMA 046: Seán Mahon (We Never Learned To Live)

Seán Mahon (We Never Learned To Live)

WE NEVER LEARNED TO LIVE?
Well, I never did.

And never had I heard of them.

Neither musically, nor journalistically.

Nonetheless one thing immediately seemed undeniable:

WE NEVER LEARNED TO LIVE is probably the best name for a band (of this genre) ever. Because this is exactly what reality is: Nobody has ever taught us how to live, how to deal with struggles, thoughts, joy, love or mischief.

I approached Seán during Load-In. Before we could record the video, though, we had to rearrange their van to create some sitting space for us. So I borrowed Seán a hand to clear their van.

Seán was the first of all the Brits I have interviewed who told me that Brighton is the LGBT-capitol of the UK.

p.s.

Check out their video for “Shadows in hibernation”.

FMA 045: Tom Weaver (Casey)

The day I interviewed Tom of CASEY was the first day of their European tour. To avoid havoc they began their trip a day earlier and stayed in France/Belgium. Despite that foresight CASEY barely made it to Frankfurt since their van broke down and totally flipped their schedule. This malfunction left them wondering how to carry their gear to and back from the venue. Luckily, after the show another band who played that night offered to carry CASEY’s gear from the venue to their broken bus. 

Tom Weaver (Casey)

But unfortunately, gear transportation wasn't the only problem. Tom and his mates intended to sleep in the van too because they hadn’t had any other option. 

So I stood amidst a lot of trouble looking for a little interview.

All that though, did not seem to affect Tom who crushed the old FMA-record for the longest video by a landslide of 10 minutes.

Tom told me about their troubles after our shooting.

I couldn’t bear the thought of CASEY having no sleeping place and offered to stay at my place. Tom and I exchanged phone numbers.

(I did this once before: MAKE DO AND MEND crushed my living room a couple of years ago.)

I had scheduled another interview that night. While I was on my way to the next show Tom texted me that they solved the problem and wouldn’t need to strain my kindness.

Great for them.

Kinda not so great for my anecdote which now lacks a 'The morning after'-segment. But that's okay.

FMA 044: Daniel Müller & Daniel Prieß (Light Your Anchor)

Daniel Müller & Daniel Prieß (Light Your Anchor)

Within two weeks LIGHT YOUR ANCHOR played twice near where I live.

On the first occasion they arrived pretty late at the venue and were already scheduled for antoher interview. So I had no chance. We simply set an appointment for their next show in Wiesbaden two weeks later.

On this night I also met Laura who sings in TEX AVERY SYNDROME and is the protagonist in LIGHT YOUR ANCHOR’s video for “Generation Y”.

The following day LIGHT YOUR ANCHOR played a couple of their songs acoustically at EdelKiosk, a vegan café. They allowed me to record and exclusively release two of those songs (“Homefires” and “Going Nowhere Fast”).

Furthermore, vocalist Daniel recommended to me the records of PRINZ PI, a German rapper writing – apparently – thoughtful and deep lyrics. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to check his works out yet.

Those above mentioned two weeks passed by.

We did the interview after their set.

Laura drove me home and introduced me to a band called ATHLETICS which I can only highly recommend, as well!

p.s.

Both LIGHT YOUR ANCHOR and EdelKiosk went out of business by now.

FMA 043: Marcus Perks & Kaila Whyte (Youth Man)

This is the only interview I shot in Cologne.

This is the only video with two parts.

Marcus Perks & Kaila Whyte (Youth Man)

YOUTH MAN supported almighty LETLIVE on their European mainland run.

After the show I waited for any member of YOUTH MAN at their merch. But before Marcus or Kaila showed up I first ran into Chris, singer of FJØRT which I also had inquired for an interview. He felt flattered and had no words for being recognized as the singer of his band. Unbelievingly, Chris actually remembered who I was, what my project was about and ensured that he was working on FJØRT’s FMA segment. But touring, rehearsing and university kept him from completing his thoughts on the topic.

While we shook hands I asked him to keep on writing amazing lyrics YOUTH MAN sat down beside the merch. They were immediately down for an interview. Marcus and Kaila took me downstairs to some kind of cellar and set a new record for “Longest Video”.

I was pretty close to interview LETLIVE, as well. But due to various reasons they had not enough time Jason admitted. They had an early curfew, needed to answer mails for their upcoming European tour six months later (with PIERCE THE VEIL and CREEPER) and their friends in BLESSTHEFALL played in Cologne on that day, too which made a visit mandatory.

Unfortunately, Kaila has been one of only three women who joined FMA so far. 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 doesn’t seem too diverse at all…

FMA 042: Sören Kutsch & Jasper Older (A Traitor Like Judas)

A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS answered me immediately after I had sent them an interview request. 

I had never seen A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS live before the day I interviewed them. I have to admit that I was quiet surprised how big of a guy Jasper actually is. He definitely has some grit to his stage presence.  He was in a good mood all night long and frolicked around whenever he had the chance to.

After their set Jasper, Sören and I went backstage. Before we started Jasper felt the urge to shut the door of a refrigerator: “I’m an environment-activist and I simply have to shut that door before we start.”

As if that wasn’t role model-ish enough:

I always invite the bands to do whatever they want to feel as comfortable as possible – be it drinking, smoking, rolling blunts. Just as I finished that offer Jasper grabbed a bowl of fruits and put it in from them: “After all, we have an educational mandate.”

Integrity, you have found your master.

Sören Kutsch & Jasper Older (A Traitor Like Judas)

FMA 041: Theo Sandberg & Alex Freeman (Acres)

As one of only two videos I actually shot this interview with a professional lighting system.  For the ACRES-interview I could borrow the equipment of Black Moments Video.

Theo Sandberg & Alex Freeman (Acres)

I cannot remember if it was during our pre- or post-interview-talk when Alex and Theo told me that the British scene largely blossoms in the east southern regions. Apparently almost all British bands I know stem from that area: ACRES, DESOLATED, HEART OF A COWARD, BURY TOMORROW, ARCHITECTS, FATHOMS, CREATE TO INSPIRE, CREEPER, WE NEVER LEARNED TO LIVE.

Within a 20 minute-span by car around e.g. Essex and Brighton you can find a lot of hometowns of the above mentioned bands. Seems as if Great Britain has its very own California.

That Brighton is a magnet for the creative does not surprise. Brighton is the British LGBT-epi-centre. If you, as a person with an alternative lifestyle or approach towards life, have ever considered moving to Great Britain then Brighton just seems your place to be. (And it’s close to English Channel a.k.a. the sea.)

FMA 040: Andreas Spurk & Maik Mußler (World Negation)

Where would you shoot a video interview with a band called WORLD NEGATION?

 Andreas Spurk & Maik Mußler (World Negation)

I decided to do that in front of “Little Hell” which is a bar, nothing brutally apocalyptic, with a nice ambient and definitely worth a stop for a night without plans while in Frankfurt/Main.

When I arrived at the venue I was stunned to see more than 30 people hanging out in front of it. I assume it would not be that surprising to see that many people if it had been in the mids of the entire show. But it was 5 hours before the doors would even open. So I worked my way through that human pile and ended up having Andreas and Maik on my hook.

After the interview they revealed to me that WORLD NEGATION would release their debut full length via Demons Run Amok Entertainment just one week later. Well, listen to the title track “Imbalance” here.

FMA 039: Samuel El Action (Scheisse Minnelli)

Samuel El Action (Scheisse Minnelli)

My friend Tritschi organized a solidarity show at Kommune2010 in Offenbach for the self-administered youth culture centre Conne Island in Leipzig-Connewitz which was attacked by right-wingfascist scum.

After SCHEISSE MINNELLI had finished their headline set I asked Sam if he might wanted to join my project.

Since Samual El Jackson has lived in Germany for more than 13 years he could have done it in German but I asked him to do it in English simply because that way I could avoid doing a transcription of his words.

PHANTOM DER OPFER that played earlier that night invited me to their rehearsal room to do an interview with them as well. (Unfortunately, that never happened.)

The same goes for SELFISH HATE from Freiburg. We actually agreed before the show but afterwards they were just too tired.

Tiredness definitely was the word of that night: I barely made it home and into my bed after shooting 6 videos on that day in 3 different venues all over Frankfurt.

p.s.

SCHEISSE MINNELLI just released their new EP "A Fifth Of Skatehoven". Let's shred!

Graffiti @ Kommune2010 (Offenbach)

FMA 038: Jonas Rey & Okan Deniz (I Am Revenge)

I grabbed Jonas and Okan at Smash It Festival 2016 in Dresden. After I watched the headlining NOVELISTS I headed back to the outside area to catch I AM REVENGE at their merchandise.

 Jonas Rey & Okan Deniz  (I Am Revenge)

All bands had already packed their stuff up. I AM REVENGE were the one and only band that still wanted to leave their merch laid out. No surprise since they had just released their new record “RVNG” the day before on BDHW Rec.
(For which I later had to review for FUZE Magazine.)

After fixing and re-installing some lights we started. Right after the start one of the funniest moments in FMA history happened and of course I kept filming and Okan’s  Black Metal-ish impression stayed in the video.

Afterwards I talked to Jonas who really expressed his appreciation of this project and ensured me a further interview with his other band LAX DIAMOND.

Since three’s a charm I also talked to drummer Bertrand. He’s from South Africa, a country I visited in December of 2015. So we talked about nepotism, crime, bribes and how he used to travel there twice a year when he was younger. We agreed that everybody who is complaining about the life in Germany should witness the living standards and conditions down there to re-evaluate how blessed we all are to grow up as well as live in such a developed region that Central Europe is.

p.s.

A couple of weeks later I booked I AM REVENGE for Mosh gegen Krebs 5. On the day they confirmed to play I received, as mentioned above, their record “RVNG” to review it for FUZE Magazine. A lifeline bond?

FMA 037: Rémi Gallego (The Algorithm)

THE ALGORITHM – Once again I have to admit that I haven’t listened to this band/project before the interview to at least prepare myself the tiniest bit. So I had no idea what sound or genre I was getting into. I expected a ‘normal’ band. But as I asked the guy at the merch desk I found out that THE ALGORITHM is ‘just’ a one-man-project.

The guy I asked about the interview turned out to be John, who manages Rémi and also promotes Euroblast Festival which is one of Europe’s main Djent-/Progressive Metal-Festivals.

John recommended checking out the Danes from VOLA.

Before the video interview:

I had to kick out the drummer who warmed up the show.

After the video interview:

John and Su, another Euroblast Promoter, invited me to continue my series at their festival in Cologne.

FMA 036: Nils Hofmann & Eddie Nuhl (Trust No Face)

Rainy afternoon.

Arrival.

Empty venue.

The promoter told me that the two Belgian headliners simply hadn’t arrived.

So I approached the local band around: TRUST NO FACE. They were really surprised that somebody would be interested in doing an interview with them.

Nils Hofmann & Eddie Nuhl (Trust No Face)

Again one of the so-called smaller bands – just as DEAD KINGDOM or TUNA - delivered a unique FMA-moment in the middle of the video.

After the video shoot Eddie offered to repeat his skills and on the spot I decided to use it as an rather unorthodox teaser. It is the only teaser that I shot on purpose.

During post-interview-talk it turned out that Eddie and Nils are involved with music beyond TRUST NO FACE.
Eddie studies music management and sings in SOME KIND OF HOPE.

Nils on the other hand is a sound engineer who sound mixes shows in the local scene here and there.

A couple of months later I ran into both at another local show and THEY asked ME if I’d recall them.

Oh boy... what a strange moment for me.

I was really surprised that someone may think that I would forget my interview partners... #KeepTheFameAway

p.s.

Check their demo at SoundCloud.

FMA 035: John Bowes (CDC)

Arguably, CDC do not play music that is not suitable for the mass.

Arguably, they music never would take them around the world.

Arguably, everybody’s wrong.

John has done nothing but an incredible job as he is responsible for CDC’s booking.

John Bowes (CDC)

Here are some CDC travel trivia:

-  At Pressure Festival in Essen, Germany in 2006 or ’07 or ’08 CDC met fans from South Africa, exchanged contacts and promised “WE WILL PLAY THERE!” They indeed went on to play a handful of shows across South Africa.

- Once CDC had the chance to play in Antsirabe, Madagascar. Their travel route took them e.g. to Morocco, as well. In total they paid 13.000$ per person for that Madagascar trip.

- One of CDC’s must-do places to play in are the Galápagos Islands. Maybe they will in end playing in a bar. At least that’s what John claims to be enough for them.

p.s.

Listen to "Temple".

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".