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"!

FMA 073: Rico Opitz & Nils Sackewitz (Storyteller)

Rico Opitz & Nils Sackewitz (Storyteller)

Before their set started I hang a bit at STORYTELLER’s merch desk. There Rico told me that he played drums for 13 years before he became a singer. He even once filled in for ANNISOKAY on drums when supported PARKWAY DRIVE in Russia. (Where else, right?)

While hanging I also saw a bunch of tickets for Destruction Derby, a music festival. I remembered that it is held in Dessau. After I probed a bit it came to daylight that Nils is the promoter and organizer of that festival. So I, naively and confidently, took my chances and asked Nils if I could show up there and shoot some videos for FMA. “I can hand you an AAA-pass but I can’t promise you that bands will have time. You would need to organize that by yourself” – invitation and possibility is more than enough since I had an average success rate of 95% when I asked bands if they wanted to do an interview with me.

Four, five weeks later I ran into STORYTELLER again when they played at a festival in Dresden. Rico actually remembered who I was. Recognition always feels good. 

FMA 072: Vincent Gross (Deep In Hate)

Vincent Gross (Deep In Hate)

When I arrived at Club Puschkin in Dresden, Germany DEEP IN HATE was already on stage preparing everything for their set. Unfortunately, they had some technical issues with the drum set which delayed the entire timetable by almost one hour.

I approached them right afterwards.

“Okay, we can do it in 10-15 minutes”, they replied.

After 20 minutes no one had shown up, so I asked again if they are still interested.

“Yes, in 10-15 minutes.”

Well, after waiting more than half an hour I was about to not take this serious anymore and just renounce DIH instead.

And in that very moment Vinc showed up, who, of course, turned out to be just as kind as it gets.

After the video he told me that he is half-German. I replied with a couple of German sentences which he indeed understood. Nevertheless, he fully unlearned German while growing up. We exchanged Facebook contacts and he offered me to contact him whenever I’m in Paris.

Sometimes patience pays off.

FMA 071: Björn Hechler & Simon Friedl (Nothing's Left)

On the day of the show a friend of mine – Yasemin – borrowed me her digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera to improve the picture quality of my videos and photos. I tried but then decided to stick with my phone since her camera hadn’t had enough storage left.

Luckily though, Björn and Simon of NOTHING’S LEFT had enough energy left in their energy storages.

Björn Hechler & Simon Friedl (Nothing's Left)

Although, I haven’t met any of these two before I was in contact with Simon a couple of weeks before the interview because I searched for a camera man and editor (check his showreel) with whom I could shoot one of my intended vocals covers back then (which, in the end, never happened).

Again: the world is a tiny piece of earth.

p.s.

NOTHING’S LEFT drummer Timo also is a DJ.

FMA 070: Scott Carstairs & Brian James (Fallujah)

Brian James & Scott Carstairs (Fallujah)

Before the show I had some to chat with FALLUJAH’s vocalist Alex who told me that he once worked in a Bavarian restaurant, where the personnel was German and the kitchen run by El Salvadorians. This job matched his language aspirations: Alex always wanted to learn German on his own and he had Spanish in school (what doesn’t come as a surprise since he lives in California).

Scott informed me that earlier that day there was a shooting in Viernheim (Hessia) which led us to a discussion about guns. Scott, as US-citizen, stated that “they NEVER EVER WILL BAN IT in the US.” He didn’t choose sides with that statement whether they should or shouldn’t be. He just represented the predominant state of mind in the United States.

In Germany, as well as Europe in general, guns are not part of daily routines. I, for instance, have never laid hands on a gun in my entire life.

After the actual interview Scoot and Brian explained a couple of other aspects of FALLUJAH’s band internals:

- Touring to them is a strategy to spread their name.

- By now they were lucky enough to do better than break even after a tour.

- Both give guitar lessons through Skype

- We agreed that Instagram is awfully shallow. Nonetheless it's good for bands or other PR-reasons.

- They once rehearsed in the same building with LIONHEART somewhere in Oakland.

FMA 069: Walle & AK (Fallbrawl)

It didn’t take FALLBRAWL long to answer my interview request.

I met Walle, who was more or less the tour manager of during that run, before their set and we agreed to do it afterwards, with AK, as well.

Walle & AK (Fallbrawl)

After their final remarks I explained how grateful I am that they extra took some time for me, to answer my questions. I consider myself just a guy from a tiny East German village. Luckily, I wasn’t the only feeling surprised as Walle replied towards my gratitude: “I, myself, cannot believe that someone wants to interview me… I am just a regular guy, too.”

After Walle and I exchanged our down-to-earthness I met Moritz of MoLuxImago, a photographer living in Frankfurt, who also takes pictures at e.g. Impericon Fest or for LIONHEART. Despite mutual interest, we have never gotten an appointment to include him in this series, too.

FMA 068: Stijn Deweerdt & Bert de Ridder (Ashes)

While I waited for Bert & Stijn to show up I chatted a bit with their bassist Olivier who turned out to be just as an excited NHL-fan as me. Frankly, I was not prepared as well as pretty surprised to run into a hockey fan from Belgium on that afternoon.

We talked about why the New York Rangers lacked some offense that season. We rapidly came to terms that one big reason definitely was Rick Nash’s scoring drought. He simply did not live up to the overall expectations. On the other hand Mats Zuccarello carried the team offensively and did it all for them that year. Arguably he even was their best player in the entire season.

In our conversation we even drifted off to talk about my favorite team, the San Jose Sharks, who remarkably improved compared to the season before and went on to the Stanly Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. A run that made me spend too many nights in front of my laptop. Trust me, time zones can be a real sleep killer.

When Bert & Stijn showed up I ended my NHL-talk and we sat down on the yet not fully prepared stage to do the interview.

Stijn Deweerdt & Bert de Ridder (Ashes)

FMA 067: Tobias Schütt & Felix Könnecke (Once We Killed)

The first time I came across ONCE WE KILLED was almost 7 years ago when a school mate copied their Demo onto my laptop. Although, they are – more or less – from my hometown area I have never seen them play live until last spring. I caught them at Mosh gegen Krebs 4 – a cancer benefit organized by one of my best friends, Bodo.

I approached them right away after their set. Fortunately, Bodo had already informed them before. Firstly I asked vocalist Patrick but he recommended doing the video with bass player Felix since he writes most of their songs. I explained FMA to Tobias and Felix under a street light and they got hooked on it as fast as it gets.

After we shot the video we kept chatting for some time, exchanged our admiration for BEARTOOTH and Felix gave me one of his OWK-eating vouchers which I later on exchanged for a solid strawberry-jam-crêpe. Furthermore, they offered to drive me home that night. Great guys!

p.s.

Check out their video for “Reality or fiction”.

Tobias Schütt & Felix Könnecke (Once We Killed)

p.p.s.

Tobias plays in another band: ÄRA KRÂ.

FMA 066: Will Gould & Ian Miles (Creeper)

Neither had I entered, nor shot an interview in a nightliner before I entered CREEPER’s.

After the interview Will and Ian admitted that my questions were a nice relief from the shallow ones they are regularly facing, e.g. “What is the creepiest place you have ever been to?” – I mean… come on... who asks a band called CREEPER a question about creepiness? Seriously?! Will shared and underpinned my opinion: “This is not what CREEPER is about. Except for the visuals.”

Will Gould & Ian Miles (Creeper)

I guess as long as there are people who ask bands called SKYWALKER about Star Wars everything superficial seems legit in today’s journalism.

Afterwards I wanted to record a video with another British band. As Ian saw me waiting he asked if I wanted something to drink. I agreed and off he went, downstairs to the backstage area, grabbed me an apple juice and refreshed I enjoyed the last minutes of waiting.

I also tried to get NECK DEEP to join my project but their tour manager denied my request because it would firstly have to go through their management. I emphasized that CREEPER had already agreed to join me. He, in advice, retorted that CREEPER should better not do it since they are signed to a major label (Warner Music) which could sue me or at least force me to delete the video since the label has never approved the interview.

I have to admit that the thought of being sued by a million dollar company scared me. Still, on my way home I quickly came up with my safety net. Officially I did a video with a private person who happened to play in a band. It’s a grey area, doubtlessly.

Fortunately, I’m still waiting for the first mail by any label whatsoever.

FMA 065: Sebastian K. & Mark C. (Shattered Lions)

The first time I met Mark was almost 5 years ago when my old band and Mark’s other band WITH EVERY STEP played at the same show.

SHATTERED LIONS "Empty Handed / Heavy Hearted"

When SHAI HULUD played in our area Sebastian and Mark attended that show and handed out some left-overs of their latest EP “Empty Handed / Heavy Hearted”. Lucky me the SHAI HULUD-interview had kept me in the venue long enough to get a hold on one copy.

Mark C. & Sebastian K.(Shattered Lions)

I recognized his face at a local show last year, introduced my project to him and asked if he might want to provide his thoughts. But fair enough Mark didn’t want to the interview alone. We came to terms to schedule a sit down at one of their following shows.

I met Mark again at a NAPOLEON show. At that point we still hadn’t made an appointment. But we did that day: We scheduled our interview for SHATTERD LIONS’ support show for BEARTOOTH a couple of weeks later. But unfortunately, we needed to postpone it again then since Mark had to leave early after that show.

We FINALLY shot it when SH supported LIONHEART, DEEZ NUTS and H2O.

(Still nobody knows how they ended up on that line up since they musically simply don’t fit the other bands. But well… who of you would let that supporting slot slip through one’s hands…?)

FMA 064: João Cruz (Hills Have Eyes)

Before their set began singer Eddie confirmed HILLS HAVE EYES’ interview interest. But after their set a lot (A LOT!) of people wanted to take a picture with him, which did not come as a surprise for HHE delivered a powerful set. A set, that made me buy their latest record “Antebellum” (produced by Vasco Ramos of MORE THAN A THOUSAND).

João Cruz (Hills Have Eyes)

During this fan photo shoot I repeatedly asked Eddie if he still was down for a video. He constantly replied: “Yeah, yeah, we still wanna do it”. But time went by and none approached me.

The clock kept running and everyone got closer and closer to curfew - still nothing had happened. As all bands and musicians packed their gear into the bus I asked Eddie once more. Suddenly, he felt too exhausted to do an interview. Eddie then sent me to João who was happy enough to help me out. Still Eddie’s unclear actions made me leave the venue with some bittersweet feelings…

FMA 063: Nils & Damon (Derbe Lebowski)

Nils & Damon (Derbe Lebowski)

A “pay what you want”-vegan buffet with cakes and cookies made that matinee show pleasantly special and provided a sweet, café-like atmosphere. But that sure was the only cute thing on that Sunday afternoon. DERBE LEBOWSKI smashed the cellar venue with a tight-ass killer set in only 17 minutes, which motivated me enough to buy one of their Fair-Trade-“Rotting remains”-shirts.

FMA 062: TJ Seely, Noah Friend & Paul Dove (World Of Pain)

TJ Seely, Noah Friend & Paul Dove (World Of Pain)

As some of you may know WORLD OF PAIN are from San Diego, California.

As some of you may noticed the San Jose Sharks, my favorite hockey team,  went to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. So I took my chance and asked TJ about their chances and if they could win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although TJ considered their offense more physical than the Penguins’ the team from Steel City were able to lift the Cup.

All in all it was an entire day of wrongs:

Firstly, WORLD OF PAIN got stuck at the airport what caused a delayed arrival at the venue.

Secondly, the actual planned sleeping place was cancelled, which led to a spontaneous sleepover at the promoter’s.

Luckily that day had some leftovers of rights, as well:

As Noah rushed to unpack their merchandise I asked him if they, after their stress, would still be up for an interview. He replied that everybody wanted to be in the video, what, to me, wasn’t a problem at all. As I later on introduced topic (Why are you creative, what is creativity to you?) Paul just started to laugh and said that he talks about that every day at work.

This interview marked first one with three people talking. And it didn’t get out of hand.

FMA 061: Sören Frechen (I AM NOAH)

I AM NOAH expressed their will to supply an interview for my project a couple of weeks before the actual show. Luckily, that still stood tall as I showed up at their merch desk.

A couple of weeks before I had the chance to interview Sören, he had just opened his own pizza bakery. He even invited me to stop by whenever I’d be in Trier. Which I actually was last summer. But due to a busy time schedule I couldn’t try a Metalcore-made pizza.

Sören Frechen (I AM NOAH)

Fun fact:

In the room where I caught Sören on video I shot another three videos for FMA that night.

Any guesses which?

p.s.

I AM NOAH released their debut “The Verdict” via Bastardized Recordings.

Check out their quiet arty video for “Drowned”.

FMA 060: Nick Horsnell (Miles Away)

I firstly approached MILES AWAY at the merch. Their merch guy turned out to be their old guitarist who now lives in France. He kindly informed they current guitarist about the interview. We agreed to do the interview after their set.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find him. Instead I convinced vocalist Nick to be my partner.

Nick Horsnell (Miles Away)

He took me backstage and to their 8 meter² room that had a couch, a table, a chair and a little refrigerator. We closed, rather barricaded,  the door and began to shoot.

As Nick took me downstairs we ran into Jeremy Bolm, singer of TOUCHÉ AMORÉ. Of course, I immediately asked him if he would be up for an interview, as well. At first he agreed but 15 minutes later I saw him coming down the stairs with his backpack on. He apologized to me. He felt pretty lousy that day. But he put me off by saying that his band was about to release a new record (“Stage Four”) and would be back here in a year. 

FMA 059: Janis Langer (Dreimillionen)

DREIMILLIONEN is the only band I shot two interviews with:  I had to redo the first one, which  I did with bass player Chrissi, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Janis Langer (Dreimillionen)

We came to terms do re-try a couple of months later. They simply put me on the guest list to keep my expenses as low as possible. Fair deal.

2^nd night, 2^nd try, 2^nd failure for Chrissi. This time his bass amp brake down during their set. So he was too frustrated and not available. Therefore leaving Janis and me in an 1-on-1-interview.

Janis was the first one in FMA that started his creativity in theatre/opera. Or at least the first one who mentioned it.

p.s.

Check out their cover of Casper’s “20m²”.

FMA 058: Mathieu Tappolet & Joshua Orsi (Promethee)

Before I sat down with PROMOTHEE backstage I emptied my heavily loaded pockets. That day I carried a book with me because the train ride to Wiesbaden takes more than an hour from my place. Since Reading = education it seems like a proper move to me.

This emptying though may just be the reason why I forgot to close the curtain behind Mathieu & Josh. Therefore in the video you can see me being reflected in the window pane. Ain’t I a beauty with that Smartphone mono-eye?

Mathieu Tappolet & Joshua Orsi (Promethee)

Yes, this anecdote is as neutral as Switzerland itself.