Give a brief history of how the band got started?
I started the band as a solo-four-track-project in 1998 after my first band called l.B.Page, dissolved. The other members joined shortly after.
How is the music scene in Germany?
There are different "scenes" if you want to call it like that. like Berlin with Peaches, Gonzales, Tarwater, Kreidler etc, Hamburg with bands that have mostly German lyrics like Die Goldenen Zitronen and Tocotronic. The more electronic Cologne with Mouse on Mars / Sonig and then Munich / Weilheim with bands like Notwist, Console etc.
On the new single "Left Handed" what inspired the heavy use of guitars?
Sonic Youth.
When do you think the new album will be out? Is there a working title?
There is no working title yet. We start recording in June. The album will probably be released in early 2004.
I heard Florian Zimmer has left the band to work on his own project ISO 68. How do you think the new album will sound with his absence compared to "Scary World Theory"?
The album won't sound that different, because the songs are written by Markus and myself. Florian had an important influence on the live-situation.We are now rehearsing with a new keyboardist.
Will there be a US tour in support of the new album?
I still don't know. We certainly like to come to the us again, but it's always very expensive to tour there... I guess we think about it when it's getting more concrete with the album.
What tends to be a source of inspiration for your lyrics?
Valerie: Personal experiences, that includes the look in the newspaper, in that way also: politics, because they influence the personal experiences.
Is there any recent music by other artists that has excited you?
All the Anticon-stuff! Themselves, Alias, Odd Nosdam, Jel, Boom Bip. The most recent song that's gone to my heart was "Feather by Feather" by Smog.
What is your response to Colin Greenwood of Radiohead comment “Every time I play the record to someone, they fall in love with the music and I simply have to let them have it. Coward that I am, I'm on my fourth copy now." ~ Colin Greenwood, Radiohead on "Tridecoder"?
I answered that question quite often and I still say: It's a great honour!! |