Q: HASS was founded in 1978 and still exists. How does that feel?
A: How does it feel? Like a well-oiled engine racing through the republic!
Rust?
Not a chance.
We still have enough power to keep everything moving –
and to keep punk alive.
Q: Many of your old songs are still relevant or more relevant than ever. Is that frustrating for you?
A: Unfortunately, yes. Songs like "Ihr Helden," "Mama, was macht der Panzer vor der
Tür?" or "Menschenhasser" are unfortunately as relevant as ever.
The world is a powder keg, and the old power games are back in full swing. It’s almost as if nothing has changed since the Cold War and its proxy conflicts – only the faces have changed.
The sad thing is: Our songs have always been current and will likely remain so.
Q: Marv, as the new singer of HASS, has a great legacy to carry on in presenting the songs vocally. How do you handle that?
A: HASS remains HASS, and that’s the point. I see it as a huge responsibility – but also as an opportunity to set my own accents. At the end of the day, the typical HASS sound has to blast out of the speakers hard and unmistakably. Our message is clear, and it remains so.
Q: Regarding current world events: HASS alone is no longer enough. What else is needed?
A: A little more brain, a little more self-reflection, and above all: empathy.
The world seems to be sinking back into chaos – war, fear, despots, the same old shit everywhere.
Once it was the Cuban Missile Crisis, today it’s the war in Ukraine.
The problems remain the same; only the madness carries new names.
Q: Most European nations are drifting to the right. What do you think is causing this? And how can the trend be reversed?
A: It’s the selfishness that rules. Fear – of strangers, of change, of a few cents more on the electricity bill – overshadows everything.
The collective no longer interests anyone, only one’s own comfort zone. Meanwhile, people are dying at borders while others complain about speed limits. The rightward shift is a consequence of this narrow-mindedness – it can only be reversed with solidarity and reason.
Q: Noticeable climate change, noticeable political change – what is the situation in the Ruhr area?
A: In the Ruhr area, both are felt extremely. The region could drown if the pumps fail, and the political upheavals are reflected in the neighborhoods. Trendy hotspots stand opposite decaying corners that have been dismantled by structural change.
The cities that have nothing are left behind – while those with money secure everything. This is also reflected in the election results: frustration and a rightward shift in weak regions, bike paths in the strong ones.
Q: Nature conservation is often neglected in the left scene, even though it is vital. What do you think about that?
A: Nature is currently showing us with all its might what happens:
Floods, tornadoes, temperature records.
This is no coincidence, but man-made. Most people know this, but it seems that many have given up the fight. Meanwhile, the new Nazis – this time in suits – are once again pushing their old slogans, just packaged more nicely.
It’s the same brown crap, just with ribbons.
Q: Can the fight against climate change also trigger a societal change?
A: It could – but only if we get the curve right in time. With a chancellor like Merz, however, that would be history. Energy transition?
Forget it.
Instead, it will only be about the big money from his Blackrock friends.
Q: The German punk scene seems to be getting smaller. Is that true?
A: Partly, partly.
Before the pandemic, maybe, but since then we’ve felt a fresh breeze.
There are again more young bands that are loudly opposing the right and racism. But the problem remains: There are fewer and fewer performance opportunities. High costs, staff shortages, and bureaucracy make it hard for small venues – and easier for large corporations like CTS Eventim to swallow everything. This hits DIY festivals and small bands particularly hard.
Q: You played rarely this year. What was the reason for that?
A: We focused on a special concert series: "Grobes Fest" with Slime, Toxoplasma, and Knochenfabrik.
From December 27 to 30, we will play in Hamburg, Berlin, Oberhausen, and Frankfurt am Main.
It’s going to be a blast!
Q: Who would you like to spend a day in the tour bus with, and why?
A: With someone who can endure Peddas' (editor's note: Peter Blümer, guitarist and only remaining founding member of HASS) snoring!
Joking aside: I would love to tour with Dritte Wahl.
The guys are amazing and released a mega album last year with "Urlaub in der Bredoullie." Greetings to Gunnar!
Q: What can fans expect from the concert series in December?
A: The full load of German punk! Nothing more needs to be said about that.
Q: What’s next for HASS?
A: Stay tuned.
But one thing is clear:
We will remain loud, uncomfortable, and HASS.
