Q: First of all, congratulations on the new album. I find that the album's production leans towards your first album “Beissreflex”. The next two albums of yours went in a somewhat different direction. How do you decide how an album should sound?
A: That’s fundamentally true. Our debut album “Beissreflex” is more accusatory and direct. In contrast, the following albums “KO-System” and “Wer Wind sät...” focus more on personal themes and attempts at explanation. “Schwarzmaler” is probably more of a mix of accusation and explanation.
Before we head into the studio for album recordings, the pieces have reached a maturity level of about 80%. We take care of the rest during the recordings.
Q: Overall, I find the lyrics on your album somewhat melancholic, even hopeless at times. How do you see that? Was that intentional or did it come about during songwriting?
A: Melancholic to hopeless sounds too pessimistic regarding the lyrics overall. Songs like “Augen Auf”, “Mauern”, “Alle vier Jahre”, or “Leben ist tödlich” also try to encourage and focus on change.
Q: What would you advise someone who is always a Schwarzmaler and pessimist?
A: No idea, nothing at all.
Good advice is still expensive.
Perhaps it depends on the appropriate sensitivity in dealing with pessimistically inclined Schwarzmalers.
Q: The song “Was tun wenn´s brennt” strongly reminds me of the Sarrazin debate. Did the song arise from that?
A: Yes. The pub coalition of Bild newspaper readers and educated citizens has found its new hero. Material for interesting discussions, but that would lead us too far here.
Q: The topic of integration is back in focus in Germany. How do you see this issue? What should be changed? And what is, in your opinion, possibly just petty bourgeois grumbling against everything foreign?
A: As I said, the topic belongs in the appropriate context and deserves more time and words. We primarily see ourselves as a band! The perception of political or social processes and content unites us on one hand, while on the other hand, the corresponding emphasis within the band is weighted differently. Therefore, our album should primarily be understood as a musical release and not as a political statement.
Q: The song “Öl ins Feuer” is frightening, but it also shows the lengths the state goes to keep the people calm. Have you personally ever experienced a situation like that described in the song?
A: No. Although the lyrics are fundamentally based on personal feelings, fortunately, no one has had to experience the described escalation yet.
Q: Your song “Insel Freiheit” addresses the surveillance state. After all the attacks on train stations and in public transport, there is a discussion about increasing camera surveillance and storing recordings for longer. Is that sensible to deter and ensure safety?
A: Safety is never perceived objectively but only personally. Media-enhanced distorted images create more fear than necessary, or rather, they create a climate for even more fear. People now seem to feel more secure in a park full of cameras than in a park full of people. We are merely drawing attention to the topic in the song.
Q: The song “Mauern” fits very well with the current refugee flows to Europe. What do you think, how would people behave if there were no borders?
A: Speculating about the behavior of about six billion people if all borders were removed is futile. The borders also arise in our minds, and they must first fall there.
Q: In your songs (“Mauern”, “Leben ist tödlich”), you describe the selfishness of people that harms others. To what extent should one intervene in a person's personal freedom and success? Should this be done by the state or society?
A: Excerpt from the song “Leben ist tödlich” from our new album “Schwarzmaler”:
“Not that we misunderstand each other, no one deserves to possess many billions. This treasure should serve us all, and if I see it correctly, we can no longer afford the rich.”
Excerpt from the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany: Article 14 (2):
Property obliges. Its use shall also serve the welfare of the general public.
Without further words
Q: What is your stance on the unconditional basic income?
A: Good idea!
Q: What are the upcoming highlights for you in 2011?
A: Of course, we are looking forward to the album launch on March 11, 2011, and hope that it finds resonance. Then there are still some live shows this year and probably an Aggropunk label tour at the end of the year, but we don’t want to reveal more yet.
Thank you for your attention!
