Lizal (Ramtatta): Exactly, I'll come up with a nice fairy tale about Toxpack...
Donald (Ramtatta): By the way, the recording is running ;-)
Lizal (Ramtatta): Also, a question about the cover, which Emanuel "Roxy" designed: Really cool artwork that seems to have captured more than just the spirit of our times. How did you come up with the idea and the title "Friss!"?
Schulle: Yeah, how was that actually? So Tommi came up with a text against all this consumerism and everything that is offered and imposed on you. Yeah, and the text was there, and then there was also a good artist we had been working with for 2 years. This Emanuel. He has already made some cool T-shirt designs for us. But he only had 1 1/2 weeks or not even a week and got some ideas from us that we had in mind. He implemented them well. He had to pull a few night shifts. Sorry for that, Emanuel! But he really did a great job and conveyed it well with all the little details that can be seen. It's all very well recognizable. And we were very satisfied with it. And when the cover was there, it confirmed everything for us. It fits!
Lizal (Ramtatta): Regarding the lyrics, I've also noticed that you deal a lot with current events and pack a lot of social criticism into them. For example, regarding the surveillance scandal in the song "Transatlantik Rendezvous" or in the song "Nichts hören, sehen, sagen". Especially when you consider the current election results, for example, regarding the Alternative for Germany, I think you have enough input for new song ideas. Are there also personal experiences that move you?
Schulle: There was a very serious incident a year ago in Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf in front of an asylum seekers' home when the refugees had just arrived and wanted to move in. They were immediately besieged and insulted by Nazis and racists, and it was almost reminiscent of the events 22 years ago in Rostock-Lichtenhagen. And Tommi lives there, right in the hotspot. He threw his hands over his head and wondered what was going on here? Then he started writing this text, which is about bringing this behavior to light: "It's okay, I'll stand here and watch, but I won't intervene because something might happen to me." The idea was to point out the lack of civil courage and the lack of courage to not always look away or keep quiet; that was the basic idea of the text. We actually wanted to record a record without guest singers. But the text was so significant that Tommi suggested we ask Stephan Weidner to sing on the piece. We have become very good friends through the two tours we did with him, and if anyone can explain to people that something is going wrong, it's him. You know from the eighties the whole discussion, and he has done a lot of educational work and has been involved in many projects. Our producer Michael Mainx also said, sure, let's ask him. There was then an email exchange between Tommi and Stephan, and you know the end result. We know we produced a very strict video for it, which polarizes and certainly doesn't appeal to everyone. But we have also received a lot of support for it, especially from the left/alternative scene, who simply said, hey guys, you really put out a cool message. Unfortunately, there are also people out there who misinterpret the text or don't understand it at all. Or don't want to understand it, which is quite sad.
Lizal (Ramtatta): You can definitely tell that the whole song is very serious and important to you and that you know what you're talking about...
Schulle: Yeah, we could have taken the easy route and just released an "Antifa song". But it was important to us to process this terrible event in the video as well. Among other things, we shot scenes in Hellersdorf. My mother also called me a few days after the video was released and was totally shocked. She said it was too strict a video for her taste; we all look very angry and almost threatening. After I explained everything to her calmly, she understood it. Only when you show your face and courage and tell people, this doesn't work, then it gets through. Because people need to finally understand that this is no longer a joke. This problem doesn't only exist in Marzahn-Hellersdorf but everywhere. If all or many citizens see it the same way, and it triggers a chain reaction, then it works. If, of course, no one does anything, then nothing will change and nothing will happen.
Lizal (Ramtatta): You have also developed further sound-wise on the album "Friss!" and incorporated new styles and sound elements into the songs. What was important to each of you band members in terms of development?
Schulle: Fundamentally, we already had some ideas for the album, and there was also a pre-production. We had already imagined how we would work with Michael Mainx. I know the results he has produced before. We went to him with the 90% finished album, and he made it 110%. We had a lot of discussions with him, and he explained to us a lot about what he could do and how far we could go. We still wanted to have that punky sound, and we didn't stray from that path. In many respects, we went even further, starting with my singing; I really went through a tough school. It wasn't as easy as I thought. We could have just gone for it, but in hindsight, because I was given the chance to try something, it was a great experience. We also planned to sing "clean" on 2 or 3 songs, and I had never had that experience before. Because everything has to be right, and you can only be minimally off, otherwise it doesn't work. Michael Mainx is someone who doesn't work "hazy"; he challenged me, and I was trained intensively to make sure it just has to sit! He encouraged us to try things out and brought out a lot more. The songs just became even better. Then, of course, there's the sound, which is very broad and no longer so sharp and edgy as our other productions. That was another step for us that we wanted to embrace.
Lizal (Ramtatta): Yeah, and you don't want to make the same album again...
Schulle: Exactly. And for many who have known Toxpack over the years, they only know our rough, punky sound. There were also many voices that said, oh god, this is not good at all; I'll listen to it 2 or 3 more times, but then they say, how cool is this? It was just unfamiliar for many people at first. Then there were also a lot of people who said, now I like them better than before. It's a divided opinion; you're in conversation, and as long as you're in conversation, it's all good. We have gained a lot of new audiences. Now the first comments from "old" fans are coming in, saying that especially live the songs hit hard, and they are positively surprised.
Donald (Ramtatta): And this new audience, is that acceptable for you?
Schulle: Yes, we like it. We come from the punk scene, and the old folks are still there, but we now also have a "rockier" audience with us, and they are mixing in, especially more girls are currently showing up, we've noticed, haha! We are not the band that only likes to play in front of 500 skinheads. We supported Cock Sparrer in front of 1600 skins and hooligans, and some looked at us as if we were completely out of place. After the third clear announcement, damn, what's wrong here!? There was finally some movement.
Lizal (Ramtatta): Are some listeners perhaps just too rigidly fixed on one track? I think it also makes you proud as a band to not only serve a niche with your music? Especially when someone says, hey, you weren't my thing before, but your lyrics, your message, what you have to say resonates with me?
Schulle: Yeah, I see it that way too; that's why this "evolution" is here now. It could also be that the next record will be a bit harder again, but that's purely a matter of feeling. And I've always said, fundamentally a band records the album as they think. You don't produce an album for what's currently young and modern. There may be bands that do that, but it has to please us first and foremost. And if some come and congratulate you on a successful album, it's a nice confirmation for oneself.
Lizal (Ramtatta): What timeframe did "Friss" come together in?
Schulle: It took a bit longer. We mostly finished the pre-production at the end of December 2013, and in the first week of January 2014, we went into the studio. In the first 14 days, we completely recorded drums, bass, and part of the guitars, but then we realized that the whole thing took a bit longer than originally planned. We then commuted between Berlin rehearsal room and Frankfurt recording studio until the end of June for a few days until we could completely finish the recordings and the mix in July. Because there was also that well-known band from Frankfurt rehearsing in the studio for their Hockenheim reunion shows in between. But the breaks between the recordings were also very positive for us because during that time Tommi could think about the lyrics and some solidarity stories again. And I could prepare for my later vocal parts. Everything was delayed by 6 to 8 weeks with the release, but in the end, that was also good for the record. We could reflect on everything properly. Michael Mainx then laid this heavy anvil on my chest and kept telling me that the calling card is the singing. It's very important that the foundation is solid, that everything hits hard.
Lizal (Ramtatta): Are you all involved in the songwriting, or is there one of you who is the boss in that regard?
Schulle: Tommi generally does it this way: He comes with his ideas, writes the riffs or songs, and always has a basic idea of how it could sound later. And from this basic idea, we all refine it into a complete piece. I myself wrote the last Toxpack lyrics about 7 or 8 years ago, which was no longer necessary because Tommi does it so well. We do discuss everything, but 80 to 90% comes from Tommi's pen. As long as something works so well, you shouldn't change it!
Donald (Ramtatta): How did you come to singing then? Because usually, singers are also the lyricists?
Schulle: I had already written lyrics back then, not all of them, but some. And for me, it was like I always had a melody in my head. And Tommi usually has a riff in his head where he can imagine I could sing on that line. And when he has a suitable topic, he enriches it.
Donald (Ramtatta): So you sing Tommi songs and he makes the riffs for them?
Schulle: No, Tommi comes with a riff and a vocal melody; he gives it to me and lets me listen to it to see if I can handle it. Then I refine it until I really have it down, and maybe something gets changed here and there. So he doesn't just hand me the lyrics and say, hey, here's a riff, but he already has a bit of the vocal melody in mind that he thinks I should try. In 95% of the cases, that works very well.
Lizal (Ramtatta): So you are a very well-rehearsed team? Aside from the bassist, you've had few lineup changes?
Schulle: Exactly. Martin is already back on the "Friss!" tour; he's now our tech. He takes care of guitars, technology, and co. Martin left for other reasons back then because he was a bit overwhelmed with work and for health reasons. Then Stephan came along, and he's been with us for 2 years now. We've known him since the early days of Toxpack; it's all family for us!
Donald (Ramtatta): May I briefly disturb you for a light?
Lizal (Ramtatta): Yes, cheers first! Are you drinking too? No, you still have to sing....
Schulle: yeah, exactly....(*first no whiskey, just beer ;-)
Lizal (Ramtatta): Just don't ruin your voice ;-)
Where do you see the biggest development in "Friss!" compared to "Bastarde von Morgen"?
Schulle: We finally found a producer after years who opens up. And there's a certain percentage you need that still promotes you. We recorded 3 cool records with Harris Jones (a well-known metal producer from the 80s, who also produced Razzia, Hass, and Slime). With Harris, it was always like, okay, we’ll leave it like that. And we were always like, yeah, that's fine. But to have someone who says, I don't want to interfere, but I have a plan or some tips is great. Especially since they always worked. And I was very surprised that we found someone who brings in additional performance as a producer and is not just someone who presses record. He doesn't change everything, but he might tell you that this is perhaps too much, do less of that, for this reason, and then explains what you could do... for example, you could set the arc differently here or the chorus differently so that it doesn't always sound the same. And those are the things that have moved us forward. Because when you listen to the final product, it never gets boring because each song has its own unique note.
Lizal (Ramtatta): Is it also a great help for yourself when you think, hey, that riff sounds so great live, but in the studio, it might be a different story, and the experienced producer then tells you it might sound better on the record if you play it differently?
Schulle: We have also discussed such topics among ourselves; it is always very helpful and challenging, which confirms us even more. This, for example, was the most significant step in the development from "Bastarde von Morgen" to finally finding someone who really immerses himself in it and shines sound-wise.
Lizal (Ramtatta): So you had more fun in the studio this time?
Schulle: It's always fun when you're producing a record. It's even exciting when you see piece by piece how everything slowly comes together. At "studio23" it was something special; it was uncharted territory, and we had a really cool time in Frankfurt.
Lizal (Ramtatta): So the chemistry was right from the start?
Yes, we also got to know Micha beforehand on this support tour of "Der W". And Michael Mainx is basically Stephan's right-hand man. He works in the monitoring area on stage but is the best FOH guy you could put in front. Micha sets you up an album sound on your headphones, it's really amazing! It sounded so great, as if you were playing a record! And at some point during the second tour, we asked Micha since we were looking for a new producer if he would be interested in us. Then he made big eyes. Smiled, and the deal was done. And that's how a friendship with him developed, and I think the next Toxpack record will reunite us.
Donald (Ramtatta): Do you have Michael Mainx with you on your own tour?
Schulle: No, unfortunately not; he's currently in Frankfurt working on a DVD project. We invited him, but he is always very busy. He is a workhorse, which is why he is so sought after! But he would have loved to come along. I think in the near future he will also be turning the knobs for us live here and there.
Lizal: Are there any further video releases planned after "Nichts hören, sehen, sagen" and "Nichts bleibt wie es ist"?
Schulle: Personally, I would still like to release 1 to 2 songs as videos, but I can't reveal too much yet, and that's a decision the whole band has to make. First of all, it's important that the album makes the rounds; we still have time. I also find the second video "Nichts bleibt wie es ist" very nice; it shows us very brotherly, just as we are. We visited and filmed some places where we spent many nights over the years. Haha! As a conclusion, there are nice live scenes from our sold-out intense awesome show at Wild & Heart. We are a brotherhood with the people from CoreTex. After all, we released our first record "Stadtgeflüster" with them 13 years ago.
Lizal: I want to refer again to "Nichts hören, sehen, sagen". Did you also have trouble from the right scene because of it?
Schulle: That was really crazy! I've never experienced such a shitstorm! A few hours after the video was released, we had to block people on Facebook. We live in a democracy, and freedom of speech is nice and good. But when people start threatening you or really start writing things that are incredibly dangerous, and we go to their pages and it's all full of NPD and similar crap, then you first think: Do you block them? Do you just leave it and comment on it? No! I believe it just goes too far. No platform for extremists! Not with us!
Donald (Ramtatta): Were they once fans of yours?
Schulle: No, definitely not! I think it quickly spread with the video, and we have an admin who does good research and takes care of it.
Donald (Ramtatta): So you also regularly check what kind of stuff is lurking among your Facebook fans?
Schulle: Yes, definitely, and if we notice they come up with any right-wing stuff, they will definitely be out! For me, there is no basis for discussion with such people because they don't want to discuss either. We also knew that something would happen right after the release of "Nichts hören, sehen, sagen". The song polarizes, Stephan Weidner polarizes. But we didn't do it with him for nothing because we are not only friends but know that if someone says, "You need to get lost, we don't want Nazis here," if people listen, then it's him. And if a Jennifer Rostock, in a hall in front of a thousand people, where a little 18-year-old kid stands with a Böhse Onkelz shirt, lets him be thrown out and the entire audience screams "Nazis out!", then he is punished for life, and it brings nothing at all! When Stephan heard that, he said, "Look, Jennifer, shouting 'Nazis out!' in a Nazi-free room is so easy." But if he does it in front of 200,000 people, and if a diverse percentage of them have slipped in, he has achieved much more.
Lizal (Ramtatta): I find the reaction of some people in this regard simply totally exaggerated, instead of just talking to the people.....
Schulle: Yeah, I also find it totally exaggerated and also sad somewhere. We have always been lucky with Toxpack. And I know there are always a few types; when, for example, a few hooligans come, you never know from the outset how they tick. We always check that out very carefully.
Donald (Ramtatta): You also fall under the category "Deutschrock" for some and are no longer perceived as a punk band.
Schulle: Of course, we are also musically situated in rock and metal. But we still consider ourselves a punk band. Our roots are "punk and hardcore".
Donald (Ramtatta): So you see yourselves clearly politically? I know your songs and also perceive them as very political.
Schulle: We have always clearly expressed ourselves as a band and have always taken a clear stance on this. Anyone who knows us knows exactly that we are politically clean. We are decent guys; we were raised properly; we are neither apolitical nor in the gray area or anything else. We all have a simple, healthy common sense. And now, with this new realization, with this song, we are also ready to address more.
Lizal (Ramtatta): You are now also on a tour in Russia; I have read and heard a lot that it is said to be quite intense regarding the right scene there. And it is also said to be somewhat dangerous to take a clear stance there. Have you had such experiences there yourselves?
Schulle: So here too, we have always been lucky with Toxpack; we work there in Italy, also in Spain, everywhere with people who have their fronts and keep an eye on things. The right-wing camp has a hard time making a fuss there. In Russia, I don't know yet. But The Towerblocks had their experiences in Russia 3 or 4 years ago. It was very bad with threats, assault squads, etc.... But I think we are all in good hands on our tour because there are enough people. We are also in good hands with the guys from the Italian band Payback, who have a very well-connected hardcore punk scene there. We have always invited them, and they invite us back. Unfortunately, the Russia tour was postponed because a club fell through. But it will be at the beginning of next year, and I am very curious and looking forward to it.
Lizal: You see it that way too, hey, let's get some bands from the subculture to support each other?
Schulle: Exactly, we all invite each other again; it's a kind of brotherhood. Just today on tour with Eastside Boys, V8Wixxxxer, and the tour blocks before that, Payback and Boykott.
Lizal: Despite being number 16 in the German album charts, still connected to where you come from....
Schulle: Oh yeah, there was something....
Lizal: Cheers to that!!!! (Whiskey is poured)
Schulle: Yes, I have to say, we couldn't believe it at first; we were really shocked because we didn't expect it at all. It hit like a bomb, and we were all stunned! But I think it was just a very good release week where our album sold very well. But hello?? We are far from being mainstream; we don't intend to be. There are people out there who have quickly used that term when it came out that Toxpack landed at number 16 in the album charts with "Friss!". But people, think about it; we are selling a few more records today, but that doesn't mean we are mainstream; damn, we don't want that either! So, research the term "mainstream", thanks! We will always do our thing and work on our stuff the way we want it. But not to get into the charts. (Schulle hands Donald a lighter for his cigarette).
Donald: (lights his cigarette!)
Lizal: Cheers! (clinks glasses)
Schulle: Cheers! hic, cheers - You have to write that exactly in the interview!!!
Donald: The things are very important in the interview!!!
Lizal: What are the plans for the tour in 2015?
Schulle: So we are first finishing the release tour 2014. The first blocks went well; we had a very short time span from the release to the tour start! 5 days is very little, but that was due to the fact that the tour was already set, and the record was delayed by 2 months. But you can slowly tell that people are waking up, and the album is being received! In 2014, there are still 2 great shows with 4 Promille in Leipzig and Eisenach on December 12 and 13. Then we have our foreign stories in Italy and Spain, as well as our home game on the 27th at Huxleys in Berlin (*see also attached flyer). Yes, and then we will see that we get to some festivals in 2015 that we haven't been to before. So I can name 2 festivals that would personally excite me: The Vainstream Festival (more alternative, punk-hardcore) or the Elb-Riot (more metal). Yes, then maybe again the Spirit from the Streets, Endless Summer, With Full Force, or one or the other surprise. Everything is still in planning. So 2015 will definitely be a great festival year, and maybe we'll also do some cool club shows in between. It could get interesting.
Lizal: Schulle, I thank you for the cool interview, good luck with your new album and on the tour. What is there to drink today at Backstage??? No Augustiner?
Schulle: No, only König Ludwig beer, but it tastes good too. I actually like Bavarian beer.
Lizal: Of course, this will be included in the interview; you know how to appreciate it. PROST!
