31 May 19
NEWS-ARCHIVE
THE BRIEFS IN BTF-CHECK!
There were crew members who almost fainted when we confirmed The Briefs. It's understandable somehow. By the way, the image of the BTF check is exclusive from Zigpix's last London show. Yeah it's off.
What's it like being on the road with The Briefs again? Steve: That's fucking great. We're better than ever and it's great to go back to cities we love and meet up with old friends there. It feels like we have something to prove at every show and we do it. Pretty nice way to go on stage like that. A stable new album obviously helps.
Daniel: Right. It feels like the break never happened. Like Steve said, we're finally seeing people we haven't seen in ages, which is a really cool side effect of touring. So when we're on stage, it's the same as always: the audience goes wild and we go with it. After the show we all have fun together and then go to sleep. The next day it starts all over again. Everything is totally normal.
Have you heard about the Back To Future?
Steve: We've been doing this long enough to know the festival. The line up this year is killer and otherwise it's a classic punk rock event. Well, we also know that we've never been there before, but we're looking forward to it.
Daniel: I've always wanted to play there. Fantastic bands and the after-show parties are meant to turn your life upside down. We're excited!
Pascal: I played at Back to Future almost ten years ago, with a kind of district revival revue in the tent. It was a great party! You usually have the most likeable line-up of all the festivals and are also incredibly serious in terms of business. I remember handing over money from a moving car on the Wahrschauer Bridge in Berlin. It was like a mafia movie, just great!
Are you under pressure because everyone expects you to go crazy on stage?
Daniel: No, that doesn't bother us. We put on our best suits and stupidest sunglasses. Play all the hits, new and old, vary them and see how the crowd in front of the stage reacts to them. Let's go.
Steve: Oh no, we'll just do our best and put everything we've got into it.
Pascal: The pressure would be greater if people expected us not to go crazy!
Back then you released a new LP almost every year. Does that mean the next banger album is coming in 2020?
Steve: Uh...yeah, sure.
Daniel: Actually it is. We're already writing it, there are some new songs in the pipeline. Maybe we'll do a double LP like the Eagles.
29 May 19
THE LADS- BTF-CHECK!
Oi! the boys from Freiburg are coming. That sounds like a lot of nonsense in the cheeks and elsewhere that the guys from THE LADS are saying. Here is their festival check:
What is Realpunk?
There is the idea that Oi! punk was also called new punk or real punk because it could be seen as a kind of antidote to a 'mainstream development' of the original punk. This also fits the assumption that a very large number of the early 80s generation of skinheads used to be punks because their punk-ness didn't offend and shock enough with regard to this development. Oi! differs only slightly from punk in terms of sound, if only because certain bands from a certain area in a certain period of time perhaps just happened to make a different sound. What I'm ultimately saying is that the difference doesn't really matter because punk is just punk, which to a certain extent you shouldn't or don't want to reinvent. This means that the term Realpunk is more of a description of the attitude towards the values of Oi!/Punk/Skinhead, and less a description of the sound - although it has to be said that we want to make the punk sound the way we define it as punk, i.e. it has to be “real”. So you can say that it's not necessary to describe it that way, but it's also cool because it's individual and a bit arrogant to label yourself that way (considering that in a scene like ours, people are always careful to be extremely "real") and it reflects an understanding of punk/skinhead - but in terms of sound, realpunk is just Oi!. Maybe I just wanted to give us some of the monotony of today's Punk/Oi! Defining music without reinventing the wheel, because I think we don't quite fit in, both in terms of sound and attitude.
You're really shaking up the south. Is one of your gang really a whale fish operator and what's going on now?
Jens was a partner for a short time. Now the whale is probably gone for good. We're in a bit of a crisis when it comes to the subculture here because there isn't really a place that does concerts and also a lot of people have moved away, had children, dropped out (traitors!) or joined the Scientologists. There are also a few punks - but they are such blatant punx that you don't know them! What's even worse is that there are now only 4 skinheads left in Freiburg. With such a pitiful group, it doesn't help much that 2 of them are pretty badass. Ergo: We have a shitty scene but cool bands – Habitual Drinkers, Brutal Bravo, The Lads and Drinking Squad.
Your label boss Hechti from Contra Records said we should lock you up again immediately after the performance before your party gets out of control. How do you understand that?
We don't know what he means by that. We only did what was expected of us at Contrabash, but mostly at our own expense - so they were mostly victimless crimes. Konne tried out the legendary board game "Hide and Seek", someone who wanted to remain anonymous pissed in the stairwell after falling out of the bunk bed because he couldn't find the toilet. I emptied a bottle of shampoo into our drummer's face. And Tomme (Brutal Bravo) gave our guitarist a black eye WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING. The less attention we get, the more schnapps we drink - the more schnapps we drink, the more nonsense we do. Imp is actually pretty good and sometimes pisses in the apartment. By the way, the complete report will be available in the new issue of the heroin fanzine. I can't tell you much about our drummer, the 'FETTFUCKER VON HUGSTETTEN', except that they call him the 'FETTFUCKER VON HUGSTETTEN' because he is the 'FETTFUCKER VON HUGSTETTEN'. Another problem is that all the bleeders constantly fall in love with our singer in the prime of their lust. While this is flattering, it can also be uncomfortable. We get it, the grass is green, the juices flow, the red blood cells carry oxygen and so on, but let me tell you, it is not just an object! By the way, Kostja and Konne are official members of the 'Fettfreunde Freiburg', which means we like to talk about diabetes, fatty food and sometimes swap one or two fat recipes. But we have decided that everything should be different at BTF! This time we want to present ourselves as particularly mature and also make sure that everyone gets along. In this regard, there will be an American-style 'safe space' at our campsite where 'fat shaming' is strictly prohibited.
Which of you has the highest Clorix consumption?
Konne once made himself a pair of domesthos pants. It's pretty much the coolest thing you can wear - with the skins you're cool and the normal citizens laugh at you when you walk around with them. The others don't dare do it or simply don't know what's cool. I sold Majus a pair of Domestos pants and he wears them sometimes, but he's also a huge idiot who runs around with a VoKuHiLa and therefore doesn't embody what's cool. It's amusing that you call it Clorix, while we call it Domestos. What's also pretty cool is sewing a crazy paisley pattern fabric cloth onto the collar of the donkey jacket. We're still not sure what we're going to wear. We don't want it to be too warm on stage, but on the other hand we also want to show all the punks what cool skins we are. It would be awesome if we created a Facebook survey about it and basically let the mob dictate what we wear.
27 May 19
24 May 19
Born a rocker, die a rocker!
With Charlie Harper, a punk rock legend comes to our riding arena, who then counts a cool 75 years. You can't bow low enough to him and UK SUBS.
What do you know about Back To Future? It's near Berlin and we know all the clips. There seems to be a lot of water there.
What do you expect from Punk Rock Wellness? Sounds a bit weak. We dream of punk rock takeover, world domination.
Do you still go to the forest pool in Shortst? Nobody in the band has shorts. Shorts are strictly forbidden here.
So none of you will swim? None of us will swim, we are allergic to it. Well, maybe our drummer is drunk and falls into the water. I think you're forgetting that we're island monkeys. If we try to leave the island, we will die.
22 May 19
BTF-CHECK OF GRINDHOUSE
Yeah, with Grindhouse we once again have a band visiting from the other side of the globe. The foursome prove that they know how to party hard there too. Here is the festival check from singer Two Fingers.
Where is Down Under?
Down Under is a much larger version of Germany with less beer and sausages, but more beaches.
Tell me something about your ancestors, how did they come to Australia?
They were sausage makers and guitar nuts from England.
Is there a difference between our two continents?
The main difference is that with us you can drive for five hours and not see anyone. And the beer is more expensive here.
What can we expect from you? Loud and fast rock with no shirts on
20 May 19
Punk rock was, is and always will be. Here is the BTF check of FAHNENFLUCHT
To what extent has the German punk genre changed? Punk rock always reflects the current zeitgeist and is critical of it at best. It is even almost conservative in its appearance, as it has hardly changed and leaves the tendency towards scandal to other genres. Still, punk rock says: I was, I am, I will be.
How relevant and important is German punk today? Is punk rock still relevant? Yes and no. Established as a cultural asset, increasingly irrelevant as a message. As already anticipated in the previous answer, punk rock is a fairly normal part of a society and is no longer necessarily avant-garde or scandalous. As in an overall scandalous normality.
You describe yourself as uncompromising. Explain that.Oh yes, what you don't say to yourself when you have to write about yourself. Maybe you should leave it completely to others, including all the risks and side effects.
Who or what are you looking forward to at the BTF? We are of course looking forward to seeing you again and again good music from good bands.
18 May 19
INTERVIEW MIT EGOTRONIC
Cool Egotronic at BTF! If anyone here knows how to polarize and not hide his opinion, it's singer Torsun. Here's our check of the band.
Please finish and explain: When I think of Schland at night......I want to hunt down fascists and set something on fire.
What does punk mean to you today?To act angrily and polemically against the circumstances.
It's your first time coming, what do you already know about the BTF?Nothing yet, but we're really looking forward to it, not least because of the nice lineup.
Are there any bands you're looking forward to seeing?The last time I saw UK SUBS and POISON IDEA was in the 90s. I'm excited to see what they'll do in 2019.
Which one of you trains the seahorse so that he can put it in the forest bath and which discipline has to be practiced the hardest?I was even there once as a little boy the DLRG, can swim stably. In any case, it should still be enough for the seahorse.
16 May 19
INTERVIEW WITH KOMINTERN SECT
Komintern Sect are warriors from the early eighties who split up and got back together in 2014 because they live street punk. Here is your BTF check with singer Carl.
Please finish the following sentence: Playing in a band is like... ...staying young forever and having fun with your friends.
Tell the readers who you are. I'm Carl, 55 years old and I've been listening to punk and Oi! for 40 years. I'm still angry and I hope to continue singing in this band for years to come. It's always a great pleasure to meet new and old friends around the globe. La voix de la Oi! Ne s'éteint pas...
How do you imagine our audience? I think they're having a good time that weekend, a lot of fun, delicious beer, a lot Sun and good music and that they like our performance.
Are there any bands you would like to see? Basically all of them. There are some from my early days, but also much younger ones. I'm most excited about Loikaemie, UK SUBS, COCKNEY REJECTS and SVETLANAS
11 May 19
Alarmsignal is coming around, we are very happy about that!
Here's the BTF check of a band that has a lot going for it.
Why is it important to say where you stand? You certainly mean the political point of view, right? Well, it is important that the other person knows where he/she stands with us on certain points and of course we ourselves want to know that in return (at least for everything that goes beyond small talk). But sometimes that doesn’t always have to be “said”. It's a lot nicer when people live what they stand for instead of mentioning it at every opportunity. That's much more impressive than just saying random things. Of course, it ultimately always depends on the situation or circumstance. Sometimes time only allows for sayings and sometimes a short statement can encourage, clarify, explain, underline, etc. Ideally, both work. Leave your opinion and then deliver it.
Are you only there for one day, or for the whole day? Of course we would like to be with you for the whole day, but since we are not at the moment Because we all live in one place, concerts mean a certain amount of effort for us in many ways. That's why we practically never do individual concerts. But we will enjoy the one day with you (and the one night).
Which of you is the fastest in the forest pool? Hello? We're punks, we don't bathe! Every now and then we go for a walk in the rain or spray ourselves with the garden hose every now and then, that's enough!
How would you characterize the BTF? It's actually a premiere for us as a band , but of course it's not YOU'S fault, since WE were never able to schedule it. But half of our circle of friends were regularly at the start in Glaubitz and with all their enthusiasm they set the BTF bar pretty high. So the pressure is on you, is it clear? No, but seriously. All the stories and experience reports pretty much reflect what the BTF festival trailers convey. A large family gathering that has a unique atmosphere due to the location. And there's something musically for everyone. In any case, we're already in the mood!
What do you mean by punk rock wellness? Wellness stands for a sense of well-being, often through light physical activity. Fidgeting around to good music or drinking beer or going swimming is basically light (okay, admittedly, sometimes heavy) activity and, apart from the bruises the day after, the tinnitus the day after and the hangover the day after, it also means well-being - caused by punk rock of course. So punk rock wellness!
09 May 19
CHECK NUMBER THREE GOES ACROSS THE POND TO THE CRIMINAL MASKED INTRUDER!
Which one of you can knit best? To be honest, none of us are really good at it. Because many people are so nice, they think our masks are hand-knitted, but in reality they are bought. Or even ordered online! Our masks look so great because we know how to wear them correctly. Cool, huh?
What's the easiest way to escape from Officer Bradley? We prefer to run. This always works and is a great start to a great chase. It's not that easy to shake him off because he's a very determined guy. But jumping over fences is a good strategy. It's difficult for him to follow because he eats so many donuts. This isn't just a stereotype, it's simply true: cops love donuts. But somehow it still catches up with us again and again. He's like Jason Voorhees from Halloween, it's incredible.
What is the difference between German and American festivals? There are simply more Germans at the festivals and therefore fewer Americans. It seems to us that in the USA it is exactly the opposite. I mean, we haven't done a study on it, but that's how it seems to us. You also seem to have currywurst at festivals.
Please tell us another joke. Why does a police officer always have problems at school? Well, because he's just not that smart.