Interview with SELF DESTRUCTION MODE
!!!BLACK/SPEED METAL FROM GERMANY!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about SELF DESTRUCTION MODE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Gunnar: Hi Stavros, Robert (git) and Gunnar (voc) here. We started in March 2022 as a three-piece with Konrad on drums, Steve on guitar and me on the mic. I'd wanted to make music with them for a long time, but it didn't work out due to time constraints and other bands we were at that were still active at the time. A few months later, Robert joined us at the other guitar. He had played with Konrad and Steve more than 15 years ago in a Band called GREEN MELÖN when they were young. Than we were looking for a bassist, and Konrad brought Darren along, which was and still is a real stroke of luck for us. We've been together in this line-up since the beginning of 2023.
You have recently released your album ''Self Destruction Mode''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Robert: A Russian website (in-the-fog.ru) gave us a good rating. The resonance has been positive so far.
Gunnar: Yeah, the feedback has been most positive. But there's been no press so far, exept for your interview request and the post on in-the-fog.ru . But that's completely fine. We're still a small, unknown band without management, promotion agency or any of that buisness nonsense.
Label or DIY and why?
Robert: I prefer DIY because it gives the ultimate freedom to do what you want. I would only sign to a label if we have the freedom to decide on our own about songwriting, artwork, bands and concerts we play.
Gunnar: DIY is our approach and goal. Of course, we were happy to have help from outside. But we want to have and maintain the control about our music, merchandise and our performances. A label is only an option if it shares the DIY- ethics and allows us the (creative) freedom we need. If that's not the case, then fuck off - we will do our own stuff.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Gunnar: We recorded the music in our rehearsal room with helping hands of our friend Ali, with whom Steve still plays in a punk band called HACKEPETER.
Robert: We recorded the demo album within three intoxicated evenings last summer in August. Everything was recorded live, guitar solos and vocals a little later.
Gunnar: Since we wanted the raw live atmosphere to be captured on the recording, we only did a maximum of three takes each. We're not concerned with absolute perfection, but rather with the energy of the songs. There are two really weird/funny stories in our history. For our third gig (together with LUCIFUGE), we had a stand-in bassist, Alex, who plays with Darren in the progressive metal band SYNTENTION. We only rehearsed with him once, and the next day we went straight on stage. And Alex really delivered. He's been our unofficial fifth band member ever since. The other story is also about a gig. Last year, I had a bicycle accident through no fault of my own. As a result , I missed a gig. My / our good friend Cornelius "Corni" Althammer (drummer of the mighty AHAB, IN MOURNING, FISTED Mister, to name a few) took over the mic for me that day, even though he didn't know a single lyric. That was pretty funny but he also delivered really well. He is also our "band mascot". 😁 By the way, I played with Corni in a band called EKRANOPLAN from 2012 to 2019. Musically, it was a fierce mix between Grindcore, crusty D-Beat, Sludge and HC. Almost full speed ahead. You can listen or download it for free at: https://ekranoplandoomgrind.bandcamp.com/
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Robert: I prefer vinyl at home because of the sound and artwork and digital music outside because it's super practical.
Gunnar: I naturally prefer analog formats, especally vinyl. The overall feel, the artwork, the sound, the ritual to put a record on the turntable - there's nothing better. Unfortunately, vinyl has become immensely expensive in recent years. That's why I also love tapes. You could call me a tape nerd or tape addict. I probably own around 600 tapes. I don't wanna demonize anyone who listen to CDs or digital files; that's up to each Individual. But sometimes it's also question of price, unfortunately, not everyone can effort an expensive record. Besides, platforms like Bandcamp help spread music to countries a small band would probably never have reached. But Spotify can kiss our asses. It's a rip off for fans and artists.
Your music style is Black/Speed MetalPunk. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Gunnar: Oh, that's hard to say. I grew up in the punk/crust/grind scene. I'll list a few bands that, at least for me, a huge influence. From punk to black metal and everything in between, but in no particular order or style: HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, DISCHARGE, GBH, THE EXPLOITED, BROKEN BONES, ANTI CIMEX, RIPCORD, HERESY, ELECTRO HIPPIES, AXEGRINDER, DEVIATED INSTINCT, AMEBIX, old NAPALM DEATH, REPULSION, old TERRORIZER (only with Oscar Garcia on vocals), BLACK UNIFORMS, INEPSY, MOTÖRHEAD, DIVISION SPEED, ANAEL, WHIPSTRIKER, DEATH TOLL 80K, INSECT WARFARE, KARLOFF, MIDNIGHT, 偏執症者 (PARANOID), G.I.S.M., ZOUO, DARKTHRONE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, SEPTIC DEATH, Old SODOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, DOOM, HIATUS, DISFEAR (especially the old stuff), HELLKRUSHER, WOLFPACK/WOLFBRIGADE, SKITSYSTEM, old SEPULTURA, CANAL TERROR, old SLIME, WWK, CYNESS, $KRUPEL, ANTLERS, BARAHTAL, OTRAS, FINAL DOSE. I also have a big love fier East German punk like ATONAL, SCHLEIMKEIM, WUTANFALL, ZORN and L'ATTENTAT just to name a few. But I hate everything METALLICA did after the "Metal Up Your Ass" demo tape. That's corporated mainstream bullshit to me.
Robert: SLAYER, very early METALLICA, SODOM, MIDNIGHT, MOTÖRHEAD, DISCHARGE, GBH, CELTIC FROST/HELLHAMMER, DARKTHRONE.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Robert: First of all: create a positive environment. Being creative comes easier when everything feels joyful and chill. Do your homework, as a guitar player repeat playing new material at home. So, it stays in your muscle memory. Sacrifices? Driving the whole day to receive a new guitar amp that I've bought on Ebay. Scheduling vacations to be in the rehearsal room for the recordings. Changing shifts at work an upsetting co-workers to rehearse with the band.
Gunnar: I was threatened with dismissal from my last job for a gig, even thought it had been on the schedule for more than 6 month. I ended up playing the gig anyway, and then up I was fired. You could call that a sacrifice. But what ever, my ex-boss is/was an idiot with no consideration for his employees or himself. Otherwise, we "sacrifice" our free time rehearsals and performances. But that's what is all about: sacrificing time and energy for a better future with the band.
Live at Reil78 in Halle an der Saale/Germoney with GRAVEDÄNCER and FLAGELADÖR from Brazil.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Robert: A hungry, slightely intoxicated crowd that is thirsty for some metal. Like hungry predators who haven't eaten in days. We are going on stage and everyone is in a blood rush the whole concert. Everyone is going insane and is forgetting time and space. After 45 minutes the crowd and the band are wondering if it was a nightmare or real. We haven't experienced it 100% so far. But we came close to it. The best shows we were playing, were when everyone had 1 or 2 beers before going on stage. But wodka is our cryptonite, for shure.
Gunnar: For me, a good live show is characterized by good sound on and of stage, a good mood within the band and the audience, pure energy, and a lots of fun as a band on stage. And not to forget, a plenty of drinks on stage. For me, a dry throat is a nightmare. When all of this comes together, nothing can really go wrong. Unless you've had too much booze beforehand.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Gunnar: It should be called artificial bullshit, not artificial inteligence. I don't need that crap. Something like that can never reproduce or reflect the soul, the creativity, the rage, the unbridled energy of music. No algorhythm can do that. I need the pure, the raw, the unpolished in music with its mistakes, brakes and imperfections. Simply music - no frills. AI my ass!
Robert: To compose music is art. The process of creating something is so fun and individual. Never ever I would allow software to take over (that step). Using AI to produce music is like cooking convinience food. The result will be sometimes damn near to real cooking, but it won't be ever as good as a real homemade meal with fresh ingredients.
What attributes do you think that a new Black/Speed MetalPunk Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Robert: Do your own thing. Do what you love and do it with passion! It's great to have influences, idols, etc., but don't look to much left and right. Stay focused on your own development as a band you'll succeed. You can go the easy route in that scene and dress like a 80's metalhead and cover first wave Black Metal songs. Which is absolutely fine. We all love this stuff. We decided to cover some 80's East German punk songs. Which is kinda unusual and unique. Back in the days metalhead and punks weren't best friends. We do like both: punk and metal. At a lot of concert, we play, we share the stage with punk, crust and grind bands (as well as with metal bands).
Gunnar: Be honest with yourself. Cite your influences, but try to make something of your own. Don't jump on every trend. I generally prefer bands that stick to their own beat. Still, there are also good bands that indulge in an old-school sound. At the beginning of the year, we played with a band from Dresden called LEAD INJECTOR. The 3 guys were between 19 and 23 years old, but played a sound that is more than 40 years old. HELLHAMMER, early BATHORY and VENOM are their main influences. And they performed their sound with such a fervor that I had permanent grin on my face and goosebumps allover my body. Absolutely fantastic!
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black/Speed MetalPunk Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Gunnar: As I wrote in questions 5, it can help you to reach people in countries you previously never had no access to. Bandcamp allows people without much money to download music, people who would otherwise never had the opportunity to hear your music. But for us, it's just a tool to get our music outside without a damn promotion agency or label. We will neither use or support any digital platforms that rip off artists or fans. That would negate our entire standards for ourselves.
Robert: Bandcamp is great platform for promoting an underground metal band. The best promotion is to play awesome live shows to keep in people's mind.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Germany (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Robert: There are some great underground bands here in Germoney: INDIAN NIGHTMARE (Speed Metal/Punk), LUCIFUGE (Black Thrash), BOUNDLESS CHAOS (Black/Death Thrash). The most important (fan)zine is "Deaf Forever". It covers everything from Hardrock to extreme Metal and pays attention to the underground scene. There's also zine called "Legacy" which is specialized in extreme Metal.
Gunnar: The metal scene in Germoney is, unfortunately, largely mainstream. But I like the underground with all the passionate fans, zines, labels, festivals and concert venues. I'll just throw out a few names here. Labels worth supporting includes Destruktion Records (label Boss Johannes is a true underground maniac with fair prices), Regurgitate Semen Records (since 1992, operated by my friend Sandro), Into Endless Chaos Records (dedicated to true underground Black Metal), Low Fidelity Assaults (amazing tape label with outstanding cover artwork). Metal clubs are unfortunately more or less rooted in the mainstream here. That's why I prefer small, sweaty clubs like squats, music bars, self-managed youth centers and so on. The good underground metal and punk shows take place in our hometown of Jena at "Cosmic Dawn" @ Kulturbahnhof (a former train station building that now serves as an independent cultural center), at the socio-cultural Center "Kassablanca", at the student club "Rosenkeller" and occasionaly at our old squat (where's I was able to organize two bands from Costa Rica [DEMENCIA - 80's Crossover Thrash and MOLE - old school Grind] for the end of May). In Weimar there's the cool old squat "Gerber 3" (here you can hear/see everything from Punk to Black Metal live). In Leipzig there's the "UT Connewitz" (which was one of the very first cinemas in Germoney) and the (former) crust stronghold "Zoro". There are other good clubs, but I can't think of the right now. I also like small festivals like "Chaos Descends" (fomerly known as "Hell's Pleasure"), "Dangerous Metal Meetings", "Sinister Purpose" (sadly, this year was the last time it took place) or the sadly also no longer existing "Raging Death Date".
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Gunnar: We don't have much to do with the music industry these days. I can only speak from my experience from my old band, EKRANOPLAN. We sometimes have to wait a year an a half until the pressing plant was finished with our LPs. In the meantime, they'd propably (re-)pressed the hundredth edition of some LP by, say, the ROLLING STONES, THE Beatles, PINK FLOYD or METALLICA. That's incredibly annoying, for sure. Then you play a release show for your so-called "new" record and your songs are already old again. Well, that's always been a problem for small bands. That's why, as much as possible, always make your own stuff. Also, don't let some label tie you to the with restrictive contracts. And don't make any big (business) plans; they don't work these days anyways. And give up the dream of making money and becoming a rockstar. That will remain a dream forever.
Robert: Try to have as much control of your band as you can. Don't let a (record) Company take care of all your stuff, like merch or shows. It's a good time right now to do a lot of things on your own as a band. Like recording, organizing gigs, etc..
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Robert: I know there is a huge Hellenic Black Metal scene. With Bands like ROTTING CHRIST or VARATHRON. The first picture that comes to my mind about the Hellenic Metal scene is watching "Live in Athens" of ICED EARTH as a teenager an seeing the crowd going absolutely insane. Beyond impressive. I'm a big fan of the Heavy Rock Band KHIRKI. Their latest record was my album of the year in 2024. I've seen them live last year. They were awesome. VILLAGERS from Ioannina City is a band I admire, too. "Age Of Aquarius" is an absolute masterpiece and I'm happy to seen them live on stage in our town, twice.
Gunnar: Of course I know the Bands Robert mentioned, like ROTTING CHRIST or VARATHRON. Other Greek metal bands I know are for instance: SUICIDAL ANGELS (not my cup of tea, I mean beer), SLAVEBREED, DEPHOSPORUS, BÖNEYARD, SLAUGHTERED PRIEST, HAIL SPIRIT NOIR (which I really like), DEAD CONGREGATION and ZEMIAL. I've actually done some catering for DEAD CONGREGATION and ZEMIAL at "Chaos Descends Festival". However, I have to mention one more important band that, while they didn't play metal, had a huge influence on the metal scene and it's bands: APHRODITE'S CHILD. By the way, Demis Roussous and Vangelis are no strangers here in Germoney and had their biggest success here in the eighties. There are also a bunch of good punk bands in Greece: PANIKOS (who have a split LP with WWK from Germoney), NAFTIA, DOOMED AGAIN or CHAIN Cult, to name just a few. Unfortunately, Greece had also a despicaple NSBM scene with those fucking bands like THOU ART LORD, LEGION OF DOOM, DER STÜRMER, STUTTHOF/ACHERONTAS. Who shit in their brains? Fuck that nazi crap! People who have no bloody idea about history should just shut the fuck up. Wether here in Germoney, Greece or the rest of the world!
What are your future plans?
Robert: Working on new material for the next record and play some shows in cities we haven't played so far.
Gunnar: Yeah, I agree. But we really plan that much. It's sometimes difficult for everyone to be there for rehearsals. Do our planning really only evolves around Wether we can play gigs, the time frame when we can record and when someone might be absent because they have plans with their girlfriend or family, or someone wants to go to a festival or go an vacation. So far, things have been going pretty well for us. We'll avoid to do anything until it's necessary.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Gunnar: Thank you for the interview invitation; it was the first for us as a band. Stay strong, stay underground, and stand by your roots. Support your local bands and projects by attending their concerts and buying records and merchandise from your favorite bands. Defend your freedoms and safe spaces! Fuck "Golden Dawn" in Greece, AfD in Germany, and all other repressive right-wing extremist parties and organizations worldwide.
Robert: Thank you for having us on your webzine. Maybe we'll play a show in Greece and see you guys. DESTRUCT YOUR SELF! 🤘
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
SELF DESTRUCTION MODE CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558806111087
https://www.instagram.com/selfdestructionmode_jena/
https://selfdestructionmode.bandcamp.com/album/self-destruction-mode