The Antikaroshi Interview is up 10/5/2009
1. For those of new to The Antikaroshi tell us a bit about the band and how it came to be.
The band is thea(g,voc,keys), ntik (bg,voc,keys) and aroshi (dr) We started out in spring 2007 right after we decided to have a break with our old band. It was clear to ask aroshi to join us on drums as we knew him for a long time. We recorded a 4-track demo in summer 2007 and played our first show with our friends DIARIO on Oct the 13th, 2007
We recorded most of the tracks for “crushed neocons” during Febr 08 and played our first 10 day tour through Germany and czech rep. in May the same year.
2. To my ears there is mix of old school DC/ Discord bands sounds like Fugazi & Lungfish mix with the more Indie sounds of bands like Slint, killdozer,Tar and Polvo... Are you fans of any of these old school 90's indie bands??
Sure we like the whole dischord thing including its politics. It's a big influence. But we all listen to a lot of music. Personally I started playing music along with old eastgerman punk bands like PAPIERKRIEG, AG GEIGE etc.
But indeed, it seems as when it comes to music and our perspective on it, it's our most common ground we are starting from and from there on incorporating all the other things we personally like and can all arrange with.
3. You’re working with Exile on Mainstream - how did that come to be?
After recording most of the tracks for “crushed neocons” Andreas Kohl of Exile offered us to promote our “demo cd-r” to find a label who's willing to release it. We knew him from shows we've been putting up for some of his bands and stayed in touch. He invited us for his “south of mainstream” festival and offered us right after the show to release the recording on eom. It was stunning! I mean we like all the bands on eom and there's definitely nothing similar in germany.
4. What is a live show like for The Antikaroshi?
It is the truest moment for a band.
5. I love the mix of fragile delicate sounds with the funky aggressive sounds of Post Hardcore. Did it take you a while to get to this sound?
Hm, we did not much think about that. It just happened. We all are into music for 20 years and after playing for so long with the typical line-up it was time for something new. We like bands like TRANS AM and although I can’t play keyboards at all it’s good fun to play around.
6. Is there a story behind why the band was named The Antikaroshi???
Not really. The last song of our old band was named “The Antikaroshi”- we liked the idea of bringing something to an end with starting something new. Bit like El guapo and supersystem did. But basically we needed a name. “Karoshi” is a japanes phrase. You can google for that and yes although we all gotta work to pay the bills-working 9-5 sucks.
7. Is Crushed Neocons a full story that unfolds or just a collection of thoughts and ideas?
It`s more a collection of thoughts I'd say. We wanted to have a political title of the record although the lyrics are quite abstract sometimes. The title track goes back to my childhood. When I was a little kid me and my friends messed up something. It all ended up with my parents asking what I would have in my hands. Although I haven’t had anything in they forced me to open my tiny fists which I refused to do so. I kept my clenched fist. It was the first time of real consciousness. Me against them. I was hiding a secret. No one should know what’s inside. It could be anything. It was such a great moment of power. It’s like riding down the slope at the age of 7. They will always tell you not to do so, but something deep within forces you to do so. Although we are old enough to believe that no one’s gonna change the big things/politics anymore, everybody should remember those days when we had the power and will of dreaming the impossible.
8. Are the members of The Antikaroshi fans of the digital age or do you miss the more traditional way music use to be presented?
Hm, don’t know. I’d rather buy a vinyl instead of a CD. But basically the whole music industry is so fucked. I don’t think about that much. I mean we use myspace, but I don’t like R.Murdoch at all. It’s a tool –that’s it. We encourage people to get in contact personally.
9. Will be see The Antikaroshi in thr USA anytime in 2009?
We’d love to come over but for now it seems not very realistic. Btw most of the bands from the US we played with prefer to play in europe. Who knows why…
10. Will there be any DVD or Videos coming from The Antikaroshi off this release?
If you know someone who wants to help us with that why not?! We’re quite lazy guys and to be honest: I do not even own a digital camera…I’m the guy from the stone age.
11. You seem to just have a myspace page like many bands today. Do you think it is the best promotional tool in 2009 for indie bands??
As I said: I think it’s only a tool. I don’t need “friends” to be added. I know who they are! Kids, go out and come to the shows. It’s way better than hiding behind a screen.
12. Where do you see The Antikaroshi exploring or expanding in sounds on future material?
Well, we all had several bands before. All the highs/lows. I think the chemistry is working well. Of course our own approach rises, but we’re really happy at the moment. There’s no specific plan. As we always did: we just keep going.
13. Is it hard as a three piece to create live what you create on CD?
It’s different, but also very refreshing. The focus is more on being a unit. Often we play parts differently after recording than it was actually meant to be. We even sometimes leave parts open intentionally, which gives space for coincidences, failures and everything between. The implicit question for us is then: how do we get that part across today? But it keeps the whole thing alive.
Btw, since most of the songs are, in great parts, recorded live, it's the same basis. The two or three missing overdubs we try to compensate with a fancy t-shirt here and a bit of sweat there. ok, the shirt thing is a joke, so it mostly breaks down into the physical experience.
14. thank you for your time any closing thoughts here..
Thank YOU, It’s actually the first interview of The Antikaroshi ever…
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