Not Available is a really good german band which mostly sing in English….here they have
answered a lot of questions from me in december 2014
Please tell me a little bit history of the group?
Not Available formed in1992. We were a couple of friends playing music together. One day the father of one of this friends, also playing in a band, gave us an old drum set for free. That was the birthday of our band.
Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone? Have you been in any other punkbands before?
It´s just our bass player, Stephan, who played in another punk band before, The Seasick Pirates. By the way, our bass player is 38 years old, a teacher, no family (he is the only single in our band, watch out girls).
Our guitar player Didi is business economist, 39 years, he´s married and has a kid.
Our other guitar player, Steffen, is 40 years old, he´s a dentist, also married, two kids.
Our drummer Chris, 39 years, is an oculist, he will marry soon, no kids.
Finally it´s me, Dragan (singer), 40 years old, engineer, wife, two kids.
And there is absolutely nothing bad about us, everyone of us is simply good.
I think I can hear both ushc and old punkrock Am I right? Favorites from the past?
I also like both, punkrock and hc. My all-time favorites: Bad Religion. Other old stuff we like: No us for a name, Rancid, NoFX, Satanic Surfers, Gorilla Biscuits, No fun at all.....
Not Available, who came up with the name, are you satisfied with it? Why not a german name?? Which is the best bandname you know?
I came up with this name. I thought, it sounds real cool. Well, that were the early 90ies, when a mobile phone was a futurething. Today I guess we would choose another name, one which is easier to spell, maybe Pupu for example. We have chosen an English name, because it were the bands from US we used to listen to. The best name I know? Well Soziedad Alkoholika is pretty cool.
What´s the best thing with playing live? And what´s the difference of playing now and when you started to play?
The best thing in playing live is the energy between the band and the audience. Singing songs together, having great fund together – priceless.
The difference between playing now and then? The punkrock-scene is not as big as it was, when we started. So punkrock shows are more often in smaller clubs today.
And where is best to play? Is there any place you really hate to play?
First of all, there is no place we hate to play. About best places? Not easy to answer, there are a couple of places in Germany, Barcelona is pretty cool too. Well, it´s great everywhere.
How is it to play this sort of music in germany?
As I said before, the punkrock scene in Germany is not as big as it once was. So there are not many german punkrock bands around. But we´re trying to keep it alive.
How would you describe your music in three words?
Melodic, politically incorrect
What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?
If it would be just a word for us, we wouldn´t do NOT AVAILABLE for over 20 years now. It is a part for us since we´ve been teenagers. So no, it´s definitely not only a word.
How do you see on downloading, mp3 and that stuff?
I´m not into mp3, I prefer buying CD´s. But that´s because I grew up with that. For youth today it´s mp3 and that stuff they are used to. Things change.
How is it to live in the Germany now? Politically?
Well, we are free to do everything we want to. Most people in the world can´t say that. I was born in Yugoslavia, so I now also a few other sides. So I can say, it´s pretty good living in Germany.
Is there any good bands from Germany now? Is the punkscene big? How is it in your hometown?
The punkscene in Germany is… wait, haven´t I said that before? ;) Well in our hometown there is no punkscene at all. That´s why we are not playing very often in our area. Good punkbands from Germany, the Beatsteaks for sure. And please feel free, to check out Itchy Poopzkid.
What do you know about Sweden?
Good people, Good bands, Millencollin, Adhesive, Randy, No fun at all, 59 times the pain… Burning Heart, Brööl (good old times). And alcohol´s expensive
Your lyrics, who does them and what influences you? Why not in german?
We started with singing in English, because the bands influenced us, were from the US. And we wanted to sound like them. Most of our lyrics are written by our drummer Chris an me. The influences are different, it´s about the band, about girls, about things that happened to someone of us. But honestly, there is not really “the message” Not Available wants to tell. There are other bands doing that much better, then we can.
Is there any subject that you never will write anything about?
No.
Politic and music, does it goes hand in hand?
Yes, sure. As I said before, there are a couple of bands with great political lyrics, like Bad Religion or Rage against the machine.
Do you think that music (lyrics and so on) can change anyones life, I mean people listen to music?
Of course I do. There´s a nice story. It´s about 15 years ago when we received a letter from a guy in prison. He wrote us that he has an album of us he is listening almost everyday. And it makes his day easier he said. That was really heartwarming.
First record, last record and the most expensive record ever bought?
First record: MC Hammer – please Hammer don´t hurt em (I know, I know…)
Last record: Lagwagon – Hang
Most expensive record? No idea, I have only CD´s with regular prices.
Is it important for you to get out your records physical also? New stuff on it´s way? Label?
Yeah, just as said before, we grew up with CD´s, that´s why we also wanted our albums physical. A new album is not on it´s way at the moment because our latest album came out January 2014, called No excuses (Antstreet records)
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during your career and under some gig?
There are tons of funny things. For example, we did a 4-show-tour in Spain a few years ago. The 2nd gig was in Malaga. We had to sleep at the homes of the band played with us. So after the show the guys told us they´re gonna get the bus and pick us up near the venue, where we have played. Unfortunately there were a few pubs on our way. So we had a few drinks. After 90 minutes we arrived at out meeting point, where the guys wanted to pick us up. But there were no guys, no bus. We couldn’t reach anyone of the guys, their mobiles were switched of an we had no address. So we started looking for a hotel where we could sleep. I don´t know, what was going on that day in Malaga, but absolutely every hotel was full that night, not a single room left. So after walking a few hours through Malaga we found an open club. We went in and bought a drink. But everyone in there was dancing lambada. That was spooky, so we went out of there. We were so tired, so we decided to sleep at the beach. A few hours later the guys from the other band called us and picked us up at the beach. That was one of the longest nights in our bands history.
How does your audience look like? Which people do you miss on your concerts?
Our audience looks fantastic, beautiful people everywhere. Young people, old people (like us), girls, boys… So we don´t miss anyone at all.
Please rank your five favorite records, five favorite concerts and five most important things in life?
Records:
Bad Religion – against the grain
NoFX – Punk in drublic
Rancid – And out come the wolves
No use for a name – The daily grind
System of a down – Toxicity
Concerts:
Bad Religion - Toy Dolls - No Use for a name – NoFX - Lagwagon
My most important things: Family/kids – Friends – Music - Band
Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews??
No, most interviews are not boring. But we don´t have interviews really often. Maybe that´s why it is not boring for us.
Please ask the questions you never get but you want to have, ask it and answer it?
Question: How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? Answer: 5
Futureplans for the band?
Going to Sweden, WE NEVER PLAYED IN SWEDEN!!!!!
For yourself?
Raise my kids as good as I can. The rest? Let´s see what´s still to come…
Wisdomword?
May your glass never gets empty.
Something to add?
Thanks a lot for your questions. Greetings to everyone, especially Swedens punkrock community. Hope to see you soon.