Andreas from the group Axids was so fast to
answer these questions. I sent the interview
around 11.18 and 13.50 the interview was done.
This happened in march-2022
Please tell me a little history of the group,
members and what you do when you don´t play
music, what do you work and which ages are you
in? Have
it been the same members all the time, or have
it been many lineup changes?
-Do you know the Australian band Clowns? Awesome
punk rock, screamed vocals, but still rather
positive and uplifting. They played in Hamburg.
After the gig, the drummer of a friend of mine
asked me if we wanted to form a band that did
something like that. I felt like doing something
really snotty for a change. So we grabbed Ole.
He can hold a guitar and even play it. Then
there was this crazy pizza maker and wrestler
Mario. Actually, he also plays the guitar. Now
he plays bass. So it started well. Then came the
pandemic. The one drummer left and Felix came.
We found ourselves again and then continued
where we left off: Turning ideas into songs as
fast as possible. No overthinking, just doing.
The result is now in your hands with this
record. It's available on vinyl or you can
stream it everywhere. Even though it was all
supposed to be fun, it suddenly clicked. The
project became a real band. We're all in our
mid/late 30s, working full time, but it still
feels like we're 19 again. A sense of departure,
energy, Sturm und Drang.
Axids is the name, where did it came from and
what does it mean?
-An idea for the name was - I think - already
born that evening, when we thought about doing
something like the clowns. My first suggestion
was AIDS. But somehow it didn't go down very
well. Strange, isn't it? Well. Then we simply
added an X and everything was clear. The AXIDS
were born.
What´s best with playing live ? Are you missing
it now or is it soon that you will play live
after covid-times? Where is best to play, which
country, town, place?
-Play live or bust! That was and is always
exactly what our concept is designed for. Of
course, you can also play our stuff on your
walkman on the road or blast it on your stereo
at home and wreck the place. Also cool, but just
not the same. Luckily we can play live again
under strict rules. It's very important for us
that the gigs are as safe a story as possible
for everyone. Our release party was fantastic.
We haven't felt that alive in ages and hopefully
the audience felt the same way. Other than that,
we have gigs scheduled regularly through
September. And currently it looks like they're
all going to happen.
Is it important to give out the record as
physical releases do you think?
-If you look at our vinyl, you'll notice that
we've already put more effort into it than is
reasonable. Physical releases are extremely
costly and a certain risk in the current
situation. Extras in the design affect the
price. But honestly, fuck it. Let's just burn
money then. Other people waste their money on
cars, jewelry or senseless and heartless
investments. Having your own music on vinyl and
sharing it with the world like this is a nice
feeling. We love it when people send us pictures
of them playing our album. A record like that is
just more fun than clicking the play button on
an app. But: On the other hand, we think it's
totally cool that you can hear us all over the
world. I totally dig it when kids from Indonesia
are into our sound. That wouldn't have been
possible in the 80s or 90s. Vinyl gives your
music a certain value, streaming makes your
music accessible. Both in combination make us at
least happy as a band - and poorer. Hahaha.
Do you play any covers when you play live? If
you do, which then?
-We're not a big fan of reproducing songs by
other performers. I for one really don't have
fun with it either. I want to create and not
imitate. It sounds like we are totally out to be
absolutely unique. Of course that's not true. If
you listen to us, you'll notice countless
influences that grow together into something
new. We love music, we just don't see the point
in completely imitating what exists. Besides, we
don't want to offend our idols with our pathetic
attempts. Hahaha. So: no, we don't cover.
Please tell me a little about following songs a)
Axid Rose b) Axids all areas c) Axid Queen and
how did you come foreward to that everysong
would be named anything with Axi?
-Oh, you've picked some interesting songs. AXID
ROSE is one of my favorite songs, for example.
The priest-heavy opening alone, which then
transitions into this fast punky part. Fast, a
touch of melody. Pure energy. The vocals even
almost scream a bit melodically, albeit off-key.
But that's what makes the charm of us. Nothing
was recorded on click. No claim to
musical-technical correctness. Just fun. And in
terms of content: If everything sucks: check out
Axid Rose. He always does his thing. Whoever
this guy may be. By the way: On our next album
one song will be called: AXID RUDI PELL. AXID
RUDI PELL - oh toi ma belle ... Hahaha,
AXIDS ALL AREAS ... You notice, the common
thread are the puns with our band name. This is
about the longing to finally be able to go
anywhere again. I want to finally see Iron
Maiden in South America again, I want to finally
meet friends in England again. We as a band want
to play everywhere. No boundaries. Musically,
what I like about the song is the tension
between aggressive riffing, screaming and these
softer moments. And you find the same with
AXID QUEEN. Gentle entrance and then it gets
wilder. Contentwise a very personal text. Did
you also watch Rosanne back then? I could
totally identify with Darlene. Just a super cool
character. But then there was the older sister
Becky. I thought she was totally hot. Even
though I found her rather boring. Isn't it
interesting that even as a little adolescent you
get distracted by superficialities. In the long
run, you would be happy with the person whose
inner values you appreciate. Well, teenage
angst. That runs through many of our songs. Even
if they have superficially no depth and are
rather stream of consciousness, there are always
moments here and there. And often it feels like
we are still teenagers. At the latest in the
rehearsal room we are suddenly all 14, 16 or at
most 19 years old again.
So
far, surprisingly, we have received only good
feedback. People - some of them really very
established music journalists - seem to
understand our concept. It's not about musical
beauty, it's about the DIY spirit. It just so
happens that in the end it doesn't sound like
shit, but has energy and is fun. You're up for
pogo, stuffy basement rooms, sweat from the
ceiling. The songs are not carried by a
mathematical click, but by our heartbeat. And
that sometimes overturns - because the music
does something with us. You can hear that. It
could be disturbing, but it doesn't have to be.
So if someone criticizes us and tears the album
apart: there's absolutely a reason for that. We
would not be sad. But if someone likes it, we're
even happier.
Do you think that your lyrics can have effect on
other people who listens to them…any example on
it? Have you changed anyones mind? Never in
german?
-Whether lyrics can have an effect on people.
Yes, definitely. But whether that also applies
to us? Mhhhh, our lyrics are really hard to
understand because of the screaming. The
transport a feeling rather than content. But
even if the lyrics are quite funny, you can
always draw a positive message from them - even
if it's just a funny reference that reminds
someone of a good time. For example: PARTY TIME
AXIDLENT. Then when I think of Wayne's World, I
have to smile. Not much of a thought provoker,
but an effect nonetheless. A positive one.
How is it to play this sort of music in Germany,
which type of bands are you having concerts
with??
-Germany and Hamburg in particular has a good
punk scene. In all shades there are different
bands here with super funny, nice people. The
good thing about our style is that we can play
with hardcore bands, punk bands, but also with
metal bands like our buddies from KNIFE. The
important thing is: Does the mix of bands make
sense for the audience?
Have you been one of all these bands which have
made livestreams now during the covid-19 time or
how is it?
-Oh, we once just live streamed our rehearsal on
Instagram. But without announcement or anything.
But everyone who watched had a good time. At
least. And that's the point.
I like beer and also make beer.. If Axids would
do a beer , what would it be named and which
sort of beer would it be?
-Hahaha, awesome question. I myself have been
sober for over two years. Not that I would never
drink again, just don't have the need at the
moment. The more then the others drink. And they
would celebrate their own beer of course. Do you
know the Danish beer Faxe? The 1 liter cans.
Hahaha. So of course a FAXID beer is obvious.
Also from the idea that it has to be at least a
1 liter can.
How would you describe your music in three words
to anyone who never have heard you?
-The US magazine Invisible Oranges hit the nail
on the head: „Highly vitriolic punk with
snarling vocals, skull-splitting riffs, and far
more puns on their band name than you were
probably expecting.“ That is a very nice
description of us.
Which is your own favoritesong among your own
songs?
-Oh, we love all songs, of course. But if you
ask me: NÖ AXID and Theo AXIDABLE.
What´s the biggest difference when you plays
live nowadays if you compare when you first
started to play in a band?
-With my other band we are very very
professional. Very planned rehearsals, very
thoughtful songwriting. The lyrics alone take
months. With the AXIDS, the absolute opposite is
the case. Chaos reigns here. Just like it was
when I was 16. Only now we are able to channel
this creative energy a bit. We don't have to
prove anything to anyone. We don't have to
pretend. We just put our resurrected teenage
angst into songs. Done.
Old German punk/hardcorebands which you really
like?
-Tackleberry, Antitainment or bands like Ulf,
Slime, Love A, No Guidance which are quite old
but still active. There're so many to add.
What do you know about Sweden? What did people
said about your corona-strategy? Have you ever
been here? Any good bands from Sweden that you
like?
-First thought: Millencolin. Awesome band,
awesome guys. Second thought: Hellacopters.
Thanks Satan for Nicke Andersson. Otherwise,
Sweden is actually considered a great role model
for liberal modern thinking people. We love your
progressive approach to society. As far as your
covid strategy is concerned, we don't want to
presume any judgment. We at AXIDS have always
been guided by science and not by populist
opinions. I personally just found it a pity that
just the right disgusting powers
instrumentalized you and your course. That
doesn't fit with my image of Sweden.
Your audience when you play live, which type of
people comes, age?
-Our shows are attended by people who are into
music. Even if the people are for the most part
over 30. I see only teenagers in front of us.
What´s the best of playing live?
-Since we are the new guys, we are currently
playing very early. It's a great opportunity.
Nobody expects anything, you can only win. But
you also have to work your ass off for it.
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened
during a livegig with your band?
-The whole performance of us is fun. It starts
with a popcorn machine that fills the whole room
with an unmistakable smell and ends with popcorn
raining into the audience. Okay, which might be
funny here: I sweep at the end. After all, I
don't want to make more work for the people
working in the venue. This always looks quite
funny when the singer has to sweep a bit before
continuing.
Do you buy much records, or is it only Spotify
and those type of things to listen to music?
-I personally spend more money on records than
listening to them. It's a sign of respect. Plus,
I can finally do what I always wanted as a
teenager: have a huge vinyl collection.
If you could choose five bands from the past and
the history and nowadays and both dead and
living bands to have a concert together with
your band. Which five have you been chosen?
-Oha. Now that's going to be a wild mix. But
yeah, here are my top five bands I would love to
share the stage with AXIDS: RAMONES, KISS, DEAD
KENNEDYS, MISFITS, THE BRONX. Oh, this is
interesting. If you put those bands in a
blender, we'd come out. Well, we are epigones.
No problem with that.
Are you living on your music or what do you work
with on the side of the music?
-Our music costs us more money than it brings
us. So without our jobs the whole thing wouldn't
be possible. But: All the more we only do what
we like to do. Pure luxury.
Wisdomword?
-You can't ask the AXIDS for wisdom. But hey. I
have a credo that guides you through life: Don't
be an asshole.
Anything more to add to the interview?
-Listen to the album on 33 instead of 45. When
we're 70 we'll sound like this. Doom punk. It
has something too. Thanks for the interview. It
was super fun.
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