| KMFDM's Sascha Konietzko Part 2 |
| Written by Christina Cooper | |
| Tuesday, 28 August 2007 | |
|
Part Two
Tim: One of the things you guys are known for is how you treat your fans. Not only do you make them part of your music, but you also take a lot of time out to meet with them, take pictures and sign autographs. In doing all this, have you ever come across any fans that truly creeped you out? Sascha: You know, yeah, there is one or two! (Laughing) Tim: The only reason I ask is that Rob Zombie was asked the same question and the one person he said creeped him out the most was from Lincoln, Nebraska. So I just found that quite humorous. Sascha: I can't think of anyone from Lincoln, Nebraska but that would be a place where you would suspect a lot of creeps to be. (Sascha and I both laugh at that) Why, are you from Lincoln? Tim: Yes, I am. (More laughter) So what are you saying? Sascha: Well, hey. I was sort of half joking but I think that I heard at some point that Lincoln, Nebraska was the headquarters of the American Neo-Nazi movement. Which kind of surprised me cause I would have thought it would be somewhere in Idaho. And isn't there a place in Nebraska called Mitchell. Tim: I don't know, and I've never heard of the Neo-Nazi thing either. Sascha: No, wait. Mitchell is in South Dakota. Anyhow, one night I was moving from Chicago to Seattle and I stopped over in Mitchell. And their was a fuckin' building in downtown Mitchell full of swastikas made out of corn! And I was like, what the fuck is going on here! Tim: (laughing) So I'm sure you stuck around for a long time. Sascha: (laughing) Oh yeah, yeah! Sascha: I don't think I've even been to Lincoln, Nebraska to be honest. Tim: Actually, you guys did book a show at Knickerbockers. I don't know if it was last year or the year before, that got cancelled. Sascha: Oh yeah! It was this tiny little place. They had no power and the stage was like about 6 feet. It was too small to put a drum kit up. Tim: Yeah, cause I just went and saw Front Line Assembly there about a month ago and they left about three-fourths of their gear in their truck cause they couldn't fit it onstage. Sascha: That place was not suitable to put on a show and I think their was some massive security concerns as well. The last thing you need at the end of the tour, that was towards the end when we were on our way home. The last thing you need at the end of the tour is to play at a place that is equipped or not equipped, not fitting for a show, then something happens and the earnings for the last four to six weeks go down the shitter right away. Tim: Well, there are a lot of newer venues here in Omaha, so maybe you guys can come back here and do a show. Sascha: Are you in Omaha now? Tim: Yes. Sascha: Wasn't there a Ranch Bowl in Omaha? Tim: Yeah, they just tore it down. Their putting in a Wal-mart. Sascha: That was a fun place. Tim: It was pretty awesome. A lot of history there! I saw you guys there a couple times. Sascha: I can't recall playing there more than once. Tim: Maybe it was only once. I think it was the Sturm and Drang tour that you guys played there. Sascha: That sounds about right. Yeah, we have some footage of me bowling very unsuccessfully! (Both of us laughing) Tim: So are there any current US tour plans? Sascha: In fact, their aren't. We were contemplating putting together a tour and then it just, you know. Sometimes everything falls together right into place and this time was one of those times where it didn't happen. And I said hell that might just be a sign. Not that I believe in signs or anything but this might just be, not the worst kind of thing ever because we have been touring non-stop and recording non-stop for the past five years. And I've been saying for quite some time that I wanted to pack up my shit and move to Europe. So I figured, you know, well maybe now is the time to do that. So that is what I am doing right now. Tim: So no tour plans or maybe any one off shows? Sascha: Nope, nothing. Tim: Alright. Sascha: Just packing it up and making my move. But you know the 25th Anniversary is coming around in early 09'. That will be the time to be back. (Sascha doing an Arnold Schwarzenegger impression) I’ll be back! <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Well, one of the most recent bands that you guys toured with was Combichrist. On Combichrist’s new album is a track called “Shut Up and Swallow” and on the new KMFDM album is “Spit or Swallow”. Is this mere coincidence, are we dealing with a couple of dirty old men or is their something that happened on that tour that we should all know about? <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Well, “Shut Up and Swallow” would be the dirty one I suppose. “Spit or Swallow” is more like lead or follow kind of thing. Actually, you know, I don’t even think I’m aware of that but I’m pretty sure I have a copy of the Combichrist album floating around and I’ll give it a look. But no, obviously their was no plan on doing that, that way. Really, who gives a fuck you know, even if it was “Spit or Swallow” twice. (Laughing) <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: I just found it humorous. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: No, of course! There are often times like synchronicity in the air; you come up with things that are seemingly unrelated at the same time. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Seeing that you have been doing this for 23 years already, can you see yourself doing it for another 23? <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: I couldn’t see myself doing anything else really. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: So how would you feel about being labeled the “grandfather of industrial rock”? <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Ah, I’ve never heard that before. (Both of us laughing) Like I said, I’m doing this because I like it. I’m not doing it because I need to or I’m pressured into doing it. It’s totally voluntary and I couldn’t think of having a better job than what I’m doing. In fact, this morning when I woke up I had this idea. I was like why the hell don’t I start my own internet radio show once I’m back in Europe, just set myself up and do a broadcast twice a week. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Very cool! <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Yeah, it could be good fun. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Are their any current or new bands that stand out to you? What are you listening to these days? <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Let’s see, one of my favorite things to listen to right now is Alpha Shemale and the song is called “Bomb Iran”. That’s the band of a friend of mine from Los Angeles. I’ve been listening to a lot of re-mastered Can, a German band from the 60’s and 70’s and I’m currently working on a new project with among others, Lucia and Dean Garcia from Curve but it’s not going to be KGC. It’s yet another project, very different from KGC. So we’ll see, I just don’t really have time to listen to very much outside of what I’m doing. I just did a remix for Die Krupps and staying busy. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Excellent. That is all I have for you and is was a pleasure talking to you. Being a long time fan I was pretty nervous about the call. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Well, you don’t sound nervous. Is that a good thing? <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Well, everyone’s been teasing me, just because they know how much of a fan I am. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Ah, that’s OK. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: I enjoyed talking to you. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: So did I. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: I look forward to seeing you guys the next time you decide to do a show. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: We’ll be in touch when the time comes and get some input for the venues in your area there. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: No problem, I can definitely help you out with that. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Excellent! <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Alright, well it was good talking to you. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Likewise Tim. Have a good night! <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: You too. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Sascha: Cheers! <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Tim: Bye. |
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