My Name is Andreas, I live in Saxony-Anhalt/Germany. I am 45 years old. I work as a media designer for print products (flyers/posters/folder etc.), I'm not married. But I have had a liaison for over 35 years with rock music, especially noise rock in the last 25 years. I like to snap pictures during concerts.
2. I know you are a huge Degaruda fan. Why is that and what do you like about the music?
The mix of different styles. It is not metal, neither hardcore, nor punk – it is just Degaruda! Degaruda are fury and rage. But their sound is infused with quiet and melodious parts between all the hard sounds too, I like this. And Top is good in yelling. Funky Chinn on bass is a winner! The guitars are unique. Van on drums is a beast. And now I know, the boys are really friendly guys.
3. What other Bangkok bands impressed you?
I do not know a lot of bands from Bangkok. In the pubs of Bangkok mostly I have seen live cover bands of western music in the past. But here in your blog, this will be a inspiration to me, I'm sure. In the past I bought CD's of Clash and Sek Loso. I always think, there must be more independent-music!
I was on vacation, I had planned different trips, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Sai/Burma, Chanthaburi... When I read on Facebook that Degaruda will have their CD release party at Soy Sauce Factory one day after my arrival I knew well, this will be a very important part of my holiday to see Degaruda live in Bangkok! I was so happy to talk a bit with the guys before the concert, I bought their new album on CD, and a T-shirt direct at concert. I had contact before too with aire, so I had good luck to get the CD of aire at the same gig too.
5. What was the best part of the Degaruda show for you?
There was so many nice moments. The location was stylish with all the paintings. The complete concert was full of a special energy, which you can feel only in a smaller club like Soy Sauce Factory. The crowd was incredible. I was emotionally moved when Degaruda got the flowers, all the good wishes and the congratulations – I see this not so often at a rock concert! Very friendly: Top said personally goodbye to me when I was leaving Soy Sauce Factory after the concert.
6. I'm flattered to see the Degaruda photo I gave you hung on your wall! What other merchandise for Degaruda would you buy?
Thank you for the photo, Dave! I mean, I'm a fan of Degaruda, I would buy some stuff like caps, button, shirts, poster... A well produced live DVD and of course all upcoming records as physical CD. Thank Top, Degaruda's artwork is outstanding fine, all is eye candy!
7. What other Bangkok music CDs have you bought?
The CD of Aire. In memory of my Big Mountain Music Festival #2 in year of 2010 I bought a CD with live music from this festival. And a CD called “Rock Heroes” all the bands are totally unknown to me. Both CD's I bought in a 7-Eleven shop. In my next Holiday I know well I have to buy the CD of LowFat. I like the short songs and their grindcore stuff.
8. What other bands or types of music would you like to read about?
I prefer independent music, always! Punk, metal, hardcore. It's fine when it is a bit louder. I'm crazy about the genre noise rock punk, I dig for (international) noise bands like an archaeologist.
9. Do you listen to music podcasts, watch band interviews on YouTube, and read a lot of other blogs?
Yes, I liked some channels on Youtube, most of independent record labels. I read/hear daily a lot of blogs like this:
http://onetwoxu.de/
http://12xu.net/
https://www.mixcloud.com/PloeppSounds/
https://gerhardemmerkunst.wordpress.com/
https://www.mixcloud.com/Noiserusradio/
http://thequietus.com/
http://ihrtn.net/
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/
http://independentmusicpodcast.net/
I read a lot of German fanzines too. I remember there was a really interesting article in "VISIONS-Magazin" about the punk scene in Asia, especially about China or in Myanmar.
10. What German bands would you recommend?
The Scorpions or Tokio Hotel of course not. Germany is well known for the genre “Krautrock”, the hightimes with Can, Kraftwerk, NEU!, Amon Düül II, Eloy and Birth Control was long time ago in the seventies. Actually there is a lot other different stuff to find/hear, as example Kadavar, Dÿse, Pothead, Samsara Blues Experiment, Adolar, Fotos, Captain Planet, Turbostaat, Bonaparte and so many more. There are so much and good (totally unknown) Neo-Grunge/Hardcore/Punk/Metal-Bands. My most beloved Longplayer in 2015 was “sports” from Buzz Rodeo, an DIY Noise-Rock-Trio from Stuttgart. Please have a free listen here:https://buzzrodeo.bandcamp.com/album/sports-2