INTERVIEW MONSTRE - SCHNECKENKÖNICH "I now make music that I would have been ashamed to admit even listening to a few years ago!"

What is a Monster interview? Unlike the lengthy interviews we sometimes offer, it's limited to a few questions. From week to week, you'll find different recurring themes. It's up to you to choose your favorite questions, or to read the whole thing.
Have fun with  SCHNECKENKÖNICH discovered thanks to Bertrand Tappaz and Voix De Garage !

Taste question: Which artists have influenced you the most, and what can you tell us exemples about this influence? Who is the artist you dislike and why will he/she never influence you?

At first I had to say, that I will answer your questions for myself (Hannes: vocals and guitar). If you would ask the other members, the answers surely would be different.

So my influences for Schneckenkönich musical-wise are Creedence, Skynyrd, Rory Gallagher, Roky Erickson, Dead Moon and Otis Redding. If you listen closely you maybe will find a link to one of those artists in nearly every single song of us.

The second part of the question would lead me to a conversation I had with my bandmates recently. There are a handfull of -in my opinion- overated artists and I don`t understand the hype. For example I don`t get the feelin with Pink Floyd or David Bowie. Even there are some single good songs. But influence? – No!


Intellectual question: Which 'non-musical artist (filmmaker, writer, painter...) played an important role in the way the band evolved...

At the moment I like the movies of Ari Aster, the books of Stephen King and the paintings of Theodor Kittelsen. But I would doubt their importance for the band.

History question: Can you sum up the life of your group?

A few years ago the drummer, the bassplayer and me decided to to give up all our musical projects to save resources and focus on one band suitable with our lifes as hard-working-familymen. A second guitar player joined in and we left behind our Rock’n’Roll/Hardcore/Stoner/Punk – childhood to form an authentic Dad-Rock-band.

Champollion question: What is the meaning of the band's name?

The group is named after a zoological phenomenom, the german word for „snail king“. Only in extremely rare cases the shell of a snail is twisted in an atypical mirror-inverted manner – left-handed. Due to this peculiarity, it is almost impossible for the individual to ever find a partner. Because mating could only succeed with a specimen whose organs were also arranged in opposite positions.

Buddy question: Who has helped you most in your band's adventure and without whom you wouldn't have had the same evolution?

Gregor Habicht (Sounds of our recordings and videosessions)

Gregor Samsa (Sounds of Subterrania)

Spinal Tap question: What's the most stupid thing that's ever happened to you?

In relation to play in a band it is raising a family and havin a job. Even more stupid it is to start a band with guys doing families and having jobs too.

Question Happy Few: What's the biggest benefit you've derived from your band, and can you tell us about it?

I now make music that I would have been ashamed to admit even listening to a few years ago

Art question: What book, film, record and current band made you flash?

Book: Watership Down by Richard Adams

Film: The Innocents by Eskil Vogt

Record: Feel the Darkness by Poison Idea

Current band: C.O.F.F.I.N from Australia

Funny question. What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?

When people, even older than your parents become huge fans of your music, want you to sign your record or begging for used drumsticks.

Camembert question: What's France to you, apart from the land of wine and cheese?

A bunch of french guys roll over the Leipzig punkrock-scene and create some fine bands here (like Laxisme, Glitch or Bronco Libre) and some of these guys even did some great recording jobs for local bands. Friends of mine call it „the french-invasion“.

For me personally the France of rock and underground allways will be „ Meine Puppe sagt immer non“ by Michel Polnareff and „Schlag!“ by HEIMAT-LOS.

Sponsorship question: Who can you sponsor for Les Monstres Sacrés, and how can you convince us to talk about them?

Highway Patrol from the city of Halle/Saale, they do gorgeous music.

HALL from Berlin will release their debut record via Alien Snatch!

… and hopefully we share stages next year with both of them– convincing enough?!

Merci Schneckenkönich !

https://soundsofsubterrania.bandcamp.com/album/slow-gems