Painbastard

First of all, tell us and our readers a little bit more about yourself and Painbastard.
- "Painbastard is a one man-project and exists since 1998. 2003 I got a deal with Accession Records and released my first album 'Skin on Fire'. Now I released my second work called 'Overkill'."

What's your personal view and opinions of the music that you make?
- "Primary it's aggressive but melodic music with hard and driving beats. I call it electro, some people call it Dark Electro. I think it doesn't matter how somebody calls or characterizes my music."

Tell us about the producing and background to the album 'Overkill'.
- "I needed nearly one year to create and produce 'Overkill'. I used new sounds and new synthesizers. But also my inspirations have been very different to 'Skin on Fire'. 'Skin on Fire' was based on very personal experiences. In opposition to that 'Overkill' base on my daily frustration, etc. about our society, politics and politicians, religious delusion, the unstoppable destruction of our habitat and a little bit about myself."

It seems like your latest album 'Overkill' is a little bit more harsh and aggressive than your album 'Skin on Fire'. Is this true and if it is, is it a planed change or something that just happened?
- "It has to do with the current situation. Sometimes I have a lot of aggression which must get out of me, so I use my music. For me it's like a valve. Additionally I wanted to go back to my roots, to my older style which is more harsh than 'Skin on Fire'."

The track "Obituary" affected me very much emotionally, is the lyrics based on real life?
- "Unfortunately."

You use some samples every now and then. What's your greatest source of samples and what inspires you to bring them into your music'
- "My inspiration is the background/the story of the song. For example "Innocence"; this song is an accusation of our wrong understanding of law, justice, victims and criminals. You have to know I earn my money as lawyer. The sources of samples are so very different."

Do you have any side project or plans of having one?
- "If I would have some more time, I would have lots of side projects. But my profession takes into account too much time. So at this time I will concentrate on Painbastard."

You have a quote by Charles Kingsly in your inlay translated to German "Das einzige Mittel, die Welt zu verbessern, ist die Erfällung der nächstliegenden Pflichten, nicht die Jagd nach grossen, in der Ferne gesuchten Zielen" (direct English translation "The only means to improve the world is the fulfilment of the nearest obligations, not the hunt for hi goals in the future"). Tell us more why you have chosen these words.
- "I hear talking people, especially politicians the whole day. They say that everything goes bad and will go more miserable. But what they are doing? Nothing! They want to change the government or laws. But at first everybody has to start to rethink and maybe change his own standpoints and behaviour."

What''s the plan for the summer? Festivals and concerts? Any chance that you will play in Sweden any time soon?
- "Right, Albert from Contribe and I planed some concerts and I hope I will get the chance to play in Sweden a second time this year. The concert in Malmö was so great. You will find the news at my homepage www.painbastard.de. I also start my work for the next album."

What's your best and/or worst tour memory?
- "The concert in Halle/Saale ''99. There were only a few people, the sound was totally bad and low and nobody paid any attention to me."

Any great bands or artist you think deserves a little more attention? What are the greatest acts right now?
- "There are many good acts and not every good act gets the attention it deserves. But I cannot give you an answer what the greatest acts are right now. It always has to do with the personal taste and you know; Don't dispute about different tastes."

Any last words to our readers?
- "The easiest and certain way is not always the best one. Make your own day!"

This interview was written 2005 and initially published on Neurozine.com