What means post-punk today?
Searching for “modern” post-punk bands feels sometimes like a treasure hunt: Extremely time consuming, exhausting and difficult, but in the end highly rewarding. Especially when you are searching for something aside of the INTERPOL- and EDITORS-mainstream.
Discovering WE MISS THE EARTH from Portland, Oregon was definetly more than rewarding. In 2008 they released their EP “A New Silent Era” which came up with 6 wonderful songs, in the vein of the legendary English 80ies post-punk band THE SOUND (which never received the attention they deserved). Very soon “New Silent Era” is to be mastered, repackaged and released as a full length record with a complete new artwork via This-A-Way Records. Something I definetly look forward to.
I interviewed Chris from WE MISS THE EARTH on his personal icons, about post-punk today and on the DEATH IN JUNE – controversy.
Chris, which bands of the post-punk-era had the biggest influence on you and why?
If I had to pick one, I’d have to say THE SOUND. I enjoy the atmosphere of many post-punk type bands, but THE SOUND was able to deliver both mood and perfect pop simultaneously, and consistantly.
Are you familiar with the controversy about the british band DEATH IN JUNE, who are highly disputed in Germany because of their usage of Nazi-aesthetics?
I have a friend who introduced me to his music several years ago, and just recently I’ve received a copy of one of the newer albums (“Rule Of Thirds”?) from a friend who worked at a record label he’s on. It’s kind of funny you ask this, as I’ve recently tried to seek out what it is DEATH IN JUNE really represents. So many of the early punk/post-punk bands flirted with fascist imagery, but didn’t believe in that ideology at all.
I can’t fully state what I think of DIJ as I don’t know enough about it. I do however believe that people should exercise their own discretion on what they listen to and allow to influence them.
What is the song “modern violence” about?
When I come up with song ideas it usually stems from sayings or ideas I find kind of intriguing or strange. “Modern Violence” just follows in that trend. I guess I was amused by the idea of calling something archaic like violence modern or updated. Ha ha.
Do you think one can speak of a post-punk-revival these days?
Oh I dunno, didn’t that begin and end with INTERPOL?
Honestly, only a couple of modern post-punk type bands really interest me, and the one I find most immediate would have to be THE PRIDS. I believe they’re creating truly classic music, and I personally hold that above all else.
recommended song: “Incentive”
www.myspace.com/wemisstheearth
