Interview with DoppelgängeR

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What genre of music do you consider yours to be?

(DoppelgängeR) Goth rock, post punk

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Name and respective instrument of each band member?

(DoppelgängeR) Members:
1: Flo (voice, bass guitar)
2: Black CaT (Guitar)
3: Magoth (Drums)

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How Long has the Band been together?

(DoppelgängeR) Our band has started in 1994.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What's the origin of the Bands name?

(DoppelgängeR) In translation from German this word means «double». Also in mythology there is a creature called Doppelganger. Usually, it is described in a very black paint as a ghost that imitates you, and «there’s nothing more scaring than to notice how your shadow gets off the floor, gains a body and with hardly a nod it slips away». But actually the band was named after the song of Die Krupps from the album «I» released in 1992.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

(DoppelgängeR) We knew each other for more than 3 years and have met over the bottle of sparkling wine.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What inspired you to make music together and deal with eachothers differences?

(DoppelgängeR) We all wanted to play same kind of music and our musical preferences were almost the same, so we did not have to deal with it at all.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

(DoppelgängeR) There were no any challenges. We just do what we all like.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Do you have a Manager or do you just go Big?

(DoppelgängeR) We have a manager; our guitar player Black Cat combines music and business.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.)

(DoppelgängeR) As we mentioned above Black Cat and also our label “Gravitator records”. Besides that there is a promotion group “True LaLa” who helps us with the live shows pretty often.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Signed with Record Company?

(DoppelgängeR) Yes we are signed.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) with Whom?

(DoppelgängeR) GRAVITATOR records

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What can you tell me about your instruments?
(i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available?
What made you choose the instruments you have now?
Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

(DoppelgängeR) Flo: I play bass ARIA with active pick ups. I have made my choice by price, sound, and color.
(DoppelgängeR) Magoth: some Chinese made snare – I just got it cause I though this is the best price I would pay for a piece of tin called drum these days, I don’t get an idea paying a fortune from something no one can actually hear the real sound of; Sabian cymbals – these sound great live and on recordings; Vic-Firth sticks – they last long, they reliable and fell good.
(DoppelgängeR) Black CaT: I play hollow body Washburn. I choose it for its sound. Well it looks beatyfull too, antique like design with made look old tuning mechanism.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) If Any, How Many Albums Have You Recorded?

(DoppelgängeR) We released 6 albums. I will tell you about last four.
1: «…Desire lost forever?» Year: 2003. «Mistery of Sound rec.» Studio: «Ago Records»
2: «Dancing» Year: 2005. «Shadowplay rec.» Studio: «MacCartney rec.»
3: «Saturnian Rings» Year: 2006. «Shadowplay rec.»
4: «12 Steps To Inhumanity» Year: 2008. «Gravitator rec.» Studio: «Kalian rec.»

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Did you decide to gig before recording an album?

(DoppelgängeR) Yes usually we play live shows before going into the studio, and always play 2-3 new songs.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How did/do you sell your CD’s/Audio Files?
(Consignment? Live sales? Distributor?)

(DoppelgängeR) Generally our releasing labels take care of the sales. They have pretty good distribution network within Russia, some even have distribution deals in Europe. Also CD’s and merchandise are sold on our official web site. We mail them. Also we are selling stuff on our live shows.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Have you had any previous print or broadcast media exposure or reviews?

(DoppelgängeR) Sure, and not the only one. We have a special section on our site called Press. Numerous interviews and reviews are collected there. In general after each release Russian lead publications, oriented on such music interview us and publish music reviews on new disk. Also we have our own internet radio station and we can play our songs there.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) (How do you feel about this paperwork,Ha! Ha! Ha!)

(DoppelgängeR) It’s all right. Ha! Ha! Ha!

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) When and Where did you play your first gig?

(DoppelgängeR) Band had its first show in 1998. In our latest line up we first played in 2006.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How did you find the experience and how was your response from the crowd?

(DoppelgängeR) Ha! Ha! Back in 1998 no one cared about what was coming off the stage. There were only 3 persons in the audience, and they were begging us to stop torturing them with our music. In 2006 we already had quite a few fans, we had new line up and we claimed that we have changed our sound. Everyone was interested in our new sound and new members, so the audience hall was full. After the show we have heard nice comments.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How do you rate your live performance ability? (Come Now be Honest)

(DoppelgängeR) We are constantly practicing and it is easy for us to perform live, unless it is bloody hot up on stage.=))))

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Have you done any tours: (National / International) if so where?

(DoppelgängeR) No we never had any tours. We just play single shows. We travel quite alot within russia. Also we were invited to play at some festivals in Finland and Lithuania. Last year we have performed at 20th anniversary of the band called Two Witches. We shared the stage with such bands as: Two Witches, Cinema Strange, All Gone Dead, Miguel and The Living Dead, Zombina and the skeletons.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Who are your major influences?

(DoppelgängeR) Magoth: Talking Heads, the Young Gods, Soul Coughing, Bauhaus, Television
(DoppelgängeR) Flo: Bauhaus, Sex Gang Children, Screams For Tina, The Fall, Joy Division.
(DoppelgängeR) Black CaT: Joy Division, The Cure, David Bowie.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What South African Bands have Influenced you?

(DoppelgängeR) Unfortunately we have not heard any. Sorry.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What do you think of the South African Alternative Scene?

(DoppelgängeR) We don’t know a thing about it, but we would love to learn. As soon as we done with answering your questions we would jump on MySpace and will look for some.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Where have you performed?

(DoppelgängeR) Usually we perform in our country and our town. We played at two festivals "Luomus Gothic Festival" in Finland and "Creeper Fest" in Lithuania.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What are your favorite and least favorite venues?
Including,Your Favorite Local Home Town Venue to Gig at and Why?
If the Band could you could choose to play anywhere what would be your Ultimate Gig?

(DoppelgängeR) You know it does not really matter where, as long as there are some people who wants to hear us and all the necessary for our show equipment is present.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Your favourite Song as a Band to Play? And why?

(DoppelgängeR) Magoth: They Don’t recollect you. It just lets me to blow out all my emotions.
(DoppelgängeR) Flo: They don’t recollect you, Vivo, All the Dreams of Saturn Are Burning Me Down. I am getting Goosebumps hearing them.=)
(DoppelgängeR) Black CaT: 10 Years, Vivo, I Am Not Going To Listen To You Now!!!, All The Dreams Of Saturn Are Burning Me Down, We Are More Than Dead, They Don't Recollect You, Hey, Buddy!

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Which songs do you perform most frequently?

(DoppelgängeR) Vivo

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Who writes your songs?

(DoppelgängeR) Flo:I write all the music and we do arrangements together.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?

(DoppelgängeR) They all are different. Previous album was based on writings of Gustav Meirink. Our last album is about lonelyness, about closed space and about repeating the same thing, and about the live colored with the only natural colour – gray.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Any message your trying to relay via you music?

(DoppelgängeR) Yeah. We Are More Than Dead

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Do you think your Songs topics will change over time?

(DoppelgängeR) Sure they will. We will grow older and more cynical.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) How has your music evolved since you first began jamming together?

(DoppelgängeR) We have no idea it’s better seen from outside.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set playlist?

(DoppelgängeR) Yes we play Joy Division, Two Witches, Bad Seeds, The Cure, but we are trying to bring something new into these songs, to avoid plain replaying. We make play lists usually and they are mostly made from our songs and 1-2 covers.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What are your rehearsals generally like?

(DoppelgängeR) We rent a rehearsing studio. We pay the rent. We play the old songs just to remember them. Once in a while we are pretending it’s a live show and practice to stay calm even if there something goes wrong.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

(DoppelgängeR) Yes we have a set rehearsing schedule. We practice twice a week, sometimes three, and before going into the studio we practice everyday.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) What has been highlights in you Bands History?

(DoppelgängeR) We had a few. Big shows, TV appearance, recording sessions.

(UNDERGROUNDPRESS) Favorite Kick Ass Quote

(DoppelgängeR) Maggoth: There's no devil, it's just God when he's drunk! (T.Waits)
(DoppelgängeR) Flo: Shit and Death are everywhere! (Bukowski)
(DoppelgängeR) Black CaT: Sucks. Crap!

Author: Sandra Simpson
Original text
www.undergroundpress.co.za