SHNARPH! known for their Industrial/techno sounds are going to perform in Athens on the 24th of November with Soman in a much expected show. With that in mind we contacted them and they answered to some of our questions:
EBM: First of all, we would like to thank you in advance for the interview and welcome to Athens. Have you ever been here before?
No, it´s the first time, that we visit Athens and we looking forward for a big party and much fun with the greek people!
EBM: What does your project name "Shnarph!" implies and when was it formed?
SHNARPH! was formed in 2002. A good friend of mine and DJ, his name is Jens Berghaus asked me for new stuff for his next party. And he liked this noise sounds very well. In 1999 I started to produced electronic music at first with the song "experience" (bonus track @ ATMEN E.P.) and after this song, I started with my 2nd project PLASTIC. 2002 I produced the song REDEN UND ATMEN for his party and the people totally freaked out on the dancefloor. We gave this song to many DJs and so the song grews up to a club hit. Many people asked me for more song like that and so I started SHNARPH!
The name SHNARPH! is just a fantasy name that I invented to characterize the musicstyle. If someone gets a fist in his face in comics, you will see a speechblows with BOOOM! or SPLAAASH! or something like that and SHNARPH! is a different actionsound like it. The sound if you get a fist in your face!
EBM: How would you characterise your music?
Oh that is easy: "Ear Cracking Pop Noise"
EBM: What equipment do you use to write your music?
Oh, it´s not so much stuff, that we need to produce SHNARPH! songs… everybody can do it, it´s no problem… ;))) Most of the SHNARPH! song elements are industrial noises and drums. We produce it only with software sampler like halion and use some synths and we work a lot with eFX. I can tell you more about the secrets of our special sounds, but then I have to kill you and everyone you knows… ;))))
EBM: When "Atmen" was released back in Nov. 2004, its impact was massive throughout Europe, as several club hits (Reden und Atmen, Er, Der Liebe Tod) monopolised many dancefloors. Did you expect this kind of appeal?
Yes…! ;-)))) Just kidding…!!! I didn´t believe, what I saw in the clubs when the DJs played our songs. It´s totally awesome!!! Every musician try to make big popular songs, but it´s everytime a hard job, to find good sounds and build a new song. Only one thing is harder for me: english! ;)))
EBM: Are there any bands you would like to cooperate with?
One of my biggest dream is to do a song with Tom Shear! He is "Mister Catchy Sound" himself!
EBM: What would we find in your CD player right now if we were invited in your house?
Dave Gahan – Hourglass
EBM: Any favourite new acts?
Let me think… mmh… NO!
EBM: Relatively new projects like Shnarph!, Noisuf-X and Xotox seem to be taking the lead in popularity from older, more traditional noise acts like Imminent Starvation, Synapscape etc. Where does this popularity lie? What are the differences that made your music so popular?
Well, I think SHNARPH! is, what the people need! A mixture of noise and pop and melody. They can dance like hell to our music and feel sexy with it ;)))
EBM: What do we expect from Shnarph! in the near future? A new release maybe?
In April 2008 we will release our new fulltime album [:laut:]LOS! and you WILL like it! AND: we WILL play some songs, that no one hear before in Athens and around the world! Great, isn´t it…?
EBM: Any message you would like to send to your Greek fans who will come to see you performing live here in Athens?
Come and destroy the underworld club with us and leave the donkeys at home! Just kidding…! Don´t kill us!!! 🙂
Thank you again for the interview and we are looking forward to seeing you here on the 24th! We would also like to thank Front of House and George P. for the arrangement of the interview!