Featuring McDeath from Greisen Crew Records | Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | 07 dec 2008
Thanks McDeath that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
Ruud: How and why did you come about starting Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: GCR was foundet in the yeat 2000 to release the own productions from Dage-Gen, Kenaz and Clank.After the first releases some other Bands comes too and the Idea to promote underground music and working with other Bands was born.
Ruud: What else inspires you to create?
McDeath: hmmm, really good question.I thought it was/ is the love to the music and a need to change some sights of some doings/things in the musicbuisness.And a really great prtion of idealism :-).
Ruud: Can you give an introduction Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: GCR tries to give underground Bands a place,a home or much more a base to public their material.Also I try to bring the bands together,to remix each other or work together.
Ruud: Tell me about your label Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: The first time,GCR work as a Label, but after some years I thought it was better to buildt it up to a community.One of the senses are that some Bands get a Contract by some Labels and a another sense is that some Bands finish their existence.And I thought that a community hits much more the direction of the work I will do.So that everyone helps everyone by anything.
Ruud: Greisen Crew Records are Bands:Steffen Weis adoptedCHILD.Clank.CHROM.Dage-Gen.DJ NewRom.ES 23.As sparks fly upwards,Kenaz.STAHLNEBEL.Without Recognition Living Dead Project (L.D.P.) Tell me about this bands?
McDeath: Unfortunately are not no more all volume with us at home.With some the contact separated or it to have dissolved completely.However have all volume their existence authorization,since each formation carries out its completely own conception.In addition each formation make their own conceptions of music and in a quality where no more needs to hide.The success of the tape speaks for itself,contributions for various Compilations and this sign from label contracts so what of course the first concerts.
Ruud: All of the bands on the disc are friends of ours who's music we highly appreciate and respect?
McDeath: Of course one is friends with all formations, with some more and with other less.However,this changes nothing in musical view or work.In the end,we try to come everything in purpose,however,this succeeds sometimes only with the help more different where we are again with the mind of GCR.
Ruud: How do you feel about the issue of people downloading music and sharing music on the internet? tell me about your free Download on internet ore in your website? what's your view on download site and mp3 sharing?
McDeath: This subject has I think two faces, a laughing one and a weeping one. Positively that is of course in such a way, without big detours music can publish and is not bound to some labels.
In addition, one can present the music so fast and comfortably to a big mass, in hope maybe one of the listeners like´s it. Of negative there is of course also, as for example the whole Filesharing things where many just consume the music and do not have the relation to the thing at all any more to be quiet from the financial damage sometimes completely. To my free downloads I can only say, actually with us the financial one does not intereat in the foreground stands and these files as a hearing test or just as a present are intended, it is just about the music.
Ruud: Can you give us some insight into the beginnings of Greisen Crew Records and your musical project? :Dage-Gen: One-man project which moves between EBM / Industrial.did it initially come to be? and KENAZ tell me about all your projects?
McDeath: Well, it started everything with Dage-Gen,only one played musik and then one got to know other musicians and then thus one came to the other.In the beginning,indeed,as a label for own productions thought GCR arrived safely with other very much,particularly as like I the music and maybe also the setting already said the important components were and are.My own music projects have stepped at the moment a little in the background, Kenaz and Clank do just an creative break and with Dage-Gen I work just on a new album and meet preparations to a concert which in March here in Hamburg takes place.
Ruud: Can you tell us a bit more about the musical projects,bands & label you were involved with prior to The Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: hmmm there are still a lot,In general I look around,actually, everything what in such a way it results,is to be done a little promotion (web radio,Dj Promo,Compilation contributions etc.) or even in my possibilities for appearances to provide.Own activity helps in it of course as a Dj in the Darkmeeting team and German Gothic Radio Team,how of course many acquaintances.
Ruud: Who created the artwork for Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: The formations mostly form her Artwork,except with the GCR Compilations.Of course I also stand with pleasure aside with the creation of the cover,however,the artist himself knows best of all himself a cover like he introduces.
Ruud: Working with so many bands,do you ever find yourself being told by the bands that you were an influence for them? If so how does that feel to you?
McDeath: Like I said already one cooperates with some formations more narrowly and tells to himself of course also the opinion to the tracks,here every word is taken seriously and thus one or other influence comes into play certainly.But now still I feel nothing special in it,I am glad rather if the track like.However,I would not become in general recite I an influence has,if then from my opinion,but,otherwise,rather not.This would also not be in my sense.To me it is,actually,more importantly the Bands your own draft pursue.The only one is maybe a tip to the Mastering,however,there I myself can use a few more.
Ruud: What do you do for fun? Do you have a job besides working on Greisen Crew Records? what do you do?
McDeath: Yes I have one more work beside the activity with GCR namely I work in a Day Care Center. However, otherwise a lot of time does not remain, actually, around other to act. If it the time admits I play with pleasure still one or other Game on the computer or spend the time with my woman.
Ruud: Are you currently working on or planning any new releases?
McDeath: At the moment I plan just in a new release of Dage-Gen in 2009.Also from Clank there will be what the new.then there will still be an album of Without Recognition,adoptedCHILD and Kadaver 8 in this still young year.However,the latter are published by Biohazzard Records or Danse Macabre.But the year is young and who knows what still everything comes.As first probably the appearance on 28.03.09 from Dage-Gen in here in Hamburg.
Ruud: What are your views on the current state of the electro scene in Hamburg/ Germany,in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
McDeath: In general I would say that the hype around the Electro scene in die down is.Unfortunately,there is musically hardly innovationen and if they come at the moment,unfortunately,rather from the Usa or from the not European space.Unfortunately,one orientates himself in the material what to himself sold instead of on innovation to place.
Ruud: you have very nice bands in your Greisen Crew Records and the lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work? How does your bands creation process work? How do you create a song/musical piece?
McDeath: First thanks a lot.It´s really hard to describe.Sometimes you get a lyric in few minutes and sometimes you get the track first.But in the most of moments you got an Idea in which direction it will end.It´s just a lucky think if you got both at the same time.
Ruud: How did you come up with the name of your band,Greisen Crew Records?
McDeath: The name Greisen Crew originated with a skateboard session,at that time I was with a friend in a skateboard Hall and we were with stood off oldest far and wide.And there the name immediately shot to me in the head, Greis is a differently word for old man.And because old people are called here also sometimes grufties,I did not have a small bridge to the black scene even if one to itself in the Gruftie separate in the elektro scene detains.
Ruud: What is the key to making label from Greisen Crew Records and the Crew?
McDeath:
I do not think there a special reason for the foundation gave,it was simply the right time and one simply had to move also the possibilities around his plan.All other has simply grown also with the time.I also think that of these important reasons are also functioned with it such a thing.
Ruud: Tell my about this your Remixe from: KiEw - (Flügel Triebwerkschaden -Degenerationsprogramm Mechanical Remix Agonoize - Sacrifice (Dage-Gen Remix) Suicide Commando - Conspiracy with the Devil (Dage-Gen Remix) Wumpscut - Churist Churist (Demo Remix) AdoptedCHILD Manipuliert (Slavery Remix)- Come Back (Notoriuous Remix)- Einsam (Verzweiflungs Remix)- Pädophil (Dage-Gen Remix) As sparks Fly upwards - Mindtrip (C3PO Remix) KENAZ - Station Sehnsucht (Dage-Gen Edit)
McDeath: Remixe are to be pressed for me,actually,always an enrichment and also a possibility to gave songs my stamp.An enrichment in the way like other musicians to songs sit down what also helps me often.
Ruud: What inspires you to keep growing as a label? and tell me about your two Compilation your last "Second GCR Sampler".?
McDeath: as first my own music and then also zusammenarbeit with other musicians.Of course also because of the steady one discover more anew of very good formations.To the Compilations I can say so much that they should give an insight into the works of the respective Acts and do hunger on more.We continued this still with the third Compilation.However,I have not dealt at the moment yet with the thoughts to take up fourth in the planning with.
I do this at the moment with Darkmeeting where we start February the third part of the Darkmeeting Compilation present.
Ruud: What ideas, movements and personalities would you say were crucial for the definition and development of Greisen Crew Records as a creative entity?
McDeath: A visit of the Belgian platform "Fear the Light" was for me the moving reason to bring to life everything. Here it was shown can function such a thing.In addition,in the end,there is the development at the music market, so a lot of very good Acts,unfortunately,no possibility have in erscheinung to tretten what,unfortunately is a great pity.Especially also musicians like Rudy R. have pointed one also only can exist what for me likewise a reason was to be tried it.
Ruud: While ebm / industrial is your main label pallet,what other music do you listen to?
McDeath: I´m really open,I still hear many kinds of music.From Synth Pop to Punk Rock.Some of my Favorites are still Nine Inch Nails,Fatboy Slim,Korn and others.I think it importantly of fixing itself not only to a section,one would otherwise cut himself.In the end,there is still other music one influenced and who may eat already every day his favorite food if one does not know like all the other food tastes.
Ruud: How long have you been in the music industry and how has it changed over time?
McDeath: I am active since 1999 in the events.There has changed the branch in many kinds,however,most clearly probably in the kind of the spreading,one needs today no more newspapers shop can separate,for example,with myspace daily informationen got.Then still the classical label work also increasingly more and more in the hand would be there the musician is laid.
Ruud: Now I have to ask, what's the inspiration for the Greisen Crew Records story?
McDeath: Inspiration lies clearly in that bring together from musicians and this many Underground Acts publish,just a base of musicians for musicians where the music in the foreground stands and not commercial interests.
Ruud: Can you tell us something about the beginnings of Greisen Crew Records how and why did you begin to make this label? Why various electronic styles?
McDeath: GCR was founded because I thought I no contract with one of the Lables would agree, because my music meets not necessarily everybody's taste.I have committed myself these music kinds on EBM and Industrial because I best may and I was also of the opinion and am these sections not enough are followed.
Ruud: Tell us about your unique style of music and who are your major influences? Where do you typically get your inspiration for bands/numbers?
McDeath: Biggest inspiration is I think the everyday life and the feelings one so occupy. Musically I would say the quite clearly Nine Inch Nails there and Wumpscut are to be called and I, however,do not copy separate tries to create my own interpretations or allows to inspire me around own works to create.
Ruud: On question about influences and inspirations about Hamburg/ Germany?
McDeath: There is, actually,only the history and the everyday life,as for example policy.Otherwise this plays I think no role except I here lives.
Ruud: tell me about your Underground Promotion of EBM,Electro,Industrial,Disco, Booking,Radio,Community and more?
McDeath: I cooperate with many very nice people where the principle of GCR reaches quite successfully and this allows a lot.One cannot create so much how many.In this sense functions also with the doctorate,it is in the form of Compilations or just the collaboration with web radios or friendly DJs.Thus come up many possibilities to bring Underground Acts more in the foreground,or to present the work of the formations of the mass.
Ruud: Are you currently working on or planning any new releases? What is the future for your label?
McDeath: Waht the future brings ? I dond´t know,but I am confident what the future it begins.Weed just passes not :-) There will be releases for my part first only from Dage-Gen and Clank,any more I cannot say to this question.
Ruud: What do you think of its intermingling with the ebm/dark/goth/electro-industrial scenes?
McDeath: In general I have there nothing against,in the end,one should be openly for everything and the tolerance against bring one himself enjoys.Musically the new innovations could produce.However,I think also the musical edge groups there could further disappear as for example more unknown Industrialgroups.If just everything has his two sides.
Ruud: It has been a pleasure to interview you on your label activity,Well, any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
McDeath: It was a honor ! I hope I could ask everything answer and show a small insight into my activities.If still questions should be unanswered,ask then simply over again and I will give again talks and answer.Many thanks also again for this interview!
Ruud: What is next on the Hamburg/ Germany agenda?
McDeath: For me the Darkmeeting Compilation Vol.3 has as the next priorität immediately behind it is the Dage-Gen concert,I leave all other one first on myself to come.Particularly as the works on the coming discs are still in planning or are already in the middle of work.
Ruud: In closing this interview, we'd like to thank you for your time. Do you have any final words or requests?
McDeath: I wish you and your team all the best for the future and hope that you´ll keep up the great work.It was to be led to me a joy with you this interview.
Ruud: Any last words for www.ebm-industrial.nl
McDeath Like I said before,keep up the great work and all the best wishes from the GCR HQ here in Hamburg :-)
This page,and all contents,are © 2003 / 2009 permission by ebm-industrial.nl
