KMFDM
Published October 05, 2003
"Then it comes to the performance. 'Do I sing this?' 'Does En Esch sing that?' 'Do we sing it together, or is one the guest musicians going to be involved?' I have a small MIDI studio - a little basement-type situation. I use it pretty much for all the preproduction type of work, but then the real mixing and overdubbing happens at a big studio. You can figure that once an album is in stores, we are already working on the next one because it takes so fucking long," he concluded.
KMFDM has built a fervent world-wide audience by touring and by the steady release of consistent, yet surprisingly varied material. '95's Nihil even boasted a modern rock radio hit, the catchy "Juke Joint Jezebel." Each album has generally sold more than the one before, with Xtort topping the 200,000 mark - extraordinary for a genre band on an indie label.
Marvels Konietzko, "Our following has some really cultish dimensions that have been interesting and freaky at the same time. My phone number has to be one of the best-guarded secrets, but when I get a new one it pops out on the Internet in no time at all. En Esch is being shredded apart: we do a show - any show anywhere - and people frantically take pieces of his flesh and his garments as souvenirs.
"It seems almost like a disease: they learn about us and then there is this need to have everything that we have done - every time we have a new album, all our other albums kick in as well. There are probably hundreds of 'KMFDM' license plates and thousands of tattoos."
Konietzko ended with a little tale. "A little while ago I was in Chicago taking my wife's grandmother, who is in a wheelchair, down to the lake for a little walk. I am rolling her through the park and there is this wedding party somewhere in the bushes. They are taking pictures and all of a sudden I hear my name and these people - the bride and groom and bridesmaids - are running to me, 'You're Sascha, can we take a picture with you?' In the meantime, Grandma is like, 'Who are those people? What do they want from you?' She knows what I do, but she doesn't hear so well and was baffled and flustered by these people chasing us around. And of course the people are like 'Oh, that's so nice of you taking Grandma to the lake.'"
KMFDM is back as strong as ever with a new album, World War lll, just out on Sanctuary.
- KMFDM
- Published: October 05, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Electronica, Music: Metal
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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Comments on this articleComments
Thanks very much Brady, glad to hear there are some fans out there. I think they're great.
What, I used to know a guy named Brady that use to stage dive like Super Dave at the Houston KMFDM shows? That wasnt you was it?
Eric, great write up. I dont know where you got all that history, but it was a great read on a band that will always hold a place in my angst ridden teenage reflections. I personally think Naive was the most original and greatest album from KMFDM.
Thanks Brett, I got the information from the interview with Sascha himself, and from having most all the records.
I am probly one of those assholes who would walk up to sascha and ask for a pic with him but still i find myself to be stupid as fuck, i've been a fan for two years and i'm obsessed when ever i see a band member name or meet someone else who knows kmfdm(they are not very known around were i live)i light up it's just fuckin stupid i don't have high selfesteem hate pity and seem to be obsessed with german shit and kmfdm
Patrick, don't be so hard on yourself - it's great to be a fan, but remember they're just people too.
And I always heard that KMFDM stood for "Kill Mother Fucking Depeche Mode". Thanks for destroying one of my most cherished illusions, Eric.
I liked your piece,, but it kinda portrays Sascha as this like Elvis/Michael Jackson type fan-hater.. And hes not hes super nice and will take as many pictures and sign as many autographas as you want, but of course it is rude to go up to someone and ask them for that kind of thing when they are in the middle of theyre family time
I liked your piece,, but it kinda portrays Sascha as this like Elvis/Michael Jackson type fan-hater.. And hes not hes super nice and will take as many pictures and sign as many autographas as you want, but of course it is rude to go up to someone and ask them for that kind of thing when they are in the middle of theyre family time
Hey,
In German KMFDM means Kein Mitleid für die Mehrheit.
Hi there, everyone who listens to KMFDM!I knew about this band but have never penetrate to it seriously, and haven't read texts(lyrics).I wrote my own lyrics and poems...but now i understand that i'm not alone with such thoughts!Great!i'm inspired more than ever!Sasha is great!i'm not a fan and i dislike fanatism,but i'm just very, very proude of him!...be yourself!we'll make our band too to rise people up, now it's the only way i know!
great thanx to people who made and hosts this site! thanx!
Oh goodie! A post that has a little flavor form this neck of the woods (Seattle, Van BC). Good of them to keep on kickin'
peaceloveguidance
why yes, by way of Germany and Chicago
Very true. I love the pathway taken by this band. Very modern and global...
peaceloveguidance
So what are these guys doing now. They were - or still are??? - one of the best of their era?
Dude, it hasn't even been two years yet. The man did say it takes them a long time to put a new record together.
Fok! Great write up Eric. Love to see it draw in folks from the hinterland and beyond. You are so much more than just an MJ paparazzi!!!
Thanks for the inside view.
I covered a concert of theirs last Halloween:
here
Good shit Chris! If they ever hit Montreal (or Burlington, VT) I'll make an effort to check 'em out. Liked the dazed pov of your review. Honest, and powerful! Thanks!
thanks Bennett, was anyone under the impression that I'm NOT anything more than a "MJ paparazzi"? I was unaware this was an area of concern for me
in addition to Chris B's review, Chris Akin wrote about them here.
Heh... Twas a backhanded compliment for sure! Little doubt about it. Sounded funny to me last night, hope it made you chuckle.
Bennett
How do you do! Hello! He is Japanese KMFDM Hwang! A voyage is made from Japan for seeing the live of KMFDM of Berlin, Prague, and Wien in November! It is uncanny pleasure! Are you allowed to often carry out a blog look?
Hello! This is my favourite group! KMFDM I love you!!! Thanks a lot for this interview.
thanks Jim, so glad to hear that KMFDM still has a good following
As a listener with an interest in Ministry/NIN, I'd say KMFDM has a much more approachable sound--which Sascha himself wanted to do for the sake of art. Excellent stuff, very melodic. :P Nonetheless, great job on the release of Hau Ruck and keep going, the new is just as great, if not better, in cases, as the old.
Great background article but I always wondered why En Esch and Guenter left KMFDM.
how do you do and hello! KMFDM -- he is a great fan's Japanese. It went to see liveshow of kmfdm to berlin, praha, and vienna in November, last year. It is the smartest! tour this year also makes a voyage and goes from Japan. I am also doing blog.
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Great piece on KMFDM!
I've been a fan for over 10 years and good to see they are still at it. Definitely one of the best live performers I've seen.