Welcome. Thank you so much for the opportunity. What has it been like to manage this reality, which, although no longer considered new, is still strange to us?
First, thank you for your interest.
Obviously, the pandemic has been very challenging for every one of us. However, it is because of this situation that we decided to start this band in the first place. It was a way for us to cope with the frustration of not being able to play/attend shows so we directed our energy and anger towards these tunes.
Where does each of the musicians that make up Bridge Burner come from? At a musical level this will not be – and I can be mis assuming – your first experience in bands, right?
You are assuming correctly.
Josh (Vocals) and Max (Drums) started their first band
together when they were 14 years old.
Felix (Guitar) used to play drums in No Leash (RIP) and
Sl0n, while Noah (Bass) plays in a band called Harlekin, with Josh, and is also
pushing forward his lifetime project called Drained (finally releasing their
debut EP soon).
As you can see, when you check out our previous projects, we all come from a broad hardcore related musical spectrum.
Something that easily, and quickly stands out, is the weight in your sound. In terms of labels and categorization, do you place Bridge Burner on the Hardcore, and Hardcore spectrum alone?
Nothing fancy… straight up Hardcore (label us however you see fit).
Can we consider that, here and there, there are some “Sludgy” elements in your sound (that intro in "Place to Life", uhm...)? Alternatively, is it a mere chance? Maybe I'm the one who's hearing sounds where they're not. Anyway, superb tune!
We did not intentionally make it sound “sludgy”. To be perfectly honest, Sludge is a genre that has eluded us so far. Nevertheless, pretty dope that you found these elements in our sound; it is always cool to make people like your music for different reasons, even if these reasons were not intentionally put there.
What do you consider your musical influences? Those bands that directed you to the sound you make today.
This could be a very long answer.
Overall, every one of us has slightly different preferences considering hardcore. Weather that be Modern Hardcore, Hardcore Punk, Old School Hardcore or Beatdown Hardcore. At the end of the day we do find a lot of common ground in bands that influence us. If we forced ourselves to name a few these would be the names: Terror, Rotting Out, Guilt Trip, Death before Dishonor, Benchpress, 90’s Hatebreed, World of Pain, Gone to waste & Coldburn.
Following the previous question: what are the albums of your life? From the sound you make, it gives me the idea of some eclecticism... do not disappoint me! It is always interesting to see if there are still, nowadays, folks with "guilty pleasures".
Sorry,
long answer incoming.
In no
particular order except for the first one:
Slipknots
self-titled or Iowa (the never-ending question) has to be at the very top.
Bullet
for my valentine - The Poison (this might be considered a guilty pleasure)
As I lay
Dying - An ocean between us
Whitechapel
- This is Exile
Terror -
The damned the shamed
Cold Hard
Truth - Trust in Few
Laid 2
Rest - Unmatched Dominance
Linkin
Park - Hybrid Theory
Nasty -
Declaring War
Slayer -
God hates us all
Arkangel
- Hope you die by overdose
No Zodiac
- Population Control
Parkway -
Drive Killing with a smile
Shattered
Realm - Broken ties spoken lies
Suburban
Scum - Ultimate Annihilation
Suicide
Silence - The Cleansing
Six ft
ditch - Unlicensed Cemetary
Rotting Out – Street Prowl
What about the message? What message do you want to send with your Art (music, artwork, etc.)?
Keep Hardcore negative!
Why keep Hardcore, negative? Are we talking in
the lines of what Kickback did? That ferocious, and "disgusting"
sound? That goes against the initial premises of Hardcore, no?
So, in our eyes hardcore is and will forever be negative & violent music. In its essence, we see it as a central motive of hardcore to be an outlet for all anger and negativity. Under the idea of "negative mind - positive ways" we feel that hardcore is a vessel for everyone to let out all of their negativity. Hardcore shows can be violent places but in our own experience we all feel that experiencing this form of aggression, pain & negativity in the circle of like-minded people helps us to cope with our view of the world (negative mind) and makes us able to take the outside "real-life" in an easier and more balanced way (positive ways).
Therefore, we see that KEEPING HARDCORE NEGATIVE is crucial in order to maintain this sort of outlet for some that may feel as outcasts towards most others out there.
Do you feel that there is still this urgency in making music a vehicle of contestation, of revolt? A bit like Intervention Music and Punk, back in the day.
When it comes to the themes of our music, they mostly consist of facing inner demons and mental struggle. It also functions as an outlet for our negative and anger, which makes us feel more balanced in our daily lives. However, music in general and especially Hardcore will always be a vessel in which artists can transport topics that matter to them. Some bands prioritize political themes, some focus more on personal issues. Looking at the state of the world, there’s probably an urgency in both.
You only have 3 songs so far, correct ("Promo Tape" 2021)? This "information" was taken from your Bandcamp. Nevertheless, "Nothing New" came out in 2020 as a single. Why did you manage things the way you did? What were you expecting to achieve with it?
Our initial plan was to record all songs and release them once shows were back again. As we had all songs recorded and done, we had this urge to release at least one song because we wanted to have something out there. After realizing that shows wouldn’t be coming back as soon as we all wished we decided to put out the promo tape in early 2021. Considering now shows are finally coming back, the full EP will be soon released.
Can the pandemic, and the confinements, be considered "guilty" of us not having had access to this tape earlier, or was it already planned in this way?
That is precisely why, as said above the initial plan was to release all once shows were back.
Germany is known for
having a very strong and quite diverse Hardcore scene. What reasons do you find
for this?
As you can see when looking at our broad variety of influences and fav albums, you can already see the variety of musical preferences combined just in our band. When looking at our hometown scene and friends this picture is furtherly confirmed. Throughout the years of visiting, playing and booking shows of our own we have the feeling that we have met many people from all sorts of backgrounds thriving in the scene. This and the opportunity of being located in the middle of Europe, giving us the chance of having many bands from other countries touring through are a few reasons that we think contribute towards this image of the scene in Germany.
How is the Hardcore scene in Trier? Are there concert spaces, are there enough bands, and is there a solid scene? Nowadays, it seems that everything has become so global that the charm in the little things has been lost... vents of an old prick LOL
We absolutely love our hometown scene. Wouldn’t want to trade it with any other place. We have the prime opportunity of having many very talented people being around, leading to a situation in which multiple bands are based around the similar group of people.
Venue wise we have been facing a couple of stones in our
ways through the city and their stupid agenda, but we are hanging on. Before
the pandemic, we were able to host multiple shows with many bands we love and
the reception has been amazing.
We can only suggest swinging by a 542-hometown show if you all have the chance!
Go check out:
Insane Asylum
Harlekin
No Leash (RIP)
Drained (EP coming)
Defilement (RIP)
Coldspine
Slon
AAK Records
STTW Records
542 Entertainment
542 Designs
MOSELCOAST VIOLENCE!
What can we expect from Bridge Burner for the few months left until the end of the year? Another year that has passed - almost - running and that has given us time for very little, I dare say.
As said above, we will release our full EP and we are trying to play a couple of shows this year and planning some for next year.
With all this, I forgot to ask if during this year, in view of the entire situation we are still going through, were you able to start working on new material? In addition, were you able to play live?
Unfortunately, until now we have not been able to play our set live yet… We really hope to hit the stage in 2021 though. Music wise we have already started writing new material that we are proud of and already stoked to share with you all. We will see where we will be going with that.
Do you already have projects, ideas, drafts, of what you want to do in 2022? I hope it is a good year for everyone, and especially for those that work with Arts and Culture in general, who have taken so much beating.
PLAY SHOWS.
Gentlemen, any (famous) last words?
Shoutout to the 542 family, Los Babas 22, AAK Records & STTW Records, everyone that checks out our stuff and keeps the spirit alive.
KEEP HARDCORE NEGATIVE!
My sincere apology for the delay in submitting these questions. Unfortunately, I am just one, and a guy has a life beyond this eheheh thank you very much for the opportunity, and congratulations on your work to this day. Greetings.
Thanks for your dope questions! We had a great time answering them and we hope you got what you wanted.
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