Interview: Betontod: Wearing the stone - STALKER MAGAZINE inside out of rock´n´roll

Betontod: Wearing the stone

Heavy stuff with German texts is not necessarily the sign of "New German Hardness bear," as the boorish crowd called Betontod from Rheinberg, with his new 6th CD, "Glaube Liebe Hoffnung" impressively demonstrates! We are dealing here with a pearl, which has earned more than in the trendy mishmash to eke out a niche. Not astonishing as BETONTOD have been around since 1990 in the German Punrock-Scene, playing more than 1000 gigs... Good reason to bother the boys with a few questions ...

How are you actually doing?
Awesome. We did the complete production of the album by ourselves for the first time and are frantically busy at the moment, but the work slowly seems to be worth it.

Congratulations to “Glaube Liebe Hoffnung”, the album seems to become quite successful (the album reached the German top 100, the ed.).
Thanks. Like I said before, we did it almost alone for the first time and for that fact we are speeding up I think. This album is clearer textured than the others and of course more rocking. I think there are many people who don´t agree with that, but that´s us, BETONTOD in the year 2010.

How important is it for you as a band to represent and to spread a politic view?
I think we did that on our past albums. Because of this we won´t and don´t have to repeat it on our actual one. If you maintain an opinion, it remains till you revoke it and we won´t do that in a politic view. Basically other bands have a different point of view but they mostly have to declare themselves or aspire to the motto “Constant dripping wears away the stone” and I think it´s ok if you stay to the right opinion (from our way of thinking).

How long have you been in studio? How was the recording session?
We did the album in 5 and a half weeks and spent another week for the audio mastering. The recordings were as good as we expected, what means that we´ve had a lot of fun. We recorded in the same studio like at the predecessor “Schwarzes Blut”, certainly our last drummer was worn out, he couldn´t stand it anymore. No, seriously we dispersed in peace, he just had another opinion how music has to sound and how you should present it.

How often do you practice per week? Are you emerging many songs while practicing or do they get elaborated at home?
The songs, at least the old ones, and I´m also adding the current album, were emerged to 100 % in the practicing cellar. This time we spent much time with the production but I think it has been worthwhile. At the moment I´m recording my mental effusions at home with corresponding techniques, what sounds not bad as well.

Meanwhile shows and tours have become enormously important, while the album sells are sinking. How is that, what are your theories about it?
I hope that the album sells, against the trend, that it will rise with us. It´s obvious that through the new media the so-called music industry howls. But meanwhile I have to say that I do really appreciate this kind of producing and presenting music. That´s a huge method for unknown bands to reach people. Maybe the music industry is frightened exactly of that. If I would be called Metallica and buy their albums, it would really get on my nerves to earn 2-3 millions less in a year.

Which are your favourite albums and for what are you mostly looking for in 2010?
My favourite album in year 2009 was Amy MacDonald´s “This is the life”, awesome album. Otherwise I like My Chemical Romance, they released 2 good albums. And of course my favourite Iron Maiden…

Any last words?
Thank you for the possibility to express ourselves. Amen.

Thank you for the interview.

www.betontod.de

Author: Markus Seibel, transl. Tatjana Ziegler, photos: Betontod
Date: 2010-03-19

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