DR. GEEK & THE FREAKSHOW : H-P INTERVIEW

Originally Posted on our old website
Marquis sits down with Dr. Geek and the Freakshow for a Horror-Punks Exclusive Interview!


H-P: First off, can you give us a brief history of the band and how you came up with your name? Is there a meaning behind it?

Dr. G: What do you mean with how we came up with the name? It's the Doc's name. The band started back in 2008 when the Doc met Zombiehl on a graveyard. The Doc was looking for parts to build a bodyguard, who would later even be able to play the drums, and Zombiehl was looking for...well, he doesn't know anymore. In Order to perform his experiments without disturbance from the authorities the bunch formed a band to cover up their doings - and the plan is working for 5 years now.


H-P: How would you describe your music?

Dr. G: Melodic punkrock with catchy hooklines and just the right amount of necrophilia.
   

H-P: You have an unusual sound, blending horror rock, hard rock, goth and a dash of romanticism. Who are some of your influences?

Dr. G: Each of us surely has different unfluences but we are all open to pretty much every kind of music. We throw everything we like in a big blender the Doc built years ago and try to add that certain horror-kick-ass-touch to it.
   

H-P: You recently released your third album, 'Ghoul Shock". Can you tell us a little bit about the album?

Dr. G: Sure. There are several "first times" connected with this album. It is our first album to be released on Klabautermann Records. It will be our first vinyl ever. It was the first time we put so much effort into the pre-production. Besides all of that, it is just everything we love. Straight punk-rock songs, melodies, and some hidden gimmicks...simply fun!


H-P: That is an interesting title, what's the story behind it?

Dr. G: GHOUL SHOCK is the medical term for the disability to move, run or even think in the presence of zombies.


H-P: Who did the amazing artwork and how did you hook up?

Dr. G: The artwork was done by our ghould friend Paddy Glaßl who already did the artwork for our other two albums. The Doc and Paddy met way back in school and kept in touch since then. We are very glad to have such a talented artist at hand. He just knows what we like and we trust him to do pretty much whatever he wants - and it just works.


H-P: Do you plan to (or have you) toured to support the album?

Dr. G: Right now we only have some single gigs planned. Sadly, we don't have that much time to plan an entire tour on our own...so...if someone out there feels the need to help us, feel free to get in touch!


H-P: What's the song writing process for Dr. Greek and the Freakshow

Dr. G: Pretty different from song to song. Sometimes one of us has an idea for a melody and we see if we have some lyrics at hand that fit the sound. Sometimes we have the lyrics and search for the right melody. This can take us from 5 minutes to 5 weeks. But in the end we right most of the songs together while rehearsing and everyone can add his ideas.
   

H-P: You recently shot a video for "Ghoul Shock". Can you tell us the story behind it?

Dr. G: This video is the first in a series of videos to come which will reveal our plans on how to conquer the world. Collect the clues and you might be able to save yourself and your loved ones. What part does Ally McBeard play? What is in the suitcase? What does the fog do? Stay alert and you might live long enough to find out!


H-P: Now for a relatively new band, you've garnered quite the following and you recently signed with KLABAUTERMANN RECORDS in 2012. That's gotta fell pretty good. Can you tell us about how you were signed?

Dr. G: Actually, we are overwhelmed by the positive resonance we get. It is just amazing to hear from people all around the world that they listen to your songs every day. That's an incredible feeling. Same thing goes for the deal with Klabautermann Records. We were looking for a partner in crime to help us to present our music to even more people. A friend introduced us to Karsten of Klabautermann Records. They listened to our stuffed, we tlked a lot and it was pretty much love at first bite. We are glad to have found just the right people who support us in every way they can.

 
H-P: Where can people pick up "Ghoul Shock" and your other releases?

Dr. G: You can get your digital copies at all know online music stores. If you are into physical copies, check out interpunk.com for they have the last copies of "Miss Graveyard" and "The Wolfman" WORLDWIDE! The vinyl version w/ downloadcode of GHOUL SHOCK is being pressed right now and will be available as soon as possible through Klabautermann Records.


H-P: Now, you’re from St. Wendel, Saarland Germany, is there much of a horror-punk scene there?

Dr. G: Unfortunately not a very big one. But some good people still try to organize a couple of shows. Thus, we had the great pleasure to play together with bands like Nim Vind and the Crimson Ghosts and even had the great honour to support Blitzkid on one of their last concerts in Europe.
   

H-P: You seem to be from the 2nd generation of great horror influenced bands from Germany. Is there something in the water that makes Germany the perfect breeding ground for great horror rock n roll music?

Dr. G: Gore... No, really, no idea. Germany seems to have a thing for gothic and dark stuff. Why? Don't know, but we really dig that

 
H-P: Are there any current bands that get your blood flowing?

Dr. G: There are a lot of great German horrorpunk bands waiting in the shadows to be heard. Holy Madness, THEM! or Hellgreaser just to name a few. And we always dig some Crimson Ghosts! When it comes to other genres there are far too much awesome bands to do all of them justice.


H-P: for the gear heads, what equipment do you use?

Dr. G: The Doc uses VintageAmp amplification and boxes, close friends to us and worth checking out: www.pcl-vintageamp.de Even the guys from NimVind were stunned by the sound of the stuff after we brought it to a concert when we were supporting them. Before they took of to Canada they bought some amps. On GHOUL SHOCK the Doc uses the amps with Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan Invader. But when rehearsing in the lab, he uses whatever pleases him.
Zombiehl uses a Peavy Tour 450 head and a VintageAmp 4x8 box with a Fender Standard Jazz.
Frankensteiner uses whatever he can get a hold of.


H-P: When not creating freakish experiments and creepy music, what do you do in your free time?

Dr. G: The Doc is actually always doing experiments in one way or another. He doesn't like to talk much about it. Might be the best for all of us. Frankensteiner like to train his arms and legs to crush even more skulls...um, drum even faster. Zombiehl's turn-ons are walks on the graveyard, smart people (big brains) and rotting.


H-P: What are your thoughts about the current state of music as a whole?

Dr. G: The underground is active and live. The international connections between bands and fans is as big and close as never before which allows for amazing people to meet and work together to create something amazing. This goes especially, but not only, for the Horrorpunk scene around the world.


H-P: What's currently on your playlist (or in your CD player)?

Dr. G: Always changing, always rotating. Pretty much everything from punk to metal and everything in between and next to it. Whatever kicks arse.


H-P: What's next for Dr. Geek and the Freakshow?

Dr. G: We are already gathering ideas for new songs, plan some more shows and have a lot of ideas we can not talk about right now, but stay in touch. It's worth the waiting.


H-P: Any advice for anyone starting out?

Dr. G: Don't stress yourself out. Do it because you love the music. Do it for the fun of it and nothing else. If you want to play a certain gig or with a certain band or want pretty much anything - just ask. You might be surprised how often you get a positive response. And never, never effing ever do an online band voting or a pay-to-play gig!

 
H-P: Where can people find out more about Dr. Geek?

Dr. G: The latest news about Dr. Geek and the Freakshow can be found on Facebook. This is also the best way to get in touch with us.


H-P: Any final words?

Dr. G: Never do pay-to-play or online-votings! We're serious. Just don't. And thanks for everything. A band is nothing without it's fiends and fans.


H-P: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us...

Dr. G: Thank you for the opportunity. This site is awesome and does much for the scene world wide.


Visit Dr. Geek and the Freakshow online: drgeekandthefreakshow.com