Interview with Drop D from Wolfskull
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
CV:
Do you feel Heavy Metal music in
general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere,
especially in America, and if so why?
Drop D.: No, I think heavy
metal is a language that is spoken and understood in the same way all over the
world. What differs country-wise are the styles that various countries have
produced. Scandinavia is known for Death Metal, Germany has always been a
stronghold of Trash Metal, from America come styles like Grunge, Skatepunk or
Nu Metal. All styles receive worldwide attention and have their fans globally.
CV:
What do you feel makes Heavy Metal
music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates
so strongly with you?
Drop D.: Well, any form of music has a mental effect
and for my opinion, especially heavy metal can put you in certain emotional
states, but can also get you out of negative life circumstances. Heavy Metal is
power, anger, passion, pain, there are so many words that could describe it.
CV:
Has
Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it
harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over
another? Is it confusing for fans as
well?
Drop D.: Good question. For a musician there can't be
enough subgenres, after all every chords have been written before, but the
manner bands interpret them in their music is exciting. Often this is the
motivator for own songs or hook lines. To my mind bands like Ghost or
Nightflight Orchestra are like day-walkers, not really metal but still an
institution in the scene. With Wolfskull is similar to us. We had to play hard to win new fans in mixed
concert lineups. The question: "is this still metal" is always
discussed controversially in the scene. I think it is more simple…it is good
what I like, what touches me and picks me up. I also don't have to discuss
which Metallica album is the best.
CV:
How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we
are now living in a COVID aware, and
maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists
and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?
Drop D.: Corona and even the politics during Corona
era, was like a lottery for the entire entertainment industry. You didn’t know
whether festivals and concerts would take place, and if so, with which
restrictions? I can understand that especially in the time of cultural
stagnation, many people in the music scene switched their jobs to secure more
financial safety (after all, a pandemic can always occur again and everything
starts from the top).
It is possible that this knowledge is now missing and many things are now more difficult regarding booking, labels or band management. What actually threatens more is in Germany the energy crisis and the high costs.
The results are tour cancellations of international acts and festivals that recently closed their doors for good. It has become a balancing act to keep events profitable. It doesn't make it easy for us as an upcoming band, as clubs or festivals naturally book known bands first to guarantee ticket sale. The last few years have been generally chaotic, so Corona is just one piece of it all.
CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting
work? What keeps the band together and making music?
Drop D.: Our musical brain is Feratu, Boarz and Pete 9.
The guys develop the songs. Usually one of them comes up with an idea, worked
them out in pre-production and the detail work is done with the whole band.
What unites us as a band is the same expectation of writing good songs. We are
in our own way equally crazy as far as humor is concerned. But like in a good
relationship there are stresses, but in the end we always agree that a song
comes first and not our own ego. It's about making good music...and that's what
we want.
CV:
On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting
separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?
Drop D.: Our music is more broadly positioned and we
are not as fixed on a style like some other bands, we can serve several genres
with Wolfskull.
I think it is hard to stand out from other bands by songwriting.
Either one is the genius and writes songs alone, or a band is completely involved in songwriting. We have chosen the first variant of songwriting, because it seems to be for us the right way and is the most promising.
CV:
Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being
unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an
artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are
destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?
Drop D.: Sure, you can be unique. There are singers
with unique timbres or musicians with unique skills that anyone else can hardly
match. And there are also musicians who captivate people only with their aura
and are therefore simply unique. I believe that has nothing to do with
influences, just being authentic and the unique comes all by itself.
CV:
Are there life lessons to learn being in a Heavy Metal band that you feel
cannot be taught elsewhere? If so, what are they?
Drop D.: In a band you can drink alcohol while working,
try that in a regular job ☺
CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock
star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two
completely different in your opinion?
Drop D.: Lemmy could have answered this question easily
☺
There were certainly times when the number of smashed hotel rooms could have
pointed out a superstar. Just kidding…authenticity is the key here, too.
Authenticity, aura and the absolute will to reward the audience with everything
you have, just because the fans deserve it. These are attributes for a rock
star. You become an icon when you have been a rock star for 20 years.
CV:
What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount
a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?
Drop D.: You can definitely expect new material from
Wolfskull. We are currently in the songwriting for the a new album. We have
many and great ideas and there will be terrific songs - be curious.
CV:
Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It
was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
Drop D.: We
thank you of course and your readers, maybe I have awakened interest in our
band and we would be happy if you visit us on our social media channels and
leave a like or comment for us.
Stay as you are and
spread the words of the wolves...Rock on and greets!
Check out Wolfskull at:
Official: http://www.wolfskull.rocks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfskullrocks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfskullrocks/
X: https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_WOLFSKULL.php#
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