interview with Path of Golconda
What´s the name of your band? Path of Golconda.
What made you call the band "Path of Golconda"? A drunken stupor I suppose.
What made you call the band "Path of Golconda"? A drunken stupor I suppose.
How was the band formed? We knew each other either from school or partying etc. When we realised that we would hang out together anyway, we decided that we might as well be making noise whilst doing so.
Can you tell about your band? Yeah. I am in fact actually doing it. What do you want to know?
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? Originally, we all came from the same city. After our first guitarist left, we had a guitar play who was a born and bred Englishman. He has now moved on to Norway, though, and our new guitarist comes from... I don't even know! He happens to be there when we practice which is alright with me. I play drums, our singer is called Manuel, our two guitarists are Christian and Ruediger, and our Bassist would be Daniel.
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? In a way, not much has changed: we always wanted to create music that we love and find a way - or several ways - of expressing ourselves through the music we are writing. Of course, in the beginning, we were as ambitiously idealist as anybody and dreamed of, you know, making a living and playing big tours etc. By now we have begun to understand that not to be making a living might be fortunate; we do not have to compromise, there is no one who tells us what to do and we can just remain being stupid, childish and frequently drunk. Which is a clear plus.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? It's heavy, it's melodic, the songs are far too long but therefore crammed with details and ideas that show how much passion we have for the music we are writing. We don't give a shit about expectations and trends which means that you either love it or think it' total crap. Which is fine with us.
Where was your first gig? If I remember correctly, it was in our home town, back in 1999. We were opening for Dying Fetus. Or Paralyzing Prophecy, not sure. But we were both uber-excited and drunk so it didn't matter too much anyway, haha!
Where was the latest gig? On the 'Ruhrgewalten'-Festival where we headlined and presented our new guitarist to the people.
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? We try to write everything together. The whole democracy thing is of course highly inefficient: it takes us years, literally, to write an album. But then again, we love to be discussing stuff and exchanging ideas, it's such an important aspect of what we do. Although some people have certain preferences (Ruediger will always come up with a solo that sounds super 80s, and I will most probably suggest a very stupid and simple break at some point because I am crap on drums). we like to keep it lively and organic by having everyone participate.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? Hard to say, isn't it. We are all rather silly and love goofing around... but other people tend to find it less funny than we do.
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? Everything that's good is bad as well: we spend time, money, and energy with a bunch of dickheads instead of doing something proper. Depends on whether you think that's stupid or awesome. As for the genre: I have no idea! DeathThrashBlackPunkPop. With Grim Melodies. And overlength.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We never thought about style, we just started writing music. Really, it has never been a conscious decision but, since everyone is part of it, a kind of organic growth. Same goes for the lyrics: some are very very personal, others are about stuff that we discuss in the band: general misanthropy, the desire for an ultimate extermination of mankind... the usual stuff. Anf others are very romantic, almost lyrical and dreamy, and they might be concerned with, I don't know, love maybe, and cheese cake.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Only our own material. Everytime we cover we fuck the song up beyond recognition.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? Well, yes. Or first album is called "Destibation : Downfall"; our second one is "The Threshold Diaries", and the last one we released was called "Return".
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yeah. Check them out.
How old are you?/What got you started in music? Too old and too cold. We started about 15 years ago. Just imagine!
Best/worst gig you've played? Difficult to say: sometimes you play gigs and think you were so shit but people tell you it was amazing afterwards. At other times, you are in a great mood and learn only after the show that, for instance, the sound has been unbearably shit outside. Basically, there are two types of great shows: small gigs in clubs where everyone goes mental and we just rock and enjoy our time. And I have to say that I also like big festivals because they are very often very well organised, sound is great, you have plenty of stage hands and thus can concentrate on your playing. Plus, you share the stage with great bands and your personal heros - as we did with Hypocrisy, Napalm Death, Vader, and so on.
How big crowds do you usually play for? Depends - in small clubs, it's around 100 people I guess. When we played Olgas or Up From The Ground, there were between 5000-6000 people.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? We are in the process of writing our new album. Hopefully we will finish soon and maybe enter the studio this year. Really, I can't wait!
How do you get psyched up for a gig? Well, we tend to drink. Sometimes more, sometime less. When the intro starts, we try to concentrate and remember when exactly the fucker is about to end. Thats enough, usually.
What are your goals with your music? As I said above, it's more about artistic expression nowadays. Keep it fresh, interesting and, above all, meaningful.
Can you tell about your band? Yeah. I am in fact actually doing it. What do you want to know?
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? Originally, we all came from the same city. After our first guitarist left, we had a guitar play who was a born and bred Englishman. He has now moved on to Norway, though, and our new guitarist comes from... I don't even know! He happens to be there when we practice which is alright with me. I play drums, our singer is called Manuel, our two guitarists are Christian and Ruediger, and our Bassist would be Daniel.
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? In a way, not much has changed: we always wanted to create music that we love and find a way - or several ways - of expressing ourselves through the music we are writing. Of course, in the beginning, we were as ambitiously idealist as anybody and dreamed of, you know, making a living and playing big tours etc. By now we have begun to understand that not to be making a living might be fortunate; we do not have to compromise, there is no one who tells us what to do and we can just remain being stupid, childish and frequently drunk. Which is a clear plus.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? It's heavy, it's melodic, the songs are far too long but therefore crammed with details and ideas that show how much passion we have for the music we are writing. We don't give a shit about expectations and trends which means that you either love it or think it' total crap. Which is fine with us.
Where was your first gig? If I remember correctly, it was in our home town, back in 1999. We were opening for Dying Fetus. Or Paralyzing Prophecy, not sure. But we were both uber-excited and drunk so it didn't matter too much anyway, haha!
Where was the latest gig? On the 'Ruhrgewalten'-Festival where we headlined and presented our new guitarist to the people.
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? We try to write everything together. The whole democracy thing is of course highly inefficient: it takes us years, literally, to write an album. But then again, we love to be discussing stuff and exchanging ideas, it's such an important aspect of what we do. Although some people have certain preferences (Ruediger will always come up with a solo that sounds super 80s, and I will most probably suggest a very stupid and simple break at some point because I am crap on drums). we like to keep it lively and organic by having everyone participate.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? Hard to say, isn't it. We are all rather silly and love goofing around... but other people tend to find it less funny than we do.
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? Everything that's good is bad as well: we spend time, money, and energy with a bunch of dickheads instead of doing something proper. Depends on whether you think that's stupid or awesome. As for the genre: I have no idea! DeathThrashBlackPunkPop. With Grim Melodies. And overlength.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We never thought about style, we just started writing music. Really, it has never been a conscious decision but, since everyone is part of it, a kind of organic growth. Same goes for the lyrics: some are very very personal, others are about stuff that we discuss in the band: general misanthropy, the desire for an ultimate extermination of mankind... the usual stuff. Anf others are very romantic, almost lyrical and dreamy, and they might be concerned with, I don't know, love maybe, and cheese cake.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Only our own material. Everytime we cover we fuck the song up beyond recognition.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? Well, yes. Or first album is called "Destibation : Downfall"; our second one is "The Threshold Diaries", and the last one we released was called "Return".
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yeah. Check them out.
How old are you?/What got you started in music? Too old and too cold. We started about 15 years ago. Just imagine!
Best/worst gig you've played? Difficult to say: sometimes you play gigs and think you were so shit but people tell you it was amazing afterwards. At other times, you are in a great mood and learn only after the show that, for instance, the sound has been unbearably shit outside. Basically, there are two types of great shows: small gigs in clubs where everyone goes mental and we just rock and enjoy our time. And I have to say that I also like big festivals because they are very often very well organised, sound is great, you have plenty of stage hands and thus can concentrate on your playing. Plus, you share the stage with great bands and your personal heros - as we did with Hypocrisy, Napalm Death, Vader, and so on.
How big crowds do you usually play for? Depends - in small clubs, it's around 100 people I guess. When we played Olgas or Up From The Ground, there were between 5000-6000 people.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? We are in the process of writing our new album. Hopefully we will finish soon and maybe enter the studio this year. Really, I can't wait!
How do you get psyched up for a gig? Well, we tend to drink. Sometimes more, sometime less. When the intro starts, we try to concentrate and remember when exactly the fucker is about to end. Thats enough, usually.
What are your goals with your music? As I said above, it's more about artistic expression nowadays. Keep it fresh, interesting and, above all, meaningful.
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? We don't care. We listen to what we like and never thought of it in terms of schools or movements. If someone brings something modern along, that's as fine as anything else. We love 90s Dancefloor.
What are your sources of inspiration? 90s Dancefloor. And high literature.
What's the first step when making a new song? Discussing stuff to death even before the first note has been hit, haha! Really, it's super-annoying with us. When our new guitarist joined the band, he was very happy. Up to the date when we started writing music. If it wasn't for his soul he sold to the devil, he would probably have fled long ago, haha!
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I totally hate it. Sorry I am being reactionary and old and not modern and all that, apparently, but I hate it for what it is: stealing music from those who have created it! It's a different matter when bands upload their stuff but that's not the attitude is it? It's not 'free', it's available, so fuck it and take it. That pisses me off! And since I happen to be into a couple of bands who think of their albums as artworks I don't really understand how downloading could in any meaningful way replace the pleasure of getting to know this artwork, if you know what I mean.
What would be your dreams for the band? Wet. And if that's not possible: keep on doing great stuff, still seeing everyone as friends and at some point looking back on what was/is a more than brilliant time!
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? As I said: it's almost everything. Apart from Ska and Reggae. Death and Thrash Metal mostly, of course, but also Rock'n'Roll, the whole Swedish thing, some Punk stuff, the occasional Goth or Wave band and even a bit of classical music. It really depends on the mood and the circumstances.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? That the human race finally achieves what it has been trying so hard for ages: the complete destruction of the world. Which is less apocalyptic than it seems: it will mostly be wars about commons and a great uncertainty regarding basically everything. Not a bang but a whimper.
Have you been part of any other projects? Yes, actually we tend to form new bands all the time. They are so Underground that they never record anything and are known only to very very few people but I will tell you: we have been "Finsterwicht", "Rubensherren", "Fotzkopp aus Bottrop", "Nassrazyr", "Deine Schalmeyen", and "Dad Can't Dance". And that's only a fraction of it!
How important are your fans? Very. We love to chat with people, have a drink etc. And we are always grateful for the mail we receive. And we try to reply!
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? There's a couple of great people we met over the years. There is one guy and his friends who comes to see us as often as possible, although he comes from a different country! And we get presents; last time it was t-shirts that he had printed for this night, another time it was a collection of extra-strong beer. Amazing! And there was another fan who asked for Manuel, the singer, to write down a text from an album of ours in longhand. And then he got this piece of writing tattooed on his back and send us a pic. I guess that's pretty super-cool, too!
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? I love "Sharpen the Saw" from our last album; I hated it during our time at the studio and can listen to it only now. And I particularly love one of our latest tracks for the upcoming album, called "Civilization Down".
Do you have any webpages? Yes, sure. www.pathofgolconda.com. And the usual Faceshit.
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Oh Gee, I don't know - enjoy your time, express yourself. And never, never watch daytime TV.
Would you like to add anything else? Thanks much for everything. Haven't much to add; I guess I have used every word the English language knows at least once, haha. Honestly: it has been rather long, but it was nice!
Describe your show, visually and musically Ugly twats fumble with instruments they can barely afford. Some or other misplaced special effect. Afterwards, sweaty and battered men at the bar, working towards getting pissed. It's a sight!
How do you view the musicindurty of today? I guess it is dead? It did so many things wrong but the new system doesn't seem to be much better. I am happy that I am not much in touch.
What advice would you like to give other bands? I can't really. As I said above: do what thou wilt.
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Laziness, alcohol, and work, the curse of the drinking classes.
What is your favorite crappy instrument? Shawns. And chimes for drums.
What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Actually there was a lot of shit we had to go through . Too personal to recount them maybe but it were hard times. But it was great to see that we try to be there for each other and even turn shit into gold of sorts by writing songs about these things. People will not hear these allusion but everytime we are on stage, we know they are there and, besides all the moshing and headbanging and sweating and looking evil, there is this tad little grin because we know.
Do you have anything to add?Honestly, I need a rest! Thanks much and all the best!
What are your sources of inspiration? 90s Dancefloor. And high literature.
What's the first step when making a new song? Discussing stuff to death even before the first note has been hit, haha! Really, it's super-annoying with us. When our new guitarist joined the band, he was very happy. Up to the date when we started writing music. If it wasn't for his soul he sold to the devil, he would probably have fled long ago, haha!
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I totally hate it. Sorry I am being reactionary and old and not modern and all that, apparently, but I hate it for what it is: stealing music from those who have created it! It's a different matter when bands upload their stuff but that's not the attitude is it? It's not 'free', it's available, so fuck it and take it. That pisses me off! And since I happen to be into a couple of bands who think of their albums as artworks I don't really understand how downloading could in any meaningful way replace the pleasure of getting to know this artwork, if you know what I mean.
What would be your dreams for the band? Wet. And if that's not possible: keep on doing great stuff, still seeing everyone as friends and at some point looking back on what was/is a more than brilliant time!
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? As I said: it's almost everything. Apart from Ska and Reggae. Death and Thrash Metal mostly, of course, but also Rock'n'Roll, the whole Swedish thing, some Punk stuff, the occasional Goth or Wave band and even a bit of classical music. It really depends on the mood and the circumstances.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? That the human race finally achieves what it has been trying so hard for ages: the complete destruction of the world. Which is less apocalyptic than it seems: it will mostly be wars about commons and a great uncertainty regarding basically everything. Not a bang but a whimper.
Have you been part of any other projects? Yes, actually we tend to form new bands all the time. They are so Underground that they never record anything and are known only to very very few people but I will tell you: we have been "Finsterwicht", "Rubensherren", "Fotzkopp aus Bottrop", "Nassrazyr", "Deine Schalmeyen", and "Dad Can't Dance". And that's only a fraction of it!
How important are your fans? Very. We love to chat with people, have a drink etc. And we are always grateful for the mail we receive. And we try to reply!
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? There's a couple of great people we met over the years. There is one guy and his friends who comes to see us as often as possible, although he comes from a different country! And we get presents; last time it was t-shirts that he had printed for this night, another time it was a collection of extra-strong beer. Amazing! And there was another fan who asked for Manuel, the singer, to write down a text from an album of ours in longhand. And then he got this piece of writing tattooed on his back and send us a pic. I guess that's pretty super-cool, too!
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? I love "Sharpen the Saw" from our last album; I hated it during our time at the studio and can listen to it only now. And I particularly love one of our latest tracks for the upcoming album, called "Civilization Down".
Do you have any webpages? Yes, sure. www.pathofgolconda.com. And the usual Faceshit.
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Oh Gee, I don't know - enjoy your time, express yourself. And never, never watch daytime TV.
Would you like to add anything else? Thanks much for everything. Haven't much to add; I guess I have used every word the English language knows at least once, haha. Honestly: it has been rather long, but it was nice!
Describe your show, visually and musically Ugly twats fumble with instruments they can barely afford. Some or other misplaced special effect. Afterwards, sweaty and battered men at the bar, working towards getting pissed. It's a sight!
How do you view the musicindurty of today? I guess it is dead? It did so many things wrong but the new system doesn't seem to be much better. I am happy that I am not much in touch.
What advice would you like to give other bands? I can't really. As I said above: do what thou wilt.
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Laziness, alcohol, and work, the curse of the drinking classes.
What is your favorite crappy instrument? Shawns. And chimes for drums.
What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Actually there was a lot of shit we had to go through . Too personal to recount them maybe but it were hard times. But it was great to see that we try to be there for each other and even turn shit into gold of sorts by writing songs about these things. People will not hear these allusion but everytime we are on stage, we know they are there and, besides all the moshing and headbanging and sweating and looking evil, there is this tad little grin because we know.
Do you have anything to add?Honestly, I need a rest! Thanks much and all the best!