Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

What is the name of your band? (Christian): Our name is "Kreuzversuch"
What does the name "Kreuzversuch" stand for? (Christian): it means cross-test / cross-check.
This term is used in sience and it stands there for an experiment where 2 different probes/items are measured/processed by 2 different techniques or equipments. In a second run the probes/items will be switched and measured/processed again, after that the results will be compared.
If you are playing with words you can also interprete Kreuzversuch like "try to cross something", "try with religion" or "try to crucify".
What made you call the band "Kreuzversuch"? (Christian): I called my band "Kreuzversuch" because of our "electronic" and "guitar" elements influences in music.
How was the band formed?
(Christian): I started "Kreuzversuch" 2005 as my solo-project, parallel to my deathmetal band "Menerra" (I left 2009).
(Manu) In 2009 we started in this formation to work out the idea crossing goth-rock-female voices with dark electro and guitar-metal-influences.
What made you form the band? (Christian): I was searching for a way to realise my idea of music without making too much compromise.
Can you briefly introduce your band and who you are?
(Christan): 34, blond, founder of Kreuzversuch
(Manu): 37, singer of Kreuzversuch
Where are all bandmembers from?/Who does what in the band?
(Christian): Soest, Germany; I'm writing/playing the music (sometimes also lyrics), I'm also the producer.
(Manu): Mülheim a. d. Ruhr, Germany. Writing most of the lyrics and forming the Vocal lines.
What was the ambitions of the band when you started?
(Christian): I always wanted to conquer the world (regarding music).
(Manu): Naaaarf!!!!! LOL
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? (Christian): We are doing a mixture between Gothic Rock and Dark Electro. We are using a synthesizer as fundament, add a metal e-guitar, sometimes e-bass and a female voice (sometimes we also add some male vocals). Orkus music magazine compared us with "Silke Bischoff".
Where was your first gig?
(Christian): Our first gig was in Rüthen at "Kneipenfestival". My guitar amp got broken and sound was terrible.
(Manu): The woman who made the service at this evening pushed Christian to the left all the time, only for serving the bear...it was so funny...
Where was the latest gig? (Christian): Our latest gig was in Soest at "Grafitti" together with FragileChild. No broken equipment, much better sound!
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? (Christian): I'm writing the music and sometimes some lyrics.
Who has the best since of humor in the band?
(Christian): Together it can be really funny, but I don't know who got better sense of humor.
(Manu): I think, the rightest answer to this question is: We have the same since of humor, we had great moments.
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are?
(Manu): In my opinion the good thing is, that both of us have forces, and this forces are complementing in a nearly perfect way.
Bad is the distance between Soest and Mülheim. Because of it it´s difficult to play the liveset regularly.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? (Manu): This question we can´t answer in a few words. It varies from song to song.  Most of the time we had a rough idea, christian wrote the song and than I made the lyrics in trying to get the atmosphere. Both of us had a few of private problems and music is the best way to express yourself. It helps to get over some dark things in your live.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? (Christian): We are only playing our own material.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they?
2009 - debut album "Light"
2010 - EP "Stardust"
2011 - "Supernova, Darkness after light"
2013 - "Pulsar"
Do you have any clips on YouTube? (Christian): I found our Remix for FragileChild "Pulse of Life" on Youtube and also our 2009er version of "the truth" (uploaded by a fan in bad audio quality). If we want to upload music we're using myspace (old school).
How old are you?/What got you started in music?
(Christian): I'm 34, my mother send me to a piano lessons.
(Manu): I´m 37, my father was semiprofessional drummer and singer, and so...I started to sing to since I was born.
At what age did you start playing?
(Christian):I started piano at the age of 5. With 14 I started playing e-guitar.
(Manu):  The first band with playing gigs and so on I had when I was 15 years old. Since this time I was always active in doing music.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage?
(Christian): I played a simple christmas song at a school-celebration when I was 7.
(Manu): I was 4 years old. It were several of talent competions in the old GDR.
What year was the band started? (Christian): I founded Kreuzversuch at the end of 2005.
How old were you the first time you saw a liveband play?
(Christian): I was 14. My first big gig was "WIZO" (Punk) at Schlachthof in Soest - 8 times stage diving!
(Manu): I always saw the band of my daddy...beyond that I was 10, It was Shakin´Stevens...LOL...I loved him!!!!
How old were you at your first gig?/Best/worst gig you've played?
(Christian): First time I played with my own band on stage was with "Verkannte Propheten" 1995. I was 15.
(Manu): 16, I think...the name of the band was Neighbourhood Whitch...best gig...hmmm...the best with Kreuzversuch was the gig at the RockSmell-Festival...The sound was great
and at this evening I was was catched by my husband.
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future?
(Christian): Currently there are no live gigs booked.
(Manu): Last time we were concentrated in working out the album.
Where have you played from then till now?
(Christian):
(Manu): In different towns in NRW.
What songs are in your live set's? (Christian): From today's sight "Labyrinth", "Reanimation","Supernova", "For all Time", "Empty Space" ... +many more.. should be in our set. We got about 20 songs for live playing.
Is it always the same set's live? (Christian): No.
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? (Christian): I liked the gig at Rocksmell Festival 2011 - the best sound we ever had.
Have you had any bigger tours from start till now? (Christian):Sadly No.
How big crowds do you usually play for? (Christian): <100, in this genre it is really hard to get "good" gigs.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? (Christian): Do some promotion for our latest album "Pulsar".
Where do you usually play? (Christian): small festivals, Pubs
How do you get psyched up for a gig?
(Christian): I need 2 beer...(without I think to much during the gig)
(Manu): I´m singing very loud in the car...like a warm up...Than I bring Christian 2 bear.
What are your goals with your music?
(Christian): Hopefully to play more gigs and make more good records.
(Manu): If it is allowed to dream: We would love it and fell honored to play on the Mera Luna Festival Hildesheim Germany...it was always the greatest dream of KV.
When did you decide to go all in for the music? (Christian): Regarding Kreuzversuch: it was 2009 where I left my deathmetal band to focus on Kreuzversuch.
Is it easier to getyour inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern?
(Christian): To be hornest: most of the bands I really like has been founded in the 80/90ies: "Silke Bischoff", "Diary of Dreams", "Depeche Mode", "Nirvana", L'Ame Immortelle), but there are also very intresting newer bands like "the Birthday Massacre"...
(Manu): I´m inspired by Christians work, not by other bands.
What are your sources of inspiration? (Christian): Various real life experiences...
What's the first step when making a new song? (Christian): In the past I always started with my keyboard, but since last year I also start sometimes with my guitar.
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums?
(Christian): I hate this downloading stuff! I'm collecting CDs and I really like to hear an album completely.
What would be your dreams for the band?
(Christian): a good label, go on tour
(Manu): the Mera Luna Festivaaaaal.
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to?
(Christian): at the moment: a lot of gothic rock (the Birthday Massacre, End of Green), also Electronic/EBM (Covenant, [SITD])
(Manu): New Metal, Alternative, Gothic-Rock...Favourite bands: Stone Sour, Papa Roach, The Gathering, Coal Black
What do you hold most dear?
(Christian): of cause my family, regarding music: my LesPaul e-guitar
(Manu): the same by me...my family. It´s important to have a ballance in life.
What would be your greatest fears for the future?
(Christian): to make a really gread album and no one want's to hear.
(Manu): Yap. Good moment to look at "Pulsar".
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then?
(Christian): I always hope that the whole techique stuff works.
(Manu): Nothing...This are the only moments in my life without any kind of fear.
Have you been part of any other projects?/Have you been in any other bands?
(Christian): 1995-2000 Verkannte Propheten (Punk Rock, Guitar), 2005-2009 Menerra (melodic death metal, Keys), ince 2005 Kreuzverusch (Dark-Electro/Goth-Rock, music), new unnmaed project since 2013 (Gothic-Rock, Keys,Guitar
(Manu): Yes, a few of bands...The most important in the last years was the formation "Dearg Wings". Actually I´m singer too at the band "Someone´s Missing".
What do you work with outside of the band and the music?
(Christian): I'm an electrical engineer.
(Manu): Im book-keeper.
What would you do if there was no music?
(Christian): I really need to do some creatice stuff. I wouls start writing again.
(Manu): Create other crazy stuff...Clothes or something like this. I really need a valve.
How important are your fans?
(Christian): Very important. It's important to get some feedback!.
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? (Manu): A lady asked us for the lyric of "Supernova". Espacially for me it was great...cause most of the time nobody is interested in the lyrics, sad but true. She
said, that she´s inspired by the song.
How often do you rehearse? (Christian): Today Kreuzversuch is more a studio-project, so we don't got a hard rehearse mode. This changes if there are gigs planned.
Where do you rehearse?
(Christian): I got a small music studio / rehearse room in my cellar.
(Manu): I got a small studio too...but this one is at the top floor.
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment?
(Christian): Labyrinth, Supernova (my evergreen)
(Manu): For all Time, Labyrinth
What do you feel is the best liveband you've seen?
(Christian): I really like Diary of Dreams live.
(Manu): Anneke van Giersbergen, Papa Roach (the Show)
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing?
(Christian): For me creative work is really important.
(Manu): I need it like needing room to breathe.
Do you have any webpages? (Christian): We got www.myspace.com/kreuzversuch and we're on facebook, but for me making music is much more important than the online presentation.
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? (Christian): DON'T MAKE ONLY ONLINE RELEASES!
Describe your show, visually and musically (Manu): Two people in black doing there thing.
How do you view the musicindurty of today?
(Christian): I think today it is really hard for newcomers to get famous. The bigger record labels are counting more on bands wich are already famous. The internet is full of bands, it is hard to stand out.
(Manu): I´m sad about the fact, that it doesn´t matter if you are a talent or have good stuff...it´s more important to be freaky and flashy...Somebody told me in 2011:
Yes, you can get this deal and have gigs in russia, canada...but not like you are...more sex, more show...I was shocked.
What advice would you like to give other bands? (Manu): Do your thing an find your own attitude.
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? (Christian): From my sight: make someone listen to your music...find someone who believe in you... and get gigs...
(Manu): To transport the songs to the audience in every way.
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? (Christian): Best: you are very near to your audience; Worst: you have to bring your whole equipment with you.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence (Manu): The name Kreuzversuch tells all about the sound, a few styles in one band.
What is your favorite crappy instrument? (Christian): I'm a technique-freak: I love old instruments, but I don't use really crappy instruments. I got an old LesPaul Studio Lite from 1991 - oldie but goldie!
What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? (Manu):Yes, tere were moments like this, but we sort this out between us.
Whats your Pre-show ritual?
(Christian): I don't think we got a special ritual.
(Manu): 2 bear for Christian.