Interviews: KILL HER FIRST

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Hardcore/Easycore band KILL HER FIRST from Germany. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Gero: It’s a reference to the ancient sagas and stories where suppression or revenge often comes in the shape of killing the first-born. So it’s a reference to overcoming the odds and surviving.

David: It’s also a twist of the familiar theme: The hero of this story is actually a heroine and she’s not going anywhere.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Gero: Melodic hardcore carries a lot of emotion. It’s rough, wild, aggressive, but at the same time delicate and sensitive.

Sophie: However, playing a specific genre is not really an intention. The new stuff we’re creating seems to be a cocktail of each of our personal tastes spiked with passion.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Gero: The core of Kill Her First knew each other before starting the band. We were in other bands at the time and once they dissolved, we started Kill Her First.

4. Each band member favorite band?

Gero: Thrice!

Sophie: My current favorite is actually a cellist, David Darling. And Architects for sure. And Massive Attack – again and again.

David: I’m a massive Underoath fan. Giulia likes Enter Shikari and Comeback Kid, Jana is a fan of Satanic Surfers and Refused.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Gero: Life. The new material is really autobiographical in a way – our first single Street Dog vs. Eagle tackles the story of my tough youth.

6. Where was your last gig?

David: We supported the guys from Hoods at Franken – a small sweaty bar in Kreuzberg and a landmark for all things hardcore and punk in Berlin. A great way to end the year before focussing on writing new material.

7. Where would you like to play?

David: There’s plenty of nice venues around Berlin that would be amazing to play. It’s not about the size but about the energy inside – we can have the same amount of fun in a bar like Franken that we have at SO36. But also, we would like to go out and play shows around Germany again once our new record is out.

Sophie: I love incredible locations. I would love to play at Burning Man. But also at a tiny lake-side festival in the Swedish woods.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Gero: Andrew from Comeback Kid. Andrew, if you’re reading this, text me. Or Courtney Love – but that’s just me. 

9. Whom not?

David: Honestly, anything goes. There’s so much stuff we like musically – I could imagine a rapper, a choir, a trumpet player, a samba drum line. We’ll see were songwriting takes us.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Sophie: Sure! Stage fright is all you need. Without it, a gig would be so boring. Enjoy it, get high on it, consume it like the best chocolate ever.

David: The whole day before a show is a buzz and there is a lot to do. For me, the nervousness starts only about half an hour before the show – when I warm up and stretch. It’s just a lot of good energy.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Gero: When we started out, our inspiration came from the likes of Funeral For A Friend, Hawthorne Heights, Rise Against, From Autumn To Ashes, Thursday, Refused or Kittie.

David: Personally, I still appreciate Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy but I currently draw a lot of inspiration from DIY melodic hardcore like Ambleside (from Australia) or Oceans Ate Alaska. We are intrigued by more heavy, complex music ...

Sophie: ... like Purusam, Sepultura, Architects, Leprous or Haken.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

David: A selfie. This has actually happened and it blows our mind. Ask us before a show next time - we are usually less sweaty then, haha.

Gero: A girl wanted my sweaty shirt after a show once.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Sophie: I love seeing how people enjoy our music ...

David: ... and seeing their reactions – online or before the stage. It’s a good feeling being pushed by them and feeling like one big family.

14. What do you think of our site?

Gero: It’s great! We love it! Music is the key and there are so many amazing stories around it. Keep collecting them.