INTERVIEW with THE COFFIN DAGGERS
I saw THE COFFIN DAGGERS 2 times on stage and if you have the chance you should see them too. Always great instrumental entertainment! The Interview was prepared 2006 via e-mail.
1. Can you give a brief story about THE COFFIN DAGGERS ?
ALIX: We're here to rock your cock off.
VIKTOR: The Coffin Daggers formed in 1999 officially. There have been various
line-ups since then. The original idea to form this type of band happened when I
was living in Holland in the late 90's. It was inspired by a Man or Astroman?
record someone left behind at the squat I was living in, and by a Dick Dale show
at the "Melkweg". When I returned to America in 1998 I set about finding band
members.
PETER: I joined up in late 2000 or thereabouts. Alix came aboard just last
August. We've also just brough on Barry our new drummer who will be joining us
for the next tour in Europe this October.
debut epfirst seltitled CDShark Attack/Jack the Ripper-Demo
2. You toured through europe in march. Was it the first time that you played in
europe ?
PETER: Nope, our second...
VIKTOR: We toured the Benelux area in 2005 through 'surfing airlines'.
ALIX: Only for Sexy Lexy.
3. I read something about naked soundguys and such things...were there any other
highlights, curiosities or accidents during your tour ?
ALIX: Oh there were many...
VIKTOR: The Naked Soundguy happened in Sevenum, NL. The opening bands' soundguy
did the sound naked in order to piss off the club sound engineer who was being a
real asshole and giving everyone a hardtime. It was a brilliant piece of theater
- how do you argue with a naked guy? Very, very funny!
PETER: We very much enjoyed Kino La Bim in Halle an der Salle... what a wild
room to play, those folks really know how to party. We can't wait to play there
again... I think we're playing it in very early October. And of coure that
excellent garlic liquor in Chemnitz.
4. Is touring in europe much different from touring through the US ? If so, what
are the differences ?
VIKTOR:Touring in Europe is much better than touring in the U.S. In America
bands are usually treated like shit. In Europe you get food, a place to sleep,
beer, treated nice,and money. In America you get nothing.
ALIX: Europe treats you like a human being.
PETER: Holy crap, it's like night and day the difference.
5. Food and Drinks are essential for the life on tour...What are your favourites
?
VIKTOR: A nice Vegetarian meal, some good German pils, and some good
Cannabis to top it all off.
PETER: Fizzy vitamins every morning keeps you going, especially in the
wintertime! And Viktor don't forget chocolate wtih orange...
ALIX: Paprika chips, waffles, frites with special sause, duvel, absinthe and
anarchist beer.
6. How does the Surf Scene in New York looks like ? Are there any cool clubs or
spots for the surfmusic lover?
VIKTOR: Over the last few years a lot of surf and instro bands have formed
in New York, so it's a growing scene. "Otto's Shruken Head" is now a regular
venue for this type of music and other clubs are starting to become aware of
this music. However most other music venues in N.Y. are pretty bad.
PETER: CBGB is one of the big exceptions here in New York, at least for us. They
have always treated us quite well.
7. Is there a background story about the name COFFIN DAGGERS ?
VIKTOR: I got the name "Coffin Daggers" from the song 'The Monster Mash' by
Bobby Boris Pickett. It goes: "The Coffin Daggers were about to arrive, with
their vocal group the Crypt Kicker Five". I thought it was a cool name. I
thought of using 'the Crypt Kicker Five' as well, but there were only four of
us.
8. At your shows you work with some scary background films and videos. Who made
these bakground films ?
VIKTOR: The film montages are either put together by me or our old organist.
We are working on some new ones for the next tour.
9. There are some other spook/horror surf bands in the US, such as THE GHASTLY
ONES or THE VERBTONES...did you play shows with other ghoulish bands ?
VIKTOR: The only other horror type surf band we've played with is 'Gein and
the Graverobbers'. Although we are on a compilation called "yells from the
Crypt" with a bunch of other horror themed bands (instro and vocal).
10. Getting out of the Coffin...what are your jobs in the daytime ?
VIKTOR: I'm a part time illustrator and a full time lazy layabout.
PETER: I'm an independent speicalist in American historical manuscripts and
letters.
ALIX: I sold my soul on ebay yesterday so Im getting a steady paycheck from
that.
11. If you got lost at a spooky shore...what things does a COFFIN DAGGER need to
survive ?
VIKTOR: My record collection, a stereo, my guitars and amps, my cats,
electricity, and a big field of cannabis indica. Maybe some coconuts as well, i
have to eat after all.
ALIX: cigarettes, bourban, and pot. and a lighter. Peter would need his
computer.
PETER: Hey shut the fuck up!... ok yeah she's right...
12. Vinyl, CD or MP3...which is your favourite ?
VIKTOR: Vinyl, Vinyl, and Vinyl. 1/4" tape as well.
ALIX: vinyl. duh.
PETER: Vinyl even though I don't even own a turntable -- my apartment is the
size of a postage stamp.
13. Where can your records be brought ?
ALIX; from sexy lexy, the hot merch girl.
VIKTOR: Our recordings can be obtained through our website, and at our gigs. Our
first album is also now on CDbaby and at itunes (coporate swine!).
14. What are your plans for the future ?
VIKTOR: Besides total global domination? Just to continue to make the best
music and records of this kind that we are capable of.
ALIX: i have no plans, im a loser.
15. Who will win the Soccer World Cup 2006 ?
VIKTOR: Not the U.S.! I haven't paid too much attention to it this year.
ALIX: ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!
PETER: I had high hopes for Lichentsetin -- hey they kicked Luxembourg's ass
this year (4-1) and tied Portugal --- but alas, it wasnlt enough Poor, poor
Lichtenstein! One day perahps.... So now I've completely lost interest.
16. Any last words to the readers ?
VIKTOR:
Thanks for the interest in our band, thanks for reading this far, and we
hope to see you all on our next tour.
ALIX: shit off.
PETER: Ya know... we can't take you anywhere!
The interview was originally released in 2006
before the Coffin Daggers autumn euro tour. The band released some
very cool stuff on vinyl and some tracks on various comps. For more information (releases, tourdates etc.) check these links:
Official Coffin Daggers Site |
Zodiac Records