INTERVIEW with THE COFFIN DAGGERS [New York]

I`ve had the pleasure to see THE COFFIN DAGGERS from New York City during their last EuroTour at THE GREAT SURF SWINDLE in Halle/Saale. It was an amazing gig...powerful, reverb driven and overheated . The crowd gone nuts this evening and everybody was drunk and dazzled after the show. THE COFFIN DAGGERS will return to europe this autumn ...time to ask ALIX, VIKTOR and PETER about the important things in life.


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!


What else is there to say ?! THANKS to THE COFFIN DAGGERS for the interview ! Visit the COFFIN DAGGERS website for more detailed info and other cool stuff and watch out for their upcoming tour and be prepared...I mean be well prepared. Okay ? Okay !

Visit THE COFFIN DAGGERS at their hompeage for records and huge infoTHE COFFIN DAGGERS