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Could you provide us some basic info about your band?
Hæckefløsse is a Dutch full-speed Industrial-Metal/Cyberpunk band. We started out in 1997 as a punk-metal-band with industrial influences, but evolved in an industrial-metal-band with a punk-attitude. The use of samplers, synthesizers, sequencers and computers next to guitar, bass and vocals causes an impressive wall of sound.
Why did you exactly pick this track to appear on the compilation?
The song "Who am I" contains very powerful guitar riffs and a continuously repeating synthloop. It's got strong growling, sometimes rough and harsh vocal lines. Text wise it deals with the struggle between your own responsibility and the opposition you feel from society when you try to take that responsibility. It’s about how you can feel alone in a crowded world, how you can feel lost as a result of too much information, how to keep sane in a twisted society. "Who am I" gives a perfect impression of Hæckefløsse.
How important is and has the internet been for your band?
The internet is crucial to us. You need a way to make yourself heard (unless your ambition doesn’t go further than to impress the walls of your rehearsal room). Music can be spread over the internet easily. A lot of people have access to the internet so there are a lot of potential listeners. It’s easy to make contact with like-minded people and the internet enables you to arrange all kind of events, like concerts, festivals and records.
What are the views upon the local music industry in your native country?
Just like the country itself, the underground scene in The Netherlands is small. The number of industrial-metal bands can almost be counted on the fingers of one hand. Regarding the fact that the regular musical industry wants to make (big) money it only focuses on mainstream music. There are possibilities for underground bands, but there is a strong international orientation (especially for labels). Luckily there are more and more people working hard to increase the attention for underground music. The scene is doing it mostly by itself, but that’s the best way to do it.
And what about the rest of the world?
It doesn’t seem to differ that much. There might be more industrial bands in France and Germany for example, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a big thing in those other countries. It will always be working on the margins (but that’s why it’s called underground, isn’t it). On the other hand is it fairly easy to make international contacts, just because of the limited size of the industrial-metal scenes.
How do you see the role of the record labels in the music industry in about 10 years?
For mainstream music there will always be (major) labels. They will try to find (or create) young, good looking artists which will be accepted by the masses. Big business it is and big business it will be. Not our cup of tea, but apparently good for the average listener. Revenues will be increased by skipping unknown bands and artist, using the argument that illegal downloads make it impossible to help unknown artists. This enlarges the role of the internet and internet labels. For the underground scene the internet will remain important and even gain importance. Just like there have always been independent labels in the past, there will continue to be independent labels. But the activities will more and more concentrate on the internet.
What are your opinions on the Industrialized Metal Webzine and Death To Music Productions?
In the answers above we have stated the importance of small and independent initiatives. Industrialized Metal Webzine and Death To Music Productions are the perfect examples. It’s an important contribution to the international underground music scene. Both fit perfectly in the DIY-attitude the underground scene should have.
Do you have some final words to add?
It’s important to have an active international scene, to have people who really want to put energy in keeping underground music alive and help each other. Do not only play music but visit small underground concerts. We do and we still are regularly surprised, and even stunned, by the high quality and originality of some unknown bands.
Interview by: Gerardo, answered by: Roald - February 2009
Hæckefløsse contributed on the compilation with the track "Who Am I"
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