If you like your punk rock raging and quick with an emphasis on the “rock” (and that’s probably most of our readers) Küken’s debut record is simply essential.
A Frankenstein’s monster sewn together from Jay Reatard, The Ramones, and Teengenerate, Küken (from Hamburg, Germany) play explosive, high-energy punk and roll and the 11 songs here don’t stop to let you catch your breath. Good thing the record is only about 20 minutes long.
Released as a co-release on Austria’s venerable Bachelor Records and Dumpster Tapes, the vinyl cover is plain yellow with the band name written across it in a childlike scrawl. It makes sense, because from the blistering lead off track – Black Rose to the furious Fight Back, these guys aren’t fucking around; this is a record to be cranked to 12, never mind 11.
Küken is led by twin brothers Chris and Philipp from Hamburg punk outfit The Kidnappers, and we got in touch with Philipp to get the low down.
We are….Knut (dr), Christian (b+v), Philipp (g+v)
People say we sound like…
Tightly performed rock’n’roll at its most efficient (?)
We are originally from…..
South of Germany (C+P), Hamburg (K)
What music has had an influence on your sound?
KBD Punk and Creedence Clearwater Revival
Tell us about your live show…
Short, fast, no breaks, twin vocs
What’s the most difficult part of being in a band?
Nothing, it is really easy
What do you make of the music industry right now?
I don`t care, but please support local record Shops and lables
Tell us about the scene in Hamburg/Germany…
Hamburg is ok, ‘Wildwax Shows’ does the best Shows, Get Lost Fest in Hamburg is the best festival
How does the city’s musical history, or landscape influence your sound?
Lots of Beatles/Starclub History going on in Hamburg -> Tourist bullshit, I have 3 Beatles records, I listen to them once a year, usually on Easter
What influences the band lyrically?
Psychological problems…no…nothing specific, we are happy if we can come up with something (my brother likes to write about Texas)
Our most memorable gig ever was…
Bierkrug, Heilbronn (dive bar in our Hometown, Bier+Korn=3€)
If you could pick any time to travel back to for music, where would you go and what year would it be….
1976 NY
Growing up, at home we listened to….
Junior M.A.F.I.A.
What tunes are currently on heavy rotation for you…
Golden Pelicans, Stooges, Hank Wood and the Hammerheads, Bikes
If you could open for any band right now who would that be and why?…
Modern Pets, cause they are special
If you could only bring ONE record (you can all answer if you like) in the tour van what would it be?…
KÜKEN s/t
When you’re not playing and have some time off, where could we find you…
Budnikovsky (local Drugstore) and the gym
The one thing we want you to remember while you’re listening to our music…
Keep it simple
What’s up for 2015/2016?..
More Shows, tour in October, hopefully a new single
