World Collapse / Interview

"If we provoke, we provoke thoughts". World Collapse is a unique band in today's hardcore landscape. Creative, headstrong and unafraid... That is exactly why this band seems to cause such division and controversy whenever spoken of. I interviewed Rene back in March, right before the release of their debut CDEP... Even though it might be a little outdated, I do think this interview is pretty interesting. See for yourself. Now forward comrades!

Could you tell us a little more about who is in World Collapse as we speak? Obviously you and Frank were in True Blue, but what are the backgrounds of the other members?
The other members have similar backgrounds. Erich and Rean used to be in different Post Punk outfits and share the same love for a lot of the same bands as Frank and myself.

The buzz around World Collapse has been out ever since "On The Attack" was unleashed onto the world a few years back. Can you briefly tell us why it took so long for an actual World Collapse release to materialise? Was it just line-up troubles or was it more than that?
The whole process has been dictated by personell. We have had a hard time finding the right people to work with. It was specific qualities we were looking for in people and those turned out to not be waiting on every corner. Once the line-up was set going about the EP was a quick step.

I remember you played your first shows a few years back, two shows in one day, right? After that no one seemed to know what was up with the band. Can you tell us what went wrong with the og. World Collapse line up?
We were basically not on the same page in any way you can think of. And thus it has been impossible to work together and make moves as a band. In order to move on Frank and I had to part ways with the rest.

The band name was lifted from a True Blue song title and "On The Attack" was a later and never recorded True Blue song as well... Do you feel like World Collapse in any way is a continuation of where True Blue left off? Or do you view World Collapse as a completely different entity?
World Collapse started out as the continuation of True Blue. The spirit we have lived with True Blue has been passed on to the new. This is not to be understood strictly in a musical but rather in a ideological way. Eventhough obviously some of the core elements of our songs can also be found in our previous band the electronics and harmonies for instance would have never been with True Blue had the band continued. The claim of both bands was/is to be yourself and act accordingly. Hardcore has always been about a free spirit...and that is exactly what we live.

Was there a time in the last few years where you felt like giving up on this band? If so, what made you pull through?
Never. There was never any questioning the band. Frank and I have lived through the roughest of circumstances and had to struggle for everything in order to do this band. All the down times have only made us more confident and strengthened our belief. It is the vision we have had for so long and the will to succeed that has kept us going from day one.

Even though World Collapse hasn't played out a lot and your first actual release is only due to come out now, the band has been the subject of a lot of talk and already is quite popular with a lot of people, including a lot of band dudes. Did this bring any extra pressure when you were writing and recording "Into The Night"?
No. Even though we could not be happier with the support we have received from all over and can never thank everyone enough, the public interest has never had any influence on the writing of the EP. It is ourselves we have to satisfy with our work in the first place and thus letting others come too close would make us pay attention to the wrong things.

What's the story behind the record's title "(Deutschland, Deutschland) Into The Night"?
It is a pick on the Zeitgeist. A neo romantic view of love for one self and those around you. A dictate to live through the rough times, endure all the pain and come out stronger in the end. An ode to urban cities covered in the dust of disappointment, angst and despair blown away by every human heart that beats. This is the end of depression.

The use of the German language is an imporant characteristic of World Collapse's communications (in news updates, on shirts etc.) - why is that? Especially using words like "Fuhrer" and "Ubermensch" on shirts... That must've caused some commotion or am I wrong?
We are Germans and do not deny it. It is our heritage and our future. We bow to Nietzsche, Wagner, Gutenberg, Speer and honor their work. Thoroughness and exactness have been core values of our upbringing, so it is natural for us to emancipate and blossom. And if we do provoke, we provoke thoughts.

People often mention bands like Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails when they discuss your sound, as well as Cro-Mags and Leeway. Which of these bands has been an actual influence on World Collapse? Are there any other more subtle influences that people haven't picked up on?
Well, I think all of the aforesaid bands have had an influence on us in a subtle way. It is part of the music we listen to and therefore it is unavoidable. We don't sit down and try to write a song that sounds like this or that band. We write our own music and capture emotions that we oftentimes feel are best represented through specific arrangements and instruments. Maybe that's the same way those bands write their music, too? We love The Clash, Danse Society, The Icemen, Einst¸rzende Neubauten, Visage, Bad Brains and the other free thinkers.

Word has it that Scott Vogel's guest vocals on "The Second Life" were recorded backstage at some show with an ordinary mic and basic gear, is that true?
Sort of. But, we did not even use a microphone. He screamed at a Mac Book, we pressed "record". That was it.

World Collapse doesn't play out much while I think you must be very anxious to hit the stage and play as much as you can. You must get a lot of shows offered as well. Is this ever frustrating or more of a conscious effort?
We are very pleased with the situation at the moment and don't want to run people over with shows. Offers we have plenty but always sort out what suits us best of course. As you yourself know it can be very fulfilling playing your music to an audience and directly feeling the reactions and communicating with the crowd. That is the opposite of the not less exciting but more synthetic part of writing and recording. Right now we are trying to keep a good balance.

You are also responsible for the visual aspect of the band, being lay-outs, designs, pictures and other visuals. What is the general vibe you are going for? I can tell there's a certain vision and general idea that ties everything together - how would you describe that vision?
It is actually Frank and me doing it, depending on what media we are working on. The overall Design objective I would describe as relevant and rational. Visual aspects play an important role in tranporting the overall feel of the band. It has the purpose to sometimes lead the commuication and other times to support it. We have a strict Corporate Design.

How did the idea come to you to integrate electronica in World Collapse's songs? Did you or anyone else in the band have any experience in that area or did you just figure it out as you went along?
Both. When we first started out we did not have a rehearsal studio so we always had to practice in our office. That we did with a guitar and a laptop. Step by step we developed our abilities so using machines and electronical devices has become natural for us. We have always had that vision but were just not able to put it into action technically. Now we are. And since we always wanted to add digital to our analogue sounds it fit perfectly then. So, now is the time to move on.
What's up with Retaliation? I know a demo has been recorded (minus the vocals?) and Buske played bass on those recordings, so what's up with that?
Retaliation is a project with me on Drums, Frank on guitar, Patrick Reaper Records on vocals and Buske Terror on the bass. We have demoed 7 songs and are looking for the right moment to record those songs properly and maybe even a few more. What exactly it is gonna be we haven't decided yet.

That's it I guess. Thanks for your time. Any closing comments?
I would like to thank you – Bjorn – for doing this interview and giving us the chance to get the word out. I would also like to thank all our fans for the unconditional support and the disorder. We believe that minds are progressive and know that the heart follows desire. Comrades move in legions!