Founded in 1989, Oomph! It is one of the obligatory references when talking about the NDH movement, which includes bands like Rammstein, Eisbrecher, Megaherz or Unheilig.
The singer Dero Goi, next to Flux and Crap They are marked as one of the greatest influences for bands that have followed in their footsteps over 25 years, where their characteristic sound has permeated the length and breadth of German rock music.
We had the opportunity to talk to the vocalist Dero Goi, about the future of the band, its musical influences and a possible arrival in Mexico at some point.
To make matters worse, why OOMPH !?
And why not? Digo, ya hay un montón de bandas con nombres bien aburridos y ordinarios. Encontramos la expresión ‘Oomph” en un viejo diccionario de inglés allá por 1989, cuando fundamos a la banda. We thought it was a cool and ironic name and after all these years I think it still is.
Ustedes se fundaron en 1989 y se volvieron pioneros de un género que ha tenido un crecimiento tremendo y del cual han surgido un montón de enormes exponentes… y todos los marcan como parte de sus influencias. ¿Cómo te sientes sobre esto?
Of course we are very honored, if a band like Rammstein says no Oomph! perhaps a Rammstein would never have existed. But the truth is that we don't think about it very often, we don't think about the innovation or the impact that we had in German music, because we keep evolving or at least we try, while other bands just repeat themselves over and over and again only for commercial reasons .; I mean, I agree that the surest way to stay as a band and that most fans of the scene are very conservative and reject any kind of musical evolution, but if you start thinking only about what your fans are going to love or hate you will start to act in a purely commercial way and you will lose the essential spirit of music, which in my eyes is freedom.
German music has been very successful for at least the last 20 or 30 years, even with bands that play their music entirely in German and the vast majority of people don't understand it. Why?
I think that for people who don't speak German around the planet, rock spoken in our language seems very authentic to them. I think in the first place, music is the universal language, no matter where you live. The phonetic aspect of German is also very important because it sounds very good and it has a very hard rhythm, which makes it connect better with rock or metal.
Pero aún así, muchos poetas alemanes han probado que el alemán es un idioma que también encaja perfectamente en un contexto sentimental o melancólico. Es un lenguaje muy versátil, incluso cuando no encuentras las palabras correctas. Es un trabajo muy duro escribir una canción completa…
Tus últimos dos discos, ‘Monster’ y ‘Des Wahnsinns Fette Beute’ no contienen una sola canción en inglés, ni siquiera en los Bonus Tracks…
I love to express my feelings in my mother tongue, because I feel that my songs in German are deeper and more authentic. So I just thought it was not necessary.
And on the other hand, you throw Truth or Dare, which is an album of their own versions, but in English!
Well, you can see Truth or Dare as a gift for our non-German-speaking fans. I think from this album it is easier to understand our music and our lyrics in German.
Ultimately, where are they going? Oomph! It has gone from EBM in its beginnings, through Industrial Metal and even Pop-Rock. What is the next step for the band?
¡Tal vez nos metamos con el Klezmer o el Jazz! Sería genial. Hay muchas dimensiones musicales en los cuales explorar… ¡sigue atento! Porque nunca sabrás que es lo siguiente que escucharás de Oomp! [risas]
Entonces realmente escuchas una evolución en tu música…
Definitely yes! And constantly. Without constant change and attempts to make change, art would just be repetitive bullshit.
Des Wahnsinns Fette Beute It was released just a year ago. Is it too early to think of a new album?
No. In fact we are working hard on the next album. We already have a ton of great and very versatile songs. Everyone who loves Oomph! By having enough balls to evolve, you will be able to listen to these new songs as soon as possible.
¿Y qué tal un álbum de covers? Suena bien…
I do not think so. We have so many new ideas coming out of our hearts and minds that I don't think it's necessary to be covering other bands anymore. Oomph! It is no longer for that right now.
Currently, what are your biggest musical influences? What is the music you listen to on your normal day?
Like every child who grew up in the 80s, I grew up listening to AC / DC, Mötorhead and Iron Maiden, but on the other hand I have the cold attraction of bands like Kratfwerk, Einstürzende Neubauten and DAF I think our love for rock, metal and electronic music is what builds the foundations of Oomph!
During their live performances, they pour an enviable amount of energy. For when a new live DVD?
Thank you very much indeed! I think that is what should be done in a live event. Brutality, power and authenticity! As a musician, you must deliver as much energy as possible on stage, as the same energy that you will receive back from the people who are standing in front of you on the track. Together with the audience, you can create a big impact, a chain reaction, and a musical supernova during a concert.
In 2014, the band turns 25 years old. How they are going to celebrate?
Oh my goodness! 25 damn years. We are very lucky to have been musicians for so long, savoring and feeling the same energy and freshness that we had when we founded Oomph !. We will wait to release our next album and go back on tour so we can plan something and celebrate together with our fans in the upcoming shows.
Un montón de gente quiere verlos en vivo en México… incluyendome, claro. ¿Algún día?
We are very happy and pleased to see the large number of fans we have in Mexico. We are trying very hard to go to his beautiful country and play a couple of concerts. Just wait! First, we have to find a promoter who wants to help us give these shows.
Meanwhile, something you want to say to your fans in Mexico?
Yes! To all our Mexican fans and listeners, thank you very much for supporting our music and spreading the virus-Oomph! in Mexico.