Neaera are a German metalcore band with their roots in both the Death Metal and Hardcore genres. Although huge in mainland Europe the band are yet to establish the same level of popularity in the Uk.
We sent out London reporter Joey Rabbitt to have a chat with Neaera bassist Benjamin Billeke as they attempt to do just that, supporting Caliban, All That Remians, and Soilwork at London’s Electric Ballroom.
Joey:HTF
Benjamin Billeke: Bassist, Neaera.
Joey: Welcome to London, how are you?
Benjamin: Thanks, I’m doing really well.
Joey: I saw an interview with you where you were on a platform suspended from a crane. Sorry this interview might not be as exciting as that, who was the interview with?
Benjamin: Oh yeah! I think that was for Rock Invasion, I was scared shitless!
Joey: I was talking to another German band recently “The Ocean”, they said that the rider in the UK is terrible compared to the rest of Europe. How are you being looked after on this tour?
Benjamin: Yeah I think thats is because of the amount of bands that play here. That combined with the amount of equipment we bring puts serious time constraints on things, so there isn’t really the time. It’s not been unbearable or anything, mainland Europe is always a bit better but then we are better known over there. As long as you know what your in for then it’s ok.
Joey : Is there any venue in the Uk that you enjoy playing the most?
Benjamin: Well we have only come to the Uk about three times so we don’t have much to compare. But we played the Mean Fiddler In London a while back, that was really cool and sticks in our memory, hopefully tonight will live up to that.
Joey: Some big names on this tour-Caliban, Soilwork, All that remains. Did you know any of these bands before, have you developed a relationship with them?
Benjamin: Well we already knew all the other bands work really well before this tour. We knew Caliban really well though, we’ve toured with them about three or four times. We haven’t really had time to hang out with the other bands yet, there is always a lot to do at the start of the tour but we hope we will do. Caliban are definitely our closest relationship though.
Joey:You have been compared to Caliban and other bands from your part of the world before. Not suggesting you all sound the same, but do you think that where you come from can have an influence on your sound?
Benjamin: I think it’s a subconscious combination of both. You can’t avoid being influenced by contemporary new stuff and you don’t really want to, if it’s heavy stuff and you enjoy it then it’s always going to add to your own creative doings. I think we have our own trade marks that help us stand out which makes people come to the shows. With a band Like Caliban you are always going to be compared to them, we try to incorporate all elements in our music.
Joey: I find the mix of Hardcore and Death in your music really interesting. Tobias started the band after leaving a Death metal band. What would you say were your biggest influences from these different genres?
Benjamin: Woah! Umm I can only narrow it down to a few, I guess “At the gates” from the death genre. At the time when we formed the band the metal core genre was just starting to take off so bands like Unearth and also Hatebreed were also big influences.
Joey: You combine these two genres but defy the label of “Deathcore”. Especially in the Uk in the wake of bands like “The Accacia Strain”, “Emmure” , and “Bring Me The Horizon”, there seems to be a growing lack of originality in the new bands. Is this something you have noticed? Are you glad you stay away from this title?
Benjamin: You know it’s weird, I don’t really understand all these labels. We don’t want to label ourselves like that, it’s just something to put on a CD to attract a customer so we don’t pay any attention to it. It’s a pretty poor testimony to your band if you are putting yourself in to a certain draw, I don’t think any of the bands you mentioned would do that.
Joey: Staying with the theme of new bands, the internet is something which is utilised a lot by new bands nower days. You’ve said before that you see it as a positive thing in music. Many don’t agree, what do you think that the internet has helped you to achieve?
Benjamin: Well when you have a new record out, you can’t tour everywhere straight away. The easiest way to get it to people is if they check out your myspace. It’s a free media to get yourself out there, and it gives people a taste of what you are like live. Anyone can record an album but nower days you have to back that up with your live performance to sell tickets.
Joey: You have a tremendous work rate, you wrote “Forging the eclipse” your latest album on a touring section after the release of your previous album then started recording more or less straight after the tour. The Album has not been out that long but are you writing right now?
Benjamin: Right now we are just focusing on touring. Maybe in a few months we will start to get a bit fiddly again, start to right new stuff and collect new riffs. This is a promo tour for us, the plan is to do this one and then back it up later in the year. So maybe after that we will settle down and start thinking about recording again.
Joey: Do you feel the same pressure you did on your first album when you record now?
Benjamin: I don’t think we have ever really felt pressure writing songs, when we book a studio we are already quite far into the process of writing songs so we know we have enough time to get stuff down.
Joey: Whats left to achieve for Neaera?
Benjamin: A lot hopefully! We love playing shows and touring, getting to see new places. We love being here in the UK, we’d like to go to Japan, and America some day. Anything is possible, and we just want to do as much as possible.
Was Frank Lampard’s goal over the line at the world cup this year?
Benjamin: Haha, well there are pictures where it isn’t over the line! I think we won 4:1 so it doesn’t make that much difference. It’s karma! Still you guys got into the last 16 so that wasn’t a bad run for you haha!
Joey:Have a great set!
Interview: Joey Rabbit
