Faderhead

“Do you believe everything happens for a reason?” is the counter-question posed by Faderhead after being asked why it took him 17 years to put out his first internationally released album. 17 years after taking up his first guitar and amp, over 6000 days after learning the first chords and writing the first crummy songs, the debut album FH1 is out on Accession Records - and it gets praise and acclaim everywhere.

“I really think it took a long time to hone my skills and get everything right to make a strong album” says the musician, engineer, producer and songwriter from Hamburg Germany. “Because practice makes perfect and god knows: I had a lot of practice”. A true statement coming from a young man who’s also a veteran in the music production business with now 10 years of recording and production experience under his belt. “Ive done everything from thrash metal to r&b from unknown garage bands to bands with record deals and I liked everything otherwise I wouldn’t have done it” is the confident answer when asking Faderhead about his favourite musical style. “I grew up with many different kinds of music so I would die a slow and boring death if I had to be confined to one style of music for the rest of my life”.

Drawing inspirations from artists as diverse as Oasis, Marilyn Manson, Ice Cube, 16Volt, Stuck Mojo, Glassjaw, Amon Tobin, Fatboy Slim, Blue Cheer, Dead Kennedys, Slayer, Marc Acardipane, The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Ministry, Machine Head, Pro-Pain, Autechre, Daft Punk, Fear Factory, Pantera and many others, the debut album FH1 is a multi-faceted affair. While firmly rooted in the electronic music scene, it boasts a wide variety of styles and songs that make listening an enjoyable and diverse experience. “I simply didn’t grow up on all-electro-bands like Depeche Mode, Front 242, Kraftwerk and Leaether Strip like many artists who make electronic music!” is Faderheads explanation “ I actually have very few electronic influences I just happen to like synthesizers and fat drumbeats!”.

And he also has guitars. “Yea, there are no guitars on the album, but I will be playing electric guitar when we play live. I’ll mainly add some punch and heaviness to the synths and make everything more wild and human! Precision is nice for a record, but I prefer raw energy at live shows” says the former shredder who cites Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo), Dave Mustaine & Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne) and Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) as big guitar influences. “I used to play extremely fast and technical in the mid-90s, but this guitar-style doesn’t fit the music at all, so these days I simply add textures and chords to fill up space and get more in-your-face!”.

Faderhead is supported on stage by drum virtuoso Alex Montana and keyboard player ChandlerXL. who make up his touring band.

From soft and melancholic ballads to all-out balls-to-the-wall dancefloor smashers - Faderheads debut album FH1 has it all and many magazines already dubbed him Newcomer of the year - which just might end up true when 2007 rolls around.