Audio-file

As heavy as you wanna beat

By Heather Wahle
hwahle@mscd.edu

For more than 20 years, KMFDM has honed a sound that relies on pounding guitars laced with growling synths, hard drumbeats and aggressive lyrics. Critics might accuse them of relying on formula, but founder Sascha Konietzko isn't concerned.

"If it's not broke, why fuck with it?" Konietzko said.

Konietzko started the band in 1984 in his native Germany. It quickly became one of the innovators of a new music style that combined genres including heavy metal, techno, disco and punk. Its unique musical style was dubbed "industrial" by the public, but the band-never fond of general classifications-choose to call their sound "ultra heavy beat."

"Over the course of the decades, it turns out that KMFDM was never an industrial band, in the meaning of how it is used in the United States," Konietzko said. "We were always quite different from the industrial lot."

The band has featured revolving group members throughout the years, including Raymond 'Pig' Watts and En Esch. Guest members have kept KMFDM working toward the perfect balances between performers; in the last few years they seem to have found that balance. The band is lead by Konietzko on vocals, keyboards, synthesizers and drums. The rest of the lineup consists of Lucia Cifarelli on backup vocals and lyrics, Jules Hodgson on lead guitar, Steve White on bass and Andy Selway on drums.

Throughout its career the band has maintained a breakneck pace of recording and touring. Two decades in, they show no signs of slowing down. Their latest offering is Hau Ruck (German for "heave-ho"), featuring their signature mix of roaring guitars, fierce vocals and hard-hitting beats.

From the first song, "Free Your Hate," the album goes straight for the throat. "Hate" features politically-charged samples and a hard-as-nails rhythm. "New American Century" provides a heavy guitar base wrapped nicely in an electro package. Songs such as "Professional Killer" showcase Cifarelli's expansive vocal talents and prove she is a solid contributor to the new sound of the band. The album wraps up with "Auf Wiederseh'n," one of two songs on the album sung completely in German.

These days, KMFDM is almost completely self-supported. Hau Ruck was mixed and produced by the band. They do the majority of their own promotion and even manage their own Website.

KMFDM are not typical rock star elitists. Over their long career the band has always been dedicated to its diverse fan base.

"The reason KMFDM is around is because of our fans. Without our fans we wouldn't have concerts, we wouldn't have records. It's a symbiotic relationship," Konietzko said. "We honor this by being down to earth, talking to people and being approachable. And also letting them live out their fantasies of being fans of the band, getting autographs, taking pictures, talking with them and whatnot."

Lace up your boots and join the masses on Oct. 17. for KMFDM at the Ogden Theatre. Konietzko and crew will be joined with special guests Acumen Nation, Project 12:01, and Platoon 13. Tickets are $20, $22 day of the show, available through Nobody in Particular Presents.