DRUNK'N'ROLL RECORDS
by Christer Davidsson, May 2006
Hey! How are you? Matthias Frenzel: Yeah, fine! University (aargh) is done for today so here we go!
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
23 years, 1,85m, haha, just joking! I’m running the Drunk'n'Roll-Label since 2000 I think. If I’m not doing that labelstuff, I go to university (political science...), working on one of my bandprojects or just relax with my lovely girlfriend...
How come you decided to start a label?
I think it was in 1999 when me and Chris Curble, a friend I knew from the kindergarten, formed with some other guys “SoFuckingWhat?!”, my first band...in 2000 we released our first (and last) demo-tape. This was the first Drunk’n’Roll release. There were 200 made and they are sold out now. After the band split up, I decided to make something new so I put together two tapesamplers with various bands which played songs called “I don’t care”. You wouldn’t believe how many bands have such a song!
Later some of the bands I knew asked me to support them and so it grew...
Have you always been into punk?
Do you mean me or the label? Well I think the answer is just the same: It’s hard to define “punk”. I like music which is definetly no classic punkrock, too and it’s the same with some of the DNR releases!
I think I started with punk when I was 14 or 15 and from there on, it was a constant in my life!
How did you come up with the name Drunk N Roll?
It was early 2000 when Chris (from SFW, see above) was just joking about all that “Punk’n’Roll”-crap and all those MikeNess-clones and he came up with Drunk’n’Roll. I thought that this was a good slogan but actually it wasn’t a good description of the music we made. So we took it as the labelname for the demotape...
How many records have you released up until now?
With all the tapes and all the 5’’s we have 23 releases right now (May 2006).
Which release are you the most proud of and why?
That’s really hard to say! When I saw the RadioDeadOnes the first time, I knew that I wanted to make a record with them...it took some years but finally it’s out and that’s great! On the other side, working with the Reverend Beatman is always an honour! The same with Chip Hanna (I asked him on a concert and I was very drunk. Some days later I couldn’t believe he send me an email) or the Hatepinks! I’m very proud of every release we made and will make!
Are you involved in the artwork of your releases or is that something that the bands take care of?
It differs. Together with my brother (aka Drunk’n’Webmaster) I made the artwork for the Chip Hanna-7’’. I think the most of the other bands came with ready cover-artwork but I still had to make the labels for the records or little corrections.
I like to do some artwork for my releases but of course, if a band wants to realize an idea on their own, they should do so!
How important is the artwork for a release? Very important! I have records in my collection which look like shit but it’s good music. But If the artwork is no eye-catcher it’s hard to sell records of bands which the customers may not know.
What is the best looking record of all times?
Simple but still the best: Sex Pstols – Never mind ...
And what would you say is the best sounding record of all times and why?
That’s a hard question and I have absolutly no idea!
Whats the best and the worst thing with having your own label?
The worst thing is the extrawork you have with it. But I think the good aspects dominate this. You get to know so many cool people from all over the world, you release bands you always loved, you know that there are people who listen to the record you released and they even might like it...it’s FUN!
Do you buy a lot of records?
Yes, actually I think too many!
Whats the latest record you bought?
Whiskey Sunday – Maldecido LP (GREAT band from San Jose!!!)
What other labels do you like?
There are so many great labels outside, just to name a few: SQUOODGE!! (of course), NoFrontTeeth, most of the PeopleLikeYou-stuff is great, TKO, CausticRock from munich, VoodooRhythm, ... and many many more!
On some of your releases one side is 45 rpm and the other one 33rpm. Just a fun thing?
No, but 45 rpm has a better quality, so we like to release the stuff with 45 rpm. But the songs ChipHanna sent us for the B-Side were too long so we had to do this side with 33 rpm...but yeah, it’s funny, too! We also think about other jokes for the future releases!
A lot of stuff has been co-released with other labels, such as Squoodge!! and NFT. How come?
The guy who is behind Squoodge!! Is a friend of mine since years. One day, he asked if I would be interested in some kind of a single-club (I mean vinyl-singles!!!). I thought it was a good idea, and the first releases of this were the Hatepinks and Chip Hanna...
With NFT it was another story: As we planned the NaziDogs-7’’ their singer told me that a British label might be interested in a cooperation. So it started with this release and now we’re planning already the next one. It’s cool to work with other labels, ‘cause it’s a get-and-give-thing. Every label supports the other one and tries to distribute the other releases. But I would never work with a label I don’t like with 100% of my heart!
If you could sign any band at all, what band would it be?
SexPistols? DeadBoys? US Bombs? Briefs? I have no idea but many dreams!
What are your plans for the future? Upcoming releases etc. We’re working on a Hollowpoints/DeadonesUSA-split 7’’ (together with NFT), a new Chip Hanna release is on the way, NeuroticTV have great material, the DeadKings, an amazing 7’’-Sampler with OneManBands is planned for September...and I’m planning a huge Punkrock-Compilation for end of the year or maybe early next year...for news and stuff you can always check our site!
What would you like to say to the ones who read this?
If you haven’t yet, visit our site and see what we were talking about! News, mp3s, Mailorder, Tourdates, ...
Ok, all the best to DNR and thanks for doing this interview!
THANX A LOT!!!