Peace Of Mind

Germany is the mecca of the modern hardcore scene nowadays. Tons of new bands, labels & amazing feedback during the shows. One of the youngest bands that draw my attention lately was Peace Of Mind from east Germany. They just released a new 7” via Powertrip Records and they play shows like there’s no tomorrow. Keep an eye on them. Photos provided by the band.

www.facebook.com/peaceofmindhardcore powertriprecords.bandcamp.com

Hey hey! What’s all this fuss with Peace Of Mind?! Hehe! You are a pretty new band but you have already managed to gather a strong fanbase and that’s sick! When did you form? Did you play in any other bands before?

Hey Apostolis and thanks for your interview request! Well, it all started last year. Peace Of Mind, that´s Bulma on drums, Patrick playin’ bass guitar, David playin’ the so called “Riff Monster”, hehe, and me, Louis, doin’ the vocals. We formed in the early 2k15. We’ve got the same taste in music and all knew each other for a long time before, so we decided to create our own music to share feelings and ideas through it. Actually three of us play in other bands at the moment! Patrick and David playin’ in a deathcore band and Bulma is “drummin’ around” in a punk band. The deathcore project tries to find a new name atm, and the punk band is called Noi

haus. They will release a 12” LP this summer! So please do me a favour and check em’ out, they totally deserve it! :-) And I was playin’ bass guitar in a black metal band, but that´s history. So Peace Of Mind is my one and only project and I want to fuel it with power and strength.

You’ve recently released your first 7” via Powertrip Records, one of the most hard-working hardcore labels in Europe nowadays. Give us some info about the 7” and your co-operation with Powertrip.

Yes, we decided to publish an EP first to get some attention and perhaps to get in touch with hardcore labels, and so the partnership with Powertrip Records began! I think Hannes, the founder of Powertrip Records, saw something like “potential” in us and began to promote us! At this point I want to thank him for everything! The “Hardcore Scene” and the whole music branch need more people like Hannes! He gave us the possibility to reach new listeners all over the world for our first 7” and spread our values through it! Apropos values, that´s the most important thing which we want to share through our music. So our 7” is not only about my own thoughts and feelings and the attempt to express them. Values like anti-fascism, lived solidarity and to fight against all political oppression, that´s also a mindset which connects us to Powertrip Records! Even if it´s hard to express and mediate such values, we’ll give our best to spread out our point of view!

You are obviously influenced by the modern hardcore scenes of NY / US and mainland Europe. What are you favourite current hardcore bands and do you listen to any of old school hardcore? I ask you this because it’s pretty sad that nowadays kids listen to all the new bands (some of them are great of course) and tend to forget about the roots.

Yeah, you are right. I think, at the moment, we all listen to bands like TUI, Risk it!, Expire, Turnstile and stuff like that. But nevertheless, old school hardcore will always be our favourite. Because we all started to listen to ”hardcore” with bands like 7 Seconds, Bad Brains, Madball, Youth of Today. They all brought us into that matter called “Hardcore”. Just like: “Don’t forget the struggle, don’t forget the streets. Don’t forget your roots and don’t sell out!” So our point of view totally agrees with this statement!

How’s the scene in southeast Germany, where you are based? I have some personal experience of really good shows there, much better compared to west Germany shows, am I right? Any bands that our readers should check out?

To describe the scene here in middle/south/ east Germany with 1 word? Fantastic! About 3 years ago, many promoters came to light and the scene prospers nowadays! I think this is not correct. I can talk for Peace of Mind. It´s always hard to promote us in West Germany, cause of the distance and the time we need to get there. However the shows in West Germany are pretty awesome. We had some of our best times there!

For example in Wiesbaden, Münster, Dortmund or Cologne! Beautiful venues and freaky shows. But the “Underground Hardcore” trend definitely lives in east / middle Germany! You need some bands to listen to? I’ve got a bunch of awesome bands I can tell you! Go check out Vlada Ina, Deluminator, Harm / Shelter, Soulground, Light it Up, Gone To Waste, Demonwomb and Felony! Awesome bands and awesome people!

Something odd… Your band name reminds of the Krishna-core hardcore era; there was a time when hardcore was very connected to spirituality and even religions. I guess Peace Of Mind have nothing to do with this, but I’m curious, what’s your opinion about bands preaching about religion or religious organisations via hardcore? Do you feel the same for bands spreading out political messages, veg(eteari)anism, straight edge, etc.?

I think we need to distinguish between religion and political messages, veg(eteari)anism or straight edge. In my opinion, religion is not always a bad thing, because some values like charity or helpfulness are important in our modern society, particularly with regard to the current situation worldwide. People flee from war, exploitation, religious fundamentalism and political oppression. We need to help them to grant them a new, peaceful start in a new life. But when religion starts to restrict your life and the life of other people, we are in duty to smash this suppression, because everybody shall live the way they choose and want to! So, in my opinion, religion is not comparable to values like straight edge or veganism, especially because those

are just suggestions for a better and healthier life. “this is no set of rules.. I’m not telling you what to do” - Thanks to Minor Threat’s ‘Out of Step’, this quotation applies with our point of view!

I have noticed that you are very concerned about anti-semitism, paying tribute to the holocaust victims, demonstrating the Israeli symbols, etc. Give us some more info about it!

In my opinion, the goal of all political education is that Auschwitz never happens again. German offenders of the 2nd world war are no victims. It’s the duty of the whole world to show solidarity and respect to the jewish people and to enable them a normal life. Sadly, this happens way toο rare. So, we stand with Israel!

You are very active when it comes to playing shows recently; actually you recently (end of March / early April 2016) did a european tour. Share with us the best & worst parts! Any stand-out shows / moments? Which city / country did you enjoy the most? Moreover, do you plan any more tours for the future?

We try to hit the road everytime we can in order to escape the daily life and to meet new and awesome people, just like u last summer Apostolis :-) Hopefully it will happen again soon! Worst parts? We had no bad moments at all! Every single show was a blast! For me, the best part of such a tour is the travelling, to see new places and to meet awesome people like our new buddies in Demonwomb! Stand-out shows

were definitely the one in Budapest with Justice and our hometown show in Rauenstein. Crazy shows and incredible crowd, thanks for that! We definitely enjoyed every single place we’ve been. Everything got something special, you know that feeling Apo :) Yes, we gonna hit the studio at the end of April to record our second 7”! After that we plan a tour for the end of 2k16 or the beginning of 2k17. Hopefully in foreign regions and places we’ve never been before! What ‘bout Greece perhaps?? Hehe!

Top 5 favourite hardcore and non- records of all time?!

Uh, that´s hard. I’ll try to do it, but not in that order :)

Hardcore: Trapped under ice - Big Kiss Goodnight Expire - Pretty Low Malevolence - Reign of Suffering Bad Brains - Bad Brains Youth of Today - Break down the walls

Non-hardcore: Lana del Rey - Born to die Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin The Doors - L.A. Woman & The Doors The Clash - London callin The Rolling Stones - Exile on main st.

Thanks a lot! Last words are yours!

Stay anti-fascist! Keep the faith and don’t sell out! Thanks for paying attention to us and the possibility to share our thoughts! Keep it positive! POM