Friday, 2 March 2012

Donkerkarnuffel Interview With The Metal Saloon

1. The name, Donkerkarnuffel is quite a unique and interesting name, what is the meaning of it? How did you think up the name?

Skeats: 'Honestly? Initially it just sounded too mental to pass off. Before Papa Haggis joined the band, we briefly had a South African mate by the name of Nico who had the “Donkerkarnuffel” as part of his email address. Me and Mr Bloody where like ‘what the hell does that mean??’ And Nico’s described it as the most insane and terrifying clown at a circus. Directly translated I think it means “Dark Bully”… it still does the job.'

2. Your music is heavy and dark with a prominant clown theme running throughout your music, what genre would you describe yourselves as?
Can you tell us more about your 'zombie clown influence and how it came to be?

Skeats: 'Mr Bloody coined the phrase “Clowncore”, which I think sums it all up really. But we incorporate a broad spectrum of metal genres like; Grindcore, Melodic Death Metal, Black Metal and even Hardcore at times. The zombie clown influence is just one of those winning super combos like “Ninja Wizards” or “Pirate Monkeys”. I think Mr Bloody had said “Zombies” and I had said “Clowns” at the same time and there you go. But it all spawned from the original description we heard for “Donkerkarnuffel” and everything has pretty much developed organically from that and continues to do so, and there is also inspiration that we kinda draw from with the likes of Papa Lazarou, Pennywise from IT, and such. We are always thinking of ways to bring out more of the zombie clown vibe.'

3. How long have you been together as a band?

Skeats: 'Me and Mr Bloody started this band together some three years ago. Somewhere over that time Pervo joined and then Papa Haggis. But Haggis was in Spitting Blood with Mr Bloody a while back.'

4. You have a new album, called 'Zombie Clown Apocalypse' tell us more about it?

Skeats: 'Mr Bloody came up with that name for the title song, and I don’t think there was really ever an option from calling the album any different. It is a perfect title. Saying that, we only have around four tracks on the album that push the zombie clown theme, the rest is what we felt about writing at the time, like Haggis’ lyrics for Fire Walk with Me which is a homage to Twin Peaks, and mine for Mourn for the Newborn which is a very dystopian view of life. We aren’t going to limit our artistic licence to just our zombie clown thing even though it is our prominent theme because we want to keep it unrestrained in that respect. So overall there is all round wholesome family fun throughout the album for anyone.'

5. You all have different nicknames in the band, following the circus theme, what are they?

'Well I am Skeats, which I have had as a nickname for some time. It is essentially my full name crushed in a vice, but it also passes off as clown name I guess, so I pushed it as my persona in the band. Haggis has had his nickname for a long time… you’d have to ask him why though. I think I spawned “Mr Bloody” as he kinda had “Blood” as a nickname from his Spitting Blood days. Just made it sound more clowny. And Pervo… yeah, again that was me, and we’re probably sending out the wrong message about him there… or maybe the right one? But it seemed to stick all the same.'

6. My favourite track on the album is Gypsy, what is your favourite track and why?

Mr Bloody: ' Well I like Zombie Clown Apocalypse because it is brutal, yet has a hook that we use to get the crowd chanting and has an epic keyboard laden outro...something for all of the family so to speak.'

Skeats: 'I don’t think I could pick a favourite, I like them all uniquely. I suppose the tracks that stand out more for me are probably Blood for Donko, Funland, The Greatest Show on Earth and Mourn for the Newborn. BFD because it is a great opener and totally sums up our theme, Funland because it’s a smack to the face of brutality, The Greatest Show probably because every riff is a hook and Mourn because there is a lot going on in it both musically and lyrically.'

6a. Skeats, where did you come up with the idea to put a bicycle horn on your drum kit?

My Clown Hammer? I can’t exactly remember whether it was me or one of the other guys who suggested it. I know we were having a laugh at rehearsal, talking about insane zombie clown ideas and that was one of them. My response was “fuck it! I’m going to get one!” and thus we have the funny sound that pops up at gigs and on the album.

7. What is your greatest achievement to date?

Definitely completing the album. It is something we have all put a lot of time and effort into and I think the end result shows that.

8. What upcoming gigs do you have and where?

Skeats: 'We have a gig at the Boston Music Room, Tufnell Park on Friday May 18th with our good friends Sanguine from Exeter.'

Mr Bloody: 'Crybaby Deathmatch and Santorum will also be joining us on the bill. We have a 4 day mini-tour up North in mid June where the Carnival with be pillaging The Towler in Bury on June 20th, Grand Central, Manchester 21st finishing at The Hollywood & Vine for both Friday 22nd and Sat 23rd at Mac Tees post-Download 'Macload' festival. We are also planning on taking the Circus to the West Country with Sanguine later on in the summer as well. '

9. Is there anymore news/thoughts you would like to share?

'Well, our plans on world domination and bringing about the zombie clown apocalypse are underway, should be in around six or seven weeks time (chuckles). We are also writing more zombie clown goodness as well, and you will be hearing a lot more of my Clown Hammer.'

Mr Bloody: 'Yeah, there is basically another 10 track album already written that we just need to rehearse and record however, we may bring out an EP first though. We are also planning a music video if we can decide on which song we want to use for the video - something everyone has a strong opinion on so this may take some time.....'

By Aine Brewer: The Metal Saloon.




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