A Dirty Dozen with THE PICTUREBOOKS – September 2021

According to a recent press release: “Blues rockers THE PICTUREBOOKS teams up with Chris Robertson from BLACK STONE CHERRY for their new track “Catch Me If You Can”, which is off their forthcoming album The Major Minor Collective out September 3rd. Watch the official music video, filmed in Guetersloh (GER) and Edmonton/Kentucky (USA). The song is now available to purchase and stream. THE PICTUREBOOKS is Fynn Grabke (vocals, guitar) and Philipp Mirtschink (drums).” We get the duo to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Hey, hands down, we´re way too lazy for that shit. What you see is what you get and that’s already so much hard work that we can´t be bothered to put secret messages in there haha I guess if there is something like that , its an accident and I truly believe that if bands pretend to have something like that on their albums it  is 99% an accident and they´re trying to sound cool by saying its on purpose.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Both of us aren’t profession musicians at all. Never learned to actually play music, cannot play a chord to this day. We just have something going on in our hearts and music was the tool to express what was going on I our hearts.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There’s a lot out there for sure one of them being Dennis Lyxzen which made working with him for this album even more special. To be in the refused practice room and to hear his voice not through speakers or a PA, but for real in a room no effects, was outstanding. He’s such a rad dude too.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

My dad Claus Grabke, The Beatles, Fioana Apple, David Bowie, and The Velvet Underground.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would go down the playlist of this album and call ’em again and be like “this was fun, let’s do it again” haha.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Music that comes from the heart, unforgiving, real, no shortcuts, no bullshit, to the point and honest. At least that’s what we’re trying. We hate it when people try to find genres to define our sound. I don’t know. It makes music so Olympic, like there’s some kind of disciplines and now that you labeled a band as this or that, its up to the listener to decide how well they’ve done. That’s when an artist becomes an athlete. Booooooring.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We both like cooking, so that happens and when it does we do it together mostly. Same with the drinks which makes the night double interesting haha and even though I’m the guitarist I would say the beast is the first to grab the guitar butt naked playing us all a beautiful song in a fantasy language so no-one can singalong. I think we’re both having the best nights when we´re ruining someone else’s night haha.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I don’t know if I’ve ever been star struck to be honest. I grew up in a tour bus with my dad and realized from day one that we all suck in our own ways and to never meet your idols is only a thing for people that can’t accept that. I was stuck in an elevator with The Exploited when I was a kid and was going bonkers while they were really nice to me though and tried to calm me down but I think what triggered my panic attack was that I saw fear in their eyes first. We’re all just humans trying to be loved.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best thing about being a musician is the traveling. Going to places where people don’t usually go, where the locals hang, talking to the locals. It gives you a pretty good and honest view on this world. The other good thing is that being in a band these days that you have to be so much more than just a musician to keep this train rolling. I mean we´re working 24/7 on and for this band and that doesn’t mean playing an instrument the whole time. Its a company that you need to run and people depend on it so act like it.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Would you guys like some vegan burgers with fries? Fuck yeah dude!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I think its all part of the journey. We´re all where we are because of the things that have happened on the way. We are more than happy with where we are in our lives and career and are excited to see where this keeps going. Regretting things is a waste of time as much as being proud of something that happened in the past. Right here right now is all we got and right here right now we are creating tomorrow’s past.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds. There’s so many crazy stories about the writing and recording of this album. Its my favorite album and it would just be interesting to see how it came together.

THE PICTUREBOOKS LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews