A Dirty Dozen with CARL FORNIA from MONO INC – July 2025

According to a recent press release: “Today, German goth rock band MONO INC. are pleased to unveil their new single “Abendrot,” the fourth release from their upcoming album Darkness, due out August 15th via NoCut. The track arrives alongside a new music video. The giants of dark rock, MONO INC., combine grand melodies and emotional depth in the 12 songs on Darkness. Their new album unleashes epochal power while simultaneously creating intimate moments – best experienced live starting in October on MONO INC.’s biggest tour to date.” We get guitarist Carl 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

That’s an interesting question! Musically, there is a lot to discover, but you should listen more closely to the lyrics. Especially the fans in the English-speaking parts of the world should use a translator for the German songs!

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

I didn’t start learning the guitar myself until I was 19 and only decided at the tender age of 23, 24 or 25 that I wanted to become a professional. With my band mates, it was all much earlier.

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

I grew up in the 80’s. AC/DC (Highway to Hell) influenced me in rock just as much as Iron Maiden (Piece of Mind). In the electronic style, I’ve always been a fan of Depeche Mode. I can no longer say why that was possible at the same time, but it was the case.

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

I would have loved to record a ballad with Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), because Lemmy could sing incredibly soulfully. Of the living artists, it would probably be Zakk Wylde, because I started playing guitar because of him.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I find relaxation on the soccer pitch. I play in 2 teams, a league team with players over 40 and a recreational team. After training, I like to sit with the lads and smoke a cigar. Perfect after sport. 

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?

A fan once said to another fan “MONO INC. sound like a mixture of Depeche Mode and Overkill, only heavier.” I always say like Sisters of Mercy with metal guitars.

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

Martin, Martin, Martin – no, that was a joke. Martin likes to cook, he even used to do it in the motorhome when we couldn’t afford a proper nightliner. Drinks are usually more my thing. And an acoustic guitar usually comes from me, as Martin prefers to sit at the piano.

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

Wow, you mean really impressed? That was Korn. We played a few festivals together in 2017 and the band blew me away live even more than I thought they would.

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 experiencing the power of music live with other people. By that I mean on and in front of the stage. If I couldn’t be on stage tomorrow or my arm was gone, I would switch to management or open a restaurant.

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?

I always like to be surprised by well-prepared journalists. Everyone has the right to receive answers to frequently asked questions. That’s what we do at Meet & Greets too.

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?

When my children were born, I had to work in IT for a few years to earn enough money to pay the rent, buy a fridge and so on. In the beginning I found it exciting, but after a few years I felt a great emptiness with all these people in this business. So I told myself (and luckily my wife supported me) that I’d rather earn less money but be happy. Welcome to the world of MONO INC.

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?

Brian Johnson’s brother told me the story of how Brian joined AC/DC as the singer for the album Back in Black. I would have really liked to experience the recordings for this album because I can play every song.

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Category: Interviews