Interview by John Wisniewski
Sascha Kegel Konietzko , also known as Sascha K and Käpt’n K, is a German musician and record producer. He is the founder, frontman and “anchor” of the industrial band KMFDM. Konietzko jokingly purports himself to be the father of industrial rock. Keyboard Magazine wrote of him, “You won’t find a more imaginative or effective keyboardist on the hard-core scene.
Sascha Konietzko lived in the United States from 1991 to 2007, dividing his time among Chicago, New York City, and Seattle before moving back to his hometown of Hamburg, Germany. Konietzko married fellow KMFDM member Lucia Cifarelli in 2005.
Best known for his role as frontman of KMFDM. Having founded the group as a performance art project in 1984, he is the only member of KMFDM to appear on every release, and the only founding member still in the band.
John Wisniewski: Are you considered to be the father of industrial music?
Sascha Konietzko : Some people call me that but of course it is very tongue-in-cheek. I am only father to my daughter.
JW: Any favorite industrial bands? Perhaps some bands that have influenced you? Do you like electronic music?
SK: The term “industrial” has been so misused in my opinion. If I ever liked any industrial band it would be the very original inventors of the term ‘industrial music’, the one and only Throbbing Gristle. SPK from Australia are also a staple on my turntable.
JW: Could you tell us about your upcoming release? What was it like to record? What are KMFDM recording sessions like?
SK: It still is being recorded, almost there… KMFDM record in a modular way. Andy Selway lives in Florida, he’s got a studio and he records his drums there. Lucia and I record in our studio in Hamburg, Germany and whoever else contributes to any recordings also does it in their own environment(s). In the end all the pieces arrive here and I put it all together, mix and master it with our engineer Benny Lawrenz at Chameleon Studios, Hamburg.
JW: When and how did you meet vocalist Luca Cifarelli? How did she contribute to the overall sound of KMFDM?
SK: I initially met Lucia in 1996 when she performed at the Fenix in Seattle with her band DRILL, opening for Sister Machine Gun. In 1999 I was looking for a female vocalist for my MDFMK project and invited Lucia to join me in the studio. Ever since we’ve been doing things together, she’s one of a kind, as a singer, a songwriter, a lyricist and of course, a performer. She brings a lot to the table and has been a major force in shaping KMFDM for the past 25 years. Nobody’s been in KMFDM longer than her. I guess she doesn’t mind doing stuff with me.
JW: In your opinion is Industrial music as popular as it has always been?
SK: It’s always been a bit fringe in my opinion, which i am fine with. Popularity is perhaps not a thing to strive for.
JW: Are there any KMFDM side projects going on right now?
SK: Not per se. I am recording a project with my daughter where she comes up with music and lyrics, and I help her whip it into shape. It’s quite interesting and I think the outcome will be spectacular.
JW: What was the first appearance of KMFDM live and what was that experience like? Do you enjoy playing live?
SK: I love playing live just as much as I do recording and producing. One goes hand in hand with the other. Before hitting sizeable stages, KMFDM played at obscure venues for intimate audiences. Also the varying line-ups throughout the many years of KMFDM’s existence provided for many different and lasting impressions on my memory. It wasn’t always easy but mostly it was quite energetic and brutally loud and sweaty !
JW: What was it like collaborating with PIG?
SK: Mundane.
JW: What lies in the future for yourself and KMFDM?
SK: Many more albums and live shows. The Ultra-Heavy Beat shall live on for the next generations to come !