Fox Reviews Rock

Introduction

When I first heard Malaise by The Pighounds I thought I had stuck Arctic Monkeys on. My interest was instantly plugged in. The German duo play some seriously catchy grungey tunes! I for one cannot wait to catch them at this years Orange Blossom Special Festival (OBS)!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Spotify

Interview

First of all I’d love to know a pighound is? Maybe more importantly why did you choose to call yourselves this?

Sandro: There’s no translation for the German word “Schweinehund” so we decided to create an English version. Imagine an inner demon that’s makes you a lazy, procrastinating person. I think everyone got a little Pighound inside. Don’t fight too hard, maybe it’s easier to listen and become friends. 

I am going to be lucky enough to witness a Pighounds show live in person this summer at the Orange Blossom Special Festival! What exactly should I prepare myself for from your show?

Sandro: Maybe earplugs, dancing shoes, a good supply chain for beer (or whatever drinks you prefer) and a dry shirt afterwards. 

If you could describe your music in 5 words , what would those words be?

Sandro: Loud, grunge, dynamic, true, love.

From your debut album “We Used To Be Innocent” the song that sticks out to us the most is “As Good As Blind”! Would you mind telling us about what inspired this song, and what it is about?

Sandro: I wrote this one after a dirty break-up. 
Most of our songs are about love, relationships, friendship, living together on this planet, with all its good and bad moments. At times it feels more comfortable to keep your eyes shut, and of course it’s not the right way, but when you lose control about and get blinded by your feelings, that’s the problem. When you’re “As Good As Blind” without knowing it.

If you had to pick one song that you think is the most different from the rest of your back catalogue, which song is it? And in what ways is it different?

Sandro: I’d say it’s “(Wrong) Hot-Air Baloon”.
Also from our first album aka demo. It’s quite long and slow, not very pighoundish. It’s more like a dark 2D stop-motion clip with cardboard snd stuff. At least in my head.

Going back briefly to Orange Blossom Special Festival what about the festival attracted you to want to play at it?

Sandro: Everything we heard about be playing there sounds just like perfect. Some friends played OBS before and they were stoked for sure. Many friends will be there during the weekend, my former flatmate is part of the crew, we’ll meet our Noisolution label buddies Tommy and the Teleboys and Daily Thompson. Gorgeous times ahead, perfect timing. 

You’re going out drinking, what song are you sticking on the juke box?

Sandro: Oh, that depends. For a smooth warm-up I’d prefer The Velvet Underground & Nico, or Pink Floyd’s Animals. I’m more an album listener. But I also got a nice playlist with classical music to chill before the storm.

If you could cover any song in history, which song would it be and how would you put your own spin on it?

Sandro: Back in the days when we played our first shows, we only got the 8 songs of our demo album, so we covered Make it Rain by Tom Waits. And even though we released around 50 songs now, we still love to play it live in our very own style. It starts kinda easy and soft, but then it’s gaining, getting louder and heavier, distortion, heavy drums. It’s always fun. 

There is only two of you in the band, what would you say some of the advantages and disadvantages are to this kind of setup?

Sandro: Lots of heavy shit to carry when you’re on tour as a 2-piece. But everything else is just advantages. We don’t need to talk too much. We don’t need to check when is everyone’s vacation, anniversary and things like that. That’s a big part. And of course it’s nice to work and write like we do. We’re friends for a long time, we know each other, we know what the other one wants to hear in this or that part. 

I’m cooking us food, but I want it to be something traditionally German to make you feel at home. What should I make?

Sandro: Oh I love cooking, let’s cook together!As we’re one vegetarian (with lots of allergies) an one vegan, I’d say no traditionally German food at all, hehe…

I’m half Italian, so a vegan Pizza is always best. To be honest I’m an addict. I eat around 5 Pizzas a week.

I occasionally get a hint of Arctic Monkeys in your sound. Is this something you have heard before?  I’d love to know what bands people have previously compared you to?

Sandro: Yes, that’s something we’ve heard before. Some people hear a bit of Alice in Chains in the latest songs, Nirvana, Mudhoney, stuff like that.

Your most recent album “Tutti Frutti” is a delicious body of work! I’d love to know two things from you to finish the interview. What is your own personal favourite song from the album. Secondly tutti Frutti is a sweet in England… What is your favourite sweets/ chocolates?

Sandro: After the first couple of shows since the release I can tell I really love to play Vadder and Pay to Play live. Both not the typical Pighounds songs, but a killer energy on stage! 

And regarding the sweets – thats funny, one reason choosing that title was because of sweets. Tutti Frutti flavor was everywhere in the 90s, in grocery stores, candy shops, TV. And as I told you before, I love any kind of food, sweets, drinks – I’m a foodie. Recently I’m very much into dark chocolate. 

All rights to the songs in this interview are retained by The Pighounds. This site claims no rights over them. The photos for this interview were provided by The Pighounds and taken by Arek Goniwiecha, Felix Maxim Eller & Michael Schwettmann.