Introduction
Yeast Machine hailing from Southern Germany, the band emerged in 2021 and produce a combination of sounds between Stoner, Grunge and Psych Rock. The band combined to bring forth heavy fuzz-laden riffs with powerful raw vocals. Their debut album “Sleaze” was released in 2024 and made a real bold statement.
Today we talk with the band on the release day of new single “Falling Rocks” this is going to be a fun one so strap yourself in!
Interview
Band Identity & Origins — Who Are Yeast Machine?
First off, I think we need to talk about this Yeast Machine… What does this machine look like? In all seriousness, where did the name of the band come from?
Yeast Machine: In all seriousness, we don’t know. It happened, and now it sticks like yeast.
If you had to describe the band in a single sentence to sell yourselves to new listeners, what would you describe the band as?
Yeast Machine: Dive in and escape your day with the Yeasties.
Spotlight on the New Single “Falling Rocks” — Anxiety, Connection & Catharsis
You have a brand new song “Falling Rocks” which focuses on anxiety and that one person who makes it all better. I’d love to know who it is in your own lives. Who are your person?
Yeast Machine: We’re on the road a lot and constantly meeting new people. Which is nice, too. But it always feels good to have us with us. And not only the band members but our friends and partners who are joining us on tour when they can.
In the same song, “I scream my throat in pieces, but when we’re two I’m low” really is a beautiful metaphor I want to know though, exactly what does this line mean to you?
Yeast Machine: The fun thing about strong imagery is that every listener can find their own meaning in it. For me, the line means that I can be loud and outgoing in front of a crowd, but quiet and grounded when it’s just the two of us.
Artistic Vision & Album Imagery — Inside “Sleaze” and the Creative Mind
For your debut album “Sleaze”, would you be able to explain the imagery used for the album cover? It is one of the more out-there things I have seen!
Yeast Machine: The main theme of the album is nostalgia and how much of it is actually good for us as humans. The little boy on the cover is our graphic designer as a kid, but obviously it’s grotesquely distorted. We think it’s the same with memories — a couple of years later, they become grotesquely distorted. You’ll find this theme on our new album as well. It seems to occupy us quite a bit.
On Sleaze, “Garden Wall” has always been my personal favourite — would you mind breaking down the inspiration for that song? What is it about?
Yeast Machine: “Garden Wall” is about the feeling of having unlimited opportunities in life but not knowing what’s behind them. It’s about being afraid of what’s on the other side — and the risk of getting stuck just gazing beyond the wall.
Another cracking track from Sleaze is “Rip It Off” which honestly feels like tearing the plaster off bad feelings and welcoming good vibes in! I want to know though, what big injuries have the band had due to performing? (Broken legs, cuts etc.) I want to know the story too!
Yeast Machine: Only emotional damage… kidding! We’ve been pretty lucky so far, considering our hyperactivity on stage. I get a guitar neck in my face every once in a while, and I think one time I hit Fabi with my mic pretty hard. Most of our injuries actually happen off stage, though, hahaha.
I really love “Sievings”. I want to know though — why did it not make its way onto your debut album?! Like seriously that fuzz-ridden riff section around 2 minutes in is incredible!
Yeast Machine: We wrote “Sievings” on a cliff above a beach in northern Spain during a surf trip. So in the beginning, it was more of an acoustic indie song. We knew our fans would like it, but we’re still surprised that to this day, it’s the most-played Yeastie song ever.
Songwriting Origins & Track Stories — Meaning Behind the Music
What made you pick the “First Of July” to write a song about rather than any other day of the year?
Yeast Machine: Second of July sounds s*, don’t you think?
You actually recently released “The One The Sun” — can I ask what made you re-record it? I heard it on your previous EP and I was already hooked on it!
Yeast Machine: “TOTS” has been with us since the very beginning and never really left. Live, it’s easy to perform but super effective. Most of the time, it’s the last song of our set — and when it’s the right crowd, it usually ends with a fun wall of death. Being such a live show classic, we felt the song deserved to be recorded “properly,” as the first version was super raw and recorded in a small music school.
Influences, Inspirations & Local Scene — Where the Sound Comes From
Your influences are clear: stoner, grunge and fuzz… lots and lots of fuzz. If you had to name a few bands that inspired you along the way who would you pick?
Yeast Machine: Our common ground from day one is Queens of the Stone Age. Other than that, we’d take the mystic sound of All Them Witches and the dirt from Nirvana.
If you had to pick a local band that you think more people need to listen to, who would that be? And what makes their music so great?
Yeast Machine: We really love The Pighounds. Great guys, super catchy fuzz songs, and as a five-piece band it’s super impressive to us how much energy two people can create on stage. Our favorite band in the last couple of years is The Red Flags — but they’re not that local anymore 😉 They played Rock am Ring last summer, hahaha. When we played with them for the first time, they were just starting out. We’re super happy that their singer Polly is featured on our new single.
Fox – As a side note we actually previously interviewed The Pighounds and I met them at Orange Blossom Special Festival last year! I have linked both bands mentioned below so readers can find their Spotify profiles!
Future Plans, Exclusives & Festival Dreams — What’s Next for Yeast Machine?
A little birdy tells me you might soon be back in the recording studio for album number 2! Is there anything at all — even the smallest thing — that you can tell us as an exclusive? A track title maybe?
Yeast Machine: The little birdie didn’t lie to you. The first single “Falling Rocks” we have already talked about and it’s part of a bigger release plan. The album will be called Bad Milk… but let’s not spill too much.
I’ve returned back to the 2021 EP to listen to “Anyway The Wind Blows”. I want to know though — if the wind could blow you guys onto the bill at any festival in the world, which festival would you want it to be, and why?
Yeast Machine: There’s a small festival right in the Swiss mountains called Rocklette. It looks like heaven on earth — surrounded by big trees and cliffs. If you’re reading this, Rocklette booking team, call us!
Just For Fun
Earth is invaded by aliens… What song of yours would you play in a rock-off against them to save the planet?!
Yeast Machine: It’s going to be “Circling Bird” because it’s the wildest song we’ve written so far. We want to see them dance, I guess. But be careful, aliens of the universe… new stuff is coming very soon.
If you rubbed a genie lamp, what three wishes are you asking for? (No asking for more wishes!)
Yeast Machine: Give us a chord progression that no one has ever played and we’re happy with just one wish, genie!
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