RHV: Tell us how the band formed in three sentences.
In late 1993 we were a bunch of bored kids so we bought a couple of cheap instruments and started covering our favorite bands, e.g. Bad Religion, Nirvana or The Clash. After that we released 2 DIY Albums and got incredibly rich. Then we got signed by a division of Sony/BMG, were licensed by Burning Heart Records, sued the Sony Division some 7 years later and started our own label “Solitary Man Records” and got incredibly poor. To be continued.
Tell us who you are and where you’re from.
My name is Ingo Donot and I’m the singer for the Donots.
2. Describe your music.
We’re a rock band with a punk background. I suppose our songs combine pop, punkrock, singer/songwriter approaches, contemporary rock music, a bunch of melancholic 80s wave elements and most definitely way too many cups of coffee and spirits.
3. Tell us how the band formed in three sentences.
In late 1993 we were a bunch of bored kids so we bought a couple of cheap instruments and started covering our favorite bands, e.g. Bad Religion, Nirvana or The Clash. After that we released 2 DIY Albums and got incredibly rich. Then we got signed by a division of Sony/BMG, were licensed by Burning Heart Records, sued the Sony Division some 7 years later and started our own label “Solitary Man Records” and got incredibly poor. To be continued.
4. What are you doing over the next few months?
We have just released a new mini album entitled “To Hell With Love”, compiled of 6 of our favorite Donots Tracks, including singles like “Stop The Clocks” and “Break My Stride”. It’s available in the UK only and comes in a fancy digipak because we like you, kids! Please keep your eyes and ears open for that one. Also we’re trying to come over for a bunch of shows in the United Kingdom sometime soon so please check back on the websites below for details regularly. Thanks for your attention! Oh yeah – I’m in the studio writing this since we’re already busy recording the next album which will hopefully be released in early 2010… Good times!
5. List the first CDs/records each of you bought.
Jay-Dee Donot: Metallica – “Jump In The Fire/Creeping Death EP” on tape (that must have been in 1956 or so)
Ingo Donot: Helloween – “Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part 1” (picture vinyl, yay!)
Alex Donot: Duran Duran – “Wild Boys EP” and Culture Club – “Kissing To Be Clever” Vinyl
Guido Donot: AC/DC – “Blow Up Your Video” Vinyl
Eike Donot: Scorpions – “World Wide Live” (haha!)
6. Best item of fan mail you’ve ever received?
Japanese fans are really crazy when it comes to fan mails and gifts. We got watches and fancy sweatshirts and whatnot on tours over there. How cool and weird is that?
7. What music do you have on repeat in the tourbus?
My bus playlist at the moment is:
Brand New – Daisy
Arcade Fire – Funeral
Gallows – Grey Britiain
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
Kid Dynamite – s/t
Tegan And Sara – The Con
Bannerpilot – Collapser
Jawbreaker – Dear You
Pantera – Vulgar Display Of Power
New Order – Substance
8. Any funny stories from when you’ve been on tour?
Way too many… I should start writing a book before I’m getting too old to remember. You can read about naked people on rooftops, human experiments with alcohol and broken legs onstage hopefully soon…
9. What is the best thing about being in your band?
Knowing that there are people out there who are just as cranky as oneself. And that there’s always gonna be a bar that will serve afterhours somewhere in the universe.
10. What’s your website?
Please check out: www.donots.com, www.myspace.com/donots and www.solitarymanrecords.com for all info!
Oh yeah, we can also be your virtual friends on Twitter and Facebook, Networkers! Thanks for your attention!
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