Interviews
Interview with Fanta
Published in Domination #12
Performed by DJB
D)
Thanks for your time. Could you please tell our readers about yourself?
F)
Published in Domination #12
Performed by DJB
Here's another interview with a quite famous musician. His work has been appreciated and loved by a great majority of sceners. Let me introduce you to my good friend, Fanta.
Thanks for your time. Could you please tell our readers about yourself?
F)
Why not. I was born in Dresden/Germany and I'm still living there at my parent's place except for a short 4 and a half years trip to West Germany. I should be 20 years old now. I have just finished my education as a car mechanic and am earning some money with it. But that's not forever. I like sports in general, especially soccer, table tennis and squash, cars, computers, naked girls and music.
D)
What have been your former groups? If possible can you tell us some kind of date that you enjoyed them?
F)
It all started in July 1991 when I got my first C64. After laming around with games (I still collect them!) I became interested in that scene stuff and especially in making music very soon. I loved all the great tunes on that machine. After some troubles with the editor in the end of 1992 I finally began the experience in March '93 and made my first official music in June '93. At that time I was rather active and so Pandaco/Maitec (the guy that brought me to the scene) invited me to his group in the same month. As I had thirst for action at this time I joined Crossline as second group in August '93. Later on Maitec died (around February '94) and I accepted an offer from Tecmo/Plush to join his group (April '94) as I liked their actual demo Grey In Grey 4. In May '94 I left Crossline because of laziness of the group. November '94 was the time to build up the music label Bass and it still is running as you can see. In July '95 I left Plush (It's still a cool friendship group!) to join Oxyron and I hope to stay there for a long time to come.
D)
What equipment do you own?
F)
On my computer desk I see a standard C64 C with Action Replay MK6, two 1541 II's and a commodore monitor 1084 s. But to be prepared for the new millennium I also own another 2 C64s, 4 C64 C's, 2 1541 and 4 1541 II that are all working. To complete the stuff I have about 1500 disks, a technics stereoset, a shabby Casio keyboard and a lot more junk. Not work to mention is the Amiga 500+ and my little PC that can't compete with my beloved C64.
D)
You are a member of the well-known demo group Oxyron, what made you decide to join them?
F)
At that time my actual group Plush got quite lazy. I was thinking about an active and good German demo group and there came only one of my all time favourite groups namely Oxyron in my mind. I also saw P.R.I. getting lazier and so I asked them to join. Some days later I got a call from RRR and it was done.
D)
Also, the music label BASS, can you give us some background on how and when it started?
F)
The real start was short before, the Tribute '94 in November. I called Echo and B.I.O. and asked them to build up BASS and they agreed. We released our first collection Bassline V1.0 in February '95 and some months later Morbid (DJB) as a new member joined in. Bas(s)ic Instinct was released in October '95 and after that it became rather quiet around Bass. Unfortunately Echo and B.I.O. aren't active anymore, we are always depending on others help and it's hard to find new and good musicians these days so Morbid and I decided to close the group after our third and last release.
D)
Your music has been heard in plenty of places. Can you briefly tell us what projects (mags, demos etc) that you have written exclusive music for?
F)
Oh boy! I could give you all names, dates, productions and so on because I have all that information about my group history, musics and so on saved in a note. But I have done over 110 pieces right now and I guess it would be boring to name you all the productions. It should be about 50 mags/demos, 3 games (only The House is worth mentioning here) and some other occasions. By the way, I still have many commissions left so there's a lot of work to do.
D)
What music routines have you used through your scene career?
F)
In order of using it have to be VoiceTracker V1.0, Dmc V1.2, Dmc V4.0, JCH V14.0, JCH V17.0, Hawkeye Editor V2.0, JCH V20.0, Dmc V5.0, Dmc V5.1+ and Sync V1.02
D)
Most of the musics that you have done lately have been composed in Dmc V5.0 or V5.1+, but you have also been using the JCH Newplayer routines. Which routine do you think is better and why?
F)
Hmmm... I personally prefer the JCH routines because it's a kind of a tracker and much more clearly arranged concerning the editing of your notes. I think also the sound possibilities of the JCH player is better. For example you can't switch off the hard restart in the DMC's above 4.0 but that's what you need for an oldschool feeling in your musics, on the other hand the dur. - editors have also some advantages, for example you can use more commands at once. So just a question of taste.
D)
Do you play any musical instruments? If so, what do you play?
F)
Unfortunately I don't play any instruments properly and I'm too lazy for learning it. I would call myself a computer musician instead. Sad but true!
D)
Is there any musical background in your family?
F)
They called my grandpa Elvis and my mother was a beatle... no! My father always earned his money with music by singing and playing drums, piano, trumpet and so on in different bands and is a disk-jockey. He's still in that business. Also my brother earns his money as disk-jockey and by running the leading records store here in Dresden.
D)
Is there any 64 musicians that you idolise? If so, who are they and why?
F)
Yes, many! There are plenty of musicians that are jus just great like the usual legends Rob Hubbard, Ben Daglish, Martin Galway, Fred Grey, Matt Gray, Jeroen Tel, Red, Charles Deenen, Chris Huelsbeck, Ramiro Vaca, Reyn Ouwehand, David Whittaker, Johannes Bjerregaard, Markus Schneider, Thomas Deter, Geir Tjelta and especially Jonathan Dunn for his most perfectly fitting game tunes! But there are many newschool rockers that shouldn't be forgotten, too. (Vibrants, Scortia, Laxity, PRI, Danko, A-Man, Mitch&Dane, Zardax, Steel, Msk, Kristian Rostoen, The Syndrom, Metal and so on)
D)
What are your musical influences away from the 64?
F)
I always try to learn from other musicians wherever I listen to music. In case I do so, it's mostly pop of the late 70's and the 80's.
FANTA's all-time favourites:
Coders: M.Trenz (games) Crossbow (demos)
Graphicians: M.Trenz (games) Cruise (demos)
Musicians: Jonathan Dunn (games) Jeroen Tel (demos)
Swappers: Acidchild
Crackers: Jack Alien
Fixers: Pudwerx
Swappers: Pamela
Disk magazine: The Pulse
D)
What do you think of the quality of today's demos? Should there be more groups like Crest, Taboo and Oxyron producing more high quality demos?
F)
Of course there should be more groups producing high quality demos. I'm especially fed up with all the demos showing block y pixel effects and playing bad "techno" tracks. I would also be happy to see some demos between the big parties, even if they are small ones. Back to the roots I have to say!
D)
What is your opinion on the musicians today? Is there something that needs to be changed about the big dance and techno influence?
F)
To be honest I can't see many active and really great musicians today. Some are average and some are just bad. Especially many Polish comrades don't understand the meaning of music or just have a bad taste in my eyes (sorry guys!). I hope that will change sooner or later. Back to the roots, too!
D)
In your opinion what ingredients are needed for the perfect diskmag?
F)
Everything is important for a perfect disk magazine. May it be the outfit, interesting text, a user-friendly operation, good music or whatever else. By the way, I don't need CD-charts, Formula 1 results or nappy tests in a mag.
D)
Well, this interview is nearly over. Can you tell our readers what we can expect from Oxyron and Bass in the near future?
F)
Why not. Soon to be released from Bass is our third collection called Bassmolytic and the Oxyron factory is always good for a new demo. Just wait and see.
D)
Would you like to say hello to anyone in particular?
F)
Well, I thought about a huge greetings list but then I surely would forget some guys so let's greet all my former and current contacts, all the guys I met on parties or meetings, my group mates in Oxyron and Bass and my scene buddies around Dresden.
D)
Finally, you've reached the end of this interesting interview. Once again thank you for your time. See ya later old buddy. Do you have any final words?
F)
My wish is that we all try to keep this scene alive or even to make it better. I for sure will do so... Bye!
D)
What have been your former groups? If possible can you tell us some kind of date that you enjoyed them?
F)
It all started in July 1991 when I got my first C64. After laming around with games (I still collect them!) I became interested in that scene stuff and especially in making music very soon. I loved all the great tunes on that machine. After some troubles with the editor in the end of 1992 I finally began the experience in March '93 and made my first official music in June '93. At that time I was rather active and so Pandaco/Maitec (the guy that brought me to the scene) invited me to his group in the same month. As I had thirst for action at this time I joined Crossline as second group in August '93. Later on Maitec died (around February '94) and I accepted an offer from Tecmo/Plush to join his group (April '94) as I liked their actual demo Grey In Grey 4. In May '94 I left Crossline because of laziness of the group. November '94 was the time to build up the music label Bass and it still is running as you can see. In July '95 I left Plush (It's still a cool friendship group!) to join Oxyron and I hope to stay there for a long time to come.
D)
What equipment do you own?
F)
On my computer desk I see a standard C64 C with Action Replay MK6, two 1541 II's and a commodore monitor 1084 s. But to be prepared for the new millennium I also own another 2 C64s, 4 C64 C's, 2 1541 and 4 1541 II that are all working. To complete the stuff I have about 1500 disks, a technics stereoset, a shabby Casio keyboard and a lot more junk. Not work to mention is the Amiga 500+ and my little PC that can't compete with my beloved C64.
D)
You are a member of the well-known demo group Oxyron, what made you decide to join them?
F)
At that time my actual group Plush got quite lazy. I was thinking about an active and good German demo group and there came only one of my all time favourite groups namely Oxyron in my mind. I also saw P.R.I. getting lazier and so I asked them to join. Some days later I got a call from RRR and it was done.
D)
Also, the music label BASS, can you give us some background on how and when it started?
F)
The real start was short before, the Tribute '94 in November. I called Echo and B.I.O. and asked them to build up BASS and they agreed. We released our first collection Bassline V1.0 in February '95 and some months later Morbid (DJB) as a new member joined in. Bas(s)ic Instinct was released in October '95 and after that it became rather quiet around Bass. Unfortunately Echo and B.I.O. aren't active anymore, we are always depending on others help and it's hard to find new and good musicians these days so Morbid and I decided to close the group after our third and last release.
D)
Your music has been heard in plenty of places. Can you briefly tell us what projects (mags, demos etc) that you have written exclusive music for?
F)
Oh boy! I could give you all names, dates, productions and so on because I have all that information about my group history, musics and so on saved in a note. But I have done over 110 pieces right now and I guess it would be boring to name you all the productions. It should be about 50 mags/demos, 3 games (only The House is worth mentioning here) and some other occasions. By the way, I still have many commissions left so there's a lot of work to do.
D)
What music routines have you used through your scene career?
F)
In order of using it have to be VoiceTracker V1.0, Dmc V1.2, Dmc V4.0, JCH V14.0, JCH V17.0, Hawkeye Editor V2.0, JCH V20.0, Dmc V5.0, Dmc V5.1+ and Sync V1.02
D)
Most of the musics that you have done lately have been composed in Dmc V5.0 or V5.1+, but you have also been using the JCH Newplayer routines. Which routine do you think is better and why?
F)
Hmmm... I personally prefer the JCH routines because it's a kind of a tracker and much more clearly arranged concerning the editing of your notes. I think also the sound possibilities of the JCH player is better. For example you can't switch off the hard restart in the DMC's above 4.0 but that's what you need for an oldschool feeling in your musics, on the other hand the dur. - editors have also some advantages, for example you can use more commands at once. So just a question of taste.
D)
Do you play any musical instruments? If so, what do you play?
F)
Unfortunately I don't play any instruments properly and I'm too lazy for learning it. I would call myself a computer musician instead. Sad but true!
D)
Is there any musical background in your family?
F)
They called my grandpa Elvis and my mother was a beatle... no! My father always earned his money with music by singing and playing drums, piano, trumpet and so on in different bands and is a disk-jockey. He's still in that business. Also my brother earns his money as disk-jockey and by running the leading records store here in Dresden.
D)
Is there any 64 musicians that you idolise? If so, who are they and why?
F)
Yes, many! There are plenty of musicians that are jus just great like the usual legends Rob Hubbard, Ben Daglish, Martin Galway, Fred Grey, Matt Gray, Jeroen Tel, Red, Charles Deenen, Chris Huelsbeck, Ramiro Vaca, Reyn Ouwehand, David Whittaker, Johannes Bjerregaard, Markus Schneider, Thomas Deter, Geir Tjelta and especially Jonathan Dunn for his most perfectly fitting game tunes! But there are many newschool rockers that shouldn't be forgotten, too. (Vibrants, Scortia, Laxity, PRI, Danko, A-Man, Mitch&Dane, Zardax, Steel, Msk, Kristian Rostoen, The Syndrom, Metal and so on)
D)
What are your musical influences away from the 64?
F)
I always try to learn from other musicians wherever I listen to music. In case I do so, it's mostly pop of the late 70's and the 80's.
FANTA's all-time favourites:
Coders: M.Trenz (games) Crossbow (demos)
Graphicians: M.Trenz (games) Cruise (demos)
Musicians: Jonathan Dunn (games) Jeroen Tel (demos)
Swappers: Acidchild
Crackers: Jack Alien
Fixers: Pudwerx
Swappers: Pamela
Disk magazine: The Pulse
D)
What do you think of the quality of today's demos? Should there be more groups like Crest, Taboo and Oxyron producing more high quality demos?
F)
Of course there should be more groups producing high quality demos. I'm especially fed up with all the demos showing block y pixel effects and playing bad "techno" tracks. I would also be happy to see some demos between the big parties, even if they are small ones. Back to the roots I have to say!
D)
What is your opinion on the musicians today? Is there something that needs to be changed about the big dance and techno influence?
F)
To be honest I can't see many active and really great musicians today. Some are average and some are just bad. Especially many Polish comrades don't understand the meaning of music or just have a bad taste in my eyes (sorry guys!). I hope that will change sooner or later. Back to the roots, too!
D)
In your opinion what ingredients are needed for the perfect diskmag?
F)
Everything is important for a perfect disk magazine. May it be the outfit, interesting text, a user-friendly operation, good music or whatever else. By the way, I don't need CD-charts, Formula 1 results or nappy tests in a mag.
D)
Well, this interview is nearly over. Can you tell our readers what we can expect from Oxyron and Bass in the near future?
F)
Why not. Soon to be released from Bass is our third collection called Bassmolytic and the Oxyron factory is always good for a new demo. Just wait and see.
D)
Would you like to say hello to anyone in particular?
F)
Well, I thought about a huge greetings list but then I surely would forget some guys so let's greet all my former and current contacts, all the guys I met on parties or meetings, my group mates in Oxyron and Bass and my scene buddies around Dresden.
D)
Finally, you've reached the end of this interesting interview. Once again thank you for your time. See ya later old buddy. Do you have any final words?
F)
My wish is that we all try to keep this scene alive or even to make it better. I for sure will do so... Bye!