Here's a band that's in the rather strange position of being a very recognizable name that just about everyone has heard of, while still being just outside the mainstream with a small (albeit devoted) following. So odds are, if you're reading this post, you're aware of KMFDM but you're probably not a fan. I'd like to change that.
Now granted, not everyone is going to like them, and that's what's so great about them. While their style has evolved over the years, they've never outright compromised it for any reason. You'll hear no KMFDM ballads, or love songs. They're, for lack of a better term, an Industrial band... and a pioneer of that genre. I've always felt that label sells them short, however, as they're much harder to define than that. They incorporate influences from metal, soul, hip-hop, classical, and anything in between, and fuse all those influences into their own unique sound.
What I love most about them, and what I'm going to focus on in most of my examples I post, is their wit and sarcasm. Sascha Konietzko is brilliant, and his lyrics and themes reflect that. Not at all my favorite song by them, but they wrote a song called "Sucks" that illustrates the point. Here's a band writing a song about how much they suck. The funny thing about it is that at KMFDM live shows, the crowd will chant "KMFDM SUCKS!" between the main show and the encore.
Here's some other examples, and I'll embed them in spoiler tags so as to not clutter the post...
This is, currently, my favorite KMFDM song. The sarcasm and irony here is just beautiful. A sample of the lyrics...
After decades of being revered for their integrity, wit, and sincerety, here they are poking a little fun at themselves by saying all that was bullshit and they faked it all for the money. Obviously sarcasm, but genius nonetheless.
Some other examples of KMFDM's tendency to poke fun at themselves, if you're interested in further study...
Give this one a listen if you don't listen to any other song I link. AMAZING song.
One of their heavier, guitar-driven songs, and another of my personal favorites.
Here Sascha describes the band as "a beautiful girl and some dirty old men." Awesome.
Another hallmark of KMFDM is their use of female vocals, which gives a striking contrast to their musical style. They have a permanent female band member now but that wasn't always the case, and personally, I preferred it when they used to use the more soulful sounded female vocalists. Here's an example...
If you're going to hear a KMFDM song on the radio, it'll be this one. It's their "big hit". That would usually mean it sucks, but in this case, it's a pretty good song. Not their best, but good. I post it here mostly so you can hear the female vocalist. You'll hear her come in at the 1:03 mark. You've gotta love the contrast there.
Their current vocalist is Lucia Cifarelli. Here's an example of her vocal style...
I love her voice. It's grittier and suits the musical style of the band more, but I miss the contrast of former vocalists sometimes. Still, Lucia rocks, and she's fucking hot...
...and she's married to Sascha, the founder and front man of the band. Lucky guy.
I don't expect anyone will listen to ALL those songs, but just pick one or two and give them a listen, let me know what you think. Do you agree with them in the song I posted earlier and think "KMFDM SUCKS"? Or do agree with their point in Megalomaniac?
Now granted, not everyone is going to like them, and that's what's so great about them. While their style has evolved over the years, they've never outright compromised it for any reason. You'll hear no KMFDM ballads, or love songs. They're, for lack of a better term, an Industrial band... and a pioneer of that genre. I've always felt that label sells them short, however, as they're much harder to define than that. They incorporate influences from metal, soul, hip-hop, classical, and anything in between, and fuse all those influences into their own unique sound.
What I love most about them, and what I'm going to focus on in most of my examples I post, is their wit and sarcasm. Sascha Konietzko is brilliant, and his lyrics and themes reflect that. Not at all my favorite song by them, but they wrote a song called "Sucks" that illustrates the point. Here's a band writing a song about how much they suck. The funny thing about it is that at KMFDM live shows, the crowd will chant "KMFDM SUCKS!" between the main show and the encore.
Here's some other examples, and I'll embed them in spoiler tags so as to not clutter the post...
This is, currently, my favorite KMFDM song. The sarcasm and irony here is just beautiful. A sample of the lyrics...
Bitches said:
After decades of being revered for their integrity, wit, and sincerety, here they are poking a little fun at themselves by saying all that was bullshit and they faked it all for the money. Obviously sarcasm, but genius nonetheless.
Some other examples of KMFDM's tendency to poke fun at themselves, if you're interested in further study...
Give this one a listen if you don't listen to any other song I link. AMAZING song.
One of their heavier, guitar-driven songs, and another of my personal favorites.
Here Sascha describes the band as "a beautiful girl and some dirty old men." Awesome.
Another hallmark of KMFDM is their use of female vocals, which gives a striking contrast to their musical style. They have a permanent female band member now but that wasn't always the case, and personally, I preferred it when they used to use the more soulful sounded female vocalists. Here's an example...
If you're going to hear a KMFDM song on the radio, it'll be this one. It's their "big hit". That would usually mean it sucks, but in this case, it's a pretty good song. Not their best, but good. I post it here mostly so you can hear the female vocalist. You'll hear her come in at the 1:03 mark. You've gotta love the contrast there.
Their current vocalist is Lucia Cifarelli. Here's an example of her vocal style...
I love her voice. It's grittier and suits the musical style of the band more, but I miss the contrast of former vocalists sometimes. Still, Lucia rocks, and she's fucking hot...
...and she's married to Sascha, the founder and front man of the band. Lucky guy.
I don't expect anyone will listen to ALL those songs, but just pick one or two and give them a listen, let me know what you think. Do you agree with them in the song I posted earlier and think "KMFDM SUCKS"? Or do agree with their point in Megalomaniac?
Megalomaniac said:
