Stressfaktor is band which is on the border between punk and metal. IT´s a border that they manage to be on really well. Here´s an interview with them done in april 2016. 

Please tell me a little bit history of the group?-The band of 4 members came together in 1997. They didn’t have a clue how to play their instruments, but they didn’t mind at all. In 1998 Roman, who knew something about music, joined the band. He tought us the most important things and we soon recorded a demo tape: "Nomen est omen". After that we released an EP every year until 2001 ("Videokiller", Gesetze der Natur", "UnterTag") and we also played very much. From 2002 on we had some problems finding a suitable drummer. That’s why our debut CD "Grenzwerterfahrung" was not released until 2005. The next album took some time as well, as our guitar player Kerstin left the band and we had some problems finding a suitable replacement again. So the album "Bruch" was not released until 2009. The reason why the 3. album "Zurück auf Null" was not released until 2014 was a general lack of inspiration.

Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone? Other bands before? -I think that would be too much talking about everyone right now. Thus only a few bands:-Markus : Rock for Riot (https://youtu.be/dsKPFKyk-h4), Lillebror (https://youtu.be/-mqIWcjUCfo), Spätzlesdreck (https://youtu.be/Gr9JOu9kvms) Christian : Paranoid Disorder (https://youtu.be/UsjsBaaCtLU) Frank : Motherlode (http://www.motherlode.de/)Andreas : Stückwerk

 I think I can hear both punkrock and a bit of metal in your music. Am I right? Favorites from the past?-That’s the influence from the individual members of the band. Our roots clearly are in punk, but some members like hardcore and metal. It’s important for us not to follow one stuck style, but to just let it flow. If it’s ok for everybody – why not try something new? 

What´s the best thing with playing live? And what´s the difference of playing now and when you started to play?-Playing live is still the best thing. You can concentrate all your energy on that moment and you’re always surprised how different the people react. And yet it makes no difference for us if there are 30 or 300 people. In the first years playing live was a lot different to now. There were more concert opportunities, the people got excited about every band and there weren’t as many bands. Today it’s different because of the internet and the affordable self-productions. There’s really a lot of bands and of course everybody wants to play live. 

How is it to play this sort of music in Germany?-Not that simple, as we don’t limit ourselves to one genre and not every CD sounds the same. But we don’t care much about it.

How would you describe your music in three words?-Authentic, propaganda-free punkcore

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?-Punk is way more than just music. Punk is also an attitude towards life, towards institutions and society. But punk is also fashion, even design. However, punk is mainly in your head, not what you’re wearing.

Are there any good bands from Germany now? Is the punkscene big? How is the situation in your hometown?-At the moment there are many good bands in Germany. It would go beyond the scope here to make a list. The scene in Germany isn’t as big anymore as ten years ago, but I would still consider it as very important. But referring to this it is quite calm in our town – but this is normal situation every few years, as people come and go. 

What do you know about Sweden?-Not very much. Only that you have a parliamentary monarchy, that you’re not a NATO member and that you have many protected landscapes. 

Have you heard any good bands from Sweden?-Anti Cimex, Mob47, Refused, Skitsystem, Wolfbrigad

Referring to your lyrics: Who writes them and what influences you? Never in English?-The texts are mainly influenced by snapshots in life – what I have in mind at that moment or rather what I have to shake off. There are two songs in English, but I prefer to text in German, because I can easier express myself in that language. What’s more: My English isn’t very good, especially the pronunciation.

Is there any subject that you never will write anything about?-I can’t think of anything right now, but there are a few subjects that just don’t come into question for different reasons. For example: I would never write a song about party and drinking, as I care too little about it.

Do you think that music (lyrics and so on) can change anyone’s life, I mean people who listen to music?-In fact I think that everyone should make his own way according to his or her whishes and needs. But if you mean that a text could be the impulse to start seeing something from a different angle that one hadn’t considered before: yes. 

I think your cover on your CDs is really nice, who came up with the ideas? Which is you favorite cover for a record, which band and which record?-I work together with an old friend. He can always represent exactly what I have in mind, as I cannot draw at all. I’m very happy, that Gerd Kornmann from www.riotdesign.de has always time for me.