Lagerstein: Swashbuckling Their Way Across The Globe

Australia have generated a number of huge bands in the rock and metal world over the years, with the likes of AC/DC and AIRBOURNE just two fine examples of that. One of those bands looking to join the illustrious list is pirate metallers LAGERSTEIN. The band have been growing in popularity worldwide over recent years, and Captain Gregaaarrr lifts the lid on the new record and more!

“Since All For Run & Rum For All we have played a lot of concerts, about 200. This is the majority of the concerts in LAGERSTEIN‘s career, so I think it’s fair to say the band has progressed a lot since that release! We have spent heaps of time together refining our craft, and getting a much clearer picture of exactly what we do well. Hint…It’s partying! I think as a band we feel that we bring a much more refined and powerful experience both on the stage, and on this new record, than we did in 2016. A more true, and pure LAGERSTEIN.”

It has been a three year wait for a new record to be released since LAGERSTEIN‘s previous record, and 25/7 will be their third since forming back in 2012. With it being so many years between the two albums, Captain Gregaarrr explained the recording and writing processes for 25/7 and the amount of work that went into the record.

“Writing for 25/7 kicked off straight after the release of our second album. We have been composing songs, lots and lots of songs! And then choosing the best of them. Each LAGERSTEIN song has a unique backstory for how it’s created. Sometimes we start with a riff, or a melody. Other times it’s chord progressions, and sometimes even with lyrics. But always it begins somewhere, and is crafted into its final form. Because we have so many instruments in our music, I always think of it as kind of like sculpting. You begin with a block of marble, and bit by bit chip it away, adding something here, taking something there, until you arrive at a state which you are happy with, and call complete.”

“The recording process was completely new for us. For the first time we had the opportunity to stay in studio, at Studio Fredman with Fredrik Nordstrom, and devote ourselves for an entire month entirely to making a record. This made for an extremely fun and creative time. Fredrik has sooo much experience, and it was really great to see the record be built piece by piece. To see the small changes happen to the songs we brought, and watch as it comes out the other end of the process as a single complete piece of party art. We couldn’t be more stoked with the results!”

The band have become part of the growing sub-genre of pirate metal, which arisen predominately with ALESTORM, and Captain Gregaaarrr admits that they have had quite a big influence on LAGERSTEIN.

“In our early days ALESTORM where a massive influence for the band. They are just such an extremely fun band, both on record and on stage. I think that they opened the scene for being a little bit ridiculous in metal. Behind the scenes, they were the very first band to take us on tour, and this opened our eyes massively to what it takes to become a professional touring unit. For this we will always be grateful, and I think they have left their mark on us as musicians, even as we branch off further away from each other.”

The metal scene has been growing constantly in Australia over the previous decade, something Captain Gregaaarrr reflected on. “Metal in Australia is I think the strongest it’s ever been in the scenes history. There are more bands releasing quality music, and making headway into international waters more often. But still the Australian metal scene is really underground. It is unusual for actual metal bands to receive much mainstream or radio recognition, we are a land dominated by indie rock! We do not have many other pirate acts, but folk metal in Australia is really on the rise!”

While the band have been renowned for their nautical roots, Captain Gregaaarrr discussed the origins of the band, life on the road and more.

LAGERSTEIN’s music falls into one of the newer subgenres, pirate metal – how much of a challenge has it been to produce fresh material around a very specific topic?

Captain Gregaaarrr: It is no challenge at all for us, because everything we write is about LAGERSTEIN! We are not really interested in historical pirates, or telling fantasy stories about the past. We make music, and tell stories about being a pirate in 2019, and living a life of freedom and adventure now. Because of this, we have really an unlimited pool of creativity to draw upon. We will just continue to tell the LAGERSTEIN story as our music progresses.

What inspired you to create music about pirates and who have been your biggest influences in general?

Captain Gregaaarrr: LAGERSTEIN has originally been created not to make music about pirates, but to make music about having fun and partying. I think that this is the core of what LAGERSTEIN is about, and the ‘pirates’ is the angle we frame this through.

In this way, we have been influenced musically, and conceptually by a lot of bands. We are a big bunch, and listen to everything from THE BEATLES, and BOB MARLEY to CANNIBAL CORPSE and KORPIKLAANI. Our goal is to always create really diverse sounding music, all united under the banner of fun, and piracy!

There is a growing number of pirate bands over the recent years, with the likes of RUMAHOY and RED RUM to name just a few examples, do you feel is it a scene that is growing in popularity?

Captain Gregaaarrr: It is amazing! When we first started out in 2010, I could count the number of bands on one hand who were playing ‘pirate metal’. Now it is an absolute explosion of artists creating music like this, so yes I definitely feel the scene is growing in popularity. I really love to see the different takes on pirate metal that are appearing. Alongside the party bands, you have some amazing more serious bands such as THE PRIVATEER from Germany, or TOTORFISCH from France, who tell really engaging stories about life on the sea, and can be really enchanting in their music!

During your live shows there’s a lot of fun and drinking and the music is very well put together, so how seriously do you guys take it?

Captain Gregaaarrr: LAGERSTEIN is the most serious unserious band of all time. We are dead serious about delivering a world class performance, and creating the absolutely most fun time we can on stage. To call us serious might be a misnomer, but we are professional party animals!

You’re back in the UK in 2019, what’s the reception been like for you first of all when you supported ALESTORM during their first Piratefest and also when you did your first headline tour two years ago?

Captain Gregaaarrr: It was really amazing to see the way you build a fanbase from one tour to the next. After the ALESTORM tour, we found we had a really vocal group of Brits chiming up on our social media. Then to return to the UK two years later, and see the incredible success, including some sold out shows, was really mind blowing. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself when you’re on the other side of the world, watching people you’ve never met sing every single word of your songs front row, while chugging a beer from their shoe. That’s when you know we are creating music which has an impact on people!

25/7 is out now via Kegstand Records. LAGERSTEIN are featured in our latest digital issue. Subscribe to our Patreon Page to gain access to read it. 

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