Doomed Confessionary: Fabi, Tobi, Benni, Marcel & Jonas (Yeast Machine)

Photos by @nicolawolfer

Yeast Machine is a stoner/grunge/alternative rock band from Tübingen, Germany. They have released their debut full-length album »Sleaze« on April 19th, 2024 via Tonzonen Records.

Calm. Suspense. Sensation. REM sleep on caffeine. Dream away, then open your eyes. Born in 90s grunge, raised in heavy stoner and fuzz, Yeast Machine are blazing a trail that doesn‘t yet exist. Organic, raw, drop-fanatic and for those who have always wanted to listen to yeast rising. With vocals that echo with the spirit of Jim Morrison and guitars that threaten to crush from all sides.

Yeast Machine are Benjamin Frenzel (vocals, synth), Fabian Köninger (guitar), Tobias Köninger (guitar), Marcel Gundlach (bass) and Jonas Bischof (drums).

Can you say a few words about your band?
Jonas: Yeast Machine is a stoner grunge band from Southern Germany. We’ve just released our first album »Sleaze«. It’s louder, wilder and fuzzier than all the stuff we’ve put out before. Our music is all about tension and release, tension and release.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Benni: We’ve had quite a wild start with our band after the pandemic in our hometown because the people were super hyped for live music. After the first live year, the toughest challenge was to get gigs in other cities where nobody had heard about us before and the clubs were booked a year in advance.

What can you be most proud of so far?
Fabi: Last year was crazy. We released an EP, recorded our album, played >25 gigs and went on our first tour after being a pure local band. In the end, we got signed by our label Tonzonen Records. All in all, lots of things to be proud of but we try to keep the flow going.

What was your biggest regret?
Jonas: We spend a lot of money on the album without actually having the money. We were basically scrambling from one bill to the next, tried to play as much as we could, sold our Silver Fuzz pedal on eBay and waffles and clothes on a flea market. We made it happen, but we’re not planning on doing it again.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Marcel: Our “Rise Of The Yeast” tour last year was special. Playing in other cities and not knowing if we would play in front of 150 or 3 people.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Benni: How much people are willing to support each other, like sharing equipment or spending their time to organize concerts, helping with merch, or taking photos.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Fabi: »Mother« by Danzig. Some magazines connected us with the band although we’ve never really listened to them.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Tobi: Making music you enjoy yourself. I think people will notice if you don’t really connect with your own stuff.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Fabi: Snuff tobacco (3/5 of the band).

Can you say something more about the music scene in Tübingen / Baden-Württemberg?
Jonas: Stoner rock or grunge isn’t really a thing where we’re from. The Stuttgart area is famous for its hip hop. But Tübingen, where we’re from, is a University city with lots of young concert enthusiasts. It doesn’t really matter what kind of music you’re playing as long as you do it with passion.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Benni: Mostly in the German South and we also play some big cities like Dresden, Munich, Karlsruhe, two gigs in Austria (Vienna and Steyr) and of course festivals eg. Green Hell Festival. You can check out all the gigs on our website.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
Fabi: Play bigger festivals, play different countries. We’d also love to go on tour with a more established band. Other than that, we’re already writing new stuff and trying to record it as soon as possible.

How can people best support your band?
Marcel: Come to gigs, follow us on our platforms, tell your friends if you like what you hear and visit our Bandcamp.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Tobi: If you like a band’s music, go to their gigs. Tickets and merch are the only real income small artists have. And be open to the weird shit out there.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well