Doomed Confessionary: Lukas Worm & Vivien Hartmann (Fluster)
Hamburg, Germany based heavy-psych trio Fluster (to “flʌs.tər” – to agitate, to cause confusion) draws its inspiration from a multitude of rock’n’roll genres. The resulting style is characterized by a dirty guitar sound reminiscent of 60s surf and garage rock, complemented by a deep, rumbling bass with intricate bass lines and furiously driving drumbeats. The rough and distinctive vocals sit perfectly in the mix and all together, the band creates their very own dense atmosphere. Especially live, Fluster’s sound rolls with a truckload of groove.
After the self-produced single »Elbe«, Fluster released their debut EP »Ray Mouth« in October 2022. Currently, they’re working on the next record.
Fluster are Lukas Worm (bass, lead vocals), Vivien Hartmann (guitar, backing vocals) and Dennis Urbschat (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We met in 2020 in the midst of pandemic fuckery as jam buddies. As there was nothing else to do, we luckily spent a whole lot of time in the rehearsal room and formed a band rather quickly. We’re influenced by desert rock, grunge, stoner, punk, and metal – most of the time, we just start playing, though. If it sounds good, we start writing!
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Vivien: Not suffering heat stroke in our rehearsal room in summer.
Lukas: Touring Germany and fitting all of our gear and ourselves into a tiny Nissan Micra, the “Fluster mobile”.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Touring Germany and fitting all of our gear and ourselves into a tiny Nissan Micra, the “Fluster mobile”. Yeah, we think that really is our biggest achievement!
What was your biggest regret?
This year, we had to cancel 6 or 7 gig requests because somehow we all managed to be on vacation at different times. We need to coordinate that stuff better.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Lukas: For me personally, it was the release concert for our EP »Ray Mouth« in 2022. The venue was packed, everyone had a blast, and we got hammered beyond repair. After that show, I thought to myself for the first time: Now we are officially a fucking band. Also, we met very good and important friends that evening. Mass Rift, who jumped in at the last minute after another band had to cancel due to a Covid infection, remain some of our closest buddies to this day. Also, Simon, who is some kind of all-knowing and gentle patron of the Hamburg heavy rock scene, was our sound tech that night – what an honor!
Vivien: Supporting our friends WOI at their album release, awesome venue and best crowd we had so far!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Lukas: On a global scale, for me, it’s the return of devastation and sadness in pop music. During the 2010s, everything had this happy-go-lucky vibe to it – now we’re getting more serious again. Billie Eilish’s debut album is a perfect example. I didn’t expect this kind of music to break the charts at that point in time. I guess as the world falls apart, melancholy returns on a larger scale as the musical mirror of our society. It’s a very welcome change for me personally.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Lukas: Currently, I’m in love with Brutus. Their record »Unison Life« is one of the best I heard in years. A totally addicting blend of heavy and doomy riffs, black metal, and somehow pop? Also, the first thing that sticks with me are always the vocals and lyrics. And Stefanie Mannaerts’ performance just sends shivers down my spine.
Vivien: Currently Motörhead, Lecherous Gaze, Karloff and Wine Lips which played a great show at the SonicBlast festival this year! Also because it became a thing on the roadtrip to the festival: a lot of »Cheri Cheri Lady« by Modern Talking – I think I suffered some severe brain damage in the last weeks.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Lukas: “Music is a visual medium.” – some audio engineer a long time ago.
Vivien: I like the Joey Ramone quote: “Play before you get good, because by the time you get good, you’re too old to play.” Or Jason Pierce of Spacemen 3: “Three chords are good, two chords are better, one is best.”
What are your guilty pleasures?
Lukas: I’d definitely go for 2000s nu metal and metalcore. My first contact with heavy music was through bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Linkin Park, early Bring Me The Horizon, Limp Bizkit, and so on. They’re just burned right into my synapses, I guess.
Vivien: Everything obscure and weird. Hgich.T is my go to and occasionally some Hardtech and Schranz. The weirder the better I guess.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Hamburg?
These are tough times for Hamburg, Germany. I mean, come on, it’s the city where the goddamn Beatles went big. However, it feels like small venues and stages are closing down left and right every month. In the eyes of the city, there seems to be no room for nonprofitable businesses. Gentrification – simple as that. But we are a small but very active scene holding our ground! We will survive!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We spent most of our time this year writing and producing new music. As of now, there are no concerts planned for 2024. However, we’re planning a small tour across Germany in the spring of 2025!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Today, it’s almost impossible to make a living as a musician in a niche underground band. So “normal” life comes first, sadly. This doesn’t mean we don’t have ambitions and goals. We hope to release our second EP sooner rather than later. But first in line: We want to have a truckload of fun!
How can people best support your band?
Come to our shows! Have a beer with us! Meeting awesome people, discussing music, and having a good time are the fuel that keeps this engine running. If you want to support us financially, be sure to grab some merch!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Prepare to get Flustered!
Links:
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Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well