A spotlight interview with Ascánio, the drummer and singer of EDDIE, ahead of their appearance at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin on 22 February.
Who’s in the band, and what do you all play?
Nylar (bassist/singer), London (guitarist/singer) and Ascánio (drummer/singer)
Where do you call home?
Neuruppin is home for us, it’s where we met, but we all three actually come from different places, like Lörrach and Berlin.
Describe your sound in three words.
Loud, quiet, EDDIE
Tell us about your music.
Our first album, Ambivalence, came out in 2024. We recorded it just three months after we started the band! Then we went on a mini-tour across Europe, playing shows in cities like London, Paris, Rotterdam, and Brussels. We recommend the album for listeners interested in themes such as menstruation, police brutality, romantic relationships, and negative manifestations of male posturing.
I was spending time at my best friend’s apartment, and he suggested in jest that we should compose a song titled ‘I Killed The President’. That evening, I repeatedly played the same chords for approximately an hour. This session resulted in the narrative of an individual who, driven by boredom, decides to assassinate the president because of his perceived unkindness.
What’s your local scene like — and how do you fit in, or stir it up?
In Neuruppin, we believe we are one of the few bands who enjoy both (hardcore) punk and creating quieter songs. We primarily perform outside of the city, and our frequent appearances in Berlin expose us to local underground bands such as Goldzilla and Banana of Death. Their music and principles significantly influence our work.
What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened at one of your gigs?
We had a gig in Chemnitz. Security did not let us in right away because the place was full. We had to talk to them to get in, as we were next to play. Our second international gig of the tour! We were in Brussels on a Monday. There were so many people there; we were totally overwhelmed by what was happening and the great vibe. Those were the kind of gigs where all three of us totally sweated.
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
I think one of the challenges was that after we met, we had only about three months to prepare for the album. At the same time, we were super busy driving two hours to our rehearsal space in Neuruppin. Sometimes we woke up early to rehearse before our real jobs started, just to make sure everything was perfect. We also organized gigs ourselves during that time, so we could be as tight as possible. All while trying to get to know each other personally in our band and figure out the direction we wanted to go.
What’s the proudest moment you’ve had so far as a band?
I believe the self-organized European tour, the experiences gained in a short timeframe, and the valuable connections established represent significant achievements, even though the tour was not fully completed. Furthermore, simply performing in the rehearsal room and experiencing the collective energy of each band member constitute deeply rewarding moments.
What’s a dream gig or collaboration you must make happen before you die?
Eddie and Banana Of Death are playing on one stage! They’ll have two drums and a little drum off.
Dream lineup: you + three other acts (alive, dead, or imaginary). Who’s on the bill?
EDDIE + CAVA + 24/7 Diva Heaven + Amyl and The Sniffers
What’s next for you?
We’re currently recording our second album. This time, the sound is going to be something like the early albums by The Breeders, Pixies, CAVA, Riot Spears, and Failures, so basically a bit of garage rock.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We’re super grateful to Loud Women, and really excited to play at this festival!
Come see them at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin on 22 February.
