Source: Caz (Underground Press, 2008.10.23)

As if you didn’t know

Battery 9 is the brainchild of Paul Riekert, who writes the lyrics and the music, and sings, plays, records and produces most of what appears on the cd’s in his own studio – the audio arm of ONE F Music. His music own Production Company. On stage he is joined by Hyser Burger – Dj, Live action painter and MC, also known as DJ Fokolnonsens, and Cesare Cassarino – the guitar player, best known for his work as a bassist in the South African jazz and session scene.

The Launch Review

Friday, 17th October, Rock Bar; OMG acronym!!! I sincerely doubt there will be a better launch this year. We got to the Rock Bar Melville just as the band was going on. I was so excited I literally had to remind myself to breathe. My photographer, not so much, as he had never seen battery 9 live before. I had to remove the camera from him and take photographs myself as he was too over-whelmed by the bands awesomeness. A feeling shared by most of the fans. In fact, whilst taking pictures I was aggressively told to “stop taking photos!” by a mad sweaty creature in the audience because “it’s Battery 9!!! You have to dance!!” I have yet to see an international act rile up a crowd that much. I must admit, there quite a few incidents where even I could only stop and stare. Why this band is not charting internationally is beyond me. It’s almost like we hog the best for ourselves!

After the show I was told to wait backstage for the guys to come offstage. I was dripping sweat and hoarse from screaming. Hyser Burger, the live artist/industrialist/Dj of battery 9 was the first to come backstage. He flopped into a bean bag and looked at me quizzically. I stammered out “uh…interview….uh…press”. He smiled and said “maybe a bit later, we just have to catch our breath”. What a nice guy. I came back later to find Paul Riekert there alone. No interviews. I was heartbroken. These men were a defining block of my youth and now I had missed the chance to interview them. He must have my disappointment and said “how about you give us a call and we arrange an interview”

The added extra

Monday, 20th October, my office; Spent all day trying to muster the courage to call. When I eventually did, I stuttered and stammered and must have sounded like a giddy little girl but got the job done! Now if my heart rate can go back to normal……

Caroline: Hi, this Caroline from UNDERGROUND press, I got your number Saturday night.

Paul: yes Caroline, how are you?

Caroline: (stutter) um, very good, um how are you.

Paul: Good thanks, how can I help you?

Caroline: I would just like to know if I could arrange an interview with Battery 9 ?

Paul: Sure, when’s good for you?

Caroline: uh … um… whenever you’re free.

Paul: you can interview me over the phone if you like?

Caroline: Yeah that would be wicked. Thank you, are you free now?

Paul: ah yeah. Why not, go ahead.

Caroline: So how feel about the launch you had on Friday night?

Paul: Very cool. I haven’t felt like that after a launch in a long time. We got to see a lot of old friends to, there were quite a few young faces in the crowd.

Caroline: This is your seventh CD Launch. How does it make you feel that you can still work up a crowd like that?

Paul: grateful

Caroline: Industrial music has always had huge following in Europe, yet we don’t seem to have any S.A. industrial musicians making it that far. Do you think there is a possibility for bands of your genre to make it internationally?

Paul: It’s difficult. It’s difficult. You need to have proper support from somewhere to make a crack but I think there is a possibility, ya.

Caroline: do you think it may be due to lack of South African industry support in S.A. bands?

Paul: In a way

Caroline: I remember the first time I saw you was in 1995, you are as incredible now as you were then, if not more so.

Paul: (laughs) thank you

Caroline: I have always thought if ever a South African band would make it overseas, it would be battery 9. Is there any chance of battery 9 going global?

Paul: We’re currently trying to set a branch with One F music, my record label, in Europe. You can check it out if you like www.onefmusic.com

Caroline: Do you have any active online fan support groups?

Paul: The biggest one I know of is the facebook group.

Caroline: Besides renegade journalists that hide out backstage to interview you, have you ever been stalked by any crazed fans?

Paul: (laughs) Occasionally. S.A. is not that hectic.

Caroline: Any message you would like to send to your fans?

Paul: I just need to thank them. It’s up to them then it’s up to them whether there’s enough money to launch another album. I’m really grateful for the support we have…it’s really…lekker.

Caroline: I think that’s all I really wanted to ask (star struck journo is almost passing out with joy of speaking to one of her childhood heroes). Thank you so much for your time.

Paul: oh ok Great. Thank you, Caroline.

Caroline: ok, take care then bye.

Paul: cheers,

(Giggling like a teenager because he said my name)