Warped Tour tickets bought, a fresh outfit from Hot Topic, and Blink-182 blasting from your Walkman. That imagery takes millennials back 20 years to a glorious time when bands like the aforementioned Blink, New Found Glory, and The Starting Line were just getting started. As was the beginning of what would eventually become For Heads Down. Fast forward to today and the German-based band is still delivering that classic sound, but on a more elevated level. Which their own Florian “Flo” Steup will explain below, along with nostalgia-baiting, mental health, and more like For Heads Down self-titled release that drops everywhere on April 19th.
Kendra: It’s been said that those who vibed with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 will vibe with you guys. I felt that from the press of play as I was transported back to being 18 at my first Warped Tour. However, y’all are over in Germany, so for you – how has the punk scene changed from the early ’00s to now where you are?
Florian “Flo” Steup: We grew up with the sound of the 90s and 2000s. Of course, the typical bands from California or Scandinavia were a big thing, but there was also a big scene here in Germany. Back then, there were a few fanzines such as Lostandfound or OX Fanzine, which people used to find out about bands like Skin of Tears, Not Available, Beatsteaks, but also Terrorgruppe or Wizo were very successful.
At that time, there were always well-attended small punk shows everywhere. Around 2006, the hardcore scene got bigger and bigger and it became more difficult to book shows because there were only a few visitors, but in the last few years, I have the impression that the scene is getting bigger again. Thanks to many small labels and bookers, smaller bands like us also get the chance to attract attention.
Kendra: On a more personal level, with over two decades of music making under your belt, how does the punk you were then compare to the punk you are now on a creative level when it comes to writing and recording 2024’s ‘For Heads Down?‘
Flo: We didn’t attach much importance to quality back then. We just wanted to make music. Over the years, everyone’s interest in music has naturally changed a bit and everyone tries to implement some of their ideas in the songs. Our biggest focus in recent years, especially for the new record, has been on the vocals. We try to get the best out of 3 vocals. We always get positive feedback for this, especially live, and we are proud of it.
Kendra: The video for the final single from the album was shot at Schellack Musikbar, so if you had to compare this record’s overall aesthetic and sound to a drink one would get at this establishment, which would it be and why?
Flo: Haha ok that’s an interesting question. The mood in the video was relaxed. That’s exactly what we wanted to achieve. In my opinion, a good wine would go best with it. For the music or the sound, there’s only one drink that suits punk rock best for me; a cold beer.
Kendra: Before “Fever” you dropped two other singles, including “Guilty.” Now mental health has never been absent from music, but now it does feel more normalized. There’s no doubt people have and will continue to connect with this track, but what was the first song that made you feel seen in regards to mental health when you were growing up?
Flo: To be honest, I’ve never really taken a serious look at texts. I was always interested in the music as a whole. On the last records our singer, Phil, always wrote the lyrics. On the upcoming record, I also contributed three lyrics. One of them is ‘Guilty.’ This topic was very important to me personally, as I see in my environment how today’s youth is developing in the age of TikTok, Instagram, etc., bullying has simply become a dangerous tool.
Teenagers in particular are bullied for no reason because they don’t like something trivial about the person. I think all of us (even me) have offended or hurt someone without realizing it. The song is about the fact that many people don’t even realize how much they might hurt someone with a stupid remark.
Kendra: Now since you’ve been in the scene for some time, I’d love to get your opinion on American bands playing heavily into nostalgia with festivals like When We Were Young. Do you think relying on the past serves any purpose?
Flo: I saw the lineup and thought, ‘Wow, I’d like to go there. I grew up with a lot of these bands and I’m glad that many of them are still active.” However, there were also bands like No Pressure, who haven’t been around that long. There are so many good young bands that I would like to see on tour more often, and I would like to see lesser-known bands get a chance. Bands usually come to Europe as a package. The big booking agencies in particular make life difficult for many of them. I’m glad about people like Steve from Merit-Based Booking. He gives smaller bands a chance to go on tour with “bigger” bands.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘For Heads Down’ out on April 19th, what else can fans expect as 2024 rolls on?
Flo: We have our release show in Siegen on April 27th, 2024, and play a live concert at a radio station the evening before. We are currently planning more shows for fall. Further information will come soon. For 2025 we are trying to play some festivals and shows. We realize once again that without a lot of relationships, it is very difficult to get shows.