Filip Faschingbauer
Bjorg Kjorg
What bands are you actively involved with?
Lambda
What was the first instrument that you played?
I started to play guitar when I was 10.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
Kiss - Unmasked album played in old headphones by my dad, Queen and Beatles as well.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
Poslední Záhryz
Tell me about the genesis of Lambda.
Lambda was founded in January 2014 in Český Krumlov in the South of Czech Republic, by a group of friends from different local bands. Influenced by all sorts of music, mainly 70's heavy rock, grunge and post, stoner and doom. Bands as Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Rush, Earthless, Kyuss, Truckfighters, Maserati, Russian Circles.
After a couple months we got the opportunity to support Belzebong (PL) at Strahov 007 Prague. Followed by first Czech tour in October with Prague based Russian trio Saiga, including gigs with Stoned Jesus (UA) and 1000mods (GR).
EP Space Express was recorded in March 2015 at Stereo Mysterio in Prague by Daniel Šatra. It was released on 6th June with a really good response and shipped and reviewed in - UK, USA, India, Canada and almost all over Europe. In September 2015 - first abroad gigs and touring in Austria, Poland and Germany.
Year 2016 was in the name of touring. Started by Balkan tour in July, followed by a small summer tour along with our friends Jegulja (progressive stoner rock, Ljubljana/SLO) and playing Electric Meadow festival and some other Ukraine places. We finished this year with Western run through Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. Second tour with Jegulja followed in September 2017 down to Balkan countries, during which we recorded a live set in club Kocka in Split (CRO). Album Live in Split was released in December 2017.
In 2018 we worked a lot on our first full LP named Heliopolis. This conceptual album was recorded in December 2018 in Monochrom Studio (PL). Heliopolis was released in April 2019 along with a full animated movie/projection and comic book. Record was well received during shows on release tour in spring and also through reviews worldwide. Physical media and merchandise sold and shipped around whole globe with distribution through shops and labels in England, US and Australia/New Zealand.
Brand new LP Vere Modus was composed during the first COVID hit in 2019 and 2020. Recorded in Golden Hive Studios Prague in September 2021 and released 25th February 2022.
What inspired the name Lambda?
Lambda also Λ (greek letter) and also symbol on the seven and last chevron when you are dialing an address outside planet Earth (Stargate TV series). Our band is influenced a lot by this TV series.
How long did it take you to write and record Vere Modus?
Last album Heliopolis was released in 2019. We started working on Vere Modus approx. 2 years ago, beginning of 2020 when pandemic and lockdown started.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
Honestly . . none. I like to build a band from scratch with all people together. I think I could not work in an already existing band.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it?If so... What was the song and artist?
Yep, Pneuma by Tool . . . masterpiece
What are some of your non-metal/rock musical inspirations?
I listen to all kinds of music. For composing I like to inspire from chill/ambient music such as Tycho, Zero 7, Morcheeba.
What's a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
Not really a fan of covers.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
We had the opportunity to share the stage with All Them Witches, these lads rules.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
Rockhouse Salzburg was really nice but It would be awesome to play Ancienne Belgique in Brussels.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Used to pre show doobie with bandmates, now it's just beer or two. Also like to sit in silence for a while before going on stage.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
Traveling, meeting new people, local food, landscapes.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
When your ass and leg hurts from all the sitting in the van and when the general mood is very low and everybody hate each other for no reason.
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
Pretty much any city in the Netherlands is always blast, but I like Berlin and Hamburg a lot.
What's the weirdest experience you've had on the road?
Being checked and searched for rolling and smoking cigarettes by secret Polish police in Poznaň.
The year is 2005.Where are you at and what are you listening to?
I'm 13 y.o. and most likely wearing edgy band merch and accessories and listening to Slipknot and Korn.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
Practice and work hard.
What is an absolute band killer?
Lack of communication and lack of tolerance.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn't like, but somebody else in the band really did?
There is always a song like that which one of the members can't stand. Sometimes more than one. :D
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
Lipno Jam - lake shore of Lipno lake in Czech Republic.
Colour Haze, My Sleeping Karma, 1000mods
What's the longest time you've gone without bathing?
Like 10 days in the Romanian mountains.
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?
I used to have huge stage frights.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
Yep totally.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
No, they are lying in bed like regular people.
You're driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time.What album will it be?
Probably Pink Floyd - The Wall, just an insane amount of music in one album.
What is your favorite song by Adele?
I prefer Dua Lipa.
Baroness or Mastodon (if you had to choose)?
Definitely Mastodon.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
Used to doobies a lot, boobies now ...
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
Waffles.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
STARGATE !!!
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
My new King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard skeleton tee.
Anything with chilli involved.
Richard P. Feynman - Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
Wayne's World 1 & 2
That is really hard, there are so many great albums. But I've been binge listening to Paper Mâché Dream Balloon by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
(Interviewer's note; I'm always absolutely thrilled whenever I see King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard getting some love!)
Huge thanks to Filip for taking the time to answer my questions.I appreciate your time.If you do nothing else with your day please, please take the time to give Lambda's latest release Vere Modus a listen.They'll warm you with an earthy embrace and take you right up to the edge of the stratosphere.~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://lambdaband.bandcamp.com/album/vere-modus