Bring The Noise final losers Achtung! are the newest post-punk band in Ōtepoti. Members include Jacob (he/him) on guitar, Niki (she/they/he) on drums, Henry on bass (he/him) and George (he/him) on guitar. According to Niki, “The genesis of Achtung! is using old Critic’s as cum rags.” The band also makes music and plays shows from time to time. Critic Te Ārohi pulled up to a flat in Woodhaugh to chat with the band about their influences (warning: Transformers spiel incoming), formation, and a somewhat disturbing admiration for Critic Te Ārohi.
“The band had to happen. We received visions,” says Niki. The project actually started with Jacob and George jamming together (“which then became a thing”). Of course, every band needs drums, so Niki joined not long after. Henry then joined as the band's bassist with a hidden saxophone talent: “Which will show up in an Achtung! song,” promises Jacob.
The band's name derives from a shipping container at Jacob’s work: “I was like, ‘That’s a sick band name.’ Also my [great] Grandad’s German. I think.” Jacob is the lead songwriter of the group, explaining that he’ll write down some lyrics and chords and present them to the others. “I receive visions. Waves of inspirations from a new song that comes out and I’m like, ‘Fuck I wanna sound like that.’ Often the lyrics are snapshots of what I feel at the time.” Henry chips in, “He comes to me with the chords and demands I make a bassline.” George just plays over everything and hopes that it sounds good.
There’s some discord within the band over what their sound is. George says, “It has been described as post-rock, but I don’t really know what that is.” Jacob adds, “I don’t know what it is either. It just sounds cool.” Niki thinks the band is punk because “I don’t know how to play my instrument.” This is probably why the word “eclectic” got thrown around a lot during the interview. Henry even mentions he doesn’t listen to the kind of music Achtung! makes: “I guess I’m bringing more of a disco influence,” he says. “I’m making us a post-disco band.”
Jacob takes a lot of emo influence for his lyrics. The band is also inspired by King Krule, Black Country, New Road, Jacob Stevenson, ‘Temporary Secretary’ by Paul McCartney and Transformers. “One of our instrumentals we start with is called ‘Robot Street’ because [of] Transformers. I fucking love Transformers so much,” says Jacob. “The OG cartoon is so good,” he adds. “The ‘80s movie is sick. Optimus Prime dies and then comes back in the cartoon an episode later, it’s so fucking cool,” says Niki.
Two of the band members (you’ll have to guess which) are also part of the band Give Up. This other post-punk band was offered to open for the Christchurch band Marsha, but when their drummer fell sick, Achtung! swooped in to save the day at the very last minute. It was Henry’s girlfriend's 21st, so he showed up in a three-piece suit ready to play some funky bass. He left immediately afterward. “Happy Achtung!” George blurts (Critic assumes this phrase came to him in a vision).
You can follow Achtung! on Instagram @achtun.g for upcoming gigs. Also look out for the Give Up/Achtung! Dunedin Double EP.