Five For Five With Philippe Pomschdi Rohr of Safe State / Grim Reality Records
XPomschdiX, is another friend I have made, who's been super cool with helping me integrate and acclimate to life in Zurich, Switzerland. Not only do they collect records and are active in the independent scene, we all have fairly similar taste in music, and I guess that's what we vibe on. Other than being a shipping (literally) wizard, and helping out with Road Rage Booking, he is in a youth crew band called Safe State & helps run Grim Reality Records. I'm pretty sure he also likes that last Joy Divi - i mean, Ceremony record. Each to their own, i guess. Give me "Violence, Violence" any day of the week. Still, he's a super good dude who i'm lucky enough to call a mate.
P.S - if you ever see him, give him the good old Shaka while squealing "YEEEEEEW" at the top of your lungs while maintaining deep eye contact. He loves it, i promise.
Check out Safe State (who have a new LP coming out this year of our lord) here: https://safestatehc.bandcamp.com/album/angler-safe-state-split-tape
Check out Grim Reality Records here: https://grimrealityrecords.bigcartel.com/
1. I won't put a number on it, but off the top of your head, what are your all-time favourite bands?
Everyone that knows me that my fav. all time band is Guns Up! This is the band that really got me into Hardcore.
I'd say Cro-Mags still gets me out of mosh retirement every now and then. I find it there's almost no band that has the same intensity in their songs!
Ceremony I'd say is a band that never disappoints live and mixes anger and great lyrics like no other band.
Besides that Sum 41 was my teenager rebellion music and you can find that number in a lot of aspects of my life, haha, same with Blink 182.
Last but not least Cataract, which was a Swiss metal band and I had the honour to play with them their last club show before they stopped playing.
Obviously you can find them more in the Punk/hardcore Genre
In different genres:
I like Muddy Waters
George Strait
Best Coast
Leon Bridges
2. a) best thing about collecting vinyl
It's certainly a great hobby and a great exchange of music knowledge. Also taking active time to listen to music and browsing through shelves full with vinyl and see what's coming next is super exciting! I really enjoy reading lyrics on a first time listening session and getting to know the album or EP or demo or whatever.
b) worst thing about collecting vinyl
Haha, it's not the cheapest hobby/passion, haha. It comes in waves for me, sometimes i get a lot of them at once and then i have to restrain myself for getting more. Also I am running out of space and my girlfriend is not too happy about it haha. I can't put more Kallax furniture in to our small apartment.
3. Any current bands you wish more people knew about?
I am really psyched about Just Ice from Canada. That's why we helped them releasing their demo tape via our Record Label Grim Reality Records. There's a Japanese Band i really like which is called Soul Discharge. Mix of Reggae and Hardcore!
4. Have you got a "White Whale" or an album you are having a hard time trying to track down?
I mean an affordable Chun King can suck it LP I wouldn't say no to. To be honest I'm pretty happy with what I have been able to get so far. Some tapes or early 7 inches of certain bands are definitely hard to get. Still looking for some Iron Age test presses or some Bitter End 12's. Holla at me if you have some ;)
5. You're locked in a room for the rest of your life with enough food, water and a turntable. You're allowed only FIVE records. What are they?
Guns Up-Outlive
New Found Glory - Sticks and stones
Cro-Mags - Age of Quarrel
Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
Oasis - Morning Glory