Hi friends,
You’re reading newsletter #2. Didn’t think we’d actually keep this up, did you?
In case you forgot, we’re CAPTAIN KAISER. Kempen punks with a soft spot for chaos and catchy riffs. Our fourth album, Belgian Boy, is on its way this October, and we’re counting down to celebrate this with you at Ancienne Belgique on October 17.
If you haven’t grabbed your tickets for the AB release show yet, do it now. We want to see that room packed.
Also, we dropped some fresh merch on our website: shirts, vinyl, scarves,... Go check it out and tell us what you think!
In this newsletter, we’ve got some behind-the-scenes stuff, a few stories from the road, and whatever else we want to tell you.
Cheers for sticking around.
TRACK TALK : SHADOWS
Each edition, we shine a light on one track from our new album Belgian Boy. Lyrics, memories, mistakes, and magic. Track Talk gives you the full backstage pass to how the song came to be (or almost didn’t).
This one came up halfway through writing the album, during one of those rare, super productive rehearsals. Sascha brought in some lyrics and the rest of the band instantly had ideas. Still, it took us months before we were all happy with it.
At one point or another, each of us doubted whether it even belonged on the record, but every time someone said that out loud, the others would defend it like crazy. Funny how that works. Now it’s one of the songs we’re most proud of.
Lyrically, it deals with a complicated relationship with alcohol. It’s like a kind of waltz, dancing with the shadows which in this case is booze.
We’re also dropping an early demo of the track, recorded months before the actual album sessions, with our good friend Jannes at Dunk! Studios. We like to do proper demos once a song feels finished, rehearsal room recordings are usually way too loud to listen to the song properly. .
ROAD TO AB
The road to AB wasn’t smooth, but it was loud, sweaty, and totally worth it. In this series, we dive into past shows that helped define CAPTAIN KAISER. From chaotic club nights to unexpected magic, we’re digging up every riff and memory that’s bringing us to October 17.
Let’s take you back to Breda, Friday 1st of September 2017. Captain Kaiser had been around for about a year and a half, we maybe had 10 songs, and in our heads, we were ready to go international.
We got the chance to play the afterparty of Punkrock Riot XXL at Mezz Breda, right after Undeclinable Ambuscade, who were doing one of their last shows ever. No pressure, right?
It was our very first time playing outside Belgium, far away from our usual youth club comfort zone, and yeah, we were nervous as hell. But the show ended up being unforgettable. Huge thanks to Brecht Vissers, who made a video clip of Eskimos & Mermaids that night, still one of our favorite memories.
Since then, we never say no to a Dutch gig. As long as we can stop at the gas station before the border to grab some proper “BUS BEER”, we’re good.
BETTER THAN KISS
Welcome to Better Than KISS, the part of the newsletter where we yell about amazing Belgian artists you might’ve missed. One of us picks a Belgian artist he loves. No face paint, just good music. Go listen.
Senne’s pick: Lots of cool Belgium bands deserve more listeners, crowds and recognition. That being said, choosing one band is almost impossible. Until the Funhouse festival announced their line-up and I saw that New Trash was playing again. In my opinion one of the most punk bands we’ve played with.
Now I hear you thinking: “Oh, playing again, is it like something nostalgic? “ No, no and no, nothing nostalgic. They have just been around since we started playing and we played some shows together in 2017, but I think they took a break because they went to college? That being said, they were young back in the days. Fun fact, so young that one of their dads had to drive them to every show. Really friendly guys and really good music. Things I certainly couldn't do when I was that age, I believe one of them was only 16 at the time.
They brought out an EP called ‘Circle’ back in 2017 and it sounds really Descendents to me. Fast, loud and energetic. Remember that they were still in high school back then so it’s really mind-blowing what they did. On the other hand, not afraid to use upstrokes and keep the ska-fans enthusiast as well. Another cool thing about this band is that they seem to do it the old school way. Just playing shows in youth clubs, small venues and as it seems the legendary Funhouse. At the moment I don’t know what their plans are: just playing shows, new music? But I certainly hope they do both and they do it loud! So go check them out, I hope to do the same.
That’s it for now.
If you haven’t grabbed your tickets for the AB release show yet, do it now. We want to see that room packed.
See you at Ancienne Belgique.
Bring earplugs. Or don’t.
XOXO CK