INTERVIEW: Blackbird Rebellion discuss origins and influences alongside new EP ‘Expedient Means’

After more than six years away from the studio spotlight, Hamburg’s own Blackbird Rebellion return with a vengeance on their new EP, ‘Expedient Means’. Known for their blistering live sets and gritty, guitar-fuelled energy, the five-piece band is ready to reintroduce themselves with a fresh, sharpened edge. Drawing on the urgency of post-punk and the raw force of alt-rock, ‘Expedient Means’ delivers five tracks of arpeggio-laced riffs, driven melodies, and a fierce sense of purpose, all recorded at the acclaimed Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Studios.

For over seventeen years, Blackbird Rebellion have been honing their craft in the shadows, earning their stripes on the Hamburg club circuit. Now, with their sound refined and their message amplified, the group is stepping into 2025 with bold new intent. So we caught up with the band to talk about their long-awaited return, the making of ‘Expedient Means’, and what’s next for one of Germany’s best-kept underground secrets.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

When I was about 8 years old, my older brother brought home the Beatles LP Help!—and I was instantly hooked. I played it on repeat, dancing and singing along, especially to ‘Help!’ and ‘The Night Before,’ without understanding a single word. Something about the energy and melody completely captivated me. 

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?

My musical journey began in the ’80s with a deep love for Beat music — especially The Beatles, The Kinks, and similar artists. That passion soon evolved into a fascination with ’60s Garage Punk, discovering bands like The Music Machine, The Seeds, and The Sonics. Around the same time, I also drew inspiration from early Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane. These influences laid the foundation for my first garage band, where I played guitar and we started off covering many of those tracks.

In the early ’90s, Nirvana’s Nevermind hit me like a lightning bolt. Around the same period, I got into the darker side of things — particularly bands like The Cure — as I joined a Dark Wave rock band. Later, major influences included OK Computer by Radiohead, Deftones’ White Pony, Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf, and Thrice’s Vheissu. At the time, I was fronting a Metalcore band, which gave me room to explore heavier vocal styles.

When we eventually formed Blackbird Rebellion, I found myself returning to my roots — blending ’60s garage, grunge, and heavy rock into something more melancholic and dark, fusing past and present influences into our sound.

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

Depeche Mode, Dead can Dance, Portishead

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

I take lyrical inspiration from observing people and city life, and from contemplating social and political issues that bring out the more troubling aspects of human behavior. My musical inspiration

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?

Being on stage feels like stepping into another version of myself. I truly enjoy the energy exchange with the audience—both during the songs and in the moments between. One particularly memorable experience was performing ‘House of Cards’ live for the first time. Nobody in the crowd had heard it before. The song begins with a lone, somber guitar line that sets a dark and moody tone. Normally, there’s still some chatter in the room when a new song starts, but the moment I came in with the vocals, the crowd fell completely silent. It was as if the atmosphere pulled them in all at once. That sudden stillness, that sense of connection—it was incredibly rewarding.

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

Being part of Blackbird Rebellion has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past 15 years, we’ve maintained a consistently high level of creative output with very little internal friction. We’ve grown together as a band, and everyone contributes their ideas freely. There’s a strong sense of mutual understanding when it comes to the music we want to create. In that sense, the truly rewarding moment hasn’t been just one—it’s been the journey itself, lasting 15 years and counting. 

How would you define success as a musician?

Success to me means creating music that feels honest and meaningful — something I’m proud of, regardless of how many people hear it. 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

Don’t let numbers define your worth. If you love making music, that’s already something special — hold onto that. Don’t chase trends — focus on finding your own voice. Authenticity resonates more than trying to sound like someone else.

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Listen to Blackbird Rebellion’s new EP ‘Expedient Means’ below.