We chat with Things Change about how they describe their music, how their sound has evolved, and the inspiration behind their latest track, Juicy Boom.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Maik: We always call what we do “Punk oder so” (which roughly means “punk – or something like that”). We don’t follow any set formula – we just go with whatever comes to mind. One day it’s oldschool punk like The Final Pub, where you end up back at the bar together after a heated argument. The next day, it’s a football ballad like Football Fan. But no matter what it is – electric guitars and a certain pinch of punk are always in there. Pat sometimes says to me: “Yeah, it’s okay, but put a bit more Things Change in there.” (laughs)
How has your sound evolved since you first started making music?
Pat: Back in our first band phase in the early 2000s, we really thrashed out the songs – loud, fast, and the guitars were pretty much never in tune. Basically, punk in its purest form (laughs). These days we pay more attention to proper tuning, and overall the songs are way more balanced. We even reworked some of our old tracks for our EP – you can really hear how our sound has developed.
What’s a bizarre or unexpected inspiration behind one of your songs?
Maik: With Juicy Boom, our current release, the inspiration was actually pretty weird. I was lying in bed with a fever, totally out of it, and suddenly had this absurd, almost supernatural craving for a juicy orange – something fruity, rich, full of life. That night, in my fever dream, the song basically came to life. And the next morning, my daughter actually brought me an orange. With the first bite, I just knew – this is it. That feeling. The fruit as a symbol of energy and joy – that became the heart of the song. And in the end, the orange explodes musically – a real Juicy Boom.
What’s the most memorable moment of your music career so far?
Maik: One of the best and most unforgettable moments was definitely our very first gig – at the youth center where we also had our rehearsal room. Right there in the crowd of moshing punks stood our parents, cheering us on. (loud laughter) It’s an image you just don’t forget. But the release of our EP was also really meaningful. Pat: True, some of the old classics got a new version on there – back then, we simply didn’t have the tools or the money to make proper recordings. Now it finally happened. That feels really good.
Tell us all you can about your latest release and where and when to find it?
Maik: Well, Juicy Boom is still current, but it’s already a little while ago. We’re deep into working on new stuff – it’s an ongoing process, really, in both head and heart. It’s all about capturing moments or feelings in sound and lyrics. Sometimes a song just needs its time. So: stay tuned for what’s coming next. You can hear everything on all the usual streaming platforms.