The Weirdest Show You'll See All Year: Liechtenstein Doom Drone Rockers DFA1989 at School Bar, Nov 29

Mysterious, eccentric, and dead set against ABBA, (supposed) Liechtenstein-hailing doom drone rockers DFA1989 are set to put on a show at School Bar unlike any you've ever seen. Not to be confused with the Toronto rock duo with a very similar name, DFA1989 have next to no online presence, sticking instead to promotion in fanzines and selling their music in CD-R format at shows. The band was equally offbeat during an interview ahead of their Nov 29 gig at School, giving only their first names and describing their roles in the band thusly:

Thom – Guitar, Visuals, Alcoholism
Hans – Drone, Synth, Kittens
Mueller – Vox, Vietnamese Food
Kyle – Trombone, Doombone, Sargent of Snaps

Below they also delve into their love of poutine, their hatred of ABBA, and what it was like to come up in the fringe music scene in Liechtenstein.

So what's up with your name? How did you choose it, and how did you guys get started as a band?
Hans: DFA formed a long time ago. I knew Kyle through studies in Prague and met Mueller later when our singer left. We clicked immediately from the first time he hopped on the mic and started pressing buttons and sort of going haywire, ya know? Our name, DFA1989, stems from our divine disdain for the band ABBA. Essentially, DFA is short for "death f**k ABBA." Preferably in the year 1989.
Thom: I don’t remember joining the band, but I’ve been here for years. I met these guys halfway through a bender at a pub in Munich. I woke up in their van heading to the show in Fürstenfeldbruck and I’ve sort of been here since!

What's the music scene like in Liechtenstein? What are the unique benefits and drawbacks of playing there?
Thom: Liechtenstein is a very small nation in central Europe with less than 40,000 people. What we lack in numbers we make up for in culture and arts. However, the music scene in the capital, Vaduz, is lacking. We don’t get many bands coming through. Most shows are pop or classical. Since we are in Central Europe, though, it is easy to tour and visit anywhere in the EU without issue.

Who are some of your biggest influences?
Thom: I grew up listening to Italian songs. My mother is from Tuscany, and so songs like "Funiculì Funiculà," and "Por Ti Volare." I started playing show tunes in my spare time as a youth. And I spent a lot of time learning the score to L'appuntamento in the mid-'80s.

What have been some of your most memorable shows?
Hans: Our worst show was when we were touring in Canada. The people in Toronto were just so nice, but Thom ate too much poutine and kept making Putin jokes on stage, and eventually threw up halfway through the set.
Thom: What? That was the best show! I love poutine! Frites, cheese curds, gravy … I’d do it all again.

What's next for DFA1989?
Mueller: I just really want to make doom accessible for all the African children. It breaks my heart knowing they will only hear the words of ABBA. They need more doom.
Kyle: Yeah. The people of the world need more drone, not the aerial drone things that zip around you. They need real drone.
Thom: I think what is next for me is finding poutine now that it's been mentioned. Herr Beijinger sir, do you know where I can find poutine in the Chinese capital?

DFA1989 will perform at School Bar along with Cab for Alien, Zhao Cong, and Yang Wenliang on Nov 29. The show starts at 9pm, tickets are RMB 50 at the door. Beijing's top options for poutine, meanwhile, are 4corners, Jing A, Ramo, and Plan B.

Photos: Andreea Hriscu