Band: Look Ahead
From: Cologne, Germany
Their formation story:
(Björn, guitar): "I got introduced to Felix (our singer) at a show in March 2024. He was kind enough to give me a ride home. I told him that I've wanted to do a Floorpunch-style straight edge band since I've moved to Cologne. We figured that the Cologne hardcore scene was missing something just like that. At first, Felix hesitated a bit, but told me he actually thought about starting a band with Tommy (our bass player). They knew each other from the BMX scene and despite living in southern Germany, Tommy spent a lot of time in Cologne including going to local hardcore shows.
"Around that time, David (drums) started organizing DIY shows in Cologne and released a BMX/hardcore photo zine. When I've picked up some copies, we spent an hour talking on the doorstep. He told me that he was friends with Felix whom he also knew from the BMX scene for some years. While talking we also found out that our paths have overlapped before and that we've shared some connections. Since we've had similar views on certain topics and sort of vibed right away, we decided to give the band a try.
"Shortly after, we've had our first rehearsal. David and I have been playing in bands before, but for Felix and Tommy Look Ahead was actually their first band. You couldn't ask for a better debut if you'd ask me. Felt right from the first chord on."
Their sound in their own words:
"We were not aiming for a specific sound other than fast and pissed-off hardcore. It was not our intention to go for a certain style, but rather to do our own thing. Still, I probably cannot deny being heavily influenced by bands like Straight Ahead, Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, and the Boston-style hardcore. That is why I think our sound could be described best as a combination of fast Youth Crew revival-era hardcore, but with lots of skank and two-step parts. Move and groove."
Latest release info:
"Our Cologne Straight Edge demo tape was released on DBNO Records back in September. Fabian, who runs DBNO (and sings in Echo Chamber), offered to release our demo tape basically the second we've left the stage after our first show (with Chemical Threat, Echo Chamber, Spirit Crusher, Grand Scheme, and Collateral). We immediately thought this would be a good fit. Not only because of the DBNO roster, but also because Fabian is the most laid-back and sympathetic guy you can imagine.
"The songs have been recorded, mixed and mastered by our friend Noah (who also plays bass in Wonderful World and I Recover). Tommy, our bass player, did the artwork. One of the demo tracks is also going to appear on the Pure Motive compilation LP to be released on Extinction Burst Records."
Future plans:
"Since Tommy moved to Cologne just recently, we wanna hang out and rehearse on a more regular basis. Currently we are cooking up some new songs. Might be hitting the studio again not too long from now. But we're under no pressure at all, so we'll take our time if necessary and start recording whenever it feels right. We've got some shows coming up and will be playing the Netherlands end of this year. Might be playing some dates in the UK early next year."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"Although there are a lot more bands hailing from the Cologne/Rhineline area to check out, here are some of the newer or less mentioned hardcore bands worth checking out: True Fraud, Blinded, Leap of Faith, Fear of Sin, Detonator, Recession, Angel CCAA, Dogs Out, Weightless, Crime Dawg, Tab X Clear, Glow, Lethal Hate, Preemptive Strike, Krawl, Reflex."
Cologne Straight Edge is available on cassette via DBNO Records.
Tagged: look ahead
