Zombie Nation - Once Bitten

Zombie Nation, the alter ego of Florian Senfter, is infamous for the electroclash anthem Kernkraft 400 - based on music from an old Commodore game - which surfaced on DJ Hell's International DeeJay Gigolo as early as 1999. But Senfter, who prefers recording on vintage equipment to computers, has now issued three underground albums - the latest, Black Toys, just out. 3D’s Cyclone chats to the night-stalker ahead of his Sydney show.

Zombie Nation is still equated with Kernkraft 400 - a dance classic - despite you releasing several albums. What do you make of the enduring popularity of that song?
Well, I don't agree with 'equated'. The song is definitely a part of the Zombie Nation story. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to say the words 'Zombie Nation' in the song, ha, ha. But the people I meet and the feedback I get proves to me that Zombie Nation is in the right places and is equated with inspiring music and great live shows. There are no simple answers for Zombie Nation - and that is what I want!

You also work under the name John Starlight. What is the difference between that and Zombie Nation?
John Starlight was born because after all the Kernkraft madness I wanted to work completely with a free mind. The music that came out was somewhat more raw and maybe a bit harder than Zombie Nation, while originally I wanted John to be a bit more disco - like the name sounds. At the moment I am working on some new ideas for Mr Starlight.

So many artists are basing themselves in Berlin. Are you tempted to relocate?
No, never. If Berlin had a beach or some other great feature I'd think about it maybe. Berlin is nice to visit, though. But there are too many people already who define themselves just through the fact that they live in Berlin - I'm being mean right now, I guess!

Germany is leading the way for electronic music in 2007. Why do you think that things have come around again now? Do you feel part of a German 'scene'?
The vibe changes all the time, so I'd rather make my own scene. But I am in Germany - maybe that does make me automatically part of a German scene, I don't know.

How are you developing as a producer? What challenges are you setting yourself?
My last album is out - and very successful - and, at the moment, I am just defining my new goals. My studio is really how I want it to be now and I want to start doing more collaborations. In March Tiga is coming over for a few days to work on some songs - I am very curious about what will come out. Besides that, I want to win a Grammy for 'best hip hop producer' and play a concert on Mars, the usual things…

You were one of the first artists to reinvent electro and now the sound is big globally. How do you feel about its popularity in recent years?
I think that it's all about crossing over and mixing the musical styles without being too serious about it. If that's what you mean with electro, then I am happy about it.

We have to ask - but being called 'Zombie Nation', are you a fan of zombie films? Do you have any favourites?
I like zombie films, of course! The classics are still the best. There have been some attempts at a genre revival, but they are not as funny. So my favourite movie is definitely George A Romero's Dawn of the Dead from 1978. It's a masterpiece!

WHO: Zombie Nation
WHAT: Plays Boobytrap at Melt   
WHEN: Friday 23 February
MORE: www.onthefly.com.au