TANKARD
Wow, it must be over 20 years since I heard of Tankard! Have you guys been going all this time?! Pls give us a brief history - are you the only original member left..?
Gerre: well, frank (bass) and me are the two original band members, but we are now together since more than 8 years with the actual line up, next year we gonna celebrate our 25th birthday and we still have the fun and spirit to play that kind of shit............for more infos go here http://www.tankard.info/06_bandbio_eng.html
How do you guys just keep going - I'm guessing you must have day jobs (maybe an investment banker working in bankfurt, sorry Frankfurt!) - so what do you work as?
Gerre: frank works for a British car-importer, olaf sells and check tickets at an Erotic House in Frankfurt, andy is an Electrical Engineer and I work as a social worker with drug addicted people.
You're one of the few 'fun' bands around that I remember from the thrash metal era (Lawnmower Deth being the other that springs to mind) and certainly quite different to other very serious German bands like Kreator, Sodom and Destruction - was that something you intended it to be i.e fun?
Gerre: from the very beginning we didn`t take ourselves not too seriously, we always just had fun to play that kind of shit, so this has nothing to do with the other thrash bands, it just wouldn`t really fit to our personalities to be very serious...........
I mean, no one can say German people have no sense of humour after seeing you guys ha ha but would you also say that might be why you're not as big as the other German thrash bands (although you're still active compared to the other 80's thrashers like Deathrow)?
Gerre: we always were the no. 4 after Kreator, Sodom and Destruction, but that was always ok for us as we all have regular jobs so we can`t tour so much. On the other hand we don`t have any pressure to live from the music......
You've got a the new album 'Beauty And The Beer' out now, which I think is your 15th release, so is there much of a difference between this and your previous releases?
Gerre: I think especially the last 3 releases are quite a big step forward for the band. In 2001 we changed the record company, started to work with a new producer and since that time we really have more success again. It`s still old school thrash metal, but with a really heavy modern sound!!!!!
You are our beermeister Gerre so please, tell us what’s the difference between German beer and other kinds (please don't just say 'its the best' cos that’s all I heard from Bavarian brewers when I went to Oktoberfest ha ha!)?
Gerre: no chemicals inside!!!! This is the only answer I can give you, all other reasons might be hard to explain for me, because I just drink mineral water..............
What's your favourite beer Gerre (hey, I like the way that rhymes ha ha) - if you have a fave one per country then give us a list!
Gerre: Becks and binding beer. we drink all beers around the world, every time to taste a new one, it`s a great feeling......that`s the only reason we keep on going with the band: travelling around to check new sorts of beer....................
How many pints can you drink Gerre (or what’s the most you've ever drunk – that’s only beer and in one sitting)?
Gerre: Sorry I can`t really remember, in younger times maybe 15, but I’m getting older…
Have you ever tried the 'yard of ale' in England - is there a German equivalent...?
Gerre: no, but maybe we will try together ok?????
For our international readers who may be thinking of coming to Germany for a holiday or festival can you please them give a brief idea of the best of German beers and which parts of Germany they can be found?
Gerre: every city and region has it`s own beer, there are all ok, personally I don`t really like the Bavarian beer, but I think the people have to find it out for themselves!
After such a long time, do you have any plans for the band? I mean, other bands say they want to sell a million records or be the no1 band but it seems to me for you guys - like Gang Green - to keep the party going. Not that that's a bad thing, but how does your record label tolerate this ha ha?
Gerre: next year we gonna bring out a best of album, then we have a contract for another album, we will see........as song as we have the fun and spirit we keep on going...................and I think the record company is quite satisfied with us- otherwise they have to die with a beer in their hand!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers Gerre!
Gerre: thanx for your support and keep on thrashing - Prost! - ein Toast!