GOTTHARD
Voices Of Rock & Metal (Issue 022: Jan 2006)
Having just escaped from the 'Human Zoo', for GOTTHARD it now means 'back to the roots', and with new business partners and more rocking songs they are higher profile than ever. Beginning with lots of congratulations from our side, Claudia Channing started an interesting talk with Steve Lee, the charismatic front man of the Swiss show-piece rock band GOTTHARD - the man who can even lift up crying angels. I had to not only congratulate him on the recent single but also on the album 'Lipservice' and also on a television highlight which, as unfortunately happens all too often, only the Swiss will be able to see and enjoy.
"It's always been difficult to look inside Mandy's head. He has been very withdrawn at all times and in a world of his own."
First I'd like to congratulate you on the single and video 'Lift U Up', the sensational chart entry of the single from zero up to 3, the album and most of all on the fantastic performance in the TV show Benissimo.
Thank you, thank you! It went better than we expected. The single market in Switzerland is very hard. All the music stars are a big topic here and every one of them is making a single of his own, just like before in Germany and other countries. We have no problem with that. 'Heaven' has been the highest chart entry so far as a ballad and though 'Lift U Up' is no ballad, it did it. There are some radio stations that are not permitted to play the song because it is too hard. I have to smile with amusement a little bit. If this is hard, then goodbye. It is a party song with rhythm and harder guitars, but also a song that the granny in the last row can sing along to, as you could see during the Benissimo performance. Also, a rock fan can absolutely make heads or tails of it. Maybe it will climb up even a little bit higher, we will see but a good running album is more important to us.
Before we talk about the album, how did the great appearance with Marc Storace (Krokus) and Gigi Moto (she is a Swiss singer) in the Benissimo TV show work for you, which ended up with a Queen medley? Marc has already worked with Leo Leoni on his AC/DC tribute CD, 'DC World' in 2000.
It was very important to us as they told us that we could perform at Benissimo. There are more than 1 million viewers each time. Then I was asked to do that medley as well. It was only a timing problem because of the recordings and rehearsals before the show. But I am always open-minded to things like that, you also learn by doing it. Marc is a great singer! He is a buddy and we have known each other for a long time. I knew Gigy by her name because she already did some records and shows in Switzerland. I am a Queen fan of the early days as well and it's been a real challenge to follow in Freddie Mercury's footsteps. I received lots of compliments and I am glad to have done it but in the end I have to say I will remain Gotthard's singer!
Mandy Mayer is the new Krokus guitar player now. How did it feel to work closely with Marc Storace now?
No friction, but there was also no direct line. It's always been difficult to look inside Mandy's head. He has been very withdrawn at all times and in a world of his own. As far as I know he planned to do a solo album but his plans have been thwarted because nobody wanted to release it. Several inquiries lead him to finally work with Krokus because Fernando left the band. We always try to avoid unpleasant separations. Everybody is doing his own thing and has no time or interest in what others are doing or being distracted.
The story of the 'Lift U Up' video was Hena's idea and was shot for cost saving reasons in Rumania. Have there been any special situations except that it was only a few degrees cold?
(Laughs). Yes, it was. To shoot a video is always very stressful. I am no big fan of video, but today you need it, and it's important although some stations don't play the video because you don't reach the target group. We went to Rumania because we knew it's cheaper there and did not want to exceed the budget. We founded our own label and have to advance such costs up front. It's been a real great team, big efforts and not as spoiled as at home. But it was very, very cold. It was hard for the bit players who were scantily dressed. Even the water in the puddles froze! Fortunately, I didn't hear of any lasting illnesses.
Now about the album, it's called 'Lipservice' and will be released in 41 countries. Wow!
Now we have interviews in countries we have never been to before. Seven interviews in Brazil, then in Australia and more. There are many countries that maybe even heard of Gotthard, but nothing has been organised yet. The chance to present to the people four- teen years of Gotthard music makes us really excited. In some countries you surely have to start at zero. We are well known for hard work and enjoy conquering new countries, and it's like a new springtime for us. After the agreement with BMG Nuclear Blast, new gates are opening for us. It's a challenge for the band. It's crass if some- one asks you to tell him briefly what has happened during the last fourteen years. I recommend the 'Best Of' album, 'One Team One Spirit', then and there you have the best of these fourteen years.
How does it make you feel that the complete CD is 100% available to download illegally on the internet?
I did not know that. Bang goes my day. I think you have to expect that. On the other hand, you don't make money that way, and it's quite a Catch-22. But downloads also mean publicity for the band if kids who don't buy music anymore download it now for free and copy it. Maybe they will be the future fans who will also buy the original CD later. They want the original booklet with lyrics and photos that are not always available on the internet. Nevertheless, downloads are a good promotion for us.
I take my imaginary hat off to you! I'd say that's a cool attitude. There has always been the possibility to copy anything from anywhere. But the impudence is that it is spread before the official release.
Where business and money meet, there are always people who take advantage of it. It's been like that since the Romans and is nothing really new. Internally, we also had some problems where certain people exploited the success of Gotthard for their own enrichment that the band did not bring forward at all. That was one of the reasons for a lot of separations and why everything received a new structure. I also see it as a new beginning, a new beginning with tons of experiences.
The cover pales beside 'Human Zoo', a great combination of cover and title, but even 'Homerun' and 'Open' were more ingenious. Even if it's the content that counts, and it does, doesn't the package count?
Actually, we asked two graphic designers, but nothing really floored us. It needed to be less "poppy" and colourful than Human Zoo was, which was why we had some bad press. Many people want us harder, and this should be a sign that we're moving in that direction. It's more simple, less flourished, back to the roots. The cover gives the idea of a metal club with a striptease and the possibility of having a good beer with colleagues. That's also part of rock ‘n’ roll, and that was our thoughts and ideas.
You worked with a hot bunch of people on this album. Last October, you had a songwriting session in Sweden with Fredrik Thomander and ‘Gary’ Anders Wickstroem, who are known together as Epicentre of Epicircius Music. Wickstroem was the Treat guitarist. They are well known as producers for such artists as B3, Natural, Vanessa Amorosi or Marc Sway (also from Switzerland). Then finally, Mary Applegate, member of the first German rap girl group who wrote 'Power of Love' for Jennifer Rush. How did you get these contacts?
It was a suggestion by our manager, Uwe Block. He knew Anders at one time. Sweden has brought up fantastic bands and songwriters. We needed a fresh breeze, which should not be taken to mean that we can't write good songs by ourselves. Leo and I had almost nothing written at that point, and so we thought, 'Give it a try'. After two or three days, we came back with several ideas, and I would consider doing it again. More people means more points of view and so you help each other and you have a higher potential. It's like painting with more than three colours, and suddenly, even the rainbow can be realised. Certainly, it's not always like that but this time it was worth the try. Mary is also Uwe's friend and I wanted to work with somebody else. Later she visited at home in Ticino and we had a good time. Later on we went on by email. It's a big pressure for me to write lyrics. English is not my mother tongue and to express yourself the way you want to takes time so I also looked for somebody to work with who has better knowledge and knows more about slang.
During which time did you work on the CD?
That was after Christmas. In January and February, we did the recordings. It took about five weeks and after that the time for the mixing. It's been a quick thing this time.
Sometimes it's better if you don't work TOO long on something, or as they say in Germany, "In the short time is the spice"?
Exactly! We also have other experiences. But then you get these productions which clearly show you that it's not always good to have a lot of time. Too many voices, instruments and so on, and you lose the overview of it all. Everything seems to be exaggerated and is not possible live on stage. We wanted to have that live feeling on 'Lipservice' and that's why we have chosen the quick and direct recordings.
How many songs were written and finally recorded? Can we expect one or more B-track releases?
Yes, you can. We actually recorded eighteen songs, four more than we have on the album. The other reason is that you need business tricks like a MP3 stick with special songs and others for other countries, for example, Brazil or Japan. You have to offer special promotion stuff today if you want to survive. Of course you can look forward to when and where one or the other song will appear, possibly also as a b-side track.
'It's only been dramatic since we heard about Marc's motorcycle accident. But he recovered very well due to good doctors and therapies, so we had no special incidents in the studio at all.'
GOTTHARD in so many countries! That will be beneficial for your language talent. Did you ever think of singing in a language other than English?
Who knows, who knows, I have to admit this idea is not new. We thought about a Spanish version of 'Angel' - 'Anchel'. Why not? I think it could happen, and the Spanish market, complete with South America, would be thankful I'm sure. I can really imagine that because my Italian mother tongue is quite close to Spanish.
What about a duet with Shakira then?
Wow. You mean before singing? [laughs]
Have there been any happenings worth mentioning during the recording and I'm sure the question that is on everybody's mind: could Marc play the bass himself?
It's only been dramatic since we heard about Marc's motorcycle accident. But he recovered very well due to good doctors and therapies, so we had no special incidents in the studio at all. He played everything, and I would say he recovered up to about 85 % and will be 100 % fit by the time we go on tour. The recordings have been easy, and we also had a great time with Ronald Prent. This album surely belongs, more than all of the others, to the band, because Leo is involved as producer and mixing engineer next to Ronald Prent. Some aside news: This album is also available as a 5.1 surround mix. It's something very special. It was for me like a colour TV after only black and white. It's a different world and I have to admit and it really hit me.
Your long-time best friend Flavio is once again part of the background voices.
Yes, he also sang the 'Lift U Up' choir and will be mentioned in the booklet. It always makes me happy because he is a real long time friend and thanks to him I became a singer. Any time he gave up, I took his place. It's a sign of great friendship that he does not envy me anything at all although I finally reached what he always dreamed of. We speak at least once or twice a week and it feels fantastic to have such a good friend. You usually don't have many of that kind, who will put their hand in the fire for you. I really owe him a lot. He is a dental technician now and is working his fingers off daily. It's no easy job but fortunately he has enough time to listen to music or to sing and so I always like to ask him again and again if he has some time left to sing with us.
What influence to the compositions did your new guitarist, Freddy Scherer have?
Freddy has a lot of experience and has been making music for a very long time now. Because he was playing with Marc in China before, it felt comfortable quicker. He knows what he is talking about, and from the beginning, you really had the feeling that he had been with us for fourteen years already. You have to explain nothing to him, he does great interviews, giving smart answers, a real great guy. He impressed me most of all with after being in the band only two or three weeks, contributing seven or eight song ideas. That's more than all the other guests we had brought in during a whole year. That says something about him. You could see that he has his mind 100 % on the band and wanted to prove and certify him- self. It's right that he is coming from the harder musical corner, like punk rock, which surely is reflected in the fresher and more rocking sound of this album. I think we owe him a lot.
The 'Lipservice' keyboards sound mostly like Nicolo Fragile, who already convinced the fans during your festival tour last year. It rocks in the best Deep Purple manner.
That has to do with the sound. We almost had more keyboards the last time, but also as string and other sounds. This time we used the keyboard or organ more like a guitar, with distorted sound and so on. That's what puts the 'back to the roots' feeling in front. Deep Purple are famous for this Hammond sound. Nicolo is a great key- boarder and an especially fantastic Hammond player, and it was great fun to record that and you can hear it as well.
Last year you got some technical toys for your home. Did any contributions for the album result out of this?
Yes, I even created lots of guitar riffs, thanks to my portable home studio. I jammed less with the piano than with the guitar and bass. For example, you would not credit me with 'All We Are'. I am surprised by myself and also proud that I could extend my songwriting and have been not only responsible for ballads but also for harder tracks. I like them as well. I like it rocking. I need both ballads and rock songs and to have different colours available just makes a singer complete and a band interesting. I think it turned out well to mix different colours on this album.
The sound of the keyboards also reminds one of your former band For Sale. Some of the other songs would also match today's Gotthard sound. It would not be your first cover song...
Oh, that might be difficult. For Sale was a good and important time for me, but it was too much homemade for today's standards. It's possible that we could maybe record one or the other song again, but as long as you can write new songs, and I think also better songs, it isn't necessary to rummage in old stuff. There might also be legal problems, copyright and other people who co-wrote the songs and have to agree first to a new recording and release. I think there is no big interest at the moment.
All in all, Leo and you write most of the songs. Do you never run out of ideas? What inspires you?
Difficult, difficult ... the ideas are up in the air. That sounds simple, but you have to be sensitive enough to grab them and make songs out of it. You always have a special sensibility; take notes or record anything with a Dictaphone, that's how I do it. You can't control ideas. You can't say, "I will write a song from 3 to 5 o'clock". You will more likely be under the shower, on a walk, jogging or in the fitness studio, and then you suddenly have an idea. Then you have to be ready to recognize it and hold on to it. I think inspiration is everywhere. On any poster, in the subway, on TV or if you meet somebody witty. It's not that easy, otherwise everybody would probably do it.
How close is your personal relation to the lyrics? Are the new ones also inspired by private situations?
In the beginning of Gotthard, it was more fantasy things or also rock ‘n’ roll stuff like 'Let's Have a Good Time' and so on. In the beginning, I never paid as much attention to the lyrics as they are worth. But I think over time you become absorbed in and also refer to problems and political things without saying what is bad or right, to cause more attention or make people think about things. On the other hand, I have to admit that there are lots of personal experiences and especially for ballads, you fall back on personal moments which have been difficult or not that great. It's not always like that, like you should describe your own experiences. We also have songs like 'Dream On' that tell people not to stop dreaming because that's what keeps you alive. Or songs like 'Everything I Want' where I describe my approaching divorce, which is not very funny. Luckily, it's a friendly split. But it's one thing, a hard time that puts a stamp on your life. I never thought that it is that crass if a love story is falling apart. Maybe that's why most of the songs today are love songs that talk about this heartache.
'Said And Done' is exactly how I feel!
Yes, that's one of the songs Freddy brought in, and it's also a little bit about the management changing and the people who fooled us. The message is that the others will see that after all is said and done, you are not that wrong. We passed through that, and here we come back with a fresh vigour - here we are.
You started singing by accident. You stepped in for Flavio and exchanged the drumsticks for the microphone. Did you ever take lessons, and do you take care of your voice in a special way?
I actually took some hours, but apart from that, I treat it with a lot of discipline. You have to know your own limit, have to know that you don't have to shout in a bar after a two-hour concert or talk to all the people. After fourteen years, you have the experience to know how far you can go and that you can't be 100 % every evening but sometimes maybe only 85 %. Otherwise, you will be deadbeat after only five shows, with no time to recover during a tour.
Some parts really sound like Deep Purple keyboard, Def Leppard choirs, and even a little bit of Judas Priest is audible. Quite a lot reminds you of something you've heard before or some good old rock songs, although nothing concrete. Not only the compositions but also some titles are not being seen for the first time. Is that intentional, or more an unconscious reflection of what you like or heard previously?
It's not on purpose, it's simply the same language. There are many songs titled 'Downtown' or 'One Life' and so on. There are many songs and lyrics that are very similar. That has more to do with using the same language. We wrote no lyrics to a special title. In this case, it is by accident. Also, musically, there is always something that sounds similar because we all use the same notes. You certainly heard certain sounds in your early years and take over something now unconscious or maybe also conscious. We try to do our own thing, which is very important.
There is only the radio edit of 'Lift U Up' on the album. Why?
We wanted a short song because you always get castrated on the radio when it is too long. We used the single version in this case for the album so we could offer the longer version, especially to the fans that don't mind if Gotthard plays a little bit longer.
Listen to the album on Spotify
'You will more likely be under the shower, on a walk, jogging or in the fitness studio, and then you suddenly have an idea. Then you have to be ready to recognize it and hold on to it.'
VOICES OF ROCK & METAL
GOTTHARD
Issue No: 022
