Rammstein - Keine Lust

interview with Rammstein

One of the few rock bands that became really successful around the world singing in their mother-tongue, and not in English. "Why would we do it?" they ask. "We want to play as we like, and our music has a lot in common with where we come from. We are Germans." They come from former DDR, their heavy, sometimes gothic sounds and really hard lyrics are the thing they can be recognized for. Being accused of nazi connotations they pat their foreheads, even if for us Poles, it can seem only a pose. Their gigs, full of pyrotechnics, are really a memorable event. They have been playing for ten years now and they still consider themselves friends, hey speak with one voice. Roman Rogowiecki met in Berlin, before the concert planned for the 13th of November in Poland, with six quite serious, down to Earth, and looking at the world in the sober way guys, who don't try to be witty while speaking about their music.

Q:

Q:You come from DDR. What are your memories of the times when playing rock music wasn't supported by the socialistic government. Did you feel discriminated because of that? Remember that in Poland it was different, playing rock music itself wasn't forbidden... there was just a hard censorship.A:You could play without problems in Poland? We didn't know about it. You were lucky then. As far as rock is concerned in the former DDR you are right, the government didn't support this type of art, and playing that music in any form was equal to opposing the power ruling the country. Rammstein is created by 6 musicians - 3 from Berlin, 3 from Schwerin. Half of the present line-up was playing in the punk band Feeling B before they joined Rammstein, because then that music was the one dearest to us. Feeling B was playing the kind of music more or less on the edge of what was permitted. In this case you can find some similarities to Rammstein's music, as the one is also on the edge of what is thought of as appropriate.

Rammstein - Stripped

Rammstein interview

Nov 12 2009Listening to Rammstein is easy despite the language gap; just press play and let the crazy Germans take you to their industrial metal wonderland. But interviewing Rammstein can be a bit of a task. First, the band is located in Germany, meaning that if you live in the United States you might have to juggle odd times to get a conversation on the calendar. Second, Rammstein might not merit huge headlines in the United States but they pack arenas in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Third, although guitarist Paul Landers understands English perfectly well it’s difficult for him to reply in kind. A translator is needed to handle the bulk of the conversation. So every time you ask a question the answer is supplied by a translator.

Nonetheless, there was plenty to discuss as Rammstein has been back in the news lately, particularly for their decision to shoot an explicit video to accompany the aptly titled single “Pu—y” off the new album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da (love is for everyone). The album has been banned from public display in German stores because of the artwork and lyrical content. About.com spoke with Landers, 44, about whether the pornographic video was a publicity stunt or an artistic statement; the difference between European and American audiences and if Rammstein can ever live up to the mainstream success of the hit single “Du Hast.”

Justin M. Norton: How do you feel about the reception of the new album? It’s been a few years since you’ve come out with new material.

Rammstein - Du Hast

Rammstein

Biography

Rammstein is a German metal band which was formed in 1994, in Berlin, and consists of Till Lindemann(lead vocals), Richard Kruspe (lead guitar and backing vocals), Paul Landers (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Oliver Riedel (bass guitar, “Ollie”), Christoph Schneider (drums and Electronic percussion, “Doom”) and Christian Lorenz (keyboards, “Flake”). The band is widely accepted as part of the Neue Deutsche Härte scene, alongside bands such as Oomph!, Laibach, and Die Krupps. Their songs are performed almost exclusively in German. They have sold over 22 million records worldwide. Rammstein’s entire catalogue is published by Universal Music Group. Since its formation, Rammstein has had no changes in lineup.

Although the majority of their songs are written in German, Rammstein has had success across the world. It had been confirmed that in 2007, the band had reunited from their vacation and had began working on their sixth studio album, Liebe ist für alle da, which was released in October 2009.