March 2017

LABELPORTRAIT: Pure Pop For Now People - Music and Books for Nerds and Freaks

22. March 2017

Maybe one or the other still remembers the Frankfurt band S/T, who have released countless albums in the field of Neokrautrock, Psychedelic and Post Wave since the mid-1990s and especially in the 2000s. Unfortunately, the duo Martin Brauner (guitar, vocals) and Joachim Gaertner (keyboards) were denied the recognition and attention they deserved for their highly original do-it-yourself charm, their exuberant creativity - which not only concerns the musical side but also the artwork and packaging - and their humorous character.

DEEP PURPLE - Journey to infinity

22. March 2017

Deep Purple

Deep Purple belong to those bands that just can't stop. Some may be happy, others more compassionate. At least it's been that way for a long time. In the meantime, two members of the group, founded in 1968, have crossed the seventy mark, and two others are about to do so next year. Guitarist Steve Morse with his sixty-two Lenzen makes himself out like a young boy among his colleagues. Meanwhile, Purple's new CD "Infinite" has nothing to say about Alterszipperlein.

BRAIN RECORDS - The brain workers of Krautrock

22. March 2017

Brain Records Krautrock Labelportrait

"Brain. Some sit on it - we stand on it", is the slogan, thick, big, black on white on top of the very first print advertisement that Brain Records placed in March 1972. "Every album DM 22,- without obligation. Guide price incl. VAT" is very small at the bottom left. 22 DM for "Lonesome Crow" by the Scorpions, "Together" by Jane, for Gomorrah's "I Turned To See Whose Voice It Was", for "Neu!" by Neu! and Spirogyras "St. Radigunds". The covers of these five albums are shown on the advertisement, they are the first ones ever released on Brain Records.

THE DOORS - Magic Moments

22. March 2017

The Doors

They haven't heard it in one piece for a long time, John Densmore and Robby Krieger smile at the eclipsed date in Los Angeles. That would certainly not be because the Doors' debut would be unpleasant for them today. "We played the pieces so often that we could even take them backwards," Krieger laughs. And the 71-year-old continues: "When I happen to hear us driving a car on the radio, I turn up the volume because I'm incredibly proud of it." Which the guitarist has every reason to do. Because what the group recorded in August 1966 on just six days is a milestone.

YES - Exclusive excerpt from Will Romano's new book on "Close To The Edge

22. March 2017

Yes

In the spring of 1972 Yes returned home after giving a series of concerts in America to promote the album "Fragile". Immediately afterwards, Jon Anderson and Steve Howe worked out the material they had gathered at soundchecks, in hotel rooms and backstage when the band toured the Northeast and Midwest. They had eagerly exchanged ideas and recorded their writing sessions. The community spirit that had shaped "Fragile" reached its peak on "Close To The Edge". […]

MICHAEL CHAPMAN - The Half Century Man

22. March 2017

Michael Chapman

Fifty years ago Michael Chapman decided to make music professionally. On this occasion the 76 year old from Leeds points out once again on his new album "50" that he was never the big hit supplier, but an artist who went straight: as a sometimes sarcastic, autobiographical song poet who orientates himself on rock, blues, folk and country. Six of the songs on "50" are reworkings of older pieces by the musician, in addition there are two (LP) or four (CD) new songs. Guests like the exceptional guitarist Steve Gunn, Bridget St. John or James Elkington gather around the jubilarian.

STEVE HACKETT - "To hell with nationalism!"

22. March 2017

Steve Hackett

Anyone who talks to Steve Hackett about music should bring a lot of time with them. The ex-Genesis guitarist has no prepared 08/15 statements ready. The 67-year-old answers all questions in detail, likes to digress and comes from the hundredth to the thousandth. No problem He uses the eclipsed interview not only to promote his new studio album "The Night Siren". The state of the world that he sees on the abyss is of special concern to him. Xenophobia, narrow-mindedness and the autocratic leadership style of people like Donald Trump are horrors to him, and he openly expresses them.

MR. ROCKPALAST - 40 years ago PETER RÜCHEL wrote television history with the "1st Rock Night"

22. March 2017

Rockpalast

The inconspicuous row house under the Bayer Cross resembles a hiding place. And even inside, there is nothing to indicate that someone lives here who has spent his professional life with youth culture and rock music: no framed pictures with friends, no golden records, signed instruments or other devotional objects. Not even Billy shelves with LPs. Instead, Peter Rüchel's study is overloaded with books and magazines. Sorted by a system that only he knows. And he likes to sit in the dark or in the semi-darkness.