AMON DÜL II - We are Family

29. August 2014

Amon Düül

AMON DÜL II - We are Family

Amon Düül II had emerged in 1967 from an artist community in Munich's trendy Schwabing district. In times of student unrest, APO and protests against the Vietnam War, music was still an expression of a socio-political attitude. Whether the band still lives this artistic spirit after almost fifty years, we discussed with guitarist John Weinzierl.

eclipsed: Why did you publish "Bee As Such" now as a physical product under the title "Düülirium"?

John Weinzierl: Nowadays you work differently, you put something in the room first, just like we download the music under the working title "Bee As Such". I got a request a few months ago to play on a Billy Cobham record and I came into contact with the people from the Cleopatra label. Then we said let's get them out with the cover and everything. The name was suggested by our old Chris [Düül-Gitarrist/Violinist/Singer Chris Karrer; note], the rest of us just said: "Yeah!". (laughs)

eclipsed: Who currently belongs to Amon Düül II?

Weinzierl: It's still this nucleus of Renate Knaup, Danny Fichelscher, Chris Karrer, Jan Kahlert, Dieter Serfas and various bassists like Lothar Meid. They're all original commune people. Don't forget, we're not just a rock band. In the beginning, the commune was more important than music. It's not about selling any songs, it's about the way of life it's got. They are not just numbers, not the typical improvisation, but really communicating among musicians. But this is not the ultimate new and final record of us. We work twice a week here in my studio on very different projects.

eclipsed: New projects?

Weinzierl: Yes, there will probably be a new Düül album next year, again a longer concept album. Then there are many side projects. Chris, for example, plays a lot of flamenco and world music. I'm working on a solo project called "John von Düül" myself, where things get tougher.

Lesen Sie mehr im eclipsed Nr. 163 (September 2014).