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Grobschnitt

 
Artist: Grobschnitt
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Group Members:

Gerd Kuhn, Stefan Danielak, Joachim H. Ehrig, Volker Kahrs, Bernard Uhlemann, Milla Kapollke, Wolfgang Jaeger, Wolfgang "Pepe" Jäger

Similar Artists:

Spock's Beard, Wigwam, Supersister, Pavlov's Dog, Nektar, Greenslade, Flock, Eloy, Curved Air, Clouds, Triumvirat, Chris Squire, PFM, The Nice, Happy the Man, Focus, Babe Ruth

Influenced By:

Amon Düül II, Yes, Genesis, Camel, Gentle Giant

Followers:

Cairo, Freudiana, Anyone's Daughter
  • Formed: 1965
  • Disbanded: 1989
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Jumbo," "Rockpommel's Land," "Die Grobschnitt Story, Vol. 1"

Biography

Alternately psychedelic, progressive, and hard rock-styled, the eclectic German band Grobschnitt became one of the most popular live acts in German history. The group recorded several lauded albums in the 1970s, moving between styles before switching to more mainstream pop and rock in the 1980s. Meanwhile, in part thanks to drummer Joachim Ehrig, the group added touches of absurdist humor to their records and live shows.

Grobschnitt were formed in 1970 by several members of a band called Crew, including Stefan Daneliak (vocals, guitar), Eroc, and Gerd Otto Kuhn (guitars, vocals). This nucleus later added Axel Harlos (drums), Bernard Uhlemann (bass), and Hermann Quetting (keyboards). The band's first record, Grobschnitt (1972), found the band playing fairly straightforward progressive rock that was rather unsuccessful with critics and record buyers. After the release, both Harlos and Quetting left the group. Deciding to carry on, the band adapted a new state persona, filled with bizarre costumes and theatrical performances that even featured their roadies. Meanwhile the group added Volker Kahr on keyboards. The band focused more on their space rock sound on their second album, Ballermann (1974), which originally consisted of two LP's, one filled with symphonic progressive rock, the other was given all to a space rock suite, "Solar Music." Their third album, Jumbo (1975), was released in both English and German versions and found Grobschnitt moving closer to symphonic progressive rock in the manner of Yes and Genesis with a series of epic tracks. That sound was the focus of Rockpommel's Land (1977), which even featured a cover that was reminiscent of Roger Dean. A concept album, the record told the story of a boy's adventures in a strange land. Solar Music Live (1978) was a live recreation of the "Solar Music" suite off their second album. The band moved towards a harder rocking psychedelic feel with Merry Go Round in 1979 and Illegal (1981). By Razzia (1982), the group had abandoned many of their more progressive tendencies as drummer Eroc had left the group. Their later 1980s records were far more conventional keyboard-dominated pop records. ~ Geoff Orens, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Grobschnitt
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Grobschnitt

Background information
Origin Germany
Genres Psychedelic rock
Progressive rock
NDW (1980s)
Pop rock (1980s)
Years active 1970 – 1989
2007 – present
Labels Brain
Associated acts Eroc
Website http://www.grobschnitt-band.de
Members
Milla Kapolke
Manu Kapolke
Demian Hache
Deva Tattva
Toni Moff Mollo (Rainer Loskand)
A.T.S. (Admiral Top Sahne)
Nuki
Willi Wildschwein (Stefan Danielak)
Former members
Eroc (Joachim Ehrig)
Lupo (Gerd Otto Kühn)
Mist (Volker Kahrs)
Willi Wildschwein (Stefan Danielak)
Popo (Wolfgang Jäger)
Toni Moff Mollo (Rainer Loskand)
Milla Kapolke

Grobschnitt was a German rock band which existed between 1970 and 1989[1]. Their style evolved as time progressed, beginning with psychedelic rock in the early 1970s before transitioning into symphonic progressive rock, NDW and finally pop rock in the mid-1980s. Grobschnitt, unlike other bands, utilized humor in their music in the form of unexpected noises and silly lyrics and concepts.

As was common with many German bands of the time, Grobschnitt sang in English until the early 1980s, despite touring exclusively in Germany. The band accrued a loyal fan base through its live performances which included pyrotechnics and German comedic sketches. Highlight performances include Solar Music, an extended mostly-instrumental piece which lasted up to an hour. Grobschnitt were also known for their stamina on stage, frequently performing shows in excess of two hours.

Contents

History

1970s

Grobschnitt formed in 1970 from the ashes of The Crew, a psychedelic rock band led by drummer Eroc (Joachim Ehrig)[1]. Originally an eight-piece band, Grobschnitt released their self-titled album on Brain in 1972[2] before paring down into their standard five-piece unit. Their first record is stylistically very different from the symphonic sound that became their hallmark.

Ballermann, released in 1974[2], featured new classically-trained keyboardist Mist (Volker Kahrs). Released as a double-album, Ballermann featured humor and silly songs which followed from their entertaining live shows. The second record contains the first released version of "Solar Music", an extended instrumental suite with origins in a piece by The Crew in the late 1960s. "Solar Music" would see frequent performances throughout the band's career as well as being released in two more versions during the band's existence.

By 1975, Wolfgang "Popo" Jäger joined Grobschnitt as a bassist and the group released Jumbo[2]. Jumbo fully realized the symphonic style the band had developed, featuring lush keyboard usage. 1977 saw the release of Rockpommel's Land after a German lyric release of Jumbo in 1976[2]. Rockpommel's Land would prove to be Grobschnitt's first commercial success, despite the waning appeal of progressive rock.

Solar Music Live, released in 1978[2], consists of a longer version of the "Solar Music" suite first revealed on Ballermann. Solar Music Live was a commercial success.

By 1979 Grobschnitt moved towards shorter song-oriented releases. Merry-Go-Round would be Grobschnitt's last release in the 1970s. Its songs made humorous digs at the disco music trend, commercialism and America.

1980s

Grobschnitt released another live album, Volle Molle, in 1980[2], documenting the recent Merry-Go-Round tour. Popo was soon replaced by Milla Kapolke, before recording the Illegal album in 1981. The subsequent Illegal tour was highly successful.

Keyboardist Mist left Grobschnitt before the 1982 recording of Razzia[2], a NDW-influenced album. Toni Moff Mollo, a friend of Eroc and long-time performer in live shows, was promoted to full member. Grobschnitt's single from Razzia, "Wir wollen leben" ("We Want to Live"), remains a minor footnote in NDW history and proved to be the band's last success.

Eroc left Grobschnitt by June 1983, leaving Lupo as band leader[2]. In 1984 Grobschnitt released Kinder und Narren, sporting a distinctly 80s sound with the help of the DX7 synthesizer. Grobschnitt, having abandoned "Solar Music" for several years released a new live version in 1985, Sonnentanz. Fantasten followed in 1987.

After Eroc's departure members of Grobschnitt became more transient, many of whom came from the NDW band Extrabreit. Eventually, with the release of Last Party Live in 1989 Grobschnitt disbanded.

Next Party

Interest in Grobschnitt led to a partial band reunion from May 2007 with Wildschwein, Milla Kapolke and Toni Moff Mollo. Their repertoire consists of classic Grobschnitt songs throughout their career. Dubbed "Next Party", they performed several concerts in 2007 and 2008. Hopes of a full reunion were dashed with the death of Wolfgang Jäger on May 3 2007.[3]. Grobschnitt released after 17 years of "silence" in 2008 the CD :"Grobschnitt Live 2008 (2008)".

Deaths

Former band member Mist (Volker Kahrs) died on July 20, 2008 at age 57. Circumstances were unknown or not released to the public.

Personnel

  • Eroc (Joachim Ehrig)
  • Lupo (Gerd Otto Kühn)
  • Mist (Volker Kahrs)
  • Willi Wildschwein (Stefan Danielak)
  • Popo (Wolfgang Jäger)
  • Toni Moff Mollo (Rainer Loskand)
  • Milla Kapolke
Meaning of stage names
  • Lupo = wolf (Italian)
  • Mist = dung/crap (German)
  • Wildschwein = wild pig (German)
  • Popo = bottom (anat.) (German)

Discography

Main releases

  • Grobschnitt (1972)
  • Ballermann (1974)
  • Jumbo (1975) (English)
  • Jumbo (mit deutschen Texten) (1976) (German)
  • Rockpommel's Land (1977)
  • Solar Music Live (1978)
  • Merry-Go-Round (1979)
  • Volle Molle (1980)
  • Illegal (1981)
  • Razzia (1982)
  • Kinder und Narren (1984)
  • Sonnentanz (1985)
  • Fantasten (1987)
  • Last Party Live (1990)
  • Grobschnitt Live 2008 (2008)

All releases in West Germany / Germany, with the following additions:

  • Rockpommel's Land (Canada, Bomb Records, 1978?)

Singles

  • Sonnenflug / Der Clown (1976) ("Sun Flight" / "The Clown")
  • Merry-Go-Round / Coke-Train (1978)
  • Joker / Waldeslied (1980) ("Song of the Wood")
  • Silent Movie / Raintime (1981)
  • Wir wollen leben / Wir wollen sterben (1982) ("We Want to Live" / "We Want to Die")
  • Wie der Wind / Geradeaus (1984) ("Like the Wind" / "Just Out")
  • Fantasten (1987)
  • Unser Himmel (1987) ("Our Heaven")

Compilations

  • Grobschnitt (1978)
  • The International Story (2006)

Archival releases

  • Die Grobschnitt Story 1 (1994)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 2 (1998)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 3: The History of Solar Music Vol. 1 (2001)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 3: The History of Solar Music Vol. 2 (2002)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 3: The History of Solar Music Vol. 3 (2002)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 3: The History of Solar Music Vol. 4 (2003)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 4: Illegal Tour 1981 Complete (2003)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 3: The History of Solar Music Vol. 5 (2004)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 5 (2004)
  • Die Grobschnitt Story 6: Rockpommel's Land And Elsewhere... (2006)

Silver Mint Series

"Silver Mint Series" is a set of full concert recordings remastered and released by Eroc. Each multiple-CD concert is being released one CD at a time, three every six months until 2009. Confirmed concert releases are:

References

  1. ^ a b Schelle, Stephan. "Grobschnitt, die beste deutsche Liveband". http://www.stephan-schelle.de/grobschnitt/images/story/grobgesch.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-16. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Schelle, Stephan. "Grobschnitt-Chronologie". http://www.stephan-schelle.de/grobschnitt/images/story/story.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-16. 
  3. ^ Schirmer, Martin. "Der Kapitän ist von Bord gegangen". Hagener Rundschau. http://www.eroc.de/downloads/hunter.jpg. Retrieved 2007-12-16. 

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
Zwei (1976 Album by Eroc)
Die Grobschnitt Story, Vol. 1 (1994 Album by Grobschnitt)
Grobschnitt (Rock Band, '70s, '80s)

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Grobschnitt".  Read more

 

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