| TDE: |
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Hello Dan, do you mind if I ask you some questions about Freedom Call? |
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| Dan: |
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No, go ahead. I'm always open to interviews.
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| TDE: |
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I've heard some songs from the new album on the Internet and I must say that I was quite impressed. How did you come up with Freedom Call? |
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| Dan: |
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It was in 1998 when Chris Bay and I began to write songs together. I know Chris for a long time now and we both had very many ideas that we wanted to bring together. We wrote 6 songs and went to Charlie Bauerfeind. He liked it very much and wanted to produce it. He sent it to a record company and they said that we had to make a CD. But for a CD we need more songs and so we wrote another 5 songs. In September 1998 11 songs were finished. In the beginning of 1999 we went into the studio to record the songs. The album is called Stairway to Fairyland and it will be released in France at May 7th and in the rest of Europe at the end of May.
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| TDE: |
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Who are the other members? |
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| Dan: |
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When we had 6 songs finished we thought about coming up with a band. Chris knew the bass guitarist, Ilker Ersin. He played together with Chris in the band Moondog. I knew Sascha Gerstner. When Chris and I had plans to come up with a band we immediately thought about Ilker and Sascha. Dirk Schlächter will play guest-keys during the concerts we give in France this month (May). |
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| TDE: |
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Is there a story behind the lyrics? Is it a concept album? |
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| Dan: |
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No, it's not a real concept album. There is an intro part and a part about the journey to the Fairyland. The songs have a message. They are about experiences in life. There are dreams and aims and you have to try to reach it. |
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| TDE: |
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Is Freedom Call a full band or is it just a once-and-only project? |
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| Dan: |
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It is not a once-and-only project. I'll keep on playing with Gamma Ray and with Freedom Call. Gamma Ray and Freedom Call are both bands where I play in. I'll be on the next Gamma Ray album and on the next Freedom Call album. We already have new songs for the next Freedom Call CD. We'll try to record it in the beginning of next year. |
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| TDE: |
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Will that be a continuation of Stairway To Fairyland?
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| Dan: |
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I don't know. The new songs are not that ready yet. We have some music and lyrics but they have to be improved.
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| TDE: |
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Is it scheduled to make a continuation?
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| Dan: |
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No. We haven't written a story like Rhapsody did. They have a big story divided in several chapters. We don't. Stairway To Fairyland can be continued or not. That's what stands in the lyrics of Stairway To Fairyland.
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| TDE: |
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About yourself now. What are your biggest influences?
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| Dan: |
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I was raised with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal drummers. My hero's are Tommy Aldrigde (Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Travers), Simon Philips (Toto, MSG) and Dean Castronovo (Wild Dogs, Bad English).
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| TDE: |
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What is your CD top 3?
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| Dan: |
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1. The Who - Join Together (live)
2. Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
3. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades
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| TDE: |
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You'll play at the Dynamo-Open-Air festival this year. Have you ever played such a big festival?
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| Dan: |
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Last year we played in Napoli with Depeche Mode and we played also at a festival in Milano. Gamma Ray played at the Wacken Festival last year but without me, because I was injured. I had my thumb broken. I'm looking forward playing at Dynamo because that is a great opportunity to get a big name. It is good for the band because there are about 50.000 people.
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| TDE: |
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What are your plans for the future?
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| Dan: |
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Touring with Freedom Call this summer or at the end of this year. I also want to stay with Gamma Ray and reach as many people as possible.
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| TDE: |
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You have a message for the fans who are reading this interview?
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| Dan: |
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Yes, sure. I hope to see you on the Freedom Call tour. And…Buy the CD! No, just kidding! I just hope you like it.
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| TDE: |
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Thanks for your time and I wish you good luck for the Gamma Ray concert. I've heard that should be a great show. I'm curious.
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| Dan: |
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It was my pleasure. And for the concert: just have a look. I don't give away anything. (LOL)
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 Comments, remarks or ideas? Please mail us. |
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