During the recordings of their new album, U.D.O. frontman takes a break form the studio and speaks to the Greek based zine Rock Overdose for the new Live In Sofia, the past, the present and the new album in 2013.
Ladies and gentlemen,please welcome the legendary Udo Dirkschneider,enjoy!
Rockoverdose.gr: Hello from Greece Mr. Dirkschneider!
Welcome to Rock Overdose, I'm Jim and I am very proud for having the opportunity to do this interview with you. How are you Udo?
Udo: I'm fine thanks - I'm just in the middle of recording the new album.
Rockoverdose.gr: How is Stefan's health? Could you give us some information?
Udo: I think at the moment he is fine with his back problem and he is moving to a new house. This time he was not involved in the songwriting, all the songs are written by Fitty and me.
Rockoverdose.gr: Can you estimate when the new album will come out?
Udo: Album release is scheduled for April 12th but this is not finally fixed yet. We work a lot in the studio and will have a Christmas break in between. So let's wait if we can keep the schedule: if not we will release it a couple of weeks later.
Rockoverdose.gr: New live CD/DVD album "Live In Sofia" is already out. In my opinion it is a solid performance with perfect communication between the band and fans. What is your opinion about this release?
Udo: I think it is a great live DVD and it shows a lot of emotion from both sides - fans and band! It's also a chance for our fans to see Stefan the last time on stage with U.D.O.. But they never say never... (laughs)
No honestly this live DVD is very important for us. We invested a lot of time, money and work into the preparation and organization. Our TV production company RCNTV is from Germany and had to organize everything there only for this single show. We wanted to work with them because they did all our videos and DVDs in the last years and we 've always been very happy with them. There was only one show to record, no chance to repeat something or to repair it. So we needed professional people for that. The promoter in Sofia is a very small company called Rockbar Fans and they did an incredible job there as well. They treated us very good. At the end we had a mixed team from different countries and everything worked out brilliant. That's Europe! 🙂
The show was absolutely stunning! More than 2500 people (sold out) freaked out and it was very touchingly for us. During the day we walked around, had a coffee and met fans. Most of the people in Bulgaria live in deprived backgrounds (compared to us in Germany). So it was very important for us to show them that we highly respect them doesn't matter if they are rich or poor. At the end we are all one unit metal fans and only a few had the luck to be born in a rich surrounding. So at the end it was a perfect day for us and for the fans as well!
Rockoverdose.gr: Let's go back to the past for a while. Who were your music idols and favorite albums from your childhood?
Udo: They are many; I started with the Rolling Stones and then I was a big fan of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath's "Sweet" ("Sweet Leaf") and many more / favorite albums Deep Purple "Live In Japan".
Rockoverdose.gr: How did your family influence you about music when you were a child and when did you realise that you wanted to make music professionally?
Udo: My family was always behind my musical work and they knew since 1980 that I wanted to become a professional musician. Without my parents I think it was not possible for me to become a professional musician.
Rockoverdose.gr: When you made your first musical steps, together with Michel Wagener before Accept, with Band X, how was the music scene in Germany at that time and what do you recall from these days?
Udo: At this time there were many bands around in Germany. The music was called Krautrock - I like some bands from this time - Jane - Birth Control - Nektar.
It was a cool time and we had a lot of fun. It was the beginning of something new in the music and we felt that.
Rockoverdose.gr: Let's go to the U.D.O. years. U.D.O. made their debut with the amazing "Animal House" album in 1987. We are in 2012 and after 13 albums this band marked the music with steamroller releases! How satisfied are you for the
U.D.O. long career when you look back to the start and what do we have to expect for the future?
Udo: I'm really satisfied with the U.D.O. past - I'm also looking very positive into the future. After a long time the whole back catalogue will be released - just this week the first albums will be released with some bonus stuff.
For the future expect more metal and a mean metal machine on stage. Feel the steelhammer!!!!! U.D.O. will kick your ass big time! 😀
Rockoverdose.gr: Last time we saw you in Greece, it was in Athens Hard Rock Cafe, in an event for the Greek online magazine Solid Rock's birthday on May 30th in 2009! I remember you eating and the fans started to ask autographs, hug you and take photos with you. For us it was something special to be by your side. As for me personally, it was trully a night to remember. What do you remember from that night?
Udo: I had a great time and a lot of fun - it was also important to get near to our greek fans and of course I like Greek food and wine 🙂
Rockoverdose.gr: One last question Udo. What's happening and we don't see you live in Greece anymore? Will we see you in Greece during the tour for the new album? Is there any chance?? Have to mention that we are desperate for that!
Udo: What can I say I would love to come back to Greece for some shows - but this is up to the promoter in Greece. It seems that they have big economical problems like the complete country.
Rockoverdose.gr: Thank you very much for this interview Mr.Dirkschneider. I wish you all the best for you and your family. We are waiting a killer new album, to see you in live in Greece and send my best regards to Stefan and to the other guys.
Udo: You're welcome!!!!
For Rockoverdose.gr: Dimitris "Maiden" Bakoulas
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