Chinchilla
with Udo on Apr 29, 2003


I read somewhere that Chinchilla was founded back in 1988, yet the band has only released several albums. Could you tell us a bit more about the history of the band?
Chinchilla started in 1988. We released our first demo-CD No Mercy in 1990. Due to some personal differences the band split up. However, I couldn’t live without a band and three years later in 1993, I reformed the band with a complete new line-up. In 1994 we recorded the 5-song mini CD Who Is Who? with ex-Letter X singer Martin Obermeier. Excellent reviews from the national press attested the fact that Chinchilla was a band to watch out for. In the end of 1996 we went into the studio again to record the second album Horrorscope. The album was released in Japan through Virgin Music in May 1997, but it took us until the end of 1998 to release the album in Europe through Point Music. Meanwhile Martin Obermeier left the band and we had to look out for a new front man. It took the band only a few rehearsals to find Thomas Laasch, a man with a great voice and a perfect live performance. With the best line-up we ever had Chinchilla played many, many live-shows, mostly in Germany, and got excellent feedback from the fans and the press as well. In the end of January 2000, the band played its first European tour as a support act for Vanden Plas. We had the chance to play Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and France. Finally we got the recognition we deserved. Recognition like we already had in Japan and Germany for a couple of years. It was no surprise we got invited to play larger festivals like the "Biker Union 2000" in Schleiz and the "Bang Your Head" in Balingen. Chinchilla is an experienced live band that already shared the stage with bands like Scorpions, Krokus, Saxon, Uriah Heep, Running Wild, Primal Fear, Doro, Pink Cream 69, Vanden Plas, Edguy, U.D.O., Rage, etc. In May 2000 we signed a record deal with Metal Blade Records and about the same time we finished the recording for our new long player called Madness. Again the album was produced by Achim Köhler and the result is superb. The press reactions were excellent; especially in Germany we received high ratings and very good sales numbers. Besides loads of headliner shows we also supported Paul Di Anno for a few shows. Highlight of the year was the gig at the "Wacken Open Air", the feedback from the fans and the press was overwhelming and the show was a big success for us. After that show we completed the song writing for the new album The Last Millennium? and entered the House Of Music Studios once again to record the album with Ingmar Schenzel this time. The mix was done by Achim Köhler. We were able to support the album with a complete European tour together with Demon and Tad Morose. After that I changed the line-up in 2002, cause of personal and musical problems. I completed the song writing for the new album in December. "Never change a winning team"; we followed this rule and went again to the House Of Music to record the fourth long player Madtropolis with Ingmar Schenzel - the mix was again done by Achim Köhler. We asked ex-Motörhead guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke to play a solo on one of the new songs - it turned out amazing!

Where did you get the name for the band? I mean Chinchilla doesn’t sound like the average name in the heavy metal scene, so I’m really interested to know the reason behind the name.
Okay, this is the 1000-times-answered-question. It’s not a typical name for a metal band, but I think it’s an interesting name. Chinchillas are funny and sweet animals, on the other hand they get killed for some rich chicks coat. It’s like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, good and bad, life and death; both sides, dominant, fast and raw songs, old school heavy metal and on the other hand the ballads, tender and sentimental. Don`t forget this name is like gold, ‘cause of the many other releases every month from bands that have almost similar names. The only band name which is slightly similar to ours, years before, is Cinderella. Our name is easy to keep in mind and you’ll never forget it. Look, we are on the right way, because it`s the 1000th time I answered this question: "Why did you choose that name?" Everybody who hears our name the first time, thinks: "What has this name to do with metal?" That`s an important point, because they start to think about our name, just like you did.

Your new album, Madtropolis will be released soon, what can we expect and can you describe the music on the album in your own words?
It`s high class metal that combines the best of two worlds! The intense energy of power metal and the catchy hooks of hard rock. Madtropolis is fantastic power metal of the highest level! That`s the introduction our record company uses and I think you can`t describe our music any better.


When I listen to Madtropolis it somehow brings memories of the old days of power and heavy metal and especially of Metal Church; has this band been a big influence on Chinchilla or is it just coincidence?
It`s only coincidence, that`s all. I think we have some the trademarks of the 80s and a style, which is based on that sound, but in my opinion we sound modern, because we have powerful guitars, fat drum sounds and a dominant bass. It`s a mix between old school metal and a more modern style. There are not many bands, who manage to play a mix of 80’s type metal and a more modern kind of heavy metal. Another point is that it`s difficult to say we sound like any other band, cause of this special mix. So we have no typical German sound, it`s more the British or the American type of metal, based in the 80’s.

What bands have influenced your music the most and what bands do you listen to nowadays?
I think we have our own style and it`s normal that we are influenced, because we can’t reinvent heavy metal. My favourite influence reaches back to the old kind of heavy metal. All bands from the early days, for example Motörhead, Kiss, Saxon, Accept, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow, Pretty Maids and new bands like Symphony X, Stratovarius, Labyrinth and Primal Fear. There has to be a good mix between the old stuff and the new influences, in order to find your own sound and to find a way to create your own kind of heavy metal.

Some people compare your music to bands like Gamma Ray and Stratovarius, which I find strange to say the least; what do you think of this comparison and to what bands would you compare Chinchilla to yourself?
It`s difficult to say we sound like any other band, because we don’t have that typical German sound; it`s more the British style metal. To compare our music with bands like Stratovarius is an honour, but we are no clone. We have our own style and way to play heavy metal. Nowadays the keyboards have gotten more important in our music like on the last four albums, but that`s okay, because Artur can play the parts I wrote on the keyboard. I think it`s important to change something in your music and every production needs other focal points, you can`t always play the same stuff. If that’s what you mean with comparisons, it`s okay, but that`s all!!!!

To compare our music with bands like Stratovarius is an honour, but we are no clone.

 The song titles and the cover artwork hint at a concept but since I don’t have any lyrics I don’t have a clue what it’s about; can you tell us a bit about the idea behind the album?
Madtropolis isn’t a concept album; the lyrics are the continuation of The Last Millennium. The town Madtropolis stands for the centre of their empire on earth. I thought it would be a good idea to show Madtropolis like the old Rome with their power, their greed and their inhumane crimes. The lyrics deal with the weakness of human kind and the terrible times nowadays. Primarily I would like to make the fans think about the situation now on earth and if I can reach this goal with my lyrics, then I already did my thing to my satisfaction. The lyrics are all written like parables, so this way I don`t get into trouble with too many people. Everyone can make up his own mind and I think everyone will come to a similar conclusion. I don`t like to arise as an instructor or prophet, but I think it`s important for everyone, because the No Future attitude doesn`t take you anywhere. There are so many crazy people in different governments all over the world and that’s very dangerous. Nowadays it’s possible, without any problem, to blind the people and to tell them we need a war. People are like blind sheep, willing to follow these leaders. The ambitions for power, glory and wealth, for that they will do anything. Blinded by their own greed they follow their big liars into their stupid doom. The rich are sitting quite far above and we are left to bleed. Any music that they get into we have to face again. We are the victims of their greed while they waste everything.

  Any favourite songs on the album?
No, because I wrote most of the songs, making it difficult to have one favourite song!!! In my opinion Madtropolis is absolutely superb and the best album we`ve ever written!!!!


What are the future plans for Chinchilla?
Like I mentioned before; to be on a big tour, to play some small tours and a lot of headliner gigs in Germany, to play some open air festivals in Europe and to record our new CD in December 2003.

Thanks a lot for this interview and good luck with the release of Madtropolis! Is there anything you would like to add to the interview?
Thanks for all, without you, the fans, we’re nothing. Keep rock & roll alive!!! If you’re interested in more information about Chinchilla, please take a look at our homepage http://www.chinchilla.rocks.de or use the keywords: Chinchilla + madtropolis at the search engine of your choice. Watch out for the power!!! UDO

(Frank van de Voorde)

© Rockezine.com Apr 29, 2003, viewed 802 times since 666
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