This interview was taken at Wacken Open Air 2004 by Russian Darkside e-Zine.
No one really expected that - shortly before the release of the 15th studio album, the most popular German rock group Böhse Onkelz suddenly announced its breakup. Why to go into band's dissolution during a peak of a highly successful 25-year career? Of course, it is easy to assume that during 25 years marked as one of the most controversial German bands (the press did not forget Onkelz’s short time participation in skihnead movement scene in the early 80's) anyone can get tired and give up, but first place in the charts and tours with all tickets sold out, seemed to be a worthy reward to the musicians for the war with the journalists. We decided not to make closed-world assumptions, and met with leaders of the group – bass player Stephan Weidner and guitarist Matthias "Gonzo" Röhr at the festival Wacken Open Air 2004, at which the Onkelz were headliner band of the first day. Motorhead played just before Onkelz. As it turned out, this interview was the first interview Böhse Onkelz ever gave to a Russian magazine and one of very few in English. Unfortunately Böhse Onkelz are not well known outside their country, but we strongly recommend you get to know their music now, or it will be too late then ...
At first we would like to ask you the most important question: why at the peak of music career, you suddenly decided to breakup? Probably you’ve been asked this question a million times, but in English and moreover in Russian-language press there was no information regarding this?
Stephan: We just saw that our time has come. We noticed a few signs that made us think as to how long we will be able to stay together? And we came into understanding that perhaps this is the high time to breakup. Is is hard to tell where we will end up in two or three years, when it will be the time to produce next album. And now we have released a great farewell disc, and all the tickets for our last tour were sold out. It is always better to leave when you are on top...
Gonzo: Surely, for someone it may seem stupid to break up such a successful band, but as for us it is a necessary experience. The Band members are getting better in various directions, and we thought that it was time to try something new.
What you will be like after breakup? Will you continue to play and record albums, or you are no longer interested in music?
Stephan: Everyone has its own plans. At the moment we are only thinking about upcoming tour, we want it to be cheerful, so that Onkelz‘s history will have a great end, and everyone will be satisfied with us. It is not easy to tell what the future will be like since it is not determined as of yet. I’m sure that I will just continue playing music, but so far i have no idea with whom i will pay it and what music it will be.
Will be continued...
