IVORY TOWER
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By Jasper Jackson JASPER JACKSON: Please introduce your current lineup to our readers. SVEN BOGE: Hi, we are Ivory Tower from Germany. Our former name was Steiger, but we had to change it for legal reasons. Our lineup is Andre Fischer, vocals, Thorsten Thrunke, drums, Stephan Machon, keyboards, Stephan Laschetzki on bass and Sven Boge, guitars. JASPER: How long has the band been in existence? SVEN: Since March '95. But the actual lineup has been around since October '96. After the release of our "Victim Of Time" CD, we changed keyboardists, guitarists and bassists. JASPER: In your own words briefly describe your band's sound and influences? SVEN: We try to combine a lot of styles in our music and experiment with a lot of stuff. We don't want to limit ourselves. We are a band with a lot of musical potential and high creative output. The influences we have are very different because each member of the band listens to many different rock/metal bands. Our roots are the music of the '80s and some from the art rock scene of the '70s. Bands we're compared with are Savatage, Exxplorer, Dream Theater, Threshold and Helloween. We call our music progressive power metal. JASPER: Name some bands in which you've shared the stage and opened for? SVEN: Virgin Steel, Sahara and Power (USA), and China Beach (GB). At festivals with Fates Warning, Doro, Therapy? and Saxon. We've also supported John Petrucci (Dream Theater) at his workshop in our hometown. JASPER: Does your band have an independent CD, demo or video available? SVEN: We have released our first CD, "Victim Of Time" (also available at BallBuster) under our former name, Steiger. We got a lot of positive feedback on the album from all over the world. JASPER: What is the current scene like in your local area? SVEN: There are many bands in our local music scene. But there is no continuity because it's very difficult to achieve popularity here. Often there is no one in the band who is prepared to make the business and promotion work. It's also hard to get good gigs because we have to pay to play in most of the clubs in our area. So, a lot of bands produce their first CD and if they don't get a deal, they give up and change music styles or they dissolve the band. The most played music styles are punk, alternative and funky Red Hot Chili Peppers- inspired music. Metal music is very unpopular. JASPER: What are your long and short term goals and plans? SVEN: Our actual goal is that we got signed by a German record company. They are well-known for progressive rock/metal bands. It's L.M.P./Inside Out, the same as Angra, Vanden Plas and Heaven's Gate. Our new CD will be distributed worldwide in all important countries but not (I'm nearly in tears) in the USA. But I think we'll solve that problem! We hope that the new CD will be successful and that we become more popular everywhere. The next plan after the CD release is to promote the album on tour through Germany and all through Europe. Long term plans are to produce more CDs and to have a lot of fun with our music. JASPER: What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry? SVEN: The fact that they only want to maximize their profit. None of the big major companies in Germany is willing to spend some money to build up a band long term. They want instant hits and they try to interfere with your music and your work. JASPER: Any last words? SVEN: Yeah, folks! Keep metal alive and order the "Victim Of Time" CD at BallBuster! Sinbad Prods. Box 58368, Louisville, KY 40268-0368. Copyright 1999, BallBuster, The Official Int'l Underground Hard Music Report |
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