Translation to English by Szilvie from
THA
Profile - Gustav Schafer
At Gustav's Hotel
(grey box at the side)
The culte group of adolescents is returning with Humanoid, their fourth album. Batterie Magazine looked into the Tokio Hotel phenomenon with the drummer Gustav, backstage of Palais Ominsport in Bercy.
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After Scorpions and Rammstein, the most impressive rock phenomenon coming out of Germany is Tokio Hotel. The effective and melodious pop songs of the baby band (that attracts the average age of 15 year olds since their first album Schrei was released) tackle themes as cheeful as love, death, suicide, divorce, and even life after death, have found an important resonance next to adolescents. It's simple, the registrations for German class in French colleges have doubled after the breakout of the group. Tokio Hotel also has a completely unexpected look, created by the singer Bill Kaulitz, whose 'fireworks' haircut would make one pass Robert Smith's (the Cure) hair as a simple brush(?), and who, admittedly, wears things frankly laughable. Also, when we proposed a meeting with the drummer of the teenage band, we were frankly filled with questions. Are we going to have to have this meeting with a real rhythm fool? Be assured - Gustav is a truly good drummer, and thanks to his metronimic pulse, the Tokio Hotel phenomenon can groove without worries.
You all have toured a lot these last few years. Have you progressed by playing this much on stage?
G: Honestly, I think yes, at least I hope. According to my 'drumtech', I've made lots of progress. He knows what he's saying, since he's seen me play night after night. Also, I prefer that you ask him the question, because I'm intransigent enough towards myself, and I don't like "throwing myself flowers".
Are you frustrated by the fact that a lot of people consider you guys as phoneys, and ignore that you are good musicians?
G: You know, I think that there's also a bunch of people who know that we're secure on our instruments. I don't like that some take me as a pretentious type, but I started taking drumming lessons at the age of four, and today, I'm at a high level. Why not say it? I prefer not to count the people that think that I suck.
By the way, why did you choose drumming?
G: I was always drawn towards drumming. I believe that it's truly the instrument that I need, because I was an angry kid, a frustrated type. Finally, I found that all the beauty in this instrument resides in contrasts. One can hit it with all his strength, or even cherish it and play very softly. Yes, I admit I wanted to try out the guitar, which is equally as cool, but I got discouraged after an hour. (laughs)
Do you have any musicians in your family?
G: Not at all! My father had a guitar, and he had a habit of playing me the intro of "Smoke on the Water", but the poor guy, that's all he could pull off. I'm the only musician in the house.
Did you learn to play alone?
G: Actually, I took some courses at a drumming school, but I always liked to learn tricks while playing, and to snoop on my own. I had, nevertheless, aqquired a lot of tricks in drumming with my teachers, but hey, theory and the rhythmic rudiments, they're not very exciting when you're a teen.
We know that Lars Ulrich is your idol. Have you had the opportunity to meet him?
G: Yes, I had been able to meet Lars in Germany, during Metallica's tour and I was truly quite crazy [to meet him]. It was totally incredible to meet this guy who had started my dreams. I love Lars's style. It gives background, and he produces an enormous power when he plays. I especially like the heavy songs of Metallica like "Enter Sandman" or "Sad But True". At the moment, I'm always pleased when playing one of their songs with great noise.
Would you like to play in a more aggressive group than Tokio Hotel?
G: In a few years, why not! But I am in my fullest form as the drummer within Tokio Hotel. I put all that I have and all that I love into our songs, and I can recognize 100% of our music.
Besides Lars, what other drummers do you admire?
G: I find that Danny Carey of 'Tool' is... how do you say it... he is so talented that no word exists that can describe his style. If not, Jerry Gaskill, the drummer of the band 'King's X' is fantastic. I recommend him.
On the Humanoid Tour, your kit is installed on a large platform. What do you feel up there, when you're so high up?
G: I feel a great sense of domination, and I love that! (laughs) More seriously, at the beginning, it was unstable enough. When we had started to repeat with the platform, the hydraulic cylinders were activated, and I had the feeling I was playing in an elevator. It took quite a lot of time to adjust to it, but now, it's natural, and I'm having a great time.
Don't you feel too isolated from the others?
G: No, and admittedly, I appreciate getting on stage and finding myself in my own little world. The others are super jealous because of this. I can hit the drums really loud, and nobody would come upt to piss me off. They all complain equally, because I'm seated the entire time, while they have to remain standing throughout the show and move around. Perhaps they are ignoring why I'm required to remain seated. (laughs)
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What series of Meinl do you use at the moment?
G: All my cymbals of my actual set come from the series MB20. I have a 'charley' of 15'' and three crashes (18'', 19'', and 20'') a 'chinoise' of 20'', and a 'ride' of 22''. I chose these because these instruments emit a very full and hot sound. Likewise, in studio, all while remaining in the same family, I sometimes opt for different diameters.
Did you challenge yourself during the recording of Humanoid?
G: You know, the group remained closed inside the studio for nearly one year, so yes, inevitably, we all tried new things to advance. Personally, I started to explore the possibilites that electric drums offer, and I started programming and beat making.
Do you have good musical relations with Georg Listing, the band's bassist?
G: Just now, I told you that on stage I like to find myself in my own world. Georg is the only one that I allow into my bubble, and on stage, he's my best friend. We're bound and locked together.
(Szilvie's note: I believe "We're attached at the hip" is a good English expression to describe what's being said here.)
Why don't you participate in drumming events, like the Meinl Festival?
G: Stop right there! I would feel really amateur amongst all those superb musicians. Myself, I'm a drummer of a band. My thing is to create simple and efficient rhythms. I would be very uncomfortable if I had to do a trial, all alone, on a stage.
We were shocked when learning that you were attacked and beaten by piece of a broken bottle last year. Do you keep any aftermath after this incident?
G: No, everything is going well, and thanks to you for worrying about my health. With the recoil, I take that agression with philosophy, by saying to myself that if this hadn't have happened to me, the guy would've taken to somebody else. Also, I was very lucky that he had hit me on the head, and that he didn't catch my eyes.
What do you do when you're alone at your house?
G: Good question! I have just renewed my fishing permit, and since the band went back to Germany for a few days, I'm going to do a bit of fishing. My life with the band is so insane and fast, that I'm thankful to sit myself at the water, and appreciate the silence and the nature.
With time and success, do you have the impression that Tokio Hotel has become a job?
G: No, because personally, I try not to let myself be affected by the superficial side of fame. I love to play in front of thousands of people, but even if there's only 50 fans in the room, I will still give my all. The music remains, above all, a story of passion, and I simply couldn't live without it. What's more, our strength, is that we are true buddies. We've played together for eleven years. I don't keep any secrets from these guys, and they don't keep any from me. A lot of bands separate because of the success, but not us.
Tom and Georg are, it seems, groupie's favourites. What about you?
G: Why? Because they play the guitar and the bass? Pfff... let me laugh. And now let me tell you: when we are on tour, the girls are forbidden inside the tour bus. Me, after a concert, I'm completely beat. All that I want is to eat in peace and to drink a good beer. After, direct me to the bed!
To finish, do you have a message for our readers?
G: Rock'n'roll and come see us play.
Quotation underneath the picture of his drum set:
"I prefer not to count the people that think that I suck."
Article by Ludovic Egraz
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A Fiery Personality
Gustav was born in Magdebourg, at RDA, one year before the fall of the Iron Curtain. According to the other members of Tokio Hotel, Gustav is a bit hyperactive. Constantly in motion, he channels his energy in drumming and sports. More jolly, he brings his enthousiasm and charisma to the band. According to them, he has stayed the same despite the success and the money. With a very simple nature, he often says; "I passionately don't care what others think about me. I recommend, furthermore, everyone to do the same."
