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One Magazine - Interview with Richard, Till & Schneider

Rammstein is one the few German groups who are known, not only in Germany, but also internationally. Their current success is Reise, Reise their fourth album, proof once again that Rammstein surely still has a long career before them... Two years ago however the group nearly split up. The details of this from Till, Richard and Christoph in person...

Before the release of Reise, Reise there were numerous rumours over a possible break up of the group. What really happened?
Richard Kruspe-Bernstein: We never wanted to break up. However, we went through a rather difficult phase after Mutter. The production of the album was very costly for the label; therefore we were under quite a lot of pressure. This pressure was exerted on us over a long period and it caused immense stress between us, since we did have the same expectations for the album. So we had a one-year break in order to allow some distance and so as not to make any hasty decisions. After this break we were united: we wanted to continue together.

Did you argue violently during this time?
Till Lindemann: When you live for ten years in a group it’s like being married, if you spend more time with "work colleagues" than with your family, tension is unavoidable. For ten years we were constantly together. That is a very definitely a long time! Sometimes we argue over matters of minor importance, e.g. rather violent arguments over who has the right to sleep above or to use the largest wardrobe! (laugh)
Richard: I say in earnest that above all, I am the reason the relationship of the band members worsened to such an extreme. During this time my creativity suffocated the others, I wanted to do everything. My passion for the music blinded me; I could not see that I was totally crushing the others. As soon as I stepped in, the other band members could not say a word. And I always had something to say...
Christoph Schneider: We reached a point were it was impossible to use the word "Richard" without attaching the word "asshole" or "pig" to it! (laughter). Talking to Richard was like talking to a wall...

What did you do in order to gain control of the situation again?
Till: Most of all, we talked a lot to each other, which had a really therapeutic effect on us. The exchange within the group is very important. By the way has I often have the impression that we spend more time in discussion than composing music! (laugh)
Richard: When it became clear to me that nearly all members of the group were against me, I left. I put some distance between us, in order to think. I took a break and then came back in order to see how things were running without me. I noticed that the others reacted to me very positively and my attitude changed, and I waited until our relationship normalised itself again. And I did it. I finally saw it and I am proud of the fact that Rammstein exists in six people.

Do you think that your world success at that time went to your head?
Richard: No way! I am certain that we have our feet firmly on the ground. Our problems did not have to do anything with our success. And another thing is clear: however successful Reise, Reise will be – the Rammstein adventure has not ended...

Therefore, the photographs for Reise, Reise took place under really good conditions?
Richard: Yes. For each one of us, the organisation of this album was a singular and absolutely new experience. All problems were dissolved as soon as we began with the photographs for the album. We put ourselves fully and completely into it and everything ran smoothly. We no longer wanted to be slaves of our machine and sketched out a completely new concept for this album. Our goal was to realise more human music. In this was one can explain the untypical title "Amour” or the songs in which traditional instruments such as the accordion were used.
Christoph: Reise, Reise came about almost exclusively live in the rehearsal room. We created the pieces by interacting together like a real rock group, whilst previously we composed almost exclusively on the computer. In previous times the personal portion, which everyone contributed to, was substantially more limited. On Reise, Reise we made it our job to use exclusively live-instruments and few electronics. Our new way of working is appropriate for us and substantially better. Every one of us had substantially more opportunity to include themselves in the composing process.

Rammstein is a Collective, but most fans regard Till as Leader of the group...
Till: The singer is often regarded as the leader... This is the impression the public has but to me we are like workers on a building site: some are bricklayers, others surveyors, carpenters etc.. Everyone has his role in this collective and in this way Rammstein functions.
Richard: Proof of our solidarity is the fact that we divide our entire profits between us in equal parts.
Till, it’s said that you are actually rather shy? Do you have fears over the concerts?
Till: Previously I had hellish fears before each appearance. Now it’s much better, one gets accustomed to it. But I still have stage fright. I do not enjoy playing in small halls: I cannot come to terms with the idea that the public can see the sweat running from my pores...

Can you describe the private Till Lindemann, the one who is not on stage. The side which is not known to the public?
Till: That is a very personal and difficult topic about which I am not prepared to talk. If you want to know more you would have to ask my four ex-wives. But I do not think they would have anything positive to say about me... (laughter)

Till, it is known that you write all of Rammstein’s lyrics. Who composes the music?
Till: The work that interests me most is testing, of course, but I also participate in providing the music: the lyrics must be co-ordinated with the music. It may be that the other five are convinced of the fact that a riff is good. However, if I don’t feel the same, I do not hold back with my opinion.

In the promo photos for the new album, you’re all in white shirts, ties and glasses. Who came up with this look?
Till: We based it on the character of Michael Douglas in the film "Falling down - a completely normal day". We said to ourselves that this is a good opportunity to throw away our past image.
Richard: Initially Till was not inspired by this idea but finally everyone went along with it...

The press regularly accuses you of being fascist... How do you react to what is written about you?
Richard: The problem is to be accused of being fascist, without being asked what we really think of it! These rumours have made us really furious... Today, however it is rather unimportant to us. We know the truth and that lies are spread about us, it doesn’t matter.
According to rumours there is soon to be a co-operation between Rammstein and t.A.T.u. apparently. Right or wrong?
Richard: That was actually our idea. We have a title called Moskau and the t.A.T.u. Management was contacted to find out whether the two girls could sing on this title. But it was difficult to put something to their manager. We tried for over three months to develop this project and finally we had a belly full, wasting so much time. So many unnecessary discussions just have a couple of voices on a song... That was hell!

Some German Groups seem to imitate your concerts. What do you think of that?
Richard: (Annoyed) It means that Rammstein is not a bad group. But as always there is an original and many copies. We cannot really declare the fact that it makes us happy if we see how In Extremo use our pyrotechnic effects in concerts. I know the singer of the group, a really nice guy but their music does not do anything for me.

You are also to be seen also in the opening scenes at the beginning of the film "xXx". What did you learn from your first film experience?
Richard: We were very lucky that you can see us for five minutes in this film! What concerns me is that since our beginnings I have had a dream: I would happily make a film about Rammstein. We have already spoken with Werner Herzog, one of the best German directors. We talked about the idea of making a film about the group but it is only a vague project at this time. I hope that we will realise it one day...

© 2005 Sue Lindemann