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Time Out - Feb 2-9 : 10 remarkable things

10 remarkable things...
You might not know about German metallers Rammstein.

1: "When we started, we would pass among the crowd with kerosene and set light to it,” remembers guitarist Paul cheerily. “We can't do that anymore because of regulations."

2: Singer Till was a swimming champion who nearly made the Olympics, but had a nasty tear of an abdominal muscle. He often sets fire to himself onstage.

3: According to Billboard, Rammstein are the most successful German-language band of all time, selling 8 million records worldwide.

4: New single 'Mein Teil' ('My Tool') tells the true story of computer-programmer and cannibal Armin Meiwes, who flambéed his happy victim's penis in red wine.

5: The video features guitarist Richard wrestling with himself, drummer Schneider as the murderer's mother, and keyboardist Flake wearing ballet shoes. "Each band member came up with their own performance," explains Flake.

6: It's been remixed by the Pet Shop Boys. They worked with German composer Torsten Rasch on their ‘Battleship Potemkin’ score, having heard his orchestral piece, 'Mein Herz Brennt' which is based on Rammstein's music.

7: They take their name from a Bavarian airbase where two fighter planes collided in a fireball, killing 80 people. It means 'battering stone'.

8: The Columbine killers allegedly listened to Rammstein. The band insist they strive to instill healthy and non-violent values in their own children.

9: They're famed for their preposterously ambitious live shows. You can expect to see guitars shooting out 20-foot jets of fire, singer Till strutting about in boots with sparks flying out of the toes and Flake wearing a rubber suit and sitting in a giant cauldron.

10:"Does Till really urinate on the crowds?" reads an FAQ on their website. 'No' is the answer. “During "Bück Dich" he uses a fake penis that sprays liquid everywhere. It is attached to a hose running down his leg and off stage If you look.” That told you. By Sophie Harr!s.
Rammstein play Brixton Academy on Thur, Fri and Sat.

© 2005 Sue Lindemann