Back

Translation of German chat November 2005 with Flake

[19:58] Mod - Hello everybody! We are happy to have Flake here, sitting at the desk. The chat will start immediately! [19:58] Flake -

[19:59] Mod - banshee: Flake, is it correct that you paint pictures and write lyrics? Do you want to have an exhibition of your pictures or do want to release a book? [20:00] Flake - Yes. I have painted a lot in former times but since being with Rammstein I have no time anymore. Sometimes I write a kind of diary about the band.

[20:00] Mod - JayDee: Hi Flake! I would like to ask if you can imagine that Rammstein will having an "unplugged" album. [20:00] Flake - When we are old enough, we can also think of an unplugged album (approx. in the age of 60...).

[20:00] Mod - Muttertier: Hello Flake! I have read that you are a fan of Oldtimers. So to say I grown up with old cars as this is my brother's passion. Which is your favourite Oldtimer and do you want to own a special Oldtimer? Thank you very much for ROSENROT, it is genial! Stay as you are and regards to the other 5 boys! :-) [20:01] Flake - My favourite Oldtimer is a "Tatra" from the Czech republic, I own it already so I have not to buy it.

[20:01] Mod - Shino: Where is the "Haus Weimar" (house Weimar - Weimar is a city in East Germany) in Heiligen Damm? I have not found it. [20:02] Flake - Look from the sea bridge in direction of Kühlungsborn, it is on the left hand, the house at the end. But maybe now there is a fence around it

(he speaks about the Baltic Sea) [20:02] Mod - TOBI: Hi Flake! Is it very hot when Till burns the caldron with the flamethrower? [20:02] Flake - Yes, it is very hot when Till fires with the flamethrower, this is the reason why I have to bend down in the caldron and when I straighten up to early he hit my face. But the real dangerous thing is the fact that the caldron is so hot that I burn my fingers when I go out of it.

[20:04] Mod - CornFLAKEs: What happened with the promising song EISENMANN? [20:04] Flake - The song is ready but we do not like it much so we have not yet release it on an album.

[20:04] Mod - RammUke: Why is it always you who is fucked, cooked, blowed or hustled from buildings? [20:05] Flake - As I am the keyboarder I can use my hands and can be free on stage. So I have to do the special effects from the very beginning.. you can't go in a caldron with a guitar.

[20:05] Mod - Don-Philippe: Do you know Fansites? Do you visit some sites? [20:06] Flake - I am at war with the internet.

[20:06] Mod - friEda: During the HURRICANE festival Olli was in the rubber boat and filmed the masses! Is he really recording, do you watch the scenes or do you make it public? [20:06] Flake - He had an camera on this head so that he could record. You will see the result on the next Live-DVD.

[20:06] Mod - C_Frosthummel: Hello Flake! You have been in jail for some days in 1986 because you tried to escape from the German Democratic Repuplic. Was it traumatic for you as for so many people? [20:07] Flake - For us, it wasn't so bad because we didn't want to escape but we were too close to frontier. So we thought that we will be disband soon.

[20:07] Mod - Engelchen Andy: Hello Flake! You are the one with fancy and funny varities during the live shows (dancing in "Weisses Fleisch", being in the boat at "Seemann", the 2-wheel-thing during the tour this year, your flashy outfits) I really like it! I got the impression that you enjoy the Rammstein-project and you have a lot of fun! My question: after 10 years of R+: are there moments do you find boring with the band? Does your new "music-style" fits to your happy nature? [20:08] Flake - I never feel bored with Rammstein! The new music line complies more with my temper.

[20:08] Mod - xamax-fischeln: hey flake, why you die in so many videos or commit suicide? [20:09] Flake - I don't know why the directors always point on me.

[20:09] Mod - Saturnine: Which chorus is heard on "Mann gegen Mann", "Benzin" and "Spring"? Only the conductor is mentioned in the booklet. [20:10] Flake - They are friends from a friend of us who also produced "Mein Herz brennt".

[20:10] Mod - C_slayer179: Hi Flake! At the day the wall felt down you were playing a concert with Felling B in West Germany. What have you thought as your old friends from the GDR came to the club? How long did you need to realize that the wall felt down? Did you have positive or negative thoughts about the future? [20:10] Flake - I was very surprised about my friends standing in the club and I spent all my "west-money" for beer for them. I realized later that the wall felt down. We finished the concert and have not managed to go back to East Germany as all streets were crowded!

[20:11] Mod - Hagie: What's it about in the videos "Mann gegen Mann" and "Rosenrot".? [20:11] Flake - Simply watch the videos when they are ready.

[20:11] Mod - Kackwurst(poop-banger): Why are you called Flake? *g* [20:12] Flake - Why are you called Kackwurst (poop-banger)?

[20:12] Mod - Martin: How long did you work on the new album? [20:12] Flake - We had 6 songs from the spanish-sessions, the rest was recorded in June 2005 in Berlin.

[20:12] Mod - CNicole: How can I imagine your work in the studio? Are six people always there and think about the songs or is somebody more/less time in the studio? [20:12] Mod - You can ask more questions live! [20:12] Flake - When we go to the studio the titles are more or less ready and haveto be recorded. All people who are interested in the recordings are in the studio and only for listening to the recorded songs the whole band is together.

[20:13] Mod - Kanashi: Do you have ideas for new videos or the director? [20:13] Flake - We often have the basic ideas for videos but we work them out together with the directors.

[20:13] Mod - CNicole: You said that your opinions (of the band members) regarding the lyrics and songs are often very different from each other. Does it happen that you do not compromise at all or do you find a way together to deal with it in the meantime? [20:14] Flake - If we do not find an agreement we leave the song out.

[20:14] Mod - Caine:Hey Flake! I would like to hear from about the way from asquatter and concert pianist to RAMMSTEIN.. and how do you feel, we heard some bad new about your health.. well, many regards etc. You are great! [20:14] Flake - There was a smooth transition. Even when we played with Rammstein we partially lived a squatters.

[20:15] Flake -

[20:15] Mod - Graf_Synth: - How is it on stage? Do you play live or is it the sampler? does your stage sound come out of software-synthies from a laptop as we have seen it on the "Keine Lust" video? [20:15] Mod - Asche-zu-Asche: hey ho flake! ;) what will happen to the video "Das Modell"? I think it will be a pity when you never release it! Can we count on a release some day? [20:16] Flake - I play the melodies and sound carpets only some sequences are from the laptop as I only have three hands. Unfortunately we do not play in the video of "Model" so it is not so interesting.

[20:20] Mod - Till1990: Which songs do you hear when you want to relax?" [20:20] Flake - At the moment my favourite band is "White Stripes" and also "Air" from France are very relaxing.

[20:20] Mod - Asche-zu-Asche: There are rumours that Rammstein will play on festivals next Summer? Is it true? What about your plans for the next time? [20:21] Flake - We will record our ideas apart from each other so that we can start with a new album in 2007.

[20:21] Mod - Teufelskrieger: Is the live album "Live from Russia" restricted so thatit does not appear on your homepage or is it not official? [20:22] Flake - I have never heard of "Live from Russia" but there are a lot of albums in Russia nobody have ever heard of. We have found Rammstein-CDs with songs we absolutely do not know.

[20:22] Mod - Luzifer: I have a question regarding records in general: why only MUTTER was released in vinyl? Will elder or future records will be realeased in vinyl in future? [20:22] Flake - No idea.

[20:24] Mod - RammUke: Flake, you are fan of Helge, aren't you? (Helge Schneider is a famous german singer/comedian, very strange outfit and habitude - note of the translator) Which song of Helge do you like most? Have you ever met himpersonally? [20:24] Flake - I try to go to each concert of Helge which I can reach. I have never met him personally but I would like to as I presume that he is a very clever man.

[20:26] Mod - goblinhunter: Were some of you 6 injured at a gig? [20:27] Flake - We all have burned sometimes and the pain comes stepwise with the next flame.

[20:27] Flake - Till hit Olli unawarely with the bass on the head. Olli has to go backstage to let the wound dressed. I remarked nothing.

[20:28] Mod - Apo: In the beginning it was hard to convince you to join the "Rammstein-idea". What do you think about it today that you finally overcome? [20:28] Flake - Slowly I like this kind of music. In the beginning the music was too hard for me.

[20:28] Mod - Nana: hi flake, why there are no signings in Germany and there is the rumour that there will be a little tour in spring, is this true? [20:29] Flake - We are an european band now and it is important to be in other countries, too.

[20:29] Mod - Alex: Hello Flake! Till is doing the lyrics and Richard mostly the music. Which influence do you have in the production of a song (expect background-music and solo-parts) Regards Alex. [20:30] Flake - Till is responsible for the lyrics, that's right, but the music is doing by all members equally. Each band member influences a song according to his opionion/taste more or less. Therefore the songs sounds different.

[20:30] Mod - Saturnine: Why there has been a photographer at the Wuhlheide-Gigs and took pictures of the fans in the first row? Will we ever see these pictures? [20:31] Flake - We want to release a Live-Photo-Book! When you are lucky you are in the book.

[20:31] Mod - Origano: What’s it about the snake-costume and claws in which you have been seen some months ago? R+ have been seen in the crematory .. is it because of the new video? [20:31] Flake - I think you mistook my identity. I have no claws yet. We haven’t been in the crematory but in the animal shelter to take some pictures.

[20:31] Mod - Origano: Do you plan to go on tour with System of a Down in Germany as you did in America? [20:32] Flake - We would like to play with System of a Down in Europe but it is difficult to meet as they are often in the studio.

[20:32] Mod - Mrwhoopy: Can you live a normal life? Now you are famous, how does it feel when you go into the city and there are fans around you? [20:32] Flake - I am alway dressed up.

[20:32] Mod - Till1990: Is it interesting for you to play in smaller places like the „Kanzlersweide“ in Minden, like “Die Ärzte”? [20:33] Flake - We like to play in places where a lot of fans can see us.

[20:33] Mod - Willennium: He Flake, Till or Richard said (longer time ago) that they have to convince you to join the band and I would like to know why you didn’t want to join them? [20:33] Flake - I have been together in a band with Paul and Schneider for 10 years and I would like to have a break from them.

[20:33] Mod - TOBI: Do you know already when the new videos will be released? [20:34] Flake - „Rosenrot“ will be released in December, „Mann gegen Mann“ in January.

[20:34] Mod - Karl_Heinz: Hi Flake, do somebody of Rammstein believe in God or supernatural themes, as you often sing about angels for example. [20:34] Flake - I think Richard believe in supernatural things. I am more a friend of laws of nature.

[20:34] Mod - Mew: Flake,was WILDER WEIN in Berlin the first and the last time that you played it live? For me it was the most emotional Rammstein gig I have ever seen! [20:35] Flake - When we are planning the live-show we always vote again regarding the songs. When most of the band want to play WILDER WEIN it is in the program again.

[20:36] Mod - C Throne of Ahaz: hell-o flake. it was heard that you have a faible for oldtimer, right? do you also like motobikes? If so do you own a motorbike? thanks + regards [20:37] Flake - Unfortunately I am not allowed to drive a motorbike and I like old cars more, because I do not like the new cars at all. Everything is made of plastic and they have no soul.

(he uses the word: “plaste” – this is an expression for plastic in the German Democratic Republic – note of the translator) [20:37] Mod - Asche-zu-Asche: What are you doing during the last few minutes before a gig? [20:37] Flake - We clink glasses with Tequila.

[20:37] Mod - C_Michlmuc: You are often the sufferer in Rammstein-Videos – like in „Benzin“. Which Rammstein song should be played during your funeral and which not? [20:38] Flake - "Weißes Fleisch" does not fit well. Maybe "Du riechst so gut".

[20:38] Mod - SCX: First of all Thank You for the new genial CD! Does Till come up with all wonderful lyrics or are you helping him? How does the song development proceeds? [20:38] Flake - First of all we give the music to Till and he gets his inspiration from the mood of the melody.

[20:38] Flake - If he don’t like something we change it for him.

[20:39] Mod - fan aus slovenien: Your opinion to the band LAIBACH? [20:39] Flake - In former times LAIBACH was the most important band for provocation. You can’t shock your parents or friends with another band so much. Of course they are one of our roots. We have met them at a concert in Ljubliana and we like each other very much. That was a great honour for us. They did a cover-version at “Ohne Dich” which we all like very much. Thanks again to them.

[ [20:40] Mod - roteampel: Hello, I like to have an explanation (why, why, why J) regarding the development of the genial poster “Eugenio”. [20:41] Flake - Eugenio is a photographer from Barcelona who is taking fashion pictures for VOGUE. We like his style so much so we asked him to take pictures from us.

[20:42] Flake - We have been the first rock band for him and he took the pictures as he take them for the models. The portraits in the booklet of Rosenrot are from him as well.

[20:42] Mod - BlackGod: Hello… well my question is: are you always serious or .. “bad”.. or are you very “happy” people? [20:42] Flake - We try to be „bad“ for a very long time.

[20:42] Mod - Terpentin: There have been rumours regarding a Rammstein Science Fiction movie. Is this a real project or just a dream/desire of the fans? [20:43] Flake - The plan really exists and we still waiting that the director get the money for the movie.

[20:43] Mod - C_Das_Zwielicht: How do you choose the songs for the single release? Personal likes or more for reasons of marketing? [20:44] Flake - Our personal likes are not that important for the world. So we trust in our record company again.

[20:45] Mod - Graf_Synth: Your keyboard- and synthie-melodies are very catchy. Are they all from you? Do you engage with harmonics or are the melodies spontaneous ideas? [20:46] Flake - In the main the melodies are my ideas. Some of them come to me not until I am in the studio.

[20:46] Mod - Till1990: Do you have a favourite poem or poet? [20:46] Flake - I like George Simenon very much.

(French author – note of the translator) [20:46] Mod - Karo aus Leipzig: Hello Flake! During this tour it was Olli’s part to go to the rubber boat. Why is it him and not you any more? Did you not enjoy it anymore or how came it to this decision? [20:47] Flake - I plump out of the boat so often so I like to give this job to Olli, he is also very much sportier than me.

[20:47] Mod - Narrenkönig: Hi. Do you think that there will be a DVD of Rammstein with ALL music videos so far? As far as I know there is a slight choice of it on the DVD “Lichtspielhaus”. I would like to have such a DVD as I love to see your videos. Oh well: you are making great music =)) [20:47] Flake - Actually the DVD with live-pictures from last summer will be released.

[20:47] Mod - Waffel: How do you construct your songs? Has somebody of you an idea i.e. a guitar sequence and after that the lyrics of a certain theme? [20:48] Flake - One of us brings an idea to the rehearsal room and we play so long until we see a structure. After that Till gets this frame and then it is a steady to and fro with the lyrics and the music until we can rehearse the song together.

[20:49] Mod - Asche-zu-Asche: When the live-dvd will be released – this year? [20:49] Flake - Unfortunately the DVD will be released next year but you have the album now.

[20:49] Mod - Waffel: How long do you need from the first idea of a song until it is done? [20:50] Flake - The time for a song is very different, i.e. “Sonne” was done in 5 minutes, for other songs we needed 3 years, i.e. “Los”.

[20:50] Mod - Linda: Hi Flake! How do you feel when you read in the statistic that 900.000 people have visited your concerts? [20:50] Flake - I do not read any statistic.

[20:50] Mod - binnureingigolo: Moin, Flake ! Do you create your stage outfits together with your costume-staff or do they offer their proposals and you can choose the best? Regards to all Ramms+einer!!! [20:51] Flake - Our costume people always have very good and funny ideas but we can not wear the costumes as they would pong after two gigs or are too flammable. So we have to create the costumes with them, that they are more convenient but the clothes aren’t that funny anymore.

[20:52] Mod - Größter-Rammstein-Fan: Hi Flake, I have seen the live-gig in Japan (from the dvd Rosenrot) and you have been in a very big caldron when Till shoot with the flamethrower. Was is hot? Or do you have customized to it? [20:52] Flake - I have been in the caldron during each gig, not only in Japan. You can customize to heat, some people in Finland use a sauna we will die in!

[20:52] Mod - Redhotbob from France: How begins the Rosenrot album cover? Which ideas and feelings have moved Rammstein to choose this cover? What is the meaning of it? [20:53] Flake - Properly, this cover was an idea for „Reise Reise“ but we have decided for the flight recorder. Somehow it would have been a pity to forget the cover. And what is nicer than an atomic icebreaker.

[20:53] Mod - Master_fuu: Which is your favourite song on the new album rosenrot? [20:54] Flake - "Feuer und Wasser".

[20:54] Mod - Engelchen Andy: Hello Doc! For which speciality you reach the doctoral level and when? Would be nice to know. Bye. [20:54] Flake - In my boyhood I wanted to be a surgeon. But I didn’t want to go to the army so I was not allowed to study. So I am a musician what isn’t bad either. In principle some kind of doctor.

[20:55] Mod - C_MichlMuc: Which none-Rammstein-song shouldn’t be missed in a song-collection? Which one you have to hear at least once in your life-time? A song which reminds you to your boyhood? [20:55] Flake - "Ring of Fire" von Johnny Cash.

[20:55] Mod - Messing: How does it feel to be on stage and see the crowd of hands and heads of people who want to see you and cheer? Is it comparable to something? [20:56] Flake - It is like a bath in a hot fount.

[20:56] Mod - goblinhunter: who is responsible for the GENIAL melody of „Seemann“? It is the most soulful song which Rammstein has ever made and do you play it in a concert again? [20:57] Flake - It is Olli’s song. I like it very much too but Till don’t want to sing it.

[20:57] Mod - Syst3m: Will Rammstein disunit when one member get out? [20:57] Flake - It depends who is getting out.

[20:57] Mod - Aradar: Are you (like Paul) of the opinion that the next album has to be harder again? [20:57] Flake - In any case the next album has to be harder. We are treated like pensioners right now.

[20:57] Mod - C bigblue: Hello Flake. Is it correct that the background chorus of “Adios” is "Bopbopschubop"? If so who sings it? If not.. what do I hear? [20:58] Flake - It is right, this Bopbopschubop is sung by Till himself. We wanted to imitate a typical Rock'n'Roll-Chorus.

[20:58] Mod - RammUke: Hello Flake! Where do you buy your fancy „Aunt Katie“ blouses? [20:59] Flake - They have good clothes at H&M.

[20:59] Mod - Goldberg: Hi Flake, the solo in „Zerstören“ – is it from you or from one of the guitarists? [20:59] Flake - Richard played the solo on his guitar.

[20:59] Mod - Kieselstein89: Do you write your lyrics for a certain reason or just free-minded, with no certain actual theme? [21:00] Flake - Till writes the lyrics when he hear our music.

[21:00] Mod - morgenstern: ahoy flake! I would like to know if you all realize your fans, when they are shouting your name or try to communicate with you. Do you see your fans? [21:00] Flake - Me, personally, do not realize anything on stage.

[21:00] Mod - maier: Who has the ideas for the genial stage shows? [21:01] Flake - The stage show develops during the weeks before a tour, some effects are developed during the tour. That’s the reason why the first gigs are totally different than the last ones.

[21:01] Mod - TheFreaker: Why the last part of „Heirate mich“ (so nehm ich was noch übrig ist) is never played live? [21:02] Flake - We fear that it is boring for the audience. Finally it is a rock-concert and not a reading.

[21:02] Mod - C Throne of Ahaz: hell-o flake! Do you like the segway you used to thunder over the stage at “Amerika”? Was it your idea? thanks + regards [21:02] Flake - I have seen the segway on a fair and I was very sold on it so I need to have it. Thus, I had to convince the band that we need it for the stage show. It was very much fun especially for the technicians who drive around with it before the gig.

[21:03] Mod - Alter Mann: Why you are not playing the „typical“ Rammstein (heavy metal/electro) sound but more Rock? [21:04] Flake - I think we will return to our roots but at the moment we feel more relaxed and we rock. [21:04] Flake - I am sorry that it stagnate some time, next time more. All the best. Flake.

© 2005 Weubbi