GRAVE DIGGER – Interview with Manni

For 20 years, Grave Digger stands as a true German Heavy Metal band. „Rheingold”- the new Digger's album shows them as a band inspired by R. Wagner's opera. Pure, heavy and melodic. Since „The Grave Digger” LP, and Uwe Lulis' departure, we can hear Manni Schmidt playing in GD. Luckily he has found some time to answer few questions about the band, their brand new release, and his adventures in Rage.

At the beginning. Your are playing in Digger for about two years. You have recorded two albums with them. What are your feelings about teamwork, contacts and relationship in the band???

The feeling in the band is fantastic. Very relaxed! Everybody can bring his influence into the band. We know each other since years and taht makes it very easy.

I haven't heard “Rheingold” yet (but I promise that I will!!!). Is it connected with R.Wagner's opera??? Is it a concept album??? Can you compare it with your previous GD album???

Hopefully you have heard it now!? It's more like the trilogy Tunes…, Excalibur and Heart…..”The Grave Digger” was more like an outstanding, in a way our private album to make our heads free. Rheingold is the first part of a new trilogy and goes about the nibelungs. We even used some original melodies from good old R.Wagner!

Which songs you have composed?

ÄÄÄÄHHHH? In Grave Digger? We do all the composing stuff together. Everybody has an idea here or a riff there…..

I know that you had been playing in Rage for some time. Now you're in Grave Digger. Tell me, what are the differences between playing in these bands.

The music and the personal feeling is totally different. You can`t compare both bands. In Grave Digger it's like playing and having fun with a couple of friends.

From the other hand. You have played some live shows with Digger. I hope that fans accepted you as a new guitarist and you had no problems with it. However, I am curious about your favourite songs to play live.

Everywhere I get a big “Hello” from the fans. Many of them say they are glad that I'm back in the scene. So I feel very accepted from everybody! My favourite live songs are: The Grave Digger, Morgaine Lefay, Heavy Metal Breakdown

When I heard the Digger's prevoius CD I was amazed about your guitar work there. Tell me, what are your influences, who inspired you to be a guitarist. Listening to the songs from “The Grave Digger” I thought that you had to listen to Judas Priest and Black Sabbath from Dio's era.

I listened to all the bands from NWOBHM! It was an amazing time. My biggest influence in guitar playing was Michael Schenker. Today my favourite band is “In Flames”!

Have you been a Grave Digger's fan before you decided to join them? What do you think about their previous albums?

No! Absolutely no, haha! First time I've listened to GD was, when Chris gave me all the CD's. But I found a couple of fantastic songs!

Yeah. You're absolutelly right!!! And if you weren't a musician then who you would be? Do you work somewhere, or the money earned in Grave Digger are enough for you?

If I wasn't musician, I would do any job to make money. Music is my passion! But it's not enough to live for me and my family. I'm helping a friend in his tyre garage. I mount and sell tyres.

What do you think about metal scene nowadays. I know that you have in Germany many great bands and I want to know your opinion about it.

There are more and more bands and it's not easy to find all the good ones out of them.

And what you think about 'new-metal scene'. Do you like bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park??? 🙂

I think the Nu Metal scene is dead. Listen to the new albums of all those bands and you hear that they don't know what to do! Maybe they look for the next trend?! It's all a kind of fashion. That's what I like on the traditional metal scene- Everybody- fans and bands- believes in what he/she is doing and keeps going his own way. You can look left and right and smell new influences, but the heart is full off heavy metal!

Now it's time for some questions which rather aren't connected with music.

Your favourite drink?

Beer / Guiness and sometimes to chill a Jim Beam on ice.

The most funny situation in your career?

Everyday together with the band is real slapstic. Jens, Stefan and me are even called “The Three Stooges”.

What was your first guitar?

It was a semi-acoustic old “Hagström” from Sweden.

Is there an album, that you will NEVER buy? All genres. Not only Metal.

I would never buy all this synthetic pop shit

Three CDs which are the part of your life and you cannot live without?

– Ozzy's Live and loud

– In Flames Reroute to remain

– Pantera Vulgar display of power

Which band you would like to support?

– In Flames are the kings of modern metal and a band from cologne: The Fyredogs! Real cool kickass Rock'n'roll. Check out www.thefyredogs.com

And finally few words for your fans.

I would like to thank everybody who supports me and Grave Digger and makes us a good time on stage! Always keep the metal in your heart and the flame burning! Respect and peace!

Thanks for the interview Manni!!!