Those who think that Tokio Hotel is only "a group of children" should look at YouTube's live performances of this young German band. Surely here we speak of a generation of teenagers, but their performances are in the top of famous rock bands. The maturity of the Kaulitz brothers is a remote test. We hear them when they came as guests of the Festival of Sanremo.
читать дальшеLet's start with a categorical question. We want an honest answer: Would you rather you bear with you? Are you friends? Bill: Of course! Sometimes we argue, but generally we get along because we know each other very well and we played together for nearly 10 years. Everything is based on this: if you are not friends, you can not play in the same band. And we are.
According to your biography, you started making music really early. I read that you started writing songs at the age of 7 years. How much your family influenced your decision to make music? Bill: Our stepfather had a key role in our musical education as he plays guitar. Tom: Yes, it was he who bought me my first guitar and who at first taught me how to play it. In addition, we started recording our first material with him. He gave us a big boost.
Could you tell us more about your influences in music? Some critics believe that you have a lot of Metallica or rather some of your songs have much in common with James Hetfield and company .... Bill: I do not think that is true because we have very different tastes in music, no artist or band that we all like. Gustav (drums) likes Metallica, but each of us listens to different music styles: there is an idol that inspires us all. I think Tokio Hotel's music is a result of a mixture of many different things.
Then, you won't say a particular style or a musical movement to your band? Bill: No, we do not like Tokio Hotel put on a specific music style. Moreover, the new album is different from previous, contains hard rock songs, but many also electronic. Hence we could not fit into a specific style of music. Tom: Another reason is that new things emerge daily. We repeatedly ask questions if we belong to this or that style of music, I would say that you must call our style 'Tokio Hotel'.
"A scene" which boasts of hundreds of thousands of fans ... By the way, I know that were involved in many accidents because of your female readers that I lurked. I also found in legal procedures with one of those girls. Do you scared now? Are guards always there for you? Bill: So far we have been surrounded by bodyguards for five years, but surely not in our private lives. Tom: Although not understand me wrong, we are not frightened by our fans, we like to meet them. We like to target girls. Bill: Yes, we love our fans, they are the most important thing for us. Well, that accident concerns a stalker, not a fan, but you can not have bodyguards around you all the time because a single accident, and nothing bad happens.
As for bad events, Bill, in 2008 you were operated by a cyst on your vocal cords. That's why you were forced to cancel some shows in Europe and the entire North American tour scheduled for that year. How can we examine this experience? And how do you feel now? Bill: This was a very difficult time for me, but then went back on stage and performed in my shows. There are still many more to do. Everything is fine now. Obviously, when you experience an experience like this is not easily forgotten. But now I feel comfortable and in general I enjoy, I like being on tour and try not to think about it more.
Bill, Karl Lagerfeld (German designer and photographer) you defined as a fashion icon, while Michael Michalsky (another designer) demands that you are the epitome of pop art. There is even a wax figure of you in the MadameTussaud Museum in Berlin. How do you feel being so famous, taking only 20 years? Bill: You know, sometimes I find myself thinking about it and all this seems so strange, so mad. Sometimes I forget about it, but then people turns to me and I remember. Well, I admit that I find having a wax figure at Madame Tussaud's is a bit disturbing. However, it is really amazing and I'm really proud of it. I'm happy to live a life like this because I like making music and being on stage. No doubt that is great and I like this a lot.
You often androgynous look up rumors about your alleged homosexuality. You always denied, but what is your general opinion about sexuality? Bill: I do not mind this. I mean, I respect people's sexuality. Everyone is free to do whatever they want because they really think that ultimately everything has to do with love and I believe in true love. I think when you really love someone, you should love that person and be happy.
Returning to music: for your new album, Humanoid, teamed up with some new producers: Guy Chambers, the Matrix and Desmond Child. As always working with the same successful team of producers (Peter Hoffmann, David Jost Pat Benzer and Dave Roth), how you have worked with them? Bill: Yeah, we worked with the same producers for seven years, which is fine because we know each other very well and looks like a big family - this is critical to work well together. However, for Humanoid wanted to do something new, then try to team up with someone else. We wanted a change of scenery for the new album.
Your new European tour lasting almost two months. I guess it's hard being away from home for so long. Bill: Even if we get used to it, I think it is still difficult for us - especially for Georg (bassist) who has a girlfriend. For us it is not always easy to travel so long for a long time. But in general we like it. We traveled in two tourbus and each has its own space, even his own bedroom! Tom: Actually, you miss your own bed, you have at home because you sleep for three or four months in a tourbus, but after all, is only a bus! Bill: Well, that sure is a long time and sometimes is difficult, but, anyway, this is an amazing experience.
Is it true that you travel with your dogs? Are they part of your new show? Bill: No, they are not (laughs). Sometimes they travel with us, it is true, and sometimes left at home where our parents take care of them. We try to take them with us because we love them and they are considered part of the family. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.
Can you tell us something about your costumes on stage? Bill: We have our own stage for the first time and it's really cool. Just back from London where we saw all this. We have to thank Misty Buckley, the designer who created it: it is a very nice person and we really enjoyed working with her. In London we have also met with Dean and Dan, Canadian twins Dsquared2 brand, with whom we collaborate in creating new costumes crazy for Humanoid City Tour. We have our own futuristic city, the City Humanoid (Humanoid City). This is the biggest production ever Tokio Hotel sight and it's amazing.
Before going on stage you are nervous. Is there any ritual that you make before the show? Bill: I'm really nervous before each show. I think Tokio Hotel is the most nervous band in the world. But when we're on stage, things are going well and all is well. We make our music and have fun. After the first song everything is fine. Tom: Frankly, the most important thing before each show is that George made his "big business" in the bathroom. From then on we know that everything will be fine.
Tell us something about the setlist. Will sing exclusively in English or German as well? Do they belong all the songs to the new album or have some old songs? Bill: We will play many songs but most of them are songs we recorded for our last album, Humanoid. Also we will play some old songs, but I really want to continue the tour with our new music because the old have been playing for a long time ... As for the language, both: every night we have a setlist in English or German - and this means more work for me! Translation by THEurope
"Fans send us drugs" From underwear to cute teddy bears. There is no limit to the number of packets received from Tokio Hotel fans. - And until we have sent drugs, reveals Bill Kaulitz, when Topp met with the boys in Oslo. читать дальше
- "It's nice Norway", said the boys, as they look outside their hotel room on the top floor of the Hotel Rica Helsfyr. Topp was with the boys in a hotel suite, where children have a vision around Oslo. - We arrived yesterday, but have met some fans say the boys.
Something sweet, then? - "Yes, it looks so great" - Tom smiles.
Seriously ... So what you're saying is that you could one day be with a girl from Norway? -" Of course! I see no reason to respond otherwise, I'm still looking good." The boys have been superstars since 2006, but so far not been added to the whim of a diva. In fact they are some of the best people we have interviewed. "We know that we had never been here, we are here without the great supporters and fans, it is clear that we are good, "says Bill.
The four boys have in their hundreds of thousands of race fans, and reveal that they have received a lot of strange gifts sent by the fans through the years. - "We received some pictures that fans have created. That's fine, they have been working hard on it. We also have a lot of used underwear, but it's really strange when fans have sent us drugs."
Drugs? - "Yes, however, quietly, we have not taken."
THIS IS THE GIRL OF THEIR DREAMS Despite freezing temperatures outside, Gustav is dressed in a shirt and shorts during the interview.
Do not know cold weather here in Norway? - "Yes, but almost always wear shorts, and I did not freeze", says Gustav. - "It's strange. Will wear shorts all the time?! He often freezes in the upper body, but never on his feet", Tom smiles from the other side of the sofa.
Which of you is the best dancer? Just after the question, the boys break out laughing. - "Gustav is the beeeeeeeest", laughs Tom. "We had a fanparty, Gustav recently plucked up courage and decided to dance. That never happens. He approached the table and danced in front of everyone, was really a special experience." - "We may not be the best dancers, but we always try to "go with flow"" laughs Bill.
Of the four band members, only Georg has a girlfriend. But the rest of the guys are still unclear how it should be the girl of your dreams? - "She should be fun. We love to laugh!" - "Also the chemistry must be correct right away", says Tom.
So do you believe in love at first sight? - "That's a good idea, but perhaps not so realistic", says Bill. "We travel around the world, and we see the fans from the stage and through the windows of the hotel. So it's hard to see that special someone fall in love ..."
Have you ever been lovesick? - "I do not think has been really in love, so it is difficult to break my heart," says Tom. - "I've been sad about relationships that have ended, but in retrospect I understand that I have never experienced really lovesick", says Bill.
I NEVER BORROWED WEAR OTHERS CLOTHES
During the fashion week in Milan was Bill the great delight of the audience, one of the models on the catwalk of Dsquared2.
Is this something you would like to do more in the future? - "It was fun. And if I like the designer and has the same vision as me, then you could do it again." And the designers Dean and Dan Catena chose the beautiful 20 years as a model in his show that we understand well. Up close, it is perfectly within reach. - "I was very nervous before going on stage, but luckily all went well", still Bill.
You have very different styles, could you, for example, borrow from each other, clothes for a day? - "Hahaha, no way," shout the boys.
So you do not like the other styles? - "Yes, We have different styles from the beginning, so we're somewhat used to it. It is somehow strange nothing else", says Tom.
You have won a lot of money from the success of Tokio Hotel, what is the most expensive thing you've ever bought? - "Wheels for my car, "says Tom. - "An expensive stereo system", says Gustav. - "My answer has to be vacation. I think it is worth spending some extra money on a vacation. In any case, considering how much we work. Sometimes you need to indulge a little and take a wonderful vacation", Bill concludes.
From the Italian Magazine “TV Sorrisi & Canzoni” – “That’s How We Dress Tokio Hotel.” Thank you to AlixDisney for the translation from the original Italian.
“That’s How We Dress Tokio Hotel.”
Behind the extravagant costumes of the german band, that has just finished its triumphal italian tour, stand the two canadian designers. “They agreed with any proposal, as crazy as it could be. Armor-outfits, reminding Star Wars, but also knight cuirasses.”
“We got the first inspiration from the tour name: Welcome to Humanoid City” say Dean and Dan, DSquared2 designers that have been collaborating with singers and music bands for years (see Britney Spears), and have now realized the outfits for the tour, that’s just ended in Milano. “They’re all armor-dresses, halfway between Star Wars suits and knight armors. We had fun, as Bill and Tom Kaulitz agreed with any proposal, as crazy as it could be.”
What are the 2 rockstars like? “They’re both really skinny, they wear sizes that don’t even exist in the italian man sizes: they’re 1.83m tall and take 40-42 for jackets and 38 for trousers. Tom is a very determined person, one would think he’s the one making decisions for everybody, while Bill is a free spirit. Spending some time with the two of them, you realize that they live in symbiosis and do everything by mutual consent.” Typical twin attitude. Not Only Bill and Tom, but also Dean and Dan are twin brothers.
The first meeting between the four, back in january at the fall/winter 2010/11 fashion show, seems to have been memorable. Dean Says: “We immediately got one another. Twins have some special kind of gestural expressiveness, they communicate with their body, not just with words. Result? After some time investigating one another, Dan, Bill, Tom and me started to get on well talking our “twinnish.” And all the others understood nothing.”