Tankard (band)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2010) |
Tankard | |
|---|---|
With Full Force 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Genres | Thrash metal |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members | Andreas Geremia Andreas Gutjahr Frank Thorwarth Olaf Zissel |
| Past members | Bernhard Rapprich Axel Katzmann Oliver Werner Andy Bulgaropulos Arnulf Tunn |
| Website | tankard |
Tankard is a German thrash metal band from Frankfurt, founded in 1982.[1] Alongside Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard is often considered one of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal. Stylistically, Tankard have consistently played thrash metal that thematically centres primarily on alcohol reverence, unlike the remaining "Big Teutonic Four" (Kreator, Destruction and Sodom), who are all known for covering such topics related to death, politics, violence and anti-fascism.
History
Formation and early years (1982–1985)
Tankard was formed in 1982 by three classmates, bassist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia, guitarist Axel Katzmann and vocalist Frank Thorwarth. Thorwarth and Gerre soon switched roles; at the same time the trio added drummer Oliver Werner and second guitarist Bernhard Rapprich. They chose their name from a dictionary upon seeing its definition as "beer mug".[citation needed] Their earliest written song was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As drinking alcohol in the school was banned, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and he was replaced by Andy Bulgaropoulos.[2]
With the lineup now stabilised, the band released their first
The Noise years (1986–1995)
Zombie Attack was released in July 1986. In October 1987 their sophomore album,
Later career (1995–present)
The band decided not to replace Katzmann and remain a one guitar band.[
In 2015, Olaf Zissel was hospitalised with what was suspected to be a stroke. He was replaced temporarily by Gerd Lücking of Holy Moses. Their latest album achieved no. 41 on the German charts. While they have built a fan base, they continue to have day jobs.
Tankard's 17th studio album One Foot in the Grave, was released on 2 June 2017.[9] The band released its 18th studio album, Pavlov's Dawgs, on 30 September 2022.[10]
As part of the "Big Teutonic" four series, Tankard will perform together with Kreator, Sodom and Destruction for the first time on July 20, 2024 at the Klash of the Ruhrpott festival, which will take place at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.[11]
Band members
- Tankard live at With Full Force2018
-
Andreas Geremia -
Frank Thorwarth -
Olaf Zissel -
Andreas Gutjahr
Current members
- Andreas "Gerre" Geremia – vocals (1982–present)
- Frank Thorwarth – bass (1982–present)
- Olaf Zissel – drums (1994–present)
- Andreas Gutjahr – guitars (1999–present)
Former members
- Oliver Werner – drums (1982–1989)
- Axel Katzmann – guitars (1982–1995)
- Andy Bulgaropulos – guitars (1983–1999)
- Arnulf Tunn – drums (1989–1994)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
| Release date | Title | Label |
| 1986 | Zombie Attack | Noise Records |
| 1987 | Chemical Invasion | Noise Records |
| 1988 | The Morning After | Noise Records |
| 1990 | The Meaning of Life | Noise Records |
| 1992 | Stone Cold Sober | Noise Records |
| 1994 | Two-Faced | Noise Records |
| 1995 | The Tankard | Noise Records |
| 1998 | Disco Destroyer | Century Media |
| 2000 | Kings of Beer | Century Media |
| 2002 | B-Day
|
AFM Records |
| 2004 | Beast of Bourbon | AFM Records |
| 2006 | The Beauty and the Beer | AFM Records |
| 2008 | Thirst | AFM Records |
| 2010 | Vol(l)ume 14 | AFM Records |
| 2012 | A Girl Called Cerveza | Nuclear Blast |
| 2014 | R.I.B. | Nuclear Blast |
| 2017 | One Foot in the Grave | Nuclear Blast |
| 2022 | Pavlov's Dawgs | Reaper Entertainment[12] |
Other releases
- Heavy Metal Vanguard (1984) – demo
- Alcoholic Metal (1985) – demo
- Alien (1989) – EP
- Hair of the Dog (1989) – compilation
- Open All Night (1990) – video
- Fat, Ugly and Live (1991) – live album
- Fat, Ugly and Still (A) Live (2005) – DVD
- Best Case Scenario: 25 Years in Beers (2007) – re-recorded compilation album
- Schwarz-weiß wie Schnee (2017) – EP
- Hymns for the Drunk (2018) compilation
- For a Thousand Beers (2022) Boxed set
References
- ^ Rittner, Ronny (2017). "Tankard – One Foot In The Grave". Rock Hard. Vol. 35, no. 361. p. 95.
- ^ "Tankard Band Bio 1". Tankard.info. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Tankard Band Bio 2". Tankard.info. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Tankard Band Bio 3". Tankard.info. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Tankard Band Bio 3". Tankard.info. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "AllMusic". AllMusic. tankard. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Discogs". tankard. Discogs. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Tankard Band Bio 1". Tankard.info. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Tankard – One Foot In The Grave". Musicline.de (in German). Phononet. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "TANKARD Announce New Album 'Pavlov's Dawgs' To Be Released In September". Metal Addicts. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "'Big Four' Of German Thrash Metal, KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION And TANKARD, Announce 2024 Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Tankard Andreas "Gerre" Geremia Interview-'For A Thousand Beers' Box Set & New Album Details, retrieved 16 April 2022
External links
- Official website
- Tankard at AllMusic
- Tankard discography at Discogs
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