Andi DerisAndi, you have been in the band for 16 years now. Looking back, can you divide these years in the life of the band from your own point of view into several key periods and highlight some ups and downs, some positive and negative moments?
When I joined Helloween and when we started to work on the "Master of The Rings"-album the band's position wasn't the best. But we managed to get over it and to deliver many very good selling albums in a row and we also managed to gain a good reputation as a concert act again.
The highlights? Definitely the unbelievable world wide sales of the "The Time Of The Oath"-album and the of course the big resurrection of the band with the "Keeper of The Seven Keys - The Legacy"- and the "Gambling With The Devil"-albums. And also the two world tours for those albums were pretty unbelievable. As a songwriter to have a very successful single with "If I Could Fly" was nice also. Some negative moments? Some parts of the "Rabbit Don't Come Easy"-tour weren't that nice. Just because the relationship to our former management was coming to an end.
Andi, who was your ideal as singer when you start to sing and search own style? Did you copy somebody? Which singers affected you?
From the very beginning I wanted to be myself. I never wanted to copy anybody or "sound like"… But on the other hand: I always liked and pretty sure always will like people like Rob Halford or Paul Stanley. But certain influences don't hurt.
Which song by Helloween from period 1994-2007 was most difficult sing? And do you remember which song by Pink Cream was difficult sing?
Hmmmmmm. I never had big difficulties in singing my songs. And even the songs from the Kiske- or Hansen-era are Ok to sing for me: if I do it my own way. But talking about Pink Cream 69… When I listen to the first Pink Cream 69-album nowadays I am wondering how high I used to sing back in the day : Songs like "Take Those Tears", "Sugar For Love" or "Welcome The Night" would be pretty difficult to sing nowadays - in their original versions.
'Unarmed' is very good, but why didn't you remake any song of Hansen's vocal period? Will we hear the remake of 'Why'? :)
It just didn't fit the album. "Unarmed" has a certain mood and not all the Helloween-songs from all the different eras were fitting. And talking about "Why"… We actually recorded a version of "Why" for "Unarmed". But for the moment it is just a bonus track for the official download version if the album.
Did the band have any ideas to invite ex-members of Helloween take part in recording of Anniversary album?
We were thinking about Kai playing a guest solo on the record but we just couldn't get hold of him. He is always way too busy :-)
Did you expect that Helloween's last effort - "Unarmed - 25th Anniversary Best Of" - will arise so hectic discussions, almost "love-hate" opinions among fans? Or you were used to think that most of Helloween supporters will accept this release loyally? What is your opinion about negative reaction of the fans towards "Unarmed"?
To be honest: I've always liked something to be really good or really bad. If something is just "OK": that for me sounds like: forget about it! We knew already in the studio that some parts of the record won't be received positively by the public. But hey: you are making your music not only for the people out there. You also should like it yourself!
Was it someone's idea to rearrange Helloween classics completely, or it was all band's members decision?
It was the band's and our management's idea.
Why you decided to make videoclip exactly for "Dr. Stein"? Is this new video relevant old clip for this song?
The new "Dr. Stein" - version is very cool. The original version was the biggest single Helloween ever had. And there wasn't a video for the original song. So the decision was easy.
"Gambling With The Devil" did not contain ballads. Did you plan it or make it accidentally? Will the new album contain a ballad?
That wasn't a plan. It just happened. In Helloween we never make "plans" in creativity. At this very moment I cannot say if there will be a ballad on our forthcoming studio album. Let's see!
Will a new album Helloween continue the previous three? Do you have any plans to make "Master of the Ring part II" or "Dark Ride part II" in the future - or Helloween will make something absolutely new?
I think it will just be a logical step after "Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy" and "Gambling Of The Devil". With all the elements people like about the band!
Who will be a producer of the new album? Are you satisfied with the sound on the last two albums?
Charlie Bauerfeind. Of course! He's just perfect for the band!
Do you plan to go in the next tour with Gamma Ray or Axxis or Pink Cream 69?
Hi, hi. Gamma Ray just started their next world tour. Pink Cream 69 would be an interesting idea but probably wouldn't fit that much musically. And Axxis. Good band - nice guys. If the timing will be right they might be joining us sometimes in the future again.
Did you have a chance to become familiar with latest Pink Cream 69 live release "Past And Present - Live in Karlsruhe"? If yes, what was your impression on this work?
I got a copy of the DVD : I liked it. It was kinda strange to see the old videos and the old concert from Japan with me singing. It seemed to me like ages ago. But we were a great band back there. And it's great that the band is still there and that there still is interest in the Pink Cream 69-music. You can see that on the more recent live recordings on the DVD with David Readman on vocals.
Did you listen all Pink Cream 69 albums? Which album and song is your favorite?
I've listened to most of them. I am getting them from the management on a pretty regular base. "Food For Thought" was a very modern sounding album with many great songs. "Electrified" was great. And I liked "In10sity" a lot as well. As I said: it is still a very good band!
When you started to compose the songs which were included in "Come In From The Rain"? Did some from these songs were not intended for never released fourth album of PC69 with you?
I started from a scratch but there were some musical ideas on that record from the Pink Cream 69-era. I think you can hear that. But really just bits and pieces. Most of the stuff is brand new.
As your two solo albums are became popular among quite diverse audience, including not only Helloween or PC69 fans, do you have any plans to release some of your material as a third solo album or side project? Have you ever got any offers to participate in some project as composer, not only as vocalist?
I think one day there will be a third Andi Deris-solo album. But Helloween is keeping me very busy so this has to wait. And there is no really need to hurry.
Offers? Of course. But again: I just don't have the time.
What is your opinion about Unisonic (Ward/Zafiriou/Kiske/Meyer)? Will this band be successful?
It of course has a big potential. But I haven't heard the music so let's wait a little bit…
In 1996 there was a single called "Forever And One", whose idea was to record full ballad single? Is "Forever And One" Song devoted to somebody?
You gotta ask Weiki about this!
Were there any more candidates to fill the guitarist spot besides Sascha Gerstner & Henjo Richter?
No one really serious.
What happened with Jorn Ellerbrock, why is he not with the band anymore?
Jorn is a great guy but he got tired of travelling around a little bit. He wanted to stay home more. Working in the studio and so on.
Seems, Mark Cross recovered from his disease by the moment of Legacy recording process had started. At least it can be seen according to his participation in some other projects. Was there any chance to invite him back as the drummer again?
No. That was a pretty sad story with Mark but with Dani we've found the perfect drummer for the band. As a musician and as human being.
Did you were good familiar with Michael Weikath when Pink Cream 69 performed at "Rockfabrik" in Ludwigsburg '88?
Weiki was a big Pink Cream 69-fan already back in the day!
Did you record any demos or albums in 1986-1988 except demo Kymera '87 and No Mercy 'No Mercy'?
Even more demos with Kymera and some demos with Pink Cream 69 as far as I can remember.
Seems you more communicated with not Germans in your youth. Why you liked more a company of foreigners than a company of your compatriots?
Just because there were some foreigners in my band? Not really! I was always communicating with people from all over the world! With all nationalities.
Did you heard about disease of Alfred Koffler?
Of course. That is a big tragedy. He's such a good player. But it's great that he never gave up and is still making music. Even under those circumstances.
How you relax in your free time?
Some surfing, going out to drink a coffee with friends or watching movies. But even if I watch a movie I still have my guitar in my hands and am working on some new music. It just never stops!
Do you have favorite Helloween songs which you want play live but never get a chance? Can you name them? Can you play 'Where the Eagle Learns to Fly' again like in Japan in '95?
Many of them. "Eagle Fly Free" is a big favorite, recently "March Of Time" as well or "Halloween". "Where The Eagle…" is a great song but it also is a song by Pink Cream 69. And we have so many Helloween-songs to play…
Does your son sing?
He prefers to play guitar and work in the studio.
And our traditional question: do you can cook?
If I have to: yes!!!
Huge thank you for this interview, cheers from your fans in Ukraine and Russia!
Thank you as well and see you in 2011!
