Legendary drummer Uli Kusch has dazzled metalheads for years. He has been in bands ever since he started playing the drums. Even in the early days he was playing rock and metal. Uli has played drums for numerous bands including Helloween, Gamma Ray, Masterplan, Holy Moses, and Beautiful Sin, just to name a few. Now he has a band with possibly the most impressive lineup he's ever been in with Ride The Sky. Uli's adventures over the years have taken him all over the world, developing in what he has today with Ride the Sky and their new disc "New Protection". With tracks like "A Smile From Heaven," "Far Beyond The Stars," and "Black Cloud" his latest creation is sure to grab all power metal and traditional metal fans by the balls. If you know what's good for you, read on and find out more on Uli, his drum equipment, bands he's been in, shows and much more... Metal Fanatix: Hi Uli! Thanks for setting some time aside to do this interview. There are so many things that I can think of to ask you about your astounding career. I'll do by best to keep this interview a reasonable length. Lets begin…. What is your earliest memory of playing the drums? Uli Kusch: That must have been when I was around 12 years old or so. I was at a friend of mine and he showed me around in the house. His father had a drum set and played some grooves for us…that was the initial kick. Metal Fanatix: What do you think is your best drumming quality? Uli Kusch: Double Bass, tightness and triplets! Metal Fanatix: Uli, you are one hell of a drummer. After all these years playing the drums, is there anything you think you need to improve on? Uli Kusch: I am still working on perfection, tightness and other things which bother me when I am listening back to recordings…I think that will never stop… Metal Fanatix: What is your preference on brands of drums, symbols and sticks? Do you have any endorsements?
Metal Fanatix: You have been in several bands over the years. What was the first band you were in and what did it sound like? Uli Kusch: Buuuahhhh…we named us "Why" and we were all beginners…the first rehearsal was actually on the day I bought my drums (03.13.1981)…it took a while before it sounded like music I guess…but then it was a mixture of 80's New Wave, Pop and Rock and Metal. Metal Fanatix: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Holy Moses and Masterplan are most likely what people know you the most from in your career. If you were to choose your defining moment of your career, what would it be? Uli Kusch: When we did the 90 gigs Europe-South America tour with Iron Maiden 1996-97 it felt like it will never end and I definitely knew then that I was a full time musician. Metal Fanatix: What is your favorite album that you played on for Helloween? Any specific reasons? Uli Kusch: "Master of The Rings" has great songs and great drumming on it and sounds fat. "Better than Raw" was my favorite album for a long while because we intended to go progressive and I was very much into playing many fast notes…maybe it was to progressive after all and a bit to much "drummers perspective"... "The Dark Ride" is the most compact and updated album [of] all Helloween albums. I like that a lot because it's straight to the point and modern. Metal Fanatix: Did you select any of the cover songs on Helloween "Metal Jukebox"? If so, what were they and why did you choose them? Uli Kusch: Faith No More "From Out of Nowhere" was the only one I had chosen. Because it’s an awesome song and I am a fan of Faith No More. The complete album occupied my walkman for a year when it came out… Metal Fanatix: I've have read while doing research for this interview that Gamma Ray's "Sigh No More" was partially influenced by the Gulf War. How true is this?
Metal Fanatix: In 2006, you left Masterplan. What was the main reason on this decision? I've heard that it may have to do on how the band made decisions? Is this true? If so, could you elaborate on this? Uli Kusch: The band didn't make decisions, it was Roland who did. The main reason was that I did not have any more trust in the whole shabam. MP was completely miss-managed, not defined in its band structure and it was unclear what the musical concept was, or what it was supposed to be. Metal Fanatix: Uli, from what I understand, Beautiful Sin is your main band these days. Tell me about the band. Uli Kusch: It may be confusing with all my bands but Ride the Sky is my main band. Beautiful Sin still "exist" if there was a band existing after all…we call each other sometimes and make some plans here and there to record BS2 sometime. But we do not know when this will be possible because all members have their priorities in other bands. Metal Fanatix: On to Ride The Sky…How did the creation of Ride The Sky come about? And how would you define the band? Uli Kusch: Two month after I have left Masterplan, Bjorn contacted me to get me on the next "Tears of Anger" album. I got some of their songs and knew right away that this was outstanding and great material. I asked him if we should do a new band instead and combine my song ideas with theirs…he got his brother involved and we recorded a two track demo. After we got together with Nuclear Blast we completed the band and started songwriting in early December 2006. Metal Fanatix: What goals were set when the band was created? Uli Kusch: To write colorful and updated European metal album with some AOR influences and progressive elements was the first goal. Metal Fanatix: How did the writing process of "New Protection" go? Anything in particular to note?
Metal Fanatix: There are a host of songs that I enjoy on your new album, with "The Prince of Darkness" being one of my favorites. Do you have any favorites? What are they? Uli Kusch: "The End of Days" is the song which takes the longest to get into. I see and hear this song as a mixture of Judas Priest, Depeche Mode, Rainbow and Metallica. It just won't let loose on me. Metal Fanatix: Were there any tracks that didn't make the track listing that you have future plans for? Uli Kusch: No. There was one song we skipped, but this is out for all time I think. Metal Fanatix: I know the first album for Ride The Sky just came out, but has there been any future consideration towards another album for Ride The Sky? Uli Kusch: We wane start producing RTS2 in late summer 2008 and release early 2009.. Metal Fanatix: I see that you have an upcoming tour with Sonata Arctica and Epica, starting around Halloween. What do you expect from this tour? What should fans expect from Ride The Sky? Uli Kusch: Half’n hour full power. That's what we deliver. The question is, what can we expect from the fans? We are looking forward to this because it is a cool package. Three good bands and almost sold out clubs in many great places. Metal Fanatix: Uli, you've been on many tours in your career, spanning all over the globe. What is the most unusual item you've asked for while on tour?
Metal Fanatix: Are you currently participating in another other bands besides Beautiful Sin and Ride The Sky? Uli Kusch: Mekong Delta has released their reunion album "Lurking Frear" the same day "New Protection" came out. I recorded the drums on that album in summer 2006 but do not see myself as a band member in Mekong. Last year I recorded drums for a local Country band I may go on a small tour with them in 2008…all depending on RTS schedule. Metal Fanatix: When not blasting the drums, what do you do for fun? Uli Kusch: Fishing is just great, especially here in Norway. Metal Fanatix: Uli, I have one last questions for you. Do you have any final words for the Metal Fanatix of the world? Uli Kusch: Stay metal! Metal Fanatix: Thanks man! METAL!! Uli Kusch: Thank you!!! All best...Uli To keep up with all the latest news & much more on Uli & Ride The Sky check out the following websites: http://www.ridethesky.eu - Official Ride The Sky Site http://www.myspace.com/ridetheskytheband - Ride The Sky MySpace Site © Jeffrey D. Adkins September, November 2007 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
