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MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2008 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Udo, when you first got into Accept, did you have any idea you would still be making music in 2008? |
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No...I was not thinking so far ahead. |
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MSJ: What was it that attracted you to heavy music in the first place? |
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Jimi Hendrix...Deep Purple...Led Zeppelin... Rolling Stones...and many other bands. |
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MSJ: What were the early days of Accept like? Did you see yourselves as pioneers blazing a trail? |
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We were playing to just 30 or 50 people at a time...but I think the music we did with Accept was something new at this time. |
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MSJ: Is the music business as much fun now as it was when you started...or even ten years ago? What have been the biggest changes, both good and bad? |
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There's really no good support for young bands from the record companies any more! But for us as an old band in the business, we can still have fun. |
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MSJ: With the recent collection Metallized, the fans got to pick the songs. Did you agree with their selection or did you feel they missed some classics? |
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Absolutely they missed some I would have picked! |
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MSJ: How does it feel to be called the father of the German metal scene? |
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It makes me very proud. |
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MSJ: Now that it looks like there won't be any further Accept albums, which one would you say was your favorite and why? |
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For me, it's still the Breaker album...that's the album where the Accept sound was born. |
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MSJ: Mastercutor was a great album for U.D.O. How do you plan on following it up? |
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When we start working on a new album, we never think too much about the old one...we just go ahead and do it! |
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MSJ: Is the current line-up of U.D.O. the best that you have worked with? |
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Yes, it is. |
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MSJ: You got to see the whole world. What was the most memorable place you ever visited? |
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Israel, for sure. |
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MSJ: You have a strong following in America, but as a whole, the US seems slow to catch on to U.D.O.? Why do think the American metal scene lags behind? |
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I think there's still a strong metal scene in the States but it's not easy for us to come over and tour. We need the right tour with a good billing so it makes sense for us to come over! |
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MSJ: The reunification of Germany had to be the biggest event of your lifetime. How did that influence you, seeing something once torn apart made whole again? |
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It was a great moment, but it didn't really influence me that much. |
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MSJ: Not to put you on the spot, but do you foresee an end to your career? Along with Lemmy and Dio, you're the most durable man in the metal scene1 |
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Not at the moment. We already have plans up until 2012! |
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MSJ: What was the last CD you picked up just because you wanted to get it? |
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The latest Judas Priest album. |
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MSJ: What was the last concert or gig you saw just because you wanted to? |
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Doro. |
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MSJ: In your long career, is there any "Spinal Tap" moment that sticks out more than any other, that you'd like to share? |
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We had a big festival in Austria once, but nobody showed up for it! |
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MSJ: Any last words for the fans? |
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What can I say? Hopefully we can get the right tour to come over to the U.S. Until then, keep on rockin'! |
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