Tankard is a legendary German thrash metal band. They formed back in 1982, and by 1986 they were signed to Noise Records, and released their first album Zombie Attack. Tankard remained with Noise Records for six more studio albums, and then they moved on to other labels and continued to release albums. Tankard can be described as a heavy band with a great sense of humor, and strong taste for quality beer. All of which can be tracked down in their lyrical content. If you love thrash, beer, and fun, Tankard is a band for you.
For a Thousand Beers is a brand new boxset highlighting all of the Noise Records albums from Tankard. Those are the essential records, and show how this great band had developed. Many of these albums are not easy to find anymore, especially on this side of the Atlantic. For a Thousand Beers is a great set of German thrash metal.
Bassist, Frank Throwarth, goes back in time, and remembers the early Tankard years on Noise Records.
When you formed back in 1982 what were your short-term
goals?
There were no goals at all. We were just some classmates who wanted to have fun, having some beers and playing metal.
You initially sang for the band, and Andreas played bass,
how did you switch roles?
Unfortunately Andreas, we call him Gerre, didn't want to go to music school alone and
asked me to join. At the end we found out that I'm a better bass player and
he's the better singer. Hahahaha !
How did you get signed to Noise Records?
Well, we’ve send around our 2nd demo tape
and and Noise just replied with an offer. For us it was unbelievable. We were
so happy and met in a pub, had some beers and signed it without really
understanding the content. Luckily the contract was not so bad.
What do you remember from recording your first album, Zombie
Attack?
It was very interesting and exhausting, because it
was the first time we recorded in a professional studio. But what I really
remember, are parties with heavy drinking and smashing hotel rooms.
How do you feel about that album now?
I still like it very much. Even the sound is not bad for an 80s recording. Additional to this we still play songs from it like Zombie Attack and Acid Death.
Chemical Invasion shows the band really pursuing the “beer”
direction. Can you explain the process?
This was never planned. The whole beer story started with our 2nd demo tape “Alcoholic Metal”. At the time a lot of different very “Evil” metal styles came up and we found this very funny. As we’ve never slaughtered any virgins or fought in medieval wars, we thought it would be nice to sing about things we know. But nevertheless, we really didn’t want to get rid of the German purity law for beer. Hahahahaha!
At this point, how was the band promoting their albums? Were you able to tour?
Yes, we toured a lot in Europe. It was a great time for us.
Morning After showed a lot of musical progress, what was
happening in the band at that time?
I can’t remember any special reason for this. I think it was just the normal process of learning and getting routine.
Also, it was an album very popular in the States, how come
there never was a tour in the Unites States?
That’s a good question. Come over to the States is relatively expensive, because of flights and visa etc. and it was just to expensive for us to go for just a short trip. As we all have regular jobs, we are not able to tour for several weeks. Maybe we will do when we have retired.
Do you have any regrets not trying to capture the U.S.
market?
Yes, absolutely. We have missed to tour there at the time.
How did you feel the band was progressing through the next
three albums, The Meaning of Life, Stone Cold Sober, and Two Faced?
We always try to learn and to improve. But to be honest, we don’t plan our music. It just comes what we have in our mind at the time of writing and recording.
Many of your songs have a great live feel, how would you describe a typical Tankard concert from that time?
Pure energy, sweat, beer and crazy bastards on stage.
Do you feel your live album, Fat, Ugly and Live, reflects
that feel?
A little bit, because it’s just audio and even a video doesn’t reflect the whole thing.
The self-titled album, The Tankard, gained very good
reviews. Do you think this was the
pinnacle of your time with Noise Records?
It could be. On this album, we’ve tried to be more melodic and worked very hard especially on the vocals.
How would describe your relationship with Noise, after
nearly a decade long relationship?
I’m not aware about any problems etc.. The contract run out and we’ve received a better offer.
Do you feel that a special time in the history of the band
ended once you left Noise?
Just the ironical comments from Karl-Ulrich Walterbach (boss of Noise). I had the feeling that he always had something to complain. Just kidding, it was a good time with him.
All of your Noise records were recently released in a set titled For A Thousand Beers, were you involved in putting this box set together?
Yes, we had to collect and review all the old pictures and videos. It was so funny. We had a lot to laugh about.
When you listen back to these records, how do you feel about
that time? Would you do things
differently?
As this was my time as a young and stupid man I would say that it would have helped to drink less alcohol. But at the end, I didn’t learn it until yet. Hahahaha
Tankard is till with us, and there were many records
released after you left Noise. What
keeps the band going?
We still love what we do. This is our life. That’s
the one thing we are very proud of: we never gave up! Currently we are
recording a new Album which will be released later this year and a lot of shows
are planned. For me personally I feel the same energy like I had in the 80s.
Mark Kadzielawa
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