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Interview with Marco Wriedt
from Jörn ( www.Rocksensation.de)
Mike is pretty much into the whole Kiss szene.He saw me playing in a Club in 2003.he asked me If I was interested in playing in his Solo Band.we mostly played Kiss tunes BUT the not so well known.Even songs that Kiss never played on their own.With Mike I played my first Gigs abroad Germany(Holland,Belgium,France)I was 18 years old at that Time.and that was a big deal for me then to play in those Countries. The Daize thing was pretty funny actually.Ken Tamplin(a well known Manager and Producer in L.A) called me on a Friday afternoon and asked me If I was interested in doing a 3 week Festival Tour with Daize.That was a really weird but amazing feeling that a Producer from the states knew my name and called me here in Germany.Daize is a 2-time surf worldchampion,Model,Movie Actor and of course a Singer from California she does so much stuff...and she does it well.Check out her Album "Live your dreams"(Label:Mascot Records)It´s good Classic Rock with cool vibes 2.How famous is Daize in the States?? Cause she isn´t that well known over here She has a name in the states.People know her.and she really is an inspiration for young people over there. Nobody knows her in Germany but I hope that will change when we tour here next year.Of course If I have Time for this cause AXXIS is the most important for me.We played some Festivals in Holland,Belgium,Holland,France last year with Daize so next year there will be some german dates as well. 3.You played some Festivals as Support act for Glenn Hughes in America and as opening Act for Jeff Scott Soto in Europe with the Band "TIME" I can imagine that you gained some great impressons. Have you had the chance to talk to these guys?? Oh yeah.That was incredible.Just to be in California was amazing.I have family in Texas but I´ve never been in California until that point.We even had dinner together with Glenn Hughes at a Festival.That was unreal but It happened...he told some stories about the California Jam 74.pretty crazy.he is a true legend and a huge inspiration.Even for me and I´m not a singer or Bass player.He is just amazing. Jeff Scott Soto and me became friends on that tour and I´m glad that he is the singer of Journey now...he deserves everything.Just so Journey in Cologne and that was an incredible show.Man,he did so well singing those difficult songs
Since The Band never had a Label.you can´t get it anywhere 5.Without any doubt everbody can hear that you have the needed talents as a Guitar Player. But How did you finally became a member of AXXIS??Any Connections at that time?? No No not at all...I didn´t even knew that they were looking for a new Guitar Player at that Time.Actually I wanted to move to California this year to try my best over there since I had more contacts there than in Europe for some reason.I was working in a Music Store last year and One day Rob(Schomaker-Axxis Bass player) came to the store as a usual customer.I didn´t really knew who he was.My Co-Workers told me who he was and after that we talked for a while + I told him that I thought that TIME MACHINE was a great album.then he told me that the guys were looking for a new guitar player.of course I was interested since I always liked the works of the band and I had 4 records at that time.In the evening we talked even more in a restaurant and after an hour of talking with good vibes he told me to call Harry(Oellers-Axxis Keyboarder)so I hooked up with Berny & Harry in Dortmund at their own Studio where we talked for 2 hours or so.After that they introduced me to some new Material.I played some Solostuff on those Ideas.After that the guys told me that they wanted to do an complete band rehearsel.It was christmas and I had to learn 22 songs in 2 weeks.The Band Rehearsel went quite well and 2 days later Harry called me to get over to the studio again.yeah and now I´m here:) The guys checked 30 Guitar players and I was the only one in my age.I´m very happy and proud to be in this Band cause this Band is very opened minded when it comes to Music and I love that cause I love so much different stuff.I think that´s one reason why the chemistry in this Band is so amazing. 6.What about Songwriting?? I already wrote one complete song with the guys.and the Riffs and stuff are completely written by me.This song will be part of the new album as well.I´m pretty excited. 7.Have you already played some gigs together?? Funny enough..No...There should have been some Gigs in Russia and one in Germany...but they all got cancelled for some reason.The first show will be in Bavaria May 11 and I really can´t wait!! 8.When was the first time when you listened to the music of AXXIS?? April 2000.That was the time when "Back To The Kingdom" was released.I was 15 years old and I really liked the album.I still like it very much."shadow Man","Flashback Radio","Only God Knows" and "My Little Princess" were/are my faves.After that I got the "Matters Of Survival" Album which is my favourite Axxis Album until this day. 9.What Music Schools did you visit?? I´ve been to different ones and I´m happy that I´ve had very different teachers.The most important is "Thomas Brill" he showed me the complete world of Music...Pop/Jazz/Blues whatever...I´ve learned a lot from him.I´ve visited a Music institute in a small town near Cologne.That was pretty exciting as well since I had Vocal and harmony lessons.I will never be a Lead singer but it helped a lot anyway.you know I have to sing a lot of Backing Vocals in AXXIS...So I´m quite happy that I had some Vocal lessons.But I have some great Vocal teachers in this Band...Berny and Lakonia 11.You are just 22 years old.I checked your list of influences and favourite Bands and most of them are quite old Bands.I guess the influence of your dad had sth. to do with that.Most of the music interested in your age listen to Bands like "Korn" or "Evanescence" Is it difficult for a young musician like you who is rather into traditional Bands to find a crowd or do you think that there are still some people like you who love albums like "Heaven & Hell","Thunder & Lightning" or "Come&Get it" It´s very difficult over here in Germany if you don´t listen to that stuff like "Tokio Hotel,Danile Kübelböck,Fettes Brot or whatever.In my eyes that´s not Music at all.but it´s a fact that the young generation doesn´t have any idea about REAL music.and that´s the fault of MTV,VIVA and stuff like that. Kids are watching those "Bands" at TV and really think that it is real music.and I really don´t care If they download the latest single of "Tokio Hotel" as long they don´t do this with real artists that write their own songs and love music and live for music.This Illegal downloading really has to stop.There are still some great artists out there but nobody sings them cause the record label wants to do the quick money.It´s a shame and I really hope sth will change about this.The Music szene needs to have unique personalities again To get back to the main topic, my dad went to all the Bands in the 70´s and 80´s.He still goes to many concerts.He isn´t a musician but he loves music.so I got this feeling when I was 7/8 years(early/Mid 90´s) old when this Music was really out of fashion.The second Gig I went to with my Dad was "Iron Maiden" here in Cologne at the E-Werk.I knew all the great videos of Maiden...(Live after death and so on) all the Arena Gigs and stuff...so when I arrived there at that Club I couldn´t believe that the mighty Maiden should play there.Thanx God it´s getting better and Maiden is playing sold out arenas again.But then It was really strange.All my school friends were listening to "Nirvana" and me to "Deep Purple-Made in japan"and they were asking me" hey,Who are these "Purple"??? are they on MTV??" NO? Then they are not cool" Of course I wasn´t cool at all with my kinda taste...but I didn´t care.I knew that they didn´t have any idea of music.I really like some of the new Bands. I love "Coldplay" they deserve this huge success.they are awesome."Creed and "Alter Bridge" are one of my faves as well.The "Foo Fighters" have some cool songs. and "The Darkness" of course. so as said before, It´s getting better again but (for my taste) not in Germany..I mean bands like "Die Killerpilze" have big success!!!! hallo?? what´s wrong here???it´s really a shame. One of the biggest talents are singing in "AXXIS" her name is "LAKONIA".she has an incredible voice.and I can´t wait for her new own album. she will be HUGE..she deserves it all.I´ve already heard some songs and I´m so impressed.it´s just WOW.It´s an honour to share the stage with her. 11.When did you know that you wanted to make music as a profession??and how much did your parents support you?? very very early actually...When I listened to first few Queen songs...I just KNEW it.it reall changed my life big time.Music has always been the most important thing in my life.My mother(who supported me SO much as well)always wanted me to sit in an office but it just doesn´t work for me.My parents always supported me where they could.and I´m really proud to have parents like them.They always visited the gigs where I played...they are still coming to the gigs + they really enjoy the Music of Axxis.Incredible people 12.You are so young and You already could gain a lot impressions in the music business which I guess is very helpful esp. now playing in a big Band like AXXIS.But what about after the shows when the "old Guys" leave the venue for their hotels.Will you party at the nearest Rockclub after the shows? Since we never played a gig so far I don´t know yet. But what I know that the guys have more power than 90% of the 14 year olds.When a gig went well you should celebrate it.But I think there has to be some discipline too.that´s my experience.and I think that it shows if you are an professional or not 13.Are you gonna move to another city in the near future to be closer with the Band?? Not at the moment but probably in the next 2/3 years. Dortmund is not far away from my place...only 50 minutes to drive.So it works.but who knows what the future brings... 14.Can You Imagine to do some other projects besides AXXIS?? Well as I told ya before.When Daize wants to Tour and I´m not busy with AXXIS I will tour with her.But I don´t care too much about different projects.I´ve always been a "Band Guy" that´s what I love.The Band chemistry.But a guest appearance on an album like "Avantasia" would be cool of course!!
I´ve seen the "We will Rock you" Musical a couple of times now and I Love it. I wanna go there soon again. The message of the musical is perfect.I saw the Band with Paul Rogers too and I thought it was great.Just because of Brian May...I´ve never seen him live before so that was so great.Of course Nobody can fill the shoes of Freddy Mercury but that´s the least that Paul wants to do.he is singing those songs in his own style and of course they can´t play songs like "Death On Two Legs" or "Somebody to Love" with him but stuff like "I want it all" works very well 16.Time to check out your favourite Bands.all of them released Classic Albums.It´s hard to pick one of each Band but you should at least try to name a few of your favourite albums 17.Starting with Queen "A Night at the Opera" Of course.A lot changed with this album.The first album is very important for me as well.same with "sheer Heart Attack" and "Live Killers". everybody should have "Innuendo" for me it´s the "A Night At the Opera" of the 90´s. 18.We go on with the "Prog Rock Legend" "YES": I think "Close To The edge" is one of the greatest records of all time.Just listen to it in a chilly moment when you are alone and you know why.Besides that I really love "Yes-songs" Number 3 will be " Going For the One" songs like "Awake" are just incredible 19.From Prog Rock to Prog Metal-Dream Theater "Images&Words" Of course.I think The song "Metropolis is one of the best songs since the late 70´s. "Six degrees of Inner Torbulence" is amazing too.and last but not least the last album"Octavarium" it shows the diversity of the Band..from Prog,Rock,Metal to Pop...awesome 20.One of the Most importan Power Metal Bands-Savatage "Edge of thorns" after that "Streets" and "Wake of Magellan" I hope they will tour again soon 21.A True Classic of all Time-Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of the Moon" belongs in my Top 3 albums.just unbelievable...Those songs mean a lot to me..you know stuff like "us and them".Those albums were pure art.after that "Atomic Heart Mother"incredible "The Wall" of course and "The Final Cut" I know not a lot people like this album.I just think U need to listen to a couple of times. 22.Thin Lizzy I love those Guitar Players..I met Mr.Sykes and Mr.Gorham in person.Amazing people with a big aura around them."Live& Dangerous" is one of my favourite Live albums.then "Thunder& Lighting" I think the first riff I play at a soundcheck is "Cold Sweat" and number 3"Jailbreak" because "Warriors" is on there 23.Creative and unique-Rush "2112"! followed by "Moving Pictures" and"Permanent Waves" and all those great great songs as a 3 piece Band..amazing 24.With 75 Million sold albums.The Melodic Rock Band-Journey Frontiers of course.everybody should have that record.By the way.I think neal schon is one of the best players out there.Cause he always plays solos that make the songs better.it always makes sense when he is playing."Raised On Radio is one of my faves" I love "The Girl can´t help it".and "Greatest hits live" cause almost everything you need is on there! 25.An Inspiration for hundrets of Sleaze Bands-Aerosmith I think I´m a strange Aerosmith. I love the 70´s stuff which wasn´t really that famous here.It starts with "Toys in the Attic" "You see me crying is one of the greatest ballads that they wrote"after that "Rocks" for sure."The best "pure Rock" album ever. and "Live Bootleg" just a classic and so raw. 26.Last but not Least-THE Rock Band-Led Zeppelin Even I´m not a Les Paul player..Jimmy Page is one of my biggest influences.My alltime fave is "Physical Graffitti" Just because of "Kashmir", "III" coz "Since I´ve been loving you" is on that one.And "Houses Of the Holy"I Love "No Quarter" and "The Rain song" Zeppelin were pure Magic!! 27.Ok,Anything you wann tell?? Well, I hope to see many of you guys on Tour...I really can´t wait.and I hope that you gonna like the new AXXIS album which should be released sometime in Autumn this year!! I hope you guys are doing well and I see ya soon
www.Myspace.com/Marcowriedtofficial |
Marco, What can you tell us about your previous projects.Who is this "Mike Stone"-(No, Not The Queensryche Guitar Player)you Recorded an E.P with him and who is Daize Shayne?? 
4.Where Can people Get the TIME EP 
15.When you turned 7 years old you found your love to the Band "Queen" and to Rock Music in general.Have you already seen the "We Will Rock you Musical" and the Band Live with Paul Rogers? 