Gotthard...Why Can't They Get A Break Here?

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:22 pm

Wanted to hear some discussion on this...

My old bass player from Scream turned me on to Gotthard, one of the best bands I've ever heard. They're from Switzerland, and absolutely huge in Europe, but have never played over here, and get no airplay. I'm just wondering why.

They are a hard rock band, with great hooks and melodies. Rhythm section is absolutley killer, as are both of the guitarists. The vocalist has the best stage presence I've seen since Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Here's a couple vids from the DVD that I have from 2005...Discussion?

Gotthard - All We Are
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5psFmr0IIx8

Gotthard - Hush (Deep Purple Re-Make)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ZeRwDM_tB4

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:52 pm

not really what i'm into at all.

but the answer to your question is....probably for the same reason some bands are unknown in europe, but big over here. regional taste...

witchhunt · Post by **witchhunt** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:11 pm

A couple years ago I got to meet a couple guys from Helloween (from Germany). I asked them why a lack of touring in the US. The singer was saying about big headaches with the visas or passports. I don't know why, but that's what he said.

Post by **Ron** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:21 pm

I listened to 5 of their songs on youtube, and though they may be solid musicians, their songwriting (to me) seems pretty bland. Nothing that sticks out and no killer hooks that grabbed my attention. On a scale of 1 to 10, personally I'd give them a 4.

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:29 pm

Reason...it would cost more for the band to play over here than what they would probably get paid. Even if they got put on as main support for a bigger US band...they would still get peanuts for pay. Plus they would have some huge expenses in just getting their equipment shipped over here. If they can make a few grand in their own county, why would they play in the states for a few hundred.

Barfight · Post by **Barfight** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:27 pm

JayBird wrote:Reason...it would cost more for the band to play over here than what they would probably get paid. Even if they got put on as main support for a bigger US band...they would still get peanuts for pay. Plus they would have some huge expenses in just getting their equipment shipped over here. If they can make a few grand in their own county, why would they play in the states for a few hundred.

every time i read what you have to say when it comes to touring bands -- I'm reminded of why I appreciate the fact that there are bands out there who will gather their equipment into a broken down piss stained van, and drive across the country, make absolutely no money, and do it just for the love of music..

I think talent agencies, and booking agencies are just as big of a problem as record labels are... thank god for DIY bands.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:04 am

Oh yeah, I have some compilations with some Gotthard tracks. Fire Dance is a bad ass song (I've been saying "bad ass" a lot lately in attempt to sound cool). Another cool band in the same vein is Mud Slick. Generally, Europe has always been more open with embracing rock music, particularly hard rock and metal. I don't know why that is. There are ton a of bands on the Century Media label who are relatively unknown here in the States, but they're treated like conquering warriors across the pond.

As far as booking agencies - It's not really a black and white situation. Some are good and some are bad. I believe that you should be DIY for as long as it's possible to still grow on your own, especially if you have any business sense. I've seen some good bands get destroyed by their management, and I'm sure everyone who's been around the block a few times here knows of a certain booking agency that's fucked over its share of bands.

In my experience, if you pay your dues and start to gain momentum, even those venue owners who generally work exclusively with agencies will start to take notice.

Bag · Post by **Bag** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:07 am

bassist_25 wrote: Europe has always been more open with embracing rock music, particularly hard rock and metal. I don't know why that is. There are ton a of bands on the Century Media label who are relatively unknown here in the States, but they're treated like conquering warriors across the pond.

I've seen Overkill play on a Wednesday night in Baltimore with about 50 people in the club, and yet they can fill arenas in Europe.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=l15cETDwuRw&feature=related

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:35 am

Bag - you hit the nail on the head. Europe is loyal to bands as long as bands keep giving them new music and tour Europe...the US calls a band a sellout the minute their song gets air play or more than 500 people start to like them.

A band I had a Ace's...who has sold a ton of albums in the early 2000's and up to the current day only had 70 people show up to see them...in Europe, their bass player told me that they still sell out their tour everytime they go overseas.

Japan is another growing market for American bands.

Plastered Bastards · Post by **Plastered Bastards** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:07 am

It's because Americans are jaded. In Europe they appreciate music way more than we do,it's a passion for them.
When we were over there,we saw so many posters for American bands and they were huge shows and they all sold out.I took a couple because we thought that was awesome. For example: Manowar is FUCKING HUGE, I mean HUGE.They don't sell crap here and they are from Jersey.They play to like up to 100,000 people and that's headlining.
We got decent crowds,nowhere near tht capacity.But big shows,they love that Americans go over there and play.
Sold a shitload of merch,and we did the smart thing and had everything printed over there.So when we arrived all of our merch was there and we didn't have to pay taxes either.
And as for Euro bands,the visa part is the biggest headache for them. We wanted our tourmates Jonestown from Prague to come over and they said they tried before and were denied visas,most likely would have been turned around by customs in the US.Their singer would have been the only one in because he is American.
Plus it's more expensive for them,than it is for us. Euros to Dollars don't add up.
But in short. Euro bands rock,except French bands j/k

Team Transylvania · Post by **Team Transylvania** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:48 pm

Tried listening to them. just cant get into it.
oh yeah, Jaybird... get NILE to play ace's or ATC. id be there for SURE. NILE beats the hell out all the bands ive heard playing there. Im sure they are cheap too.

Barfight · Post by **Barfight** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:04 pm

I think PB hit the nail on the head with this one. In Europe it seems that they appreciate music in any form moreso than we as Americans do, as long as it is actually performed with an instrument. I'm sure the same can be said for Folk Music, and other genres of music indigenous to each individual country, just because of the work and artsmanship that goes into not only playing an instrument, but manufacturing one as well.

I also think the major reason (perhaps the biggest) that Aggressive music is under appreciated in the US and Canada, is because the rise of club music, and hip hop. If you take a minute to think about it -- it's not just petty bitching about the popularity of that music, it's just everywhere... There isn't one corporation in this country that doesn't use hip hop music as a marketing scheme. It's everywhere, and everybody knows it gets people to rush out a buy things... we don't have to like that garbage -- but it makes better business sense if the majority of young impressionable Americans do...

To just get a grip of how much Urban culture has grasped this nation... go to your small towns, especially in places like Fulton, Huntingdon, Clearfield, and Centre Counties... places that have absolutely zero business being havens of urban culture... every single kid and twenty-something is parading around these towns bumping "Riding Dirty"... and it makes me sick to my fucking stomach.

We need to be more like Europe... in every facet of life.

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:07 pm

Barfight wrote:I think PB hit the nail on the head with this one. In Europe it seems that they appreciate music in any form moreso than we as Americans do, as long as it is actually performed with an instrument. I'm sure the same can be said for Folk Music, and other genres of music indigenous to each individual country, just because of the work and artsmanship that goes into not only playing an instrument, but manufacturing one as well.

I also think the major reason (perhaps the biggest) that Aggressive music is under appreciated in the US and Canada, is because the rise of club music, and hip hop. If you take a minute to think about it -- it's not just petty bitching about the popularity of that music, it's just everywhere... There isn't one corporation in this country that doesn't use hip hop music as a marketing scheme. It's everywhere, and everybody knows it gets people to rush out a buy things... we don't have to like that garbage -- but it makes better business sense if the majority of young impressionable Americans do...

To just get a grip of how much Urban culture has grasped this nation... go to your small towns, especially in places like Fulton, Huntingdon, Clearfield, and Centre Counties... places that have absolutely zero business being havens of urban culture... every single kid and twenty-something is parading around these towns bumping "Riding Dirty"... and it makes me sick to my fucking stomach.

We need to be more like Europe... in every facet of life.

i agree with this whole heartedly....minus the last sentence. why? chicks with hairy legs and pits are just nasty!

Plastered Bastards · Post by **Plastered Bastards** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:52 pm

Euro chicks are hot. Not hairy,well some are but not all.
The chicks in Prague are the hottest

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:53 pm

so that means you're taking us over there with you....right??

Bic & Que · Post by **Bic & Que** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:13 pm

Kev....back a looooong time ago.....
Scream used to do this song called "Fist In Your Face"
A killer tune!
The first time we heard it, we were blown away.
Talked to Robert that night, he's the BIG Gotthard fan.....
And we've been fans ever since.
Most of Gotthard's stuff can be picked up very reasonably on Ebay.....

Don't overlook this band

bsaller · Post by **bsaller** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:23 am

Kinda reminds me of Krokus or Motely Crue! Not what's happening right now, but I like it. I think they'd be great to party to.

bsaller · Post by **bsaller** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:29 am

JayBird wrote:

A band I had a Ace's...who has sold a ton of albums in the early 2000's and up to the current day only had 70 people show up to see them...in Europe, their bass player told me that they still sell out their tour everytime they go overseas.

Japan is another growing market for American bands.

Wow! I feel better know. A couple years ago we played Ace's and had 135 people. Looks like ya get as much support in J-town for live music as in Toonatown!

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:16 pm

pop punk bands ala screeching weasel, the queers, marky ramone are godlike in europe and japan.

they are merely for scumbags like myself and sanchez here in the states

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:10 pm

I am glad the music I listen to is not too popular.
Fuck overpriced tickets and shitty seats. I know punk rock kinda got pretty big in the mid-late nineties, but it was still cool, small shows at Elks lodges and shit.

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:25 pm

that's the way it should be.

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:32 pm

I thought someone else might have posted this by now, but they haven't, so here you go! Kevin, maybe it's partially their name. When I first saw the Band's name, "Gotthard", I thought this was possibly a joke or parody thread. Their name reminds me of what might be in the subject line of a Viagra spam e-mail from those who don't have a strong command of the English language.