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Kölsch, you are a founding member of the folk-punk band formed in 1991. What was it like back then, how did you come up with the idea to mix these two very different music styles, and how would you describe this band today to someone unfamiliar?
Kölsch:
When we started in 1991, there were already bands in England like the Levellers or the Pogues that mixed folk and punk in the 80s. They were definitely our musical role models in the early days. Over time, new influences kept coming in, leading to something unique: the unmistakable Across the Border
sound.
Today, I would place the band more in the punk rock genre than in folk. One person on Amazon wrote: "Punk rock with accordion and violin." That captures it quite well. However, we musically cover a much broader spectrum than a pure punk rock band. For example, there are also quieter moments at our concerts, and I think this contributes to the great atmosphere of an Across The Border concert.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
From your founding in 1991 until your dissolution in 2002, you were known as a touring band. How did you manage to balance the many performances with your personal and professional lives? Did you keep track of how many times you performed during that time? Didn't the desire arise at some point to create more mass-compatible lyrics and sounds to be able to live off music entirely?
Kölsch:
We played about 300 concerts, rehearsed a lot, and recorded 6 or 7 CDs. The dual burden of being in a band and having a job led to the band's dissolution in 2002. We would have loved to live off music; we still would like to today. However, reshaping the band to be more mass-compatible is not our thing. We are who we are. We also don't go door-to-door with labels or majors. If someone wants to make money with us, they have to come to us. We prefer to focus on what we can do: play good concerts and compose timeless music. Those who get it are lucky; those who miss it are out of luck.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
The time factor has probably not improved in the last five years. How did you come to the decision to want to play together again? Is it planned to give fewer concerts than before? Can we even speak of a real dissolution, considering there were still (rare) performances after your farewell concert? And what will happen now with the bands Tora Tora Bora and Ahead To The Sea, in which former ATB members play?
Kölsch:
The time factor has actually worsened. Jochen will continue to sing with "Ahead to the Sea," and Bieber will continue to play with "Pascow." We have agreed that there will be about 10 Across the Border concerts per year. That should work. The dissolution in 2002 was serious at the time. We couldn't continue. Burnout! And even at the concerts in 2005 and 2006, there was no talk of a reunion. However, we, and I think the audience, realized that we all missed something without Across The Border. These concerts ultimately sparked the final reunion.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
In addition to concerts, you have set more goals. A new CD has already been announced. What is the current status? Are any tracks ready, and how has the sound developed compared to earlier recordings? Are there already studio or release dates?
Kölsch:
We currently have 4 new songs in the works. The sound will not change; they will be typical Across The Border hits. A ballad is also planned, as well as another cover version. The studio is not booked yet; it will probably be winter before all the songs are finished. The release date is not yet set.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
Your concerts in the last two years have always been packed, just like your farewell concert. Assuming that continues, will you still strictly adhere to the self-imposed limit of about 10 concerts, or will you leave yourselves open to more flexibility in the long run? Conversely, if the opposite effect occurs and you only play for a handful of old fans, can ATB exist as a studio band?
Kölsch:
The number of concerts depends, as mentioned, on the schedules of the individual band members. But I could imagine that if things go really well, we might also do more concerts. Across The Border cannot exist as a studio band. A band like us needs to play concerts to become known, as we cannot count on support from radio and TV. Besides, concerts are much more fun than studio recordings.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
What about your surroundings—friends, acquaintances, relatives, and even at work? Does everyone know about your activity in the band? And how is it received there? At some point, you inevitably hear comments like, "You're too old for that now. You should do something sensible in your free time, like gardening or pottery." Do you have problems performing in front of an audience that is generally much younger than you?
Kölsch:
At work, my colleagues are not musically interested. Across The Border is not a topic at all. No one really knows what to make of it. Among friends, it is received positively, as most have always enjoyed going to concerts in the area. They are all coming back now.
The age of our audience is quite okay. From 16 to 35. What more could you want? By the way, Jochen and I were also at our first punk rock concert at 16. That was in 1985 with Die Toten Hosen in Karlsruhe (Under False Flag Tour).
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
Speaking of Die Toten Hosen, what music do you listen to privately? And what do you think of mainstream music?
Kölsch:
With six band members, there are of course six different musical preferences. The common denominator is clearly punk rock. Personally, I enjoy listening to the Beatsteaks, the Pogues, Social Distortion, or Manu Chao. Mainstream music is now hard to categorize. Are Green Day mainstream, for example? Alternative rock is also mainstream now but still good. And I think we don't need to discuss silly bands like No Angels, Sugababes, and the like.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
After so many years on stage, what has been your most embarrassing experience that you would never want to talk about again under any circumstances? What moments remain forever in your memory?
Kölsch:
Our most embarrassing experience was when we had to cancel a concert after 30 minutes due to the drunkenness of a band member. But that was a long time ago, and it hasn't happened since. Well, drunkenness has happened, but not a concert cancellation because of it.
Great moments were certainly our two performances at the FEST in Karlsruhe, or our tours in Germany with OysterBand or Big Bag of Sticks. And of course, when we played with DeeDee Ramone in Freiburg. Or our two performances at the Force-Attack Festival. Or our legendary Christmas concerts in Karlsruhe. Naturally, the farewell concerts at the Karlsruhe Substage. There are actually countless good moments that one experiences over 300 concerts.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
Speaking of drunkenness, I remember the situation at Substage when Jochen suddenly started looking for a driver to take you home in the middle of the concert. "This is not a joke; we are all too drunk to drive. If no one steps up, we won't get home tonight." Do you remember if and how you got home that night? Was it generally difficult to find a driver?
Kölsch:
Of course, we got home. But this topic is a problem after every concert. Usually, the wives or girlfriends drive if they are there. If not, we really have a problem or 2-3 offended sober drivers.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
Your first concert after the reunion takes place on 07.07.07 in Rastatt. Was that date planned so you could remember it in 30 years, or is it pure coincidence? Have you planned many nice surprises for your loyal fans who are traveling from afar for the concert...?
Kölsch:
The date of the reunion is pure coincidence. We are always good for surprises. However, they are usually unplanned. We haven't thought of anything special, except that it has to be at least as good that we won't know how to get home.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
You have now completed your first concert after the reunification. At the 777 festival in Rastatt, the crowd in front of the stage was moving from the first song on. This inevitably raises the question - do you feel the concert more in your old bones now than before?
And the second question: How was it?
Kölsch:
No. If you have the next day to rest, it's not a problem at all. It gets critical after 3 consecutive concerts. After that, it becomes exhausting, and you realize you are no longer 20. We really enjoyed the concert yesterday. The audience was great, the weather was good, and the organization went well. Now we are really looking forward to our home game in Remchingen on 27.10.07. Until then, we will focus more on songwriting for the new CD.
aaaaaprvdgrwwelt:
We are now eagerly awaiting the completion of your latest work. Asking for some closing words would probably be wrong since you are just at the (new) beginning. Right?
Kölsch:
Exactly! Keep rocking!!!
And always remember: The night is not just for sleeping!
