The crossover anthems of H-Blockx have burned themselves into the pop cultural memory of an entire generation. Anyone in Germany between the ages of thirty and fifty has likely celebrated at parties to "Risin' High" or jumped in the air to the beat of "Move" in front of some stage. The band from Münster is the most successful domestic crossover band of the 90s, having written an evergreen classic with "Risin' High," which is an unshakeable part of this pop decade.
Their groove still moves the masses today. The quartet has played at Rock Am Ring five times, putting tens of thousands of festival-goers in a party mood. And at Rock Am Ring 2010, the latest chapter of the H-Blockx story begins.
As the opening act for Kiss, the quartet once again lifted the spirits of the audience, and inspired by the performance, the band decided to go back into the studio to capture that special live vibe. They worked with producer Vincent Sorg (Die Toten Hosen, In Extremo, among others). Sorg and partner Jörg Umbreit met at Principal Studio near Münster, where "HBLX" was created in just over four weeks, a work that continues the virtues of the first legendary album "Time To Move."
The now seventh studio album contains eleven exciting songs, characterized by muscular rhythms, catchy melodies, and memorable vocal parts. "HBLX" shines with funk that is stripped down to the bone, stormy choruses, and cool lyrics. The opener "Hi Hello" is the perfect greeting song that instantly invites foot-tapping and head-nodding. "Can't Get Enough" is packed with ice-cold soul, "DOIOU" alternates between tender and aggressive moods, and "Footsteps On The Moon" will finally get the fans on their feet, following the motto: Let's go wild together!
In 2012, three members of the founding formation are still present: Henning Wehland (vocals), Tim "Tinte" Humpe (guitar), and Stephan "Gudze" Hinz (bass). They are joined by drummer Steffen "Steddy" Wilmking, who previously played with Thumb. Steddy, also a sought-after producer and session musician, is very satisfied with the recordings of the new H-Blockx album, saying, "We worked incredibly focused, almost everything was recorded live."
Guitarist Tinte felt reminded of old times, saying, "We recorded like we used to. It was back to the roots." The album title "HBLX" also recalls old times; this abbreviation used to appear on the two-inch tape reels of H-Blockx that were recorded during the analog years.
Bassist Gudze is also happy: "I find 'HBLX' highly successful because the band is very true to itself. I want to bring that to the stage and have fun." An intention that their audience is likely to fully agree with.
Tracklisting:
01. Hi Hello
02. Gazoline
03. Can't Get Enough
04. Footsteps On The Moon
05. Love Can't Say
06. In Your Head
07. I Want My Disco
08. DOIOU
09. I Want You
10. The Bitch Is Back
11. Headache Remains
Live:
10.05. Sofia / Intro-Festival (BUL)
11.05. Berghülen / Mairock (D)
12.05. Hamburg / Hafengeburtstag (D)
02.06. Burglichtenberg / Castle-Rock (D)
15.06. Interlaken / Greenfield-Festival (CH)
07.07. Lliepa / Baltic-Beach-Party (LV)
08.07. Lodz / Student-Festival (PL)
14.07. Straubenhardt / Happiness-Festival (D)
20.07. Cuxhaven / Deichbrand (D)
21.07. Schloss-Holte / Serengeti-Festival (D)
28.07. Salzburg / Julivent (A)
03.08. Erding / Sinnflut Festival (D)
04.08. Trebur / Open Air (D)
11.08. Rothenburg o.d.T. / Taubertal-Festival (D)
18.08. Grosspösna / Highfield-Festival (D)
31.08. Wiesen / Two days a week (A)
08.09. Wittlich / Festi-WIL (D)
Booking: Der Bomber der Herzen, Tim Böning
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