Interview with Marc Wüstenhagen (guitar) of Thunder And Lightning
Just last year, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING released their 3rd record ‘In Charge Of The Scythe’, luckily we came to know each other over Twitter and so I had the opportunity to review their then current output. As it is the guys released a EP in September this year called ‘Slice of Life’ so I commented on that and had the luck to come into further contact with THUNDER AND LIGHTNING`s guitarist Marc. So it happens now that I find myself doing this interview and a review of their new EP.
Reflections of Darkness [RoD]: Starting with the songwriting process: how do you guys do it, when and where?
Marc: Mostly our singer Diddi and me come up with most ideas on our own at home. I make demo versions of the song and send them to the guys. Then we meet for rehearsal and work out the details to complete the song. I am not a jamming in the rehearsal room kind of guy. I need to lay out everything beforehand. Not the most romantic, old school way, but it works the best for us.
[RoD]: your last album ‘In Charge Of The Scythe’ was a concept album about a girl replacing the grim reaper, will the follow-up delve deeper into this stuff or will it be completely different?
Marc: It will be completely different next time. Maybe there will be a continuation of the ICOTS storyline at some point in the future, but for now we will aim at a new story. What exactly I can’t tell right now because we’re just in the process of coming up with ideas what direction it may take.
[RoD]: Considering my knowledge of your music (just the last record) what do you and the rest of THUNDER AND LIGHTNING usually write about and where do you get the inspiration for your music?
Marc: We are getting our inspiration from almost everything, from life events to things happening in this world. On our current EP ‘Slice Of Life’ our singer Diddi wrote a song about the guy who walked between the twin towers on a high wire. An idea which he got from the documentary about that man.[RoD]: As for inspiration, who are the heroes for you and the bunch?
Marc: For me musicians like Kai Hansen, Jon Schaffer and Angus Young. Diddi really is into Iron Maiden. Steve, our drummer, likes to listen to MEGADETH, KREATOR and old Death Metal stuff and lot. Our guitarist Benni loves OPETH and DREAM THEATER. Hoschi (Bass) like OPETH too, as well as DARK TRANQUILLITY, SOULFLY and INSOMNIUM.
[RoD]: What happens on tour? Are there laws for touring?
Marc: What happens on tour, stays on tour ;-) No seriously, we having fun. Playing shows, having a beer with the fans and just having a good time. Most laws apply to our singer Diddi, like all singers, he’s the one who has to be the most careful with his health, because of his voice.
[RoD]: Did the critical acclaim of your previous record help to boost your career?
Marc: We are getting more and more recognition. We played with VAN CANTO and ULI JON ROTH earlier this year and will go on a UK tour next year, which will be our first time over there. So I think the last album helped achieving that.
[RoD]: Do you and the guys have side-jobs? if so what do you do when not on stage rockin`out?
Marc: To be honest, and I wish it was different but the band is our side job. We are not making enough money to live off the band at all. The truth is most fairly known bands are it that situation, and that is really concerning I think. I won’t complain about illegal downloads, because I think the ship has sailed over 10 years ago, so we have to live with that. We are in for the fun at the moment, which doesn’t mean we will be playing for free of course. Expenses have to be covered. Our singer Diddi is a lab worker in cancer research. Benni is an administrative officer. Steve does IT managing for our local energy provider and Hoschi is a medical assistant. The only person in the band who does at least something music related for a living is myself. I am doing music production. Lately I produced the new album ‘The Bowls Of Wrath’ of a German death/ thrash metal band called POSTMORTEM. If your into really groove based, SIX FEET UNDER meets OBITUARY you should check them out. And if you are in a band and want to make an album or EP. Hit me up on Facebook or [RoD]: What was the first band that got you into metal?
Marc: HELLOWEEN.
[RoD]: What was the idea behind your band name?
Marc: We needed a name, and we figured THUNDER AND LIGHTNING sounded like the music we’re doing at it fits the genre. The words often come up in metal lyrics, so it was an obvious candidate.
[RoD]: What is the worst job you ever had?
Marc: Back ten years ago we had that thing where every male over the age of 18 had either to serve in the military for nine month or do community service instead. I did the community service, I liked helping people, and to do charity stuff. But most co-workers I had we’re backstabbing each other all the time for power over the company (weird even in charity organizations you got that kind of BS) and I really was happy when that whole thing was over.[RoD]: What do you and the guys listen to on tour?
Marc: ALL the metal.
[RoD]: What song do you want played on your funeral?
Marc: That theme song of the movie Top Gun. Not ‘Danger Zone’ or ‘Take My Breath Away’, the other one.… Wait just use ‘Take My Breath Away’ lol.
[RoD]: Where does THUNDER AND LIGHTNING stand as a band and where do you see yourself in the future?
Marc: We are writing songs for the next album and preparing for the tour in the UK next march. Some festivals are also on the schedule for 2015, so stay tuned for that.
[RoD]: If you would have to name your one single favourite vocalist who would it be?
Marc: Freddy Mercury.
[RoD]: What are the shortcomings in your job?
Marc: Since I am self-employed I am able to schedule things right most of the time.
[RoD]: Are there any things left you like to say to the fans out there?
Marc: Keep supporting the music and the bands you like. Even without money, you can share videos, and tell your friends about it. That’s the most important thing!
[RoD]: Well, thanks for your time Marc!
