H R H - I N T E R V I E W S

Michael Schenker of MSG
Interview January 2006

Michael Schenker Photo by Marc Theis

One of melodic rock’s most compelling guitar players of all time is most certainly Michael Schenker. His black and white Flying V stood as synonymous for extravagant guitar playing, hammering riffs thick as pastry, an amazing fluent and almost humming style of soloing, all draped around classical quotations. His departure from German leading melodic rockers Scorpions right before their breakthrough made many frown. But this made way for a new shot to stardom with England’s finest: UFO. They were a flying saucer that would boost melodic rock, because of Schenker’s extraordinary song writing and playing. Their love-hate relationship stretched for many years and was revived numerous times. The band would deliver immaculate releases like the undisputed live classic Strangers in the Night and a long stream of studio classics, too many to mention. When Schenker decided to battle away from the mothership in the eighties, the man decided to use his name and skills to the fullest. Michael Schenker Group, MSG for short, was born! A name which would stand for quality releases and amazing rock songs hosting some of rock’s finest names ever. From the mighty and soaring classic bluesy rockers with Graham Bonnet and Gary Barden, the mega melodic era with Robin McAuley, coincidentally also renaming the band McAuley Schenker Group, all the way to power shouters in the new millennium like Kelly Keeling, Leif Sundin and Chris Logan. MSG always stood out, but the flag started to fade to Schenker’s bad habits and personal life. With Tales of Rock ‘n’ Roll - 25 years Celebration, MSG not only reports back with newfound power, Schenker also launches the career of a new talented vocalist, whilst being backed by all those who made the name MSG shine so bright the last 25 years! When I call the master, he sounds vivid, alive and kicking. Constantly firing away his one liners, and laughing, about everything … proving his newly found fun in music and life.

Edwin van Hoof: Congratulations on the new CD! It does justice to the 25 year celebration of The Michael Schenker Group. but how did this record evolve, with it hosting so many big names from the past of MSG?

Schenker: “When I started composing songs for the CD, it was my intention to make it a concept CD. I mean, an album with the binding factor being rock ‘n’ roll. Nothing like a story woven CD though. Plain and simple.
Most songs on this CD originally where intended for the next UFO studio. I started writing and rehearsing with Pete (Way). When we found ourselves at the point of finally laying down the tracks in his studio, Phil (Mogg) was supposed to come over for the vocal parts, but he never showed up. Why? I guess his plane took a U-turn somewhere along the way. (laughing out loud again) I don’t know…”

VH: What happened then?

Schenker: “I got a demo from Scandinavia. Laughs again: What I heard was amazing. This guy (Jari Tiuri) had such a great voice, amazing! So I contacted him, started sending him my song ideas, and it pretty much snowballed from there. Nothing on this record was premeditated; it all came down to spontaneity and taste.”

VH: When did you get the idea of teaming up with the old MSG vocalists?

Schenker: “It was really tough to get together all these names from the past, you should try it! You just can’t get six great singers together just like that (Snapping his fingers) Not even mentioning the miscommunication it leads to.” Michael sighs and starts grinning, to continue: “I sent around the tapes with songs last year in January, leaving the singer free to work out there ideas into the songs. Gary and Leif ended up working on the same song, both crystallizing into completely different tracks in the end. It is amazing to see how two people make a song sound so different … For instance; Leif modified “Angels of Avalon” which was nearly finished by Jari, and it came out so different. The way he improved it however, is wonderful. It is like bowl with bananas and strawberries, there’s a certain taste. If you take out the bananas, you still have strawberries left in there. When you add another ingredient, the flavour will be differing, sure thing. That’s the same with my music and songs ...”

VH: So with the 6 singers at hand, how did it all evolve from there?

Schenker: “Being able to get them together already was a big endeavour, but a success. The material, pfui… I could have easily made 3 full CD’s of it, don’t you think?! There’s so many ideas and so much happening, it is almost educational!” At this point Michael is hard to interrupt, and starts talking about his interview rounds for the CD, and the questions some ask … “Now people all of a sudden ask me: why, why, why, does a song rock n roll sound like “Assault Attack”? Well,– because of Graham Bonnet singing it! Or why does another track sound so much like the “Perfect Timing” –era? Because Robin McAuley sings it; it’s not that hard is it? I don’t understand it being so hard accept those simple things”

VH: Where does Mr. Schenker get the inspiration for the songs and music?

Schenker: “In the spring!” Laughing out loud … without thinking, Schenker continues: “I can’t explain it, to be honest. I do what I like, and always did. My inspiration comes from inside. It is hard to put into words, and I believe I cannot explain it at all. It is just something that happens and comes from within, when the feeling is right. Tell me, how can one 17 year old high school kid, all of a sudden decide he’s not gonna copy any more guitarists? It’s just one of those things and decisions in life. Same goes for my music”

VH: When I ask Michael if everyday life affects his writing and playing, he doesn’t know what I am going at. I mean, there is so much happening in the musical landscape in the last decade, it must have affected you as a musician. You lived in the US where certain styles where blending and constantly changing shape in front of us. With regular rock music nearly completely being wiped out. You want to say that it never caught your attention?

Schenker: “No it didn’t! These things simply don’t affect my playing nor do they change my approach as a song writer.”

VH: Come on Michael! (I try to tackle) Everyone knows music can make a big impression, especially something new, in the US!

Schenker: “Hey, first of all, I lived there, so I know! Second; I lived in the freaking desert! I love to listen to music, in the background. Played in shops, at the airport, you name it. Being so far from it all, it simply never could strike me as much as it does most people. Now living in Hanover, I open the shades of my apartment, and see a different sight every day. The city changing in front of me, different weather … grins to continue: But not there. You look out the window, and every day you see the same sight in front of you. Hardly changing… so what happened on the outside world, hardly gotten through to me.”

VH: Several of your later CD’s weren’t officially released in Europe, now this one is seeing the light of day through Armageddon Music, which actually originated from your area and the Wacken Festival. Good to see you took this decision …

Schenker: “Well, I had plans running A – Z, all in my head. At that time, no company was even remotely involved in my plans for this CD, this was going to be my thing! No company involved that would be able to point out the financial risks. Just do it! Whether I would be able to sell it to a company or not, didn’t bug me. If no one would have been interested, I would have released the record on my own label. When the product was finished, Armageddon Music wanted it, and I couldn’t resist. This record will grow on you. Give it four years or so, and you will come to the same conclusion. It has so much to offer for everyone, its diversity must attract a lot of fans and listeners world wide. It will grow on you, I’m sure. Its integrity will strike.”

VH: Is this sort of a ‘now or never’ for you? This tour and CD?

Schenker: “I always … simply go, not caring to much about that question. I always did and I will be … That’s the wonderful thing about music man! You screw up and you still have music, you screw up again, and there’s still music! Screw up and try again, it’s a never ending cycle. Music has the ability to cheer you up when you’re down, a happy companion.” Hahaha! “I mean, music is so universal and powerful. Though you are feeling down, you can still overcome everything. That is the power of music. People sometimes come up tome after a show to tell me how a certain song or album got them through a certain period in their lives. In grief, anger, or struggling with the many facets of life … it pulled them through, or gave them something to cling to!”

VH: Then there’s the story with the cover CD which was released under the MSG banner … it received a lot of reactions world wide, but also made a bad name for you as a song writer, being attacked by German magazines claiming you doing it for the money, not being able write a descent song yourself …

Schenker: “The record was a perfect way to recharge myself for a next round. It enabled me to come to a new level with my career and life, I mean the divorce and so … The whole recording was a bunch of musicians joining for a fun time. I was invited by Bob Kulick to do lead guitars on all these cover songs with great musicians like Vinnie Appice, Sebastian Bach, Mike Baird, Gary Barden, Brett Chassen, Paul Di’Anno, Aynsley Dunbar, Tony Franklin, Mike Inez, Bob Kulick, Tony Levin, Marco Mendoza, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Jeff Pilson, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Shaw, Eric Singer, Marc Slaughter, Jeff Scott Soto, Phil Soussan, Joe Lynn Turner, Leslie West, Edgar Winter, Chuck Wright and Simon Wright. A great session. I had a lot of interview requests and asked Bob to send me the final CD. When I received it I was shocked. I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry. The CD cover had a big MSG logo on the front. MSG instantly became a cover band without my permission! It is weird how people keep sneaking around me, I don’t know whether it was the company’s call or Bob’s idea though. I don’t understand the desperation and why they think they can get away with this.”

VH: I sense you being truly satisfied with this CD and your current situation. Does this have anything to do with you living in your old hometown again?

Schenker: “Sure thing! Life has come full circle for me. I returned to my roots, family wise and in music. Everyone living close to me, makes me feel great. My brother and mother living in the area, as do Scorpions and a lot of old friends.” How are things with your brother, who is very prominent on your Web site …
“A while ago, I wrote my brother Rudolph (Scorpions) an e-mail in which I mentioned he should be happy to have me leaving The Scorpions back then. With me, the band would have probably never gotten as big as they are! I mean, Rudolph is a brilliant team player, probably one of the best in his kind, where I am more of a frontrunner. I have the urge to create different things, and not notice the people I am working with. That’s why I left and did my thing, where The Scorpions soon grew to be one of the biggest rock bands of the last century.”

VH: What makes the Schenker brothers this successful? What’s the key to your success?

Schenker: “The depth and emotion makes us stand out in music, I think. I don’t know if I can it like that, but it is the force within. We both go deep in everything we do, want it to be perfect. It must come from our father, who played the violin. When he did, he was always smiling and enjoying playing the instrument so much, that the pleasure in music must been inflicted on us. We want to enjoy music, playing, writing …”

VH: But for a long while you didn’t. Your person was haunted by the past with all the negative vibes from the UFO era, and personal life. It clearly affected you on stage as it did as a recording artist, judging the pleasure this record exposes, and the many laughs I heard just now …

Schenker: “I know what you mean. But I do enjoy music. I lost nearly all I have during my divorce, it was a daunting experience. Everything gone! Leif actually suffered the same and we could relate to each other. I consider that period a lesson I had to learn. One of those lessons in life that you have to overcome. No, I like it this way … I’m happy with who I am now.”

Thus says the always amazing Michael Schenker, whom I was afraid to interview for a second. His new surroundings, record and people working with him must have given him wings!