Steel (band)
Stahl is a rock band from Austria that was particularly successful in the late 1990s. Founded in 1996, the final line-up came together in March 1997: Alfred "Fredl Stahl" Holzschuster (vocals), Michael "Toni" Kaiser (electric guitar), Roman "Klaus-Rüdiger Hoffy" Hoffmann (electric guitar), David "Hans-Hermann Dave Krause" Schlögel (bass) and Joachim "Jens-Uwe Jurki-X" Graf (drums). The style is a mix of hard and punk rock, the band has often been compared to the Toten Hosen or the Doctors .
Band history
In 1997 the producer team produced Gerhard Gutschik and Harry Horvath Demos in the studio, and the two immediately noticed the song "Vera". Since they also owned the Pepperland Music Production label, they decided to cooperate and recorded the maxi CD "Vera / Stark / Thoughts". “Vera” dealt critically with talk shows, especially with Vera Russwurm's “Vera” program, which was extremely popular at the time . No sooner had a deal been negotiated and a CD presentation fixed with Edel Records than they were faced with the threat of legal consequences in the event of a publication. It was only when a prominent lawyer agreed to support him that the single hit stores across Austria - one year late. The hype surrounding “Vera” caused quite a stir, and in the end the band was even hired for the Forestglade Festival in Wiesen.
Encouraged by a successful tour and the positive reactions to "Vera", Stahl went back to the studio in 1998 to record a full album. At the beginning of 1999 “Los Sagwas” was released all over Austria and the band went on tour again. At appearances such as the Danube Island Festival, the St. Pölten Capital Festival or during the Superbike World Championship on the A1-Ring Spielberg, they were able to convince with their funny and energetic show. As support, they were on the road together with bands like Such a Surge , The Bates , Alkbottle , Heinz from Vienna or Megaherz .
In 2000 the band recorded the single "Auf Wiedersehn!", But Edel Records only wanted to release it if appropriate airplay could be guaranteed. Somewhat disappointed with this business strategy, Stahl sold “Auf Wiedersehn!” At their concerts and via their website in order to set up a budget for a new album. During the recording sessions, Dave was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which he eventually succumbed to a year later. Although three songs were still produced, the remaining band members saw no point in continuing without Dave and went their separate ways.
Revival 10 years of STAHL
In October 2006 Stahl gave a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding and in memory of Dave. Since Toni Kaiser could not be there due to an injury, Mario Machacek took over the position of solo guitar. Christian DeLellis could be won as a bass player and a keyboard player was hired for the first time with Herbie Kopitar. The performance was recorded and recorded on video, it is not known whether a DVD will ever be released.
25 years of STAHL - anniversary reunion with the original cast
On August 10, 2020, it was announced via social media that STAHL will celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 8, 2021. An open air event is planned in the Lockenhaus adventure pool (Burgenland, Austria) with special guests such as the indie band "The DAWN" and the internationally known DJ Nick ( Rock am Ring , Rock im Park , Novarock , Frequency ...). The band will perform with their original line-up and play a "Best Of" with a focus on their album "Los Sagwas".
Member projects
- Fred Holzschuster (Fredl Stahl) is mainly solo, but occasionally also with his (cover) rock projects Avalon and The Wulf Gang. He was also seen in an episode of the ATV + court show "Strafrichter Gustav Rothmayer".
- Joachim Graf (Jens-Uwe Jurki-X) played drums with Naiv
- Roman Hoffmann (Klaus-Rüdiger Hoffy) is involved in various musical projects.
- Michael "Toni" Kaiser is artistically active, writes children's books and makes music.
Discography
- 1997: If you all stay here, so will we (MC, self-distribution)
- 1997: America Is Waiting 1997 (Sampler with "Positiv" and "once" live)
- 1998: Vera / Stark / Thoughts (Single, Pepperland / Edel)
- 1999: Los Sagwas (album, Pepperland / Edel)
- 1999: Stage Radio (Sampler, X-Art Studios)
- 2000: Goodbye! (Single, self-distribution)