According to Blabbermouth.net, Singer Udo Dirkschneider says that “clever” marketing on the part of the band’s record label helped the current version of Accept land its first-ever Number one album in Germany with last year’s Blind Rage.
When asked by Rock Online if he is bothered by the fact that Accept took the top position in Germany for the first time with his replacement, Mark Tornillo, Udo responded, “Let’s say it this way. I mean, I know the business, I know how everything works, you know. I mean, they were changing the release date [of the album in order to insure that it would place high on the chart]. Normally, it was planned [to be out] one month before [in July 2014], but it was the same time that Judas Priest was coming out [with Redeemer Of Souls]. I mean, I know the business behind [the decision to push the release date back]. You know, and then they moved it to August. August, normally nothing is happening [in terms of big releases coming out]. [It was a] really clever [move] by the record company. I mean, I know how much albums it sold to [land] on the first… to be Number One in Germany. So that’s the whole thing behind the scenes. I mean, of course, it’s good if they have a Number One. It’s, like, yeah, the press [reacts very enthusiastically]: ‘Wow…!'”
Udo also revealed more about why he went to see the band perform live on October 4th, 2014 at Docks in Hamgburg, Germany during the European leg of the Blind Rage tour.
“Yeah, I can tell this: I mean, I was in Hamburg. I was waiting for the guy to pick me up for the mixing [of the new U.D.O. album Decadent],” he said. “And then I was buying a ticket — this is true — I was buying a ticket to see the [Accept] show in Hamburg at the Docks. Yeah, really! [laughs] And it was, for me, very interesting.”
He continued, “I wanted to see it once live, you know, what they’re doing on stage. And let’s say it in this way: I was… I cannot really explain it. It was like something like… It was, for me, nothing… like there was no band on stage, you know. For me, it was like they were playing everything without emotion. They [didn’t] look [at] each other. It was something, you know, it was like just, ‘Okay, here we go… Be finished and go!’ And, okay, in a way… It was sold out. But I thought the reaction of the people… Let’s say, the most reaction was when they did the old songs. Of course. So, but, you know, and the singer [Mark Tornillo]… In a way, he’s a good singer, but when he has to sing all the old Accept stuff, I feel very sorry for him. This is a nightmare.”
Udo added, “I don’t wanna say anything bad, you know, but it was really, like… I was, like, really, ‘What are they doing there!?’ I mean, I thought they really [would perform]… yeah, let’s say, really with energy and really with, you know, emotion. But this was like something… Okay… There was nothing… There was not a band, for me, on stage. So, but now I saw this, and I wish them all the best.”
When asked if any fans recognized him in the crowd during the band’s show in Hamburg, Udo replied, “Of course a lot of people recognized me. In the beginning, it was very interesting. I came in when [the band had] already started [playing], and then I was staying in the back. And then I could see all the people [looking at me], you know, like, ‘Err… is this Udo!?’ Then the people came up, of course, ‘What are you doing here?’ I said: ‘I watch Accept!” [laughs] ‘I wanna see that!’ So it was really funny, you know. [laughs] Yeah, what can I say? And then, of course, [people] started taking pictures [with me], [asking me for] autographs, blah blah blah. Yeah, but I don’t have any problems to do stuff like that, you know.”
He continued, “I mean, yeah, for me, it was really important to… I wanted really… I had the chance [and] wanted to see [the current version of Accept perform] live. And it was very important for me. And now I know what I wanna know from this band, you know, and then I say, ‘Okay, I saw it with my own eyes, I hear everything.’ That’s it.”
16 Responses
Udo and Niko McBrain are tied for the title of “Man least likely to be mistaken for George Clooney”.
I have been a huge Accept fan since the beginning. I will take new version currently over UDO’s solo stuff. Just have a hard time getting into his stuff. He is missing the “catchy” factor. it’s not bad, just not as good. Also glad to see Mark and the guys taking the high road as Udo has been mouthing off for a while…I’m thinking pretty jealous. I would kill to hear Accept do a new version of TT Quick’s (Mark’s former band) song Metal Of Honor.
This is the side of music journalism that drives me f’ing INSANE. Why can’t people just leave this topic alone? How many articles/interviews do we need about Udo somehow, in some way, bad-mouthing Accept (I don’t mean on et.com, but in general)? I get it. And I don’t care. This is just bullish*t sensationalism from the music press. Enough already.
I always thought UDO looked like Stretch Armstrong.
why does he care? He choose to leave the band. I like UDO and his solo stuff is very very good. I also like what Accept has done with last three albums. When he consisttnely makes digs at his old band which HE choose to leave , it sounds childish..