#lindemann interview

Not new by any means, because it's a joint interview from Till and Peter Tagtgren, but while reading up on interviews, i thought this line was really nice:

Till is all smiles and hugs and bear-like handshake, the perfect, convivial host, making each member of the crew feel valued and appreciated. 

“When we started with Rammstein we extended the intros because we did not have enough material to full up a whole show. That was nice for the rest of the band, but I was getting so bored. Then I brought a friend who had some knowledge about fireworks.

"We started very simple with burning my arm, but the audience loved it immediately. The rest of the group responded divided. Some thought it would drawn the attention away from the music. Could be, but at least something is happening. Everyone likes a bit of circus, right? And it also helps to control my stage fright."

“Excuse me?” Does the frontman of one of the most roughest stadium bands suffer from stage fright? He nods. “I was already peeing my pants when I used to have to give a lecture in class. And I still suffer from that. That is also the reason that I don't talk in between the songs. Furthermore it breaks the mood. "What can I tell? Hello Antwerp, how are you today? Because I do not see the added value in it. Leave that kind of chit-chat over to Robbie Williams. He can. In the meantime I will play a bit with one of our flamethrowers.”

“It must not be easy to be Lindemann either, you think when you observe him in the hotel lobby, where he is getting ready to head for a music video recording session. Around twenty men are constantly circling around Lindemann; people from the record label, managers, media professionals. They are pulling on him, talking to him. Pushy passers-by who recognize Lindemann are kept away from him. Lindemann, a 56-year-old guy, stands amidst that commotion like the Sphinx of Giza among the pyramid tourists. He must also be tired of all this fuss.” 

Till Lindemann: “Flake had just danced on the pool table and tore down the lamp above it. The bar owner was totally freaking out. When Flake gets a bit drunk, there is always trouble. And then I have to pick up the pieces.”

“Sorry, Peter(Laughs). I’m sick as a dog. I have to compensate by annoying you. (Bangs his fists on the table and screams) AAAAAGHHHHH!”

Till, you grew up in the GDR." Did this influence your work? -

Till: Without my story, I would not be who I am. I would not have had  Rammstein or Lindemann. Then I would probably be a robber or a car thief.

After that, Peter(Tagtgren) and I had a candle competition, says Lindemann with an evil smile. We had a bet about how long we dared to hold our arms over the flame of a candle. I said to myself, I’m going to beat you, pussy! I lit a cigarette and smoked while my arm burned. I could smell it. I had a scar for the next two months.