Interview with Oliver from Nine-T-Nine by Ove
Hello Oliver, thank you so much for giving Blizz Of Rock this interview First of all Oliver, I'm honored to talk to the lead guitar player in the great rock band Nine-T-Nine.
When was the band Nine-T-Nine formed? What is the story behind the name?
Oliver: The band was founded in 1999 – there you have it, the story and when we were founded! : )
Seriously, we didn't feel like spending a lot of time with a name, but care about the music instead, so we quickly decided on the year as out name. And it actually sounds pretty good, right?
Haha, that easy huh? Good name, by the way Congratulations with the bands anniversary, Oliver
Oliver: Thank you, there are more anniversarys coming in the future
If I've done my homework, you released your debut album in 2004 named “Live 2004” How did that come about?
Oliver: Up to that point we didn't have any recorded material, at least nothing worthy for the public.
However we achieved a pretty good status on festivals, the crowds got larger and the demand for a CD grew as well. I mean, the band wanted to record an album for the longest time, but internal changes in the lineup made it difficult. So at one of our concerts in 2004 we had one of those golden nights where everything went nearly perfect: our performance, the sound and the recording of the concert. So we decided to do it the other way around: Release a Live concert first, then make the first studio album. It took us another 5 years to get that done, but it was definitely worth it.
After another four years, you signed a label called “272Records” in 2008. And you released your first Single same year. And now a year later you released your first full album “Keep the flame alive” with 13 tracks. It Looks like the band has been quite busy over the past two years. How do you feel the last couple of years have been?
Oliver: Well first we didn't sign with 272Records but were asked to include “Sandy” on their upcoming compilation CD. We were greatly honored and a little surprised that an American Label had found us and wanted us to be on their CD. That started a lot of interest and made it easier to introduce our now first Studio CD.
Do you have a favorite track on the “Keep the flame alive”?
Oliver: “Light My Life” – but everybody in the band has their own favorite. Lots of good stuff to choose from! : )
So you feel the band is on the right track? Does Nine-T-Nine have more material for another album in the near future as well?
Oliver: Yes, absolutely. We are constantly writing new stuff and a lot of ideas we haven't even tried yet, due to time are waiting to be worked on. But we can assure you that new songs are already being played at our shows. We want to try them out and perfect them further. We would like to record our next album within the next 2 years for sure.
I've been searching and reading about the band, and It feels like you admire the US and their Music. Is it important to succeed in the US?
Oliver: Not really. It is nice however to be recognized abroad as well, especially since a lot of our musical influences come from the US-Westcoast. We do get a lot of great responses from the US and hope that we can be successful in Germany, Europe, the US, Australia, Japan... why not? Let's get 'em all!
*Haha, you got us!!*
Nine-T-Nine is from Germany, and if you ask me, is one of the best bands in Germany at the moment. Germany has some of the greatest names in the Rock History. I am thinking of bands like Gamma Ray, Helloween, Scorpions, Accept and Running wild - just to mention some of them. Does Nine-T-Nine have any history with any of these bands?
Oliver: Thank you first of all for the compliment. That is a huge honor. As for having a history with the mentioned bands, Lorenz has a ride cymbal once owned by Running Wild, Kai Hansen once tried out as a guitarist in Lorenz's first band – when they were all young and beginners, but Kai was already much further ahead of everyone else. I guess that's about it. :) Of course the music of the Scorpions influenced us as well, no doubt, Gamma Ray, Accept and Running Wild were more of the harder edged Rock genre back then – and still are today
Kai Hansen 
Scorpions
“Sandy” is a lovely song, who wrote this masterpiece? And who is Sandy?
Oliver: I wrote the music to the song. It all started out with the melody for the chorus. While we were playing with this idea and what to sing to it, I started singing the word Sandy. Originally thought to be just a placeholder, until something more suitable was found. I thought that Sandy sounded cheesy at first, but it grew on us and „She“ established herself. Sharky finished the lyrics. But who I was really thinking about while I wrote the song has got to stay a secret. Especially for my wife! :)
*I just blocked her IP-adresse no worries... LOL.*
Where may we find the albums, where could we buy the music from Nine-T-Nine?
Oliver: If you care for an autographed copy – order directly from us on our myspace site (www.myspace.com/9t9rocks) In addition we were just added to iTunes and Amazon, AOR Heaven, Rock Papas, Target Records and a bunch of other internet stores worldwide, but soon you will be able to get us in record stores... at least in Germany. We are working on a world wide distribution.
Is there something you would have done differently if you could turn back the time and start over?
Oliver: It all had a purpose that it went the way it did. Some people live in the past and reminisce about things. You should definitely learn from your past but don't spend your energy on “things could have turned out so and so, if...”. That's a waste of time.
If the band received 100.000$, and had to give it to a good cause, what or who would that be?
Oliver: Is this the question where you want to see if we are a bunch of egotistical maniacs or if we carry a social vein in our bodies as well? :) Just kidding.
Not a realistic question at this point but should we have the luxury to receive that kind of money, I would not give it away at once for one good cause, but think about how we could make that money grow, so we could give for a long time, like a good cause for life. What would that be? The band would have to decide at that time.
*I really love the idea, seem like you been thinking it through for some time*
Is it possible to see Nine-T-Nine live on tour?
Oliver: We sure hope so!! : ) We are working on tour dates and concerts as we “speak” for the next year here in Germany and are looking to play outside Deutschland as well. We'd love to come to Norway and play there. Anybody interested in booking us, please contact our management at: agency@promusic-rockheaven.com
Any bands or artists you would love to have with you on your tour?
Oliver: I doubt that Bryan Adams, Gotthard or Europe would go with US, rather us going with them... Maybe something like that could work out one day. There are also great bands out there, local bands, and it would be fun to play with them as well, hearing different influences. I'm a Club to Arena kinda guy. Bring 'em on and I'll be there.
Bryan Adams
Gotthard
Europe
If there was one place in the wide world that you could play Oliver where would that be?
Oliver: Europe, Japan, USA and Australia! More than one place, but it is so hard to decide...
Nine-T-Nine is a rock band. Where do you get your influence? Do you feel that Nine-T-Nine's got their own style?
Oliver: Absolutely. Of course the songs remind a lot about the 80's, but they are not just 80's. We do incorporate keyboard sounds that weren't available back then, we write music combining different styles. Everybody in the band has their own favorites. They vary from the obvious Toto (old and new), Survivor, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Journey and so on to today's sounds. Jürgen has a more progressive background like old Genesis, Stefan likes Satriani, Lorenz likes everything from Evergrey to Deuter.
What's your opinion about the Rock'n' roll coming back?
Oliver: Was it ever gone? AC/DC is still active, Magnum, Journey and a bunch of other mentioned bands are still around. Our music style is coming back as well. The fashion industry just rediscovered the 80's. I think we fit right in there.
What sort of age group are you attracting with your music?
Oliver: We noticed that the kids are really into our music. We have received mails and ideas for videos by teens. That is awesome. But of course our own age group who grew up with this type of music is appreciating us greatly as well. They have been fed the grunge sounds for a long time in the 90's, now the trend is back to more melodic sounds. At our shows we seem to attract pretty much everybody. We have families travel to come see us play, young kids know our songs by heart.
Would you like Blizz Of Rock Radio to play your music?
Oliver: Absolutely not! That could make us more popular and who would want that? Are you kidding?? Hell yeah!!
*Phew..... You got me going for a few sec there.. haha*
If you got the chance to have a concert in Norway, what could we expect from Nine-T-Nine?
Oliver: You can expect a thrilled Band from Germany who would be more than proud to be there and give it their all on stage: a great show, interviews, autographs. Close up and personal. Something like that! Would that be OK with you? :)
*As long as I can be backstage and we all make one hell of a "Nachspiel" .... haha....*
Do you know any Norwegian bands?
Oliver: Besides a-ha? I have heard of BigBang, Jorn, Tindrum and of course TNT!! - and my favorite: Stage Dolls.
TNT 
Tindrum 
Stage Dolls
Any instruments you would love to learn how to play, that you don't?
Oliver: I would love to play keyboard so I'd have more possibilities writing songs. The other would be drums, which fascinate me.
Is there a funny story you could share with us?
Oliver: Oh yes! A former Bass player in the band had to go to the bathroom during a show. He thought during one of Jürgens extended keyboard intros was a good time, he thought he would make it back in time. Not quite. He was back halfway into the first Verse. We were cracking up - at the same time we couldn't believe that he actually did that. Very funny. The audience enjoyed this as well as it was obvious what had happened, when he hectically jumped back on stage.
*Priceless... haha This is what Rock N Roll is all about*
If you could turn back the time and choose a new date to start a band, when would that be? And why this year/decade?
Oliver: 1800's. Would have loved to play with Mozart or Bach with today's instruments. That would have been fun. Bach was the heavy hitter back then – if I may say so. But they would have probably thrown us out.
What is the highlight of your career as rock musician?
Oliver: In 2001 we made it to the finals of a huge Band competition and played at one of Hamburgs most famous clubs – the former Star Club where the Beatles and Al Jarreau were discovered. The audience was outstanding and we played like there was no tomorrow. It was a night we'd never forget.
Anyone you would love to meet, that you have not met yet?
Oliver: To meet Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora would be very special for me. It was them who have inspired me more than anyone over many years.
What is your opinion about Blizz Of Rock? (www.blizzofrock.com)
Oliver: Cool intro of your website, our cover looks GREAT ON YOUR HOME PAGE!! Wonderful idea to feature artists every week. That is different from others. Very nice.
Who would you like Blizz Of Rock to make an interview with?
Oliver; An idea would be Steve Overland, one of my favorite musicians or Danger Danger, a great rock-band with great songs. It's very great hearing the voice of Ted Poley again.
Steve Overland
Danger Danger
Thank you so much Oliver and Nine-T-Nine for using time to answer these questions. Blizz of rock wishes Nine-T-Nine all the best, take care Oliver.
Oliver: Thank you for having us and giving us the chance to tell you guys a little about ourselves. We wish you lots of luck and success. Keep it up!!
