They are not stars (yet!)...

...they are just f***ing planets. Yes, I admit "We are the planet" is not one of the most creative band names and sounds a little like an old Michael Jackson song (and no, they are NOT a tribute band), but my old band - they used to be known as "The Missing Link" - have started some nice little things since they don't have to bear me as a lead singer anymore.

They totally stopped covering and have now created a set of songs that consists of finest Indie Rock. Apart from songs that we used to perform together, like "Madam, honestly", "Something" and "Lethal Poetry", they have added some really good pieces of music. My favorite being "Hail reality" and also the more aggressive "Morning pages" or the ballad "The void stares back" - which I hope to hear on their Myspace-page soon, make them much more versatile. One song - sorry guys, I can't recall the title right now, but help me out and I will add it - even sounds a lot like one of my favorite bands "Bloc Party" - which is definitely a huge compliment.

And now being headliners of a regional band festival, they definitely played the best show in their career. Yes, we had a bigger audience at my goodbye-concert - but you played this totally cool and one did not see any difference between you guys and the much older, more experienced bands that were allowed to be your "support acts" ;).

And if all this is not enough for you guys, I will tell you that I sang every song I could with you. I have got one of the best jobs in the world, but when I was standing in the front row, I knew I would give up all I have for being on the stage with you! If you are waiting for a good newspaper article tomorrow - you will get it - but I hope that these lines - that come from my heart - will mean just as much to you guys. I know you are way better without me, I know you all don't really know what to do with your lives yet, I know that you might never be corporate guys, teachers or anything else - for me, you will always be Rock Stars! I miss you a lot. Don't forget me and when you finally play the big festivals - I will be in the front row, as your manager or your biggest fan - and will tell people that I used to play with these great, creative Indie-guys! And maybe you will let me sing one last song with you, to make me feel the way you will do then, even if it is only for a few minutes.

"I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name"

Keep on rocking!

Yes, Nico...you rock - not only as a song writer - your voice is getting better and better!



My personal guitar hero, Rob!



The show...



...and the work before (soon, you will have rowdies) :)



Backstage.



Now it's "Rockin' Bayreuhth" soon it might be "Rock im Park" :)

Oktoberfest - Part 1: The real thing

It's the end of September, I am at my lovely home in Franconia (Northern Bavaria) and Munich is not to far away. And with a few free beers and food - courtesy of Paulaner - those were enough incentives to visit the biggest fairground in the world.

So we went there - me being the designated driver. This turned out to be a good decision, especially because Stev, the friend I had spent my last Christmas with in New Zealand, was really, really drunk by 6 p.m.

First of all, we had some great food and our first beer in the Winzerer Fähndl tent - for free. Networking is everything nowadays. :) We then went on to check out the fun rides and a few more tents, namely Hofbräu, Hippodrom and Armbrustschützen. Lucky me not being forced to drink 5-6 liters of beer. I had two Radler (shandies) and was able to enjoy the show. Thus, I still contributed to the one million euro profit (yes, earnings, not revenue!) every owner of a tent at Oktoberfest makes every year. And it turned out to be a good one (see pictures) - I won't link you on those in Facebook, Stev, don't worry. :) But this is to good not to share.

The first beer of the day.



In this stand I spent a summer when I was sixteen - my first summer job.



Munich atmosphere.



Barrel on a faux-traditional horse-drawn carriage.



Fancy a big bite?



Fun in the tent - at around 2 p.m.



My well deserved "Radler". Prost!



In the Hippodrom - I like the decoration, but not the in-crowd.



No, he didn't pee himself, it is only beer. We made him clap so we wouldn't loose him. ;)



Way home - please don't vomit in my Mum's car.