TORPEDOHEAD is the rock n’ roll process of supersonic combustion in which a shock wave from razorsharp riffs is propagated forward due to energy release in a reaction zone behind it. Haling from Frankfurt, Germany the trio lives the imagination of the NEW YORK DOLLS jamming on AC/DC tunes, while transforming this into their own riff driven sound.

The band around frontman / songwriter and guitarist Sven Spacebrain started out in the Summer of 2008 from the remaining debris of several rock n' roll acts, wich shared the stage with bands such as L.A.GUNS, DAN BAIRD, THE CASANOVAS...

The Video to the first single "Broken Flowers" had it’s premiere in january 2009 and march saw the release of TORPEDOHEADS debut album “LOVESICK AVENUE” in co-production with the international audio company "beyerdynamic" ! The album features 12 blasting rock n' roll tracks. Since its release the Album has received very good reviews in the press (Germany, Canada, Italy..) and online fanzines. The songs of TORPEDOHEAD are also a featured item on the podcast of Michael Butler (bassist of JETBOY) called the "rocknrollgeekshow.com".

Torpedohead – how and when did the band come together and what’s the inspiration behind the name? 

We started out in the summer of 2008 after leaving our old bands behind us. I had a whole bunch of songs in the bag that where just waiting to be let out out, ready to explode. Oh yeah...here's the name... BOOOOOM!! 

Can you introduce each member of your band and give us a rock "n" roll fact about each of them? 

There's our drummer "Stefan", who we like to call Mr. Trash, cause he smashes up a few pairs of drum sticks during our gigs. He just pounds the skins in a very "Bonham" way, which sets the backbeat of our band. Add our "Hardy Bassman" on top of that foundation. He's our punk edge to our sound. Pushing forward and givin' the flow a kick in the ass. And then there's, the spacebrain, who writes the songs, plays guitar and does the singin on top of that all. And with that you've got a TORPEDOHEAD ready to explode on stage ! 

For the benefit of those who haven't yet heard your music, how would you describe your sound? 

TORPEDOHEAD is the rock n’ roll process of supersonic combustion in which a shock wave from razorsharp riffs is propagated forward due to energy release in a reaction zone behind it. On top there are lots of melodies and hooklines to sing along.  

You released your CD "Lovesick Avenue" earlier this year. What has the response been to the CD so far?  How did you find the process of writing and recording this album? 

We recorded the album before hitting the stage the first time in a cottage in the middle of nowhere. We nailed down the basics in one week and did overdubs (vocals, extra guitars) in the following weeks. The songs were written by me, prior to the recordings, in a couple of months. We've all been through several studios and producers with our previous bands and wanted to do things different from the start with this band. So we decided on producing the record on our own account. After finishing the record we made a video to promote the album along on the internet.  The video to "Broken Flowers" had it’s premiere in January 2009 and March saw the release of our debut album “LOVESICK AVENUE” in co-production with the international audio company "beyerdynamic". The album has received very good reviews in the press (Germany, USA, Italy..) and online fanzines. Which is pretty awesome because we had no idea how anyone would react to the album. So far things have been working out great! 

In terms of your songwriting, what do you consider to be the most important ingredient in a song? 

First of all, the tune has to come from your heart and soul. Nothing constructed on the “old drawing board” will ever stand the test of time. Since I'm a sucker for a great tune, there's just got to be a hookline to sing along, that let's the hair on your arms stand up.

And if you’re good, you'll add a cool guitar riff. And the masterpiece is a great guitar solo. That always has to be "the song in the song". It's just got to have that bluesy feeling with a hookline too. Not many players can do that. In fact I find myself still working on that and learning every day. Just like a good old wine, it gets better with age. I just went to a "Dan Baird" Show some weeks ago and these guys really get better with age. I played with them some years ago. But the last time I saw them... WOW ! They got Warner Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers) on lead guitar and he just smashes them solos in your face. Man, you can learn from this guy. 
 
What bands did you grow up listening to and how did they help create the style of music that can now be heard through Torpedohead? 

As a kid i used to listen to THE BEATLES, ELTON JOHN or THE EAGLES. Lots of great pop rock stuff. We had tons of tapes flying around in our house and those where the ones that really got me hooked. Later on I got hold of some AC/DC songs on the radio. From then on I had to get hold of every AC/DC album and stuff that rocked equally like MÖTLEY CRÜE, LA GUNS or GEORGIA SATELLITES. That was back in 1990 when the whole rock n’ roll scene was about to be  turned upside down a few years later. While all the kids around me started to listen to grunge, alternative etc, I was still hooked on good old rock n’ roll! So the first band I had was kinda of a pop-punk outfit with a rock edge to it. Even though I wasn’t a big fan of the alternative movement back then (and still am not) of course it had its influences on me. But more in form of UK bands like THE WILDHEARTS or 3 COLOURS RED. At some point I found myself mixing all these influences together and transforming it into a sound that led me through several bands and finally into forming TORPEDOHEAD. I don’t want to see myself limited to some style or sound and this band gives me the opportunity to let it all out! 

If you could travel back in time and play your music to one of your musical hero's who would it be and why? 

I’ve given that theory up, cause I have already been on the road with some of my favorite bands and played my songs to them. Some of that was a great experience, like touring with THE YO-YO'S (that featured Danny from THE WILDHEARTS) or with DAN BAIRD (GEORGIA SATELLITES). Supporting the LA GUNS and hanging out with Tracii was also a great experience. But other heros should just be left up there with the stars to dream of. Don't ruin all the fantasies of rock n' roll!

 

The German/Frankfurt rock scene is something we are not that familiar with.  Is rock music like what you play, popular in German/Frankfurt? 

Rock music is very popular over here. But not exactly the sound we play. There is a huge market for alternative, metal and punk over here. There's also a big underground rock scene. TORPEDOHEAD doesn't really fit in anywhere 100%, which is good, since it gives us the chance not to get limited to some style or sound and let's us stand out. We get great reviews in big mainstream magazines and in under gound stuff too. We're like a two-edged sword: Cutting our way slowly through every side!  

What can people expect from spending 45 minutes at a Torpedohead live show, here's your chance to tell the rest of the world what they are missing out on... 

Everything you need if your into rock n' roll! Big guitar riffs backed by loud, big blasting Zep Drums. Guitar solos, a sweaty punk rock show and big sing along choruses... oh yeah and a lot of fu !! Ever took a ride on a "rock n' roll satellite"?  

What do you think sets Torpedohead apart from other rock bands out there today? 

Well, first off ... we don't TRY TO BE or TRY TO SOUND LIKE. We just get on stage and do our thing. I think there are a lot of great new rock n' roll bands (or sleaze-glam... whatever you like to call them) out at the moment. But a lot of them just look and sound like 80s retro a little too much. I miss a little bit of the unique sound to them.  A lot lack the punk attack on stage, that bands like GUNS N' ROSES or SKID ROW had when they started out. But in the end, it's up to the listener to judge our sound. Like it or not! 
 
Here at May The Rock Be With You, we believe in free speech, so here we dedicate to you unlimited space to say anything else you think hasn't been covered or even tell us how great American Heartbreak is, which is a band we like too :) 

Well, if you mention AMERICAN HEARTBREAK... The bassplayer Michael Butler rocks ! He's a friend of ours, since I was on tour with them and my old band over here in Germany  some years ago. Check his "rocknrollgeekshow.com". We are a regular guest with our songs there ! And besides that: "For those about to rock (with TORPEDOHEAD) ... we salute you!"