Interview with Michael Mueller (bass) & Michael Bormann (lead vocals)
With their five albums, German act JADED HEART became without a doubt one of the most talented melodic hard rock bands. We didn't hear from them since The Journey Will Never End, their last release which came out last year. Michael Mueller and his leader Michael Bormann tell us about the past and the future of the band.

We don’t hear from you since october 2002, when you were recording the demos for your next album. What’s up since that time, and what are you currently doing ?
Michael Mueller : During that time we were spending some time with our own personal projects and took a little break. The we started recording again in January 2003 .We just finished the recordings for the new Demos and will hit the studio for the mix during may 2003. We recorded 16 new songs.

The Journey Will Never End was the last album through MTM, I think. Have you secured a deal with a new label yet ?
Michael Mueller: You are right. The Journey was the last for MTM. We did not sign a new contract yet. But we have a few new offers from record companys which we still have to check. Michael Bormann also started business for his own record label now ( R&B Records ). Probably we can work together with that one..

Concerning this last album, I must say I was very surprised to see the band back with another kick ass album ! I thought it was not « humanly » possible to make an as good album as IV, but you did it ! Wasn’t it too difficult to stand up after this amazing cd ?
Michael Mueller: No, not at all. You have to listen to the NEW ONE. That´s gonna be a killer!! Hehehe.. You know, we have so many ideas on tape, that we could record albums twice a year. Some leftovers from the IV sessions were recorded on The Journey and some ideas from The Journey will be on the next album. Thank you very much for your compliment. Glad you like both albums! I am sure that you will like the new demos.

I think one of the best songs on the last album is "We’ll Drag You Down". This nu metal edge was a big surprise, and as I could read here and there, many fans were seduced by it, while they normally hate this kind of music ! On Rockmeeting.com, I try to talk about melodic rock in a large sense ; do you stay tuned about what the current bands are doing ? Is there any new musical « wave » that you particularly like ?
Michael Mueller: I think Drag You Down is a good mixture between melodic rock and a bit “modern style rock music”. Not really nu metal. This song was written for the Ice Hockey World Championchip and they wanted one kind of aggressive song and one ballad. Then they chose the ballad ( Champion ) . I personally like the modern touch of Drag you down because I really like a lot of bands of the “new wave of hard rocking music”. For example Korn, Nickelback, or Orgy. They all try to do new things and don ´t just play like all the bands years ago.

When we see what’s happening in the world right now, your song "Live & Let Die" is more topical than ever. Michael, how does this kind of anthems comes to you ? I mean, what’s the way you usually compose ?
Michael Bormann: What can I say… Just watch the news.. Usually I write and compose the music first and the lyrics when the song is done musically. These days I always try not to write only this 8/15 lovestories, that´s too boring to write and to listen to.

You guys are working in different projects apart from Jaded Heart, particularly Michael. I saw you’re singing on the second Biss album, and you were involved in many bands in the past, like Rain, your solo album or The Sygnet. Is it the only way to make one’s living by your music today, or is it just the occasion for you to explore different musical styles and satisfy your prolific songwriting work ?
Michael Bormann: It is not to make a living out of it, it is more “collecting experiences”.. and to do friends a favour… The Sygnet was a serious side project but unfortunately not the kind of music I like to play. So I quit singing for The Sygnet.

I think Muelli and Baris were involved in a project called Fate Of Nations. Is it still on its way, and could you tell us more about it ?
Michae Mueller: Yeah, it is still on its way. We are currently working on a production and wrote about 12 songs which are really heavy. It´s music that we never could play with Jaded Heart cause the other guys are really not into such kind of music. It is “ modern-melodic-metal.”.
That`s the reason why we started to FoN. Just to play harder music that we like. Check out www.fate-of-nations.de

Henning replaced Chris Ivo on keyboards last year. How did you met ?
Michael Mueller: I guess it was an advertise in a magazine.. We were lucky that he lives in the same area as we are. We were working with Frank Roessler before we met Henning. But Frank lives in south Germany, what was a little problem when we had to rehearse or did new songs.
Henning is great. He is a really good singer, plays guitar also and is a big Kiss-fan, hahahaha!

Are you still in touch with Chris ?
Michael Mueller: Yes, Michael Bormann is still in contact with him. I don ´t. I guess he quit making music.

We don’t have too much occasions to see the band playing live. Is it due to your occupations apart from the band, or the lack of opportunities ?
Michael Mueller: That is the lack of opportunities, because we didn´t get the chance yet to play in France more often.

On your last tour with Gotthard, your shows were acclaimed from everywhere. Personally, I saw you twice in Annecy (France), and I was very impressed by the evolution in the public reaction. The first time, it was on October 2000, during a festival where practically nobody knows really who you were, but you really kicked their asses this night ! 4 months later, I saw you again, with Gotthard, in Annecy again, and I saw the same faces in the crowd that I saw the first time, but this time, they really seemed to know your songs ! Did you feel it too ?
Michael Mueller: Yes, we did! First we were a little disappointed cause it was such a small venue when we played in Annecy with Gotthard. But it turned out to be one of the best gigs on the whole tour! We had a lot of fun!! We really have to come back soon!!

Does the support for touring is a condition you require for a label to sign Jaded Heart ?
Michael Mueller: Yes definitely. You have to tour to promote an album! Only to put the records in the shops is not enough. Especially melodic or hard rock!!

When could we expect to see the next Jaded Heart album ?
Michael Mueller: Hopefully in winter 2003. As I said, we are not signed yet. We are working on it .. hehehe…

Could you tell us more about the orientation of this new cd ?
Michael Mueller: It will pretty much the same direction as the The Journey and IV. A good mixture between both albums. Don´ t be afraid, it won´ t be a New Metal album… ;o)

Something you wanna add ?
Thank you very much for giving us the chance to make this interview and Rock On!!! Hope to kick the French Asses soon ;o)

More information about JADED HEART

Photos © jadedheart.de - from the top : Michael Mueller, Michael Bormann, Henning Wanner, Axel Kruse et Barish Kepic.

© Rockmeeting.com - April 2003