Interview with Marc Lynn (bass)
The best current band from Switzerland is back with Human Zoo, a more hard rock oriented album than the two previous releases. After ten years of living, Gotthard open a brand new chapter in their long and successful history. Marc Lynn decrypts the new album for us.

Let’s talk about the new album, first ! Many critics acclaimed the fact you’re part back in a more hard rock edge with Human Zoo. What leads you to go back with this kind of stuff?
Marc Lynn: For us we are not going back but forward a combination of all our past cd’s in one. With “Human Zoo” we wanted and definitely succeeded in moving forward in particularly with the song writing and arrangements. After the last release “Best of Ballads” we felt it was time to go back to our roots, we are still a rock band and want to stay that way. You can still find a few ballads on the “Human Zoo” album .

With the addition of events that currently happens in the world, do you think this human zoo is sentenced to close for good soon or are you more optimistic ?
Human Zoo is not based on the world events at the moment, it’s about what has always been going on. The idea came us while we were taking a boat trip in Bangkok. We drove through the canals past the so-called “boat people”. You can see where and how these poor people live. We felt as if we were in a zoo to watch the people. The question which then arose was who was on which side of the cage? We were left with the impression that the whole world, was actually more like that an enormous zoo. Different cultures, traditions, customs, religions etc.

This album marks the end of your long time collaboration with producer Chris von Rohr. Wasn’t it too hard to start working with a new partner after more than a decade of fructuous work with Chris ?
It was not hard at all, quite easy. We weren’t exactly thrown in at the deep end. We had already met Marc Tanner and after working together for a couple of days knew exactly what to expect. We were not heading in the same direction as our old producer and after so many successful years is not incomprehensible that if the magic is not 100% any more. With Marc we have found a top producer who is able to get the maximum power, song writing and arrangements from us. In addition he also had fun working with us. From the first day there was a great deal of respect und understanding which pushed us both to perform our best.

How did you met Marc Tanner, and why did you chose him rather than another ?
As he was one chosen producers we wanted to work with we invited Marc to visit us in Ticino for a few days. We also wanted to see what we would be dealing with and we immediately connected through the work in the studio. On the first day we were already in the studio. We wanted to write all the songs, to improve the arrangements. The songs had the magic from the start so therefore it was not a hard decision for us.

Human Zoo reached the first place of the charts very quickly in Switzerland, and a few weeks before it was the turn of Krokus. How could you explain this constant interest for hard rock in your country, while the whole world (and France more than anyone else…) is swamped by easy and flat music ?
I don’t think it is only the interest in hard rock or such. Our country is simply interested in quality. The people want bands they can believe in, that regularly bring the high standard and who show that they have earned the support of the fans. We have had the same members for some years now and this makes us more believable to the requirements of the fans. No one hit wonder.

Just a little story. I was at the Ministry Of Rock last summer in Frauenfeld, and during your show, I talked a little with some american girls on vacation there, and they were really amazed by a band that they never even hear about before in their country. This band was Gotthard! Regarding what did Krokus in the USA back in the 80’s, do you think it would still be possible now for Gotthard? Do you think about it ?
You always dream of America……I think every band dreams about it. But it is always very difficulty to make it in America. First of all the Americans find it difficult with European bands since Rock originates from America they can’t quite see why they should import a European band. Why should I import something that originates from here? But also the industry today is not so capably in publishing good bands. They need trendy bands Fast money!

Gotthard is practically the last melodic rock band supported by a major label. What’s your opinion about the state of this kind of music today ?
Hard to say... There are certainly not many bands like us around anymore, but that is also because lots of bands follow the trends and have no character of their own. Most do what is in at that moment. We do what we can and love.

You’re currently on tour in Germany – and BTW thanks a lot for answering those questions in such a rush time – which is specially one of your « fief » since the beginning, I think. How do the fans respond to the new material ?
They really like it..."Human Zoo" somehow combines all the past cd’s in one, but sets crucial points when it comes to song writing and sound quality.. So each fan has super a song and the band where they would like to have them. Above all they love the songs that stay with you after hearing it repeatedly and give a good feeling.

I must say I love both sides of Gotthard. Before, and after the turning point which was d-Frosted. I also think that Homerun is one of the best album I ever heard, but I was a bit disappointed that you didn’t play your hits from the past anymore. So I was particularly glad to hear « Firedance » again at the Ministry Of Rock last summer. Do you play those old hard rocking songs again on the current tour ?
Yes, we play Firedance for example ... however they are always a little different. You cannot play the same set for a year. Specially Firedance was in the set as we were on tour. Logical we have another set list for the open airs otherwise it become boring. This also happens with lots of other songs. The songs from the new album are naturally always present as they are the ones we want to promote.

As I said before, d-Frosted was a turning point in your discography. You released the best of ballads One Life One Soul last year and I think the new album is a kind of good compromise between Open / Homerun era and the more powerful beginnings of the band. Do you see Human Zoo as a transition album and should we espect an even more hard rocking material on the next album ?
As I answered 2 questions before: “Human Zoo” united all the past cd’s and for us it is like the first chapter of the second book. With “One Life One Soul” we celebrated 10 years Gotthard and with a new producer and a fresh album we are ready to take on the second 10 years.

On your previous tour, you have done two shows here in France. There’s no french date scheduled on that one yet. Could we expect some new dates after the Swiss tour that ends in May ?
After Switzerland we are off to Russia and then to Japan. After that we have the open airs. But we will definitely try to get to France. We were always happy to be in France and naturally want to play for you.

After Jaded Heart, you’re touring with Kingdom Come this time. Are they friends of yours ?
Just met them. But the band is doing well and we are having lots of fun together. They are glad on tour with us and we will see how that goes on. It is super a feeling between our bands.

More Than Live DVD was a great gift for the fans, I think. Have you planned to film one show from the current tour in view of a new DVD release ?
No at the moment. We are planning to bring new things but nothing definite yet. A video for the song ”Have A little faith” is next and then we’ll see.

Would you like to say something else ?
I think the most important things have been said and you can always read the latest news under www.gotthard.com

Thanks so much for the time, Marc ! See you on tour in Switzerland soon !
Thanks and greetings.

More information about GOTTHARD

Photos © gotthard.com (2003)

© Rockmeeting.com - April 2003