Scorpio: Hello Jorg! So many things have happened to STRATOVARIUS recently. A new album, signing a record deal, your wedding, Jens' birthday. First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on your marriage! I wish you a great family life, strong health to you and your wife, and many, many children!
Jörg Michael: Thank you very much for all that, thank you!
Scorpio: Now let's talk about the Elements albums. Why did you decide to release two albums in one year? Did you have a lot of material?
Jörg Michael: Yes, that was basically the reason. We wanted to release it as a double album, but we wouldn't have had any control over the prices in the shops. Our record company convinced us of that, and so we decided to release two albums! One album before the Elements tour and one album after it, to have a nice frame the tour was packed in!
Scorpio: Can we call Elements a conceptual work? If yes, please tell us about the concept.
Jörg Michael: No, it's not a conceptual work. Every song stands alone. Elements is just one song, and it is our Bohemian Rhapsody, I would say. It's a very strong song, so Timo Tolkki decided to name the albums after it!
Scorpio: Elements Pt.1 was released on the 27th of January and the second part on the 27th of October. Is there any magic or something like that in this number — 27?
Jörg Michael: No, not at all. Has nothing to do with that!
Scorpio: I haven't heard Elements Part 2 yet, except for the clips from I Walk To My Own Song and I'm Still Alive. So can you tell me what the differences are between Part 1 and Part 2? Or is Part 2 a logical continuation of Part 1?
Jörg Michael: Both albums are from the same recording sessions and production time, so both albums represent Stratovarius in the year 2003. In my opinion, we divided the songs so that we put the more progressive, epic, symphonic stuff on E Pt. 1, while on E Pt. 2 we chose the more simple, rockin', metallic-based kind of songs.
Scorpio: And who made the interesting artwork for the Elements albums?
Jörg Michael: It was Derek Riggs again. He's a genius; we like it very much!
Scorpio: Are you going to film a video for one of the Elements Part 2 songs?
Jörg Michael: We did a clip for "I Walk To My Own Song"!
Scorpio: Now about your parting with Nuclear Blast. Why did it happen? I know there weren't any conflicts and you parted ways with the label on friendly terms.
Jörg Michael: What do you mean, friendly terms??? Of course, over the years we had people at the record label we worked together with very well. We respected them personally and we'll still see each other here and there to drink a beer. True is also that a record company is never your friend — they just want to make money, while a musician sometimes has other motivations too. NB just didn't want to put out the money for us that we deserved, and they also cut down the promotion for us. So calling it friendly wouldn't be the word I'd use to describe it!
Scorpio: And what can you tell us about your new label — Sanctuary Records — and your contract?
Jörg Michael: I don't know that much about the label. They've lately had some high-level signings like Megadeth, etc., but since then you haven't heard much about that band. I put all my hope in Mrs. Antje Lange, who signed us — we worked together with her before we went to Nuclear Blast. The label is not so important to me, really!
Scorpio: The contract was signed with the blood of an elk. Whose idea was it?
Jörg Michael: It was a sign that we wanted to do to show how important this is for us! The idea came from the Finnish department of the band!
Scorpio: Don't you fear you'll have problems with the Greenpeace organization?
Jörg Michael: Please, give me a break. I mean, we didn't kill this animal — we just got some blood from a butcher. If it came to the point that we'd need to kill an elk for that, of course we wouldn't have killed it for that reason — that would be really stupid. We still get complaints from Greenpeace and others. We would really like to support them much more if they would try to concentrate on something that's actually important to concentrate on!
Scorpio: You signed the deal on the 31st of October. So for you there were three holidays that day: signing the deal, your wedding, and Halloween! Did you have a big party?
Jörg Michael: Honestly, I can't remember, but all my friends told me so :-)
Scorpio: Did you have a heavy headache the next morning?
Jörg Michael: I am mentally never so stressed out that I get hangovers. My dad told me: "If you drink, you can work." I think I try hard!
Scorpio: What presents did you get for your wedding?
Jörg Michael: No comment!
Scorpio: And what present did you give Jens for his birthday?
Jörg Michael: Nothing. When we are on the road, we normally throw a cake in the face of the lucky guy who has a birthday. In that case, we weren't together anymore by then!
Scorpio: I've read on the STRATO website that Timo Tolkki has already begun to write new material, but secretly even from you and the other bandmates. What's happening?
Jörg Michael: It must be true if it's mentioned on the Strato website. The process of composing is always there in Timo Tolkki's head. I just know we will start working sometime next year!
Scorpio: Why won't you go on tour for Elements Part 2?
Jörg Michael: We don't want to overexpose the band and prefer to stay rare, so it's something special when we play live, and not like: "Oh, it's them again!"
Scorpio: How did you like your Elements Part 1 tour?
Jörg Michael: It was fantastic — the biggest tour I've ever done. Great, absolutely incredible.
Scorpio: You performed in russia. Do you like your russian fans?
Jörg Michael: Everything was crazy — the fans, the town, the drinks. It was great; we're definitely coming back!
Scorpio: Here in Ukraine, some rumors are going around that STRATOVARIUS will come to us next year. Is it really so?
Jörg Michael: I'm afraid to say I don't know about any offer from Ukraine, but we would definitely check it out if there were any interest!
Scorpio: Are you going to release a DVD?
Jörg Michael: Yes, April 19, 2004.
Scorpio: Do you think DVD is a really cool thing?
Jörg Michael: I think so. I like it, especially because you can watch films in their original language!
Scorpio: What band DVDs have you seen, and which one is the best?
Jörg Michael: OZZY OSBOURNE — Don't Blame Me, OZZY OSBOURNE — Live at Budokan are my favourites. METALLICA's Black Album documentary is also great!
Scorpio: You were born in Dortmund and still live there. What do you like about this city?
Jörg Michael: The football team: Borussia Dortmund and the stadium they play in!
Scorpio: And what countries would you like to visit?
Jörg Michael: I like Scotland, Norway, and Finland very much, but most of all I prefer South America — all the countries over there!
Scorpio: Do you have other projects?
Jörg Michael: I haven't had so much time lately, but I'm working with a singer on four or five songs to help him with my drum playing!
Scorpio: What language do you speak with your bandmates? English?
Jörg Michael: We call it Finnlish!
Scorpio: How do you call each other in the band? And the two Timos: maybe Timo Tolkki is "big Timo" and Timo Kotipelto is "small Timo"?
Jörg Michael: TT or "Timppa" is Timo Tolkki. Normally we call each other Jörgi, Jenssi, TT or TK, and Jartsi!
Scorpio: Do you like giving interviews?
Jörg Michael: When I'm drunk I like it, but the other bandmates told me not to do it anymore!
Scorpio: What was the most interesting question you've been asked by an interviewer?
Jörg Michael: I can't remember!
Scorpio: And the most stupid one?
Jörg Michael: "Tell me something about your new record!"
Scorpio: Is there a question you want me to ask you?
Jörg Michael: No!
Scorpio: Tell us a joke?
Jörg Michael: DERBY FEVER. Football: Derby in town — Borussia Dortmund plays as the away team at the Schalke 04 arena. A Borussia supporter is trying to get in, but unfortunately they only have tickets left in the Schalke supporters' area. "What the hell," he thinks, and buys the ticket anyway. The game starts really badly for our little friend, as Schalke scores two goals in the first 10 minutes. So a couple of people around him start laughing at him and order him to get some beers for them. He has to leave one shoe to make sure he comes back. When he returns with the beers, he realizes that they've shat in his shoe. You never expect anything different from that kind of people, do you? There's nothing much he can do, and it's pretty cold, so he puts it back on anyway. Second half, the game is one big catastrophe. Schalke is leading 4:0 and he is really bitter and disappointed that he came here. On top of that, they ask him a second time to go and get beers. Now he has to leave the other shoe. Same thing happens again — they shit in it. The game finally ends, and he's going home when a woman from a radio station asks him to answer some questions. "Never mind," he says, "what's up?" The woman asks: "Why is it that in derbies between Dortmund and Schalke there is so much rivalry, brutality, and rioting? Why is it that people always beat each other up?" Our friend answers: "I really don't know much about that, but I know one thing for sure: as long as they shit in our shoes and we piss in their beers, nothing will change!"
Scorpio: Ha-ha! And what about jokes during tours? Maybe throwing somebody's shoes out of the bus?
Jörg Michael: No comment!
Scorpio: You know, there's a TV show called "Weakest Link" in russia, and we also watch it in Ukraine. At the beginning, 10 or so people answer the host's questions and earn money. At the end of each round, they vote on who should leave the show — that is, who's "The Weakest Link." After that, many people came up with a joke version of the game. The rules are: a few people sit down at a table and start drinking vodka. First toast, then another one. During the game, players drop out one by one, and the last one standing — the least drunk — is the winner. So everyone ends up drunk as pigs! Have you ever played such a game?
Jörg Michael: I think playing in Stratovarius means you play it every day!
Scorpio: Do you like drinking alcohol, and how often does it happen?
Jörg Michael: I don't like it and I don't know why I really do it. On the road we drink every day; at home, not so much!
Scorpio: Do you have pets?
Jörg Michael: NO!
Scorpio: Do you like animals mostly to eat, or to play with them?
Jörg Michael: Hm, I like both, really!
Scorpio: What was the most exotic food you ever ate?
Jörg Michael: It must have been something in Japan, that's for sure, but I don't remember what it was!
Scorpio: What is your hobby?
Jörg Michael: Playing football or watching football on TV while drinking beer!
Scorpio: How often do you play football?
Jörg Michael: Twice a week!
Scorpio: Do you often go to Borussia matches?
Jörg Michael: I have a season ticket. Being the drummer in Stratovarius is a 100% full-time job, though, so I don't have much time to go!
Scorpio: Which team do you think will finish first in the Bundesliga this season (03/04)?
Jörg Michael: Difficult. Probably the rich pigs again — Bayern Munich!
Scorpio: Do you browse the internet often?
Jörg Michael: Not so often, it's boring!
Scorpio: What pages do you visit most?
Jörg Michael: Stratovarius sometimes, and Borussia Dortmund for the interviews!
Scorpio: Have you heard the new IRON MAIDEN album Dance Of Death?
Jörg Michael: No, I stopped being an IRON MAIDEN fan long ago. I appreciate the first three albums the most!
Scorpio: What music have you listened to in the last few days? What was the last CD you bought?
Jörg Michael: I'm listening to Beto Vasques Infinity, Rammstein, Queen, Van Halen 2 at the moment! The last CD I bought? Hmm, I think it was some film music — Blade Runner or Terminator...
Scorpio: Now I'll name some German and Finnish bands, and you say a few words about them, OK?
STRATOVARIUS
Jörg Michael: Best band in the world.
Scorpio: SCORPIONS
Jörg Michael: Best German hard rock band.
Scorpio: NIGHTWISH
Jörg Michael: Nice idea with the opera voice. I like them a lot.
Scorpio: HELLOWEEN
Jörg Michael: German buddies. I'm happy for my friend Stefan Schwarzmann to be playing with them now.
Scorpio: SONATA ARCTICA
Jörg Michael: Great Finnish friends.
Scorpio: EDGUY
Jörg Michael: Germans too. Say hello to Tobias!
Scorpio: Thanks for the interview! And your last words for your fans in russia and Ukraine:
Jörg Michael: Thanks a lot for supporting Stratovarius and showing interest in what we do. I hope we can play more live shows in your countries. Stay tuned and keep on rockin'! Jörg Michael