SHADES OF DAWN
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Fascination of sound fantasies on the edge of reality - where
dreams begin.
Impressive arrangements which can almost be called
rock symphonies. Filigrane, sensitive melodies, critical lyrics and a
bombastic musical universe create a unique synthesis,causing
each other. This is the music of SOD, today's only progressive
rock band of
Duesseldorf. When powerful guitars, elaborated melodies
and varied keyboard parts alternate, parallels to CAMEL, YES,
ELOY and
GROBSCHNITT appear, as well as classical
influences and reminiscences to folk songs. But nevertheless,
SOD have
created their very own special style.
Also important to note is, that playbacks, computer programmings
and other
electronic devices are categorically
put under a taboo. This handmade music is to be reproduced on
stage to 100%.
The roots of SHADES OF DAWN go back to 1993, when the
Duesseldorf based
KAWUMM-band was looking for a lead singer. In 1992 Chris Struwe, Peter Schneider, Karl Nothen and others successfully performed PINK FLOYD's famous concept album "TheWall" live on stage, but after this event they went back to their own material. In the beginning of 1993, they were lucky in finding Hans-Juergen Klein, a well experienced guitarist, vocalist and writer. While working on their set, the group's name was changed into a better sounding one: SHADES OF DAWN (SOD). By the end of 1993, after only one festival gig as a six-piece, Karl Nothen quit the band. 1994: Without him SOD started recording their own music, which they had worked out until that time. The slight blues touches influenced by guitar-crack Nothen were replaced by a more melodic style due to Hans-Juergen Klein, who has taken over all lead-guitar work ever since. After listening to the tapes however, the band wasn't really satisfied with the result of the mixes and was forced to keep all recordings aside for the next time - especially because of financial problems. 1995: Meanwhile SOD had worked out a 90-minute-live-set, but before starting their first shows, the group had to replace both their bassist Wolfgang Schmidt and female keyboard player Annette Schepermann. Keyboard wizard Cyrill Stoletzky and Theo Labs, a stage experienced bass player later completed the new SOD line-up. These changes blew a fresh breeze into SOD's sound. Showing its best line-up at all, the band have been playing concerts again since mid-1996. 1997: Duing summertime SOD started recording sessions for a brandnew album entitled "The Dawn Of Time". But once again, due to several technical problems the originally planned release had to be postponed. Finally, this album was released in April 1998. In July 1998 the band played besides Colosseum, Wishbone Ash, Caravan, Man, Edgar Broughton Band, John Mayall and others at the Burg Herzberg Festival, the biggest german hippie festival. In August bassplayer Theo Labs left the band. To be able playing shows that had been confirmed before they temporarily introduced professional musician Hannsi Weber - who had initiated "The Wall", the before mentioned benefiz spectacle plus a music theatre "Spirenzio", which had been performed several times with a little help from Chris Struwe in the beginning of 1998 - into their live set. After that pianist Cyrill Stoletzky angrily left the rehearsal room one day, from when on he furthermore appeared as a guest musician for live performances only. By the end of 1998 even Theo Labs offered himself's return forfor live activities, which enabled the band to perform in their CD line-up again. In February 1999 Edzard Schmidt, former bassplayer for Osnabruecks progressive Rockband AREA 51 and Oliver Nowaczyk (keyboards, ex Cry) joined the band. The latter quit for professional reasons after a few weeks, however. In March '99 Shades of Dawn appeared together with ELOY, Camel's bassplayer COLIN BASS, ETERNITY X and others on a sampler released by the German Pink Floyd Fanclub "Eclipsed". They chose the song "Plenty of Gold". Mid April the unemployed bassplayer Eddy Schmidt regretably announced his departure from North-Rhine-Westfalia, because he got an offer for work in Hamburg that he could not decline. The band is thinking about reworking their first recordings from 1994 for a CD release also. They were asked for doing Soundtracks for German TV Productions, too. In August 1999 master keyboardist Cyrill Stoletzky rejoined the band as a full member, being more engaged and motivated than ever. End of September Eddy Schmidt surprisingly showed up again. He was back in the Duesseldorf area and looking for a Progrock Band. SOD welcomed him back with open arms, whereby the band finally disposes of a constant line-up after a more than one year lasting odyssey. End of September Eddy Schmidt surprisingly showed up again. He was back in the Duesseldorf area and looking for a Progrock Band. SOD welcomed him back with open arms, whereby the band finally disposed of a constant line-up after a more than one year lasting odyssey. In February 2000 Eddy Schmidt went to Osnabrück for a two week project and did not return against the agreements. The band kept his job free for some time and started looking for a new bassplayer again. After a few candidates Theo Labs showed up in June and, after two sessions, again offered his co-work. The old bandfeeling immediately reappeared, all pieces are performed with the necessary power and the right feeling now. At present the band works with him on the new material, which is supposed to appear on their new CD.
From now on they accept concert offers again. |
© 1998, 2003 german rock e.v.
- 4-September-2000 -