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 Sportfreunde Stiller: The band, Sportfreunde Stiller, began in 1996 under the name "Stiller" named for their former trainer, Hans Stiller. The band consisted of Peter Balboa, Flori Rakete and Andi Erhard but when Andi left, the position of bassist was well filled by Rüdiger. Soon after this recasting the EP, "Macht doch, was ihr wollt- ich gehe jetzt", appeared. The songs, "Wunderbaren Jahren" and "Kleines Geheimnis" were both often heard on the radio even though there was nothing officially being sold. After this however, the band had to change their name because it was already being used by a Hamburg band who didn't care to share... Their next EP, "Thonträger", was named after the soccer player, Olaf Thon, and appeared w/ the band's new name, "Sportfreunde Stiller". This album generated some interest amongst various record labels, the winner being "Motor" who released their first album, "So wie einst Real Madrid", in 2000. As a result of this album, the band was exposed to the public more than ever before due to videos playing on the TV & invitations for public broadcasts. The album placed #512 out of #928 in the German annual charts for 2000 and #97 for those singing in German. In December, 2000, Sportfreunde Stiller joined the band Readymade on the "Ready, Sport-Go!" tour. For this, the bands recorded a cover of "Dancin with Tears in my Eyes" together by Ultravox and then each covered a song by the other band. Sportfreunde Stiller versioned "It could be nice" and Readymade went to town on "Wellenreiten". The 3000 limited released singles were only sold on the Christmas tour and couldn't be bought in stores. Another first for the band was in 2001, when their song, "Wie lange sollen wir noch warten" was included on the soundtrack for the movie, "Lammbock". At the end of 2001, they embarked on a second "Ready, Sport- Go!" tour! This time they covered, together, the song, "Friday I'm in Love", by the Cure. Readymade did the Sportfreunde Stiller's *home song*, "Heavysong" and Sportfreunde Stiller took Readymade's, "When I grow up" & turned it into "Wenn ich groß bin". 1500 copies were made & sold. In 2002, Sportfreuned Stiller released a single from the soon to be released album, "Die gute Seite" & was well recieved, reaching #37 on the German charts. The corresponding video, which had them appearing with Emil Bulls and Echt, added to their acceptance to appear on "Top of the Pops" had fans in quite a furor, this being a clear decline into the mainstream, aka "selling out". But the band seems to see it differently, more as in... they play what they like, whoever likes it, so be it... In April, 2002, the long awaited album, "Die gute Seite" came out and placed at #6 on the German album charts & #4 on the Austrian ones. They were also nominated by Viva for 'Best National Video" & then later for "Best German Act" by the Europe Music Awards... Soccer fans might also hear their song, "Independent" on the FIFA 2003 game for PC and console by EA Sports... -Mikki 10/03 More at: |
