MASTERPLAN's Roland Grapow - "Uli Kusch Started Fighting About Business And Not Music"
February 22, 2007, 17 years ago
The following report is courtesy of Adam Harrold from rocksomething.com:
“Usually bands try to hide a new line-up, but we are pushing it because this is a great album,” MASTERPLAN founder Roland Grapow confidently declares. It’s a statement that you wouldn’t argue with either, because let’s face it, when your lead singer and drummer depart in quick succession – as was the case for Grapow’s melodic battalion – it’s hardly a sign of strength and unity is it? Yet Masterplan clearly aren’t worried about things like that, something instantly determinable by the name of their new album, “Mk II”. But hang on a minute… surely the departure of their vocalist, Jorn Lande, could be seen as quite a blow?“Of course I was a little bit insecure at first and I have to admit that I was frightened about how things would go, but Mike DiMeo (Lande’s replacement - ex-RIOT) is very easy to work with and he has a great voice,” the guitarist chimes. “Jorn left because of musical differences, he felt the song writing wasn’t in his style and that the songs were making him sing too high, or whatever.”
We get the impression that Roland is actually trying to convey that Lande was holding Masterplan back, but is being diplomatic instead of just spitting it out.
“No… he wanted to do more basic rock material – like his solo work,” Grapow pauses before continuing carefully, “He has to look after himself and he thought that in 10 or 20 years time he wouldn’t be able to sing them any more. Jorn’s a great singer and it was really hard because there was no solution as we liked the Masterplan style. So Jorn left and I was sad about that, but we remain good friends which is really nice.”If the departure of Lande hasn’t ruffled Grapow too much, the acrimonious split with drummer Uli Kusch certainly has. The duo had worked alongside each other for seven years in Helloween before they left to form Masterplan in 2001, but despite their lengthy history of playing together, it’s clear that the two aren’t on speaking terms.
“The situation with Uli left me feeling alone,” admits Grapow. “Uli started fighting about business and not music until it got to a stage where I just didn’t want to work with him any more. There’s still a bad feeling, but he was being destructive so it had to be done.”Indeed when talking about new drummer Mike Terrana (ex-RAGE) it’s hard to know whether the axeman’s comments are solely designed to praise his new sticks master, or to have a dig at his former friend. “The drumming is more basic than before, we have a rock drummer who isn’t trying to be too tricky or elaborate,” he informs us, “His style gives space to the music, he’s more of a Cozy Powell or Jon Bonham style drummer.”
To read the entire interview head to this location.
