Hi Marc, first of all thanks for taking your time!
You guys just released the new KROKUS-album ROCK THE BLOCK which was number one in the Swiss charts after only one week. Please tell the people who couldn’t yet listen to the album what kinda sound they can find on ROCK THE BLOCK.

To old Krokus Fans I say it’s very close to the Classic Early 80`s from the "Metal Rendezvous", "Hardware", "One Vice At A Time" and "Headhunter" - days. To people who don’t know these albums I’d say this is uncompromising "old school rock" with typical pumping bass, dynamic drums, attacking forward pushing rhythm guitars, catchy riffs, energetic and spiralling lead solos, catchy refrains and raunchy three octave melodic lead vocals. Guarantee: Not one "filler" track to be found from beginning to end! Fasten your seat belts and turn the sucker up!!!

Did this new success surprise you?

I was feeling very satisfied with the results of our collective work on the album and pre-release-sales indicated sure Gold, but when we heard it had entered the Swiss Charts direct to No.1 "with a bullet" I couldn’t believe my ears and nearly fell on my back with a mixture of surprise and joy! Fern (A.d.R.: Fernando Von Arb) and I had just finished doing a TV Interview at that moment, and it was Bernadette, our charming promo-lady, who broke the news to us with a mobile phone to her ear and tears in her eyes. Warner and Krokus worked hard for this and we’re already close to Platinum as I speak!

How did you get in touch again with Fernando Von Arb? Did he just call you and asked whether you’d like to come back for a KROKUS-Comeback or how do I have to imagine such a reunion?

To keep a long story short: Around November 2001 I called Fern with the intention to re-unite our creative forces in one dynamic package, make a new album and hit the road! I was writing my Solo Album at the time, and he was writing for a new Krokus CD. He said he would get back to me on this subject and then there was a long silence. So I just carried on with what I was doing! The next big important event in my life made me pick up the phone again...

Which period of success with Krokus does emotionally mean more to you? The one you had in the 80ies or the one you are having at the moment?

This successful Comeback with Krokus means much more to me emotionally than the early days!

Why that?

First of all, it happened after a decade of apathy towards Hard-Rock in Switzerland! Krokus was at its lowest point ever only a few weeks back. Another bad record would have been the final `Coup de Grace` for this dying Swiss Rock Giant!!! I gave my all, on various levels, to help make this comeback happen and strongly believed in our new team spirit.

Going straight to No.1 proves that we still have a Hard Rock Scene in this country, and loyal fans will buy if you provide them with a kick ass product. Secondly, it feels better than ever working with Fern nowadays because of the mutual respect that we developed for one another. Destructive ego `clashes` seem to be a `thing of the past` and we have learned to strive towards a common goal and not step on each other`s toes… that`s one of the very good sides of growing older. In this relaxed atmosphere within the new band we are more open for fun and our emotions are free to take it deeper!

I’m looking very much forward to feel this spirit when I’ll see you guys on stage! By the way: It certainly was a very special feeling for you to sing BEDSIDE RADIO on the Zurich Hallenstadion-stage together with GÖLÄ last year. How did it feel to see those (mostly) pretty young kids rock again like in 1982 when you played at the sold-out Hallenstadion for the first time with Krokus?

I was physically and emotionally blown away! My whole body was full of goose-flesh and I wished it could go on forever!!! The Sing-a-long I built into "Bedside Radio" worked perfectly with Slaedu and the band and the whole stadium, 12,000 strong, sang their hearts out at top volume. There were old Krokus mamas and papas like myself in that singing crowd and their teenage children knew all the lyrics… and they all chanted Krokus… Krokus… Krokus… in one united voice. It was like balsam to my old rock spirit and the re-birth of a nationwide Krokus awareness.

I was invited to this concert and to be honest, I had goose-bumps myself; standing in the crowd, listening to my favourite Krokus-song, feeling the vibes from the audience as well as from the band. This performance set me mentally back to 1982. For me it was the definite highlight of this evening. I just wondered how you got in touch with GÖLÄ.

On the 7th October 2001, I celebrated "half a century of existence on planet earth". My wife and children drove me to the Airport in Valencia, Spain, where we were enjoying a quite holiday, and I caught the plane to Zuerich. My friend Manfred Ehlert, acting as Koch Music representative picked me up and we drove straight to the Hallenstadion for sound check. That night was to be my last "Rock Meets Classic" performance with upper baritone Raphael Haslinger in Pia Schellenberg’s last edition of her Swiss TV Show "Hit auf Hit". All went marvellously as planned, and after the show Manfred took me to a restaurant for a quick bite. We walked in to a "Surprise Birthday Party" amidst hundreds of candles and the whole TV Crew and many other friendly faces!!! To top it all I was presented with a Video Collection depicting Highlights from my carreer… very moving. This same Video was to be televised on Dani Beck’s late "Weekend Music" Show … and we all hurried off to turn our sets on after this hearty celebration. Much later we were still hangin’ out in the hotel lobby chatting with the Bogaert Sisters when the man himself, Dani Beck walked in with GÖLÄ. Both where supporting each other after a drinking spree! We all retired to GÖLÄ’s room with a few more bottles of beer and plenty of reasons to celebrate. The conversation steered its way to GÖLÄ’s teenage days when it seems he was a big admirer of Krokus et moi! He said he would love to include me as a special guest in his sold-out shows at the Hallenstadion. On that, Manfred exchanged cards with his manager Tom Metzger and we took it from there.

Dani Beck and GÖLÄ on a drinking spree?? I’d loved to see that! Well, I’m not too sure whether they’d like to read this on our page… :-) In the meantime you worked with several different bands. Among other things you sung on an AC/DC-tribute-album called DC-WORLD. How did you get in touch with these guys?

The first time I met Patrick Aeby was on the Krokus "To Rock Or Not To Be" Tour. He was opening for us with his band Genocide. I hung out with the boys till the late hours and we became good friends, even keeping in touch after the tour. Tony Castell I got to know through singing some backing vocals with his band AINT`t DEAD YET for their CD. Next I saw Pat and Tony performing in DC/World together with Dominik Favez on rhythm and Bozzy on lead guitar. This was in the "Alpen Rock House" in Zuerich. I thought they were all very good and I really enjoyed listening. A drink and a chat and a few months later, a phone call from Pat. They asked me if I would do a tribute to Bon Scott on the 20^th Anniversary of his tragic death. Realising this was gonna be taken seriously and I decided to go for it.

What does AD/DC mean to you?

AC / DC is the epitome of rock’n’roll today. In the early days it used to be the Rolling Stones. I love their energy and they have written loads of great songs. Their music might seem simple on the surface, but requires a lot of energy and dead on precision playing for the required punch. They squeeze every last drop out of their lemons!

Which band did influence you the most?

My influences changed as time went by. I absorbed most what I know today from the pioneering days of Soul, Pop and Rock. Some influences that pop to my mind: Percy Sledge, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who… LED ZEPPELIN was my biggest influence.

As mentioned before, you are always playing with different bands (I just thought about Acoustical Mountain, China…). What "project" was the most interesting for you, which one did you like the most?

I found every project I’ve been involved in had its "Highlights" in one way or another. Each project has its strength and weakness but as long as I can get close to that "nirvana" feeling during a performance, it’s worth it for my fellow musicians, the audience and me. We all get high together! You want it to last forever!!! If the magic is gone it’s not worth doing what you’re doing.

Oh yeah, I absolutely agree, not only concerning music… I lately read somewhere that you still are playing concerts with your Marc Storace Band. How do you manage playing with Krokus and your own band at the same period of time?

I am a professional singer, which means I have to live from my music. My only other project beside Krokus is my Marc Storace Band. The "Set-List" contains a fine collection of songs from my whole carreer and I have a bunch of songs which I want to release eventually, but I’m cool about it. Krokus definitely has my first priority now but when we take a break again I can still go out with my band. Time allowing, I can participate in challenging projects too, which is very good for my creativity.

Swiss Rockers GOTTHARD just released their new album Human Zoo. Could you already listen to it? What do you think about it?

Well, to tell you the truth, I haven’t listened to it yet, but only heard the single (A.d.R. WHAT I LIKE) on radio quite a few times now. It sounds o.k. to me and I look forward to hear the rest of the new album.

What do you generally think about Gotthard and the Swiss Rock Scene in general?

I’m glad Gotthard kept the `flag flying` for the Swiss Rock Scene over the past years. Yes they became softer and more commercial, even though I know that individual members of the band would love to rock their asses off again, like in their early days! Switzerland has been a lucrative safety-net for them and now they want to spread their wings and fly out of the "Gilted Cage". I hope they`ve got what it takes, as this is a totally different ball-game calling for endurance and living together in close quarters as a band. Mandy Meyer had a taste of that already with Krokus in the 80’s. I wish them luck and success anyway!

If a young singer asked you to give him one single advice to become as successful as you are, what would you tell him?

Finish your studies and arm yourself for a long tough road, be flexible and don`t ever forget your roots!

What are your future-plans with Krokus and personally? I heard Krokus are planning a US-Tour, what about that?

"Rock The Block" is being released all over Europe and we plan to tour as many countries as possible. The thought of this makes me happy since we owe it to all our European Fans to go and `shake their lazy towns` just like we did all over the USA in the eighties. Back then we were managed from the American side of the globe only, and now our Swiss-based management will help us cover Europe like never before. We feel very comfortable working with Warner Music who has made all these releases possible. I think we’ve landed with the perfect partners and they are checking out a release in the States too. Our old US managent will take care of Krokus in the USA, Canada and South America again. We`re looking forward to re-visit the States to rock our old fans and meet the new…!

I’m sure you’ll soon rock the USA again! But first of all I’m looking forward to your Swiss tour which starts at the 28th March 2003.

As in all of our interviews, I’d like to give you some keywords and you please tell me the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear them.

London Heathrow

A huge International Airport just outside London. I’ve used it many many times as I lived in London for ten years.

First Album you bought?

First album I bought was a "Soul Compilation" shortly before Otis Redding died in an aircrash.

Last album you bought?

The Joe Lynne Turner and Glenn Hughes Project.

Song you like singing the most?

Screaming in the Night by Krokus.

George W. Bush

I don’t trust his real intentions.

Chris Von Rohr

Someone else I don`t trust.

Great White

A very unfortunate bunch of rock musicians.

Malta

My motherland in the beautiful Mediterranean.

I’m sure we’ll meet somewhere on tour!

I look forward to that.

Thank you very much again and all the best for your future Marc!

It’s been a pleasure thanks! Rock On, Marc.