Swiss Pop Music - Crocus

After having said a few words about old Swiss Rocker Polo Hofer, here is something that came a bit later, one of the first bands in Switzerland to export their music as far as America, to win Gold and Platin records and above all, the original members all more or less come from around the corner to where I lived, the town of Solothurn.

Krokus are the mother of all Swiss metal bands. Their most successful phase was in the 80’s when they won their gold and platin discs in America and Canada as well as in Switzerland. Their origins go back to the 70’s. In the small market town of Solothurn 5 young men launched in 1974 Krokus. (in English of course the flower: Crocus). The original formation consisted of Fernando von Arb (solo guitar), Chris von Rohr (singer, later bass guitar), Freddy Steady (drummer), Jürg Nägerli (bass guitar – later tone technician) and the lateTommy Kiefer (solo guitar). At this time Rock clubs were very sparse in Switzerland. Performance opportunities were also quite rare and the band decided to do something quite unusual. Krokus packed their bags and moved to Spain and the Mediterranean coast. They brought their aggressive sound (which it is was in the times gone by) to the bars, dives and tourst bunkers of the Costa Brava where they were welcome guests. The many gigs strengthened the band and added a professional note to their playing.

Back in the federal home territory of Switzerland they managed to land a record deal and released in 1978 “Painkiller”. The 1977 published “To You All”, was recorded with the band Montezuma with whom the Messrs. von Arb, Naegeli and Steady were playing at the time, before they dedicated themselves completely to Krokus. “Painkiller” sold itself quite well, but it was clear that a more experienced singer would do the band more than good – at this time Chris von Rohr was at the microphone, but later would change to bass guitarist. According to the motto “lets try the Maltese”, the Swiss found in Marc Storace the suitable voice with which he could reach unexpected heights and who also had a fair amount of blues in blood. This made the whole thing sound more smoky. With “Metal Rendevouz” they sold 150,000 units and brought triple platin into Switzerland.

As the degree of popularity of the band is now quite large, they quickly made use of the old material in the form of “Early Days” before they made the extremely good album “Hardware” with Jürg Nägerli as tone technician. “Winning Man”, “Celebration” and the hymn “Easy Rocker” are tracks which live are still popular. At some Gigs after the release in England, the band could test how Swiss metal sounded to English listeners. Apparently very well as “one of the best 20 Metal Acts” (Sounds) they were prepared for the jump over the channel and the Atlantic ocean. First US concerts as warm-up band for Blue Oyster Cult, Sammy Hagar and Molly Hatchet followed. 100,000 sold records are the result of the energy loaded shows in the States. After “Hardware” Tommy Kiefer was replaced by the young Mandy Meier, who had his baptism of fire on one of the England tours and the Krokus German concerts as support for April Wine, but for the next studio album recording had to make room for Mark Kohler (must mention that my husband played jazz with Mark Kohler’s older brother).

In the 1982 output “One Vice at a Time” ideas began to differ. The parallels at this time to the success of the Superstars AC/DC are more than evident. Although songs such as “Long Stick goes Boom” are well in front, the question about own creativity is often put. Nevertheless this album is the most successful in the history of the band. Songs such as the cover “American Woman” pave the way to the opening of the American market. The result: gold in the USA and Canada.

With “Headhunter” they accelerate even more and produce together with Judas Priest tone technician Tom Allom the most aggressive album up to now. Their status in USA and Canada stabilized itself with platin and gold. In Switzerland they had to make do with gold. In 1984 after a short guest appearance of Steve Pace as drummer, Jeff Kaven took over. With him Krokus also played “The Blitz”. After this release Chris von Rohr left the band because of disagreements with the band management. In the meanwhile they had arrive well into the 80’s and they celebrated internationally their best success with the fans in “Change of Address” and “Alive and Screaming” although the band were absolutely not satisfied with “Change of Address”.

In 1988 Chris von Rohr returned for “Heart Attack”, in the meanwhile Dani Crivelli being on the drums. The album did not sell so well and the descent was showing. A change had occurred with the original lineup. Fernando von Arb collected new musicians around himself and delivered with “Stampede” good work, but it is no longer a genuine Krokus. Swiss Flower Metal without warmed up material (“The Dirty Dozen” and “You ain’t seen Nothing Yet”) appeared in 1995 with “To Rock or Not To Be”. Chris von Rohr left the band forever and worked as producer and manager (for Gotthard) as well as a writing musician, his first book “Hunde wollt ihr ewig rocken?” (Dogs do you want to rock forever?) being a success in Switzerland. We have the book and it’s really good and very funny.

The next genuine output “Rock the Block” (only appearing in Switzerland) took 7 years to appear, during which time various members concentrated on their own projects. Marc Storace was performing with his own band, during which von Arb played guitar for the legendary Butthunter.

A film of the tour “Rock the Block” was made and the result appeard as live CD and DVD under the name “Fire and Gasoline”. After the release Fernando von Arb left the band. Mandy Meier replaced him. At the beginning of 2005 Krokus came together again and played in the United States after 17 years afterwards ontour in Russia. At the beginning of 2006 Kokus returned to the studio to work on a new record. In the meanwhile they were on a Germany tour with Axxis as support.

And that is Krokus more or less up to the present day. The musicians are often to be seen in our local town and my son often acts as “Roadie” for the various bands they play with, the last time being a week ago at a concert in Solothurn with Fernando von Arb on the guitar. Chris von Rohr is the most well-known today as he often appears on television. Generally speaking they are all very nice people, not spoilt and always have time for a talk if you happen to meet them in town. The various members have gone through a lot of ups and downs, but they still produce good music today.

Their official web site Krokus

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