New Herman interview!

[Scorpions Fos Finland]

http://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.asp ... =1&lang=EN

^Here he speaks for example about why he left the band back in nineties.

[Scorplady]

Why after all these years is he bad mouthing the music? I don't find that very cool to stir up drama. Maybe he's been talking to Queensyrche recently?

Or maybe he is just wanting some extra publicity.

[YNWA]

Ahh...

I`ve seen this on James FB wall and under the post - millions of comments - who`s better and blah-blah, same argue again and again.

The truth is everyone is unique and everyone may like/love different things as well as style of a drummer or song/album/band. No big deal.. I respects everyone`s opinion. But it`s just kind of... unmature act, and I say it only cause he used the word "hate".

Yes. May be that`s really his opinion, may be he doesn`t like the new stuff, but I think he should have been at least more diplomatic, cause.. after all, it sounds ugly to me to spit on something, which made you what you are..

[Raised On Rock]

ordinary drummer and cheap songwriter, he never loses the opportunity to speak bad about the band's status after he left, but he was the first to jump off the boat when it started to sink (commercially speaking). If he knows what to do, why his solo albums are absolute garbage? He should act (and prove) more and talk less!

[flyingvee]

He's far from an ordinary drummer. Anyone that says that has never seen him live years ago. His drum solo is still one of the best ever. This is not about a Herman vs James thing, they are both great drummer sin their own way. But you are missing on several facts. He is correct about band chemistry. Once you have a cohesive unit of 5 that have success even changing one part affects that chemistry. The decline of most bands hinges on changing just one member.
Cheap songwriter? In that case many Scorpions classics including RYLAH are cheap then.
He jumped boat because he did not like the direction the band was headed, not because it started to sink. It sank after he left. I am sure if you back in the forum archives and look you will say that half the people agree with his thoughts on PI and E2E. I feel a bad Scorpions album does not exist, but if you were to rank them from best to worst those two definitely would lie in the bottom 3. It's just how it is with the Scorpions catalog, their other albums were just that good. It's been said that if Eye To Eye were a U2 album, it would be U2's best. I think I had said that LOL

Fact is, even if James is a better drummer, Herman was still a vital contributor to Scorpions strongest era. End of story.

[Raised On Rock]

Rylah it's not known to have the most appealing lyrics (he contributed on them, not the music), as He's a Woman She's a Man and the majority os songs he was involved in. Yes, lyrically those songs are very cheap for me, even if they are kickass songs. So are you telling me that Savage Amusement and Crazy World (aside for a couple of songs) are so better than Pure Instinct, at the point that he realized it was time to leave only when that record was planned? I don't believe it, i think money ruled the game, it's not that hard to understand when you pass from a multi-platinum album like CW to the 500.000 Copies of FTH that the end of commercial success is there.
About the Chemistry, music changed in the early-mid 90's, even with the so called "classic lineup" I don't believe they would have changed the things much (again, they were all together in the two albums that I mentioned and that I don't rate much, eccept for some songs). PI was a good album, it only should have had some more rockers on it, and Eye 2 Eye was an attempt to find a new success in another musical direction, but was a very nice effort IMO, there are some songs that could have been hits if someone cared to do a little promotion.
As for the strongest era, I hope you are only talking about success and not about the overall quality of the records...

[Guest]

Sounds to me like an embittered fallen out drummer just releasing his true feelings after a loooooong time holding on to them and seeing that The Scorpions are still Rocking The World he probably wishes he would have never thrown the stick in.....

[fantasy]

first thing,

herman has left the band before to go on tour in 1996..
he accepted to be on the Taratata show in 1997 in france for the last time..

he always sayd that he wasn't in the moove to compose with the others guys on this album..( pure instinct)..

i don't know who is right , but i know that after 1996 , they weren't the same !!
till 2004..
there is a big difference of groove between James and herman..

listen to Wacken 2012 (rythm of love) and the same in 1991 ( live)...

herman was and is a good drummer for the scorps..
even if i like the punch of james..

[oldscorpsfan75]

Hermann is still the perfect drummer for the Scorps...this is the truth....James rocks but the guys gave the best with Hermann on the drums...FTH is an excellent album,very hard...then after this,the Scorps fallen down( PI is almost a good one,EYE 2 EYE is horrible(the new direction was totally wrong)and I think Hermann left the band with a lot of sadness in his heart cos' he knew that the band would never be the same...and he was right...I never seen Hermann on stage but plp who saw him they told me he was an ANIMAL behind the drums
the strongest era has been with Hermann,nobody can't deny that and not only for the quality of records...

[fantasy]

the sad thing is that the guys are not very very young..
of course, they are youg again, but the time passes so fast !

no herman , francis ( cause moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ) , no chance to see them again.
sad ..
very sad

i repeat, james has got punch and gave energy to the scorpsand he is a fantastic drumer ...
but before they stop completly to compose music, it would have been great to see them together.

[Scorplady]

I think it's fair to respect Herman for all the years he was in the Scorpions. The same thing goes with Francis, no matter how they all parted ways, they definitely paid their dues and were a large part of the band.

But I don't think at this point with James being in the band for what 15+ years that people still go down the comparison road. James IS a part of the Scorpions and Herman decided to leave.

The fact that Herman didn't like some of the material they did - does it really matter? I only wish that it was more respectful towards a band he always seemed proud to be in.

I liked Eye II Eye actually, there are some really great songs on it. Sure it's a bit different, but still enjoyable to listen to if you ask me.

[Deleted User 13688]

I feel that some fans on here are blinded by their loyalty for Scorps and aren't giving Herman a fair shake. We don't know what happened behind closed doors nor what Herman went thru with the boys and because he is voicing his feelings and whathaveyou, does that make him the bad guy? What if it's the others who are to blame? Why can't this man jut speak his mind without being slammed to the wall with such visciousness? And btw, he is still very good friends with Matthias, so if MJ doesn't have a problem with his comments, why should we? That's called true brotherhood. Give the man a break, he was a damn good drummer for the band and he was responsible for many hits. So ROR thinks they are cheap words? sheesh that was the times!!! Look at some of the other bands lyrics in the 80's!! Some of them are worse!!! Besides, any song that makes them as famous as they became with those lyrics, can't be cast aside as cheap. ROR, don't think I am attacking you, I am just giving my point of view!!
James knows that he is my bro and that I think his style is amazing!! But Herman was a different style drummer and was an integral part of the band. Quit bashing the man!

[flyingvee]

So are you telling me that Savage Amusement and Crazy World (aside for a couple of songs) are so better than Pure Instinct, at the point that he realized it was time to leave only when that record was planned? I don't believe it, i think money ruled the game, it's not that hard to understand when you pass from a multi-platinum album like CW to the 500.000 Copies of FTH that the end of commercial success is there.
About the Chemistry, music changed in the early-mid 90's, even with the so called "classic lineup" I don't believe they would have changed the things much (again, they were all together in the two albums that I mentioned and that I don't rate much, eccept for some songs).

Yes I am telling you that SA and CW are so much better than PI. As I'm sure the majority of fans will tell you and even the band themselves will tell you. Not for lack of songs as much as the production, the crunchy guitars were missing from PI. There is a remix of PI I did in 97 or so when i still played a bit where I added guitars in Rudy's style and the album took a new life. So yes the production on PI and E2E were not up to par.

You seem not to be too informed as to Hermans contributions to the songs in that era, it is more than the 2 songs you mentioned.

Bringing up the change in music in the 90's is irrelevant. The classic line-up would have maintained that magic chemistry and made PI and E2E better than they were. Look at other good bands of the era, Iron Maiden for example, they did not let the 90's affect them and they are as popular as ever. It's your right to enjoy PI and E2E better, but in no way are they the better albums.

And for once can we discuss Herman and his contributions without someone bringing up how unfair it is to James? We are not comparing the two. We are talking of what Herman brought to the band in that era. Period.

[Gabi6912]

I think it's fair to respect Herman for all the years he was in the Scorpions. The same thing goes with Francis, no matter how they all parted ways, they definitely paid their dues and were a large part of the band.

But I don't think at this point with James being in the band for what 15+ years that people still go down the comparison road. James IS a part of the Scorpions and Herman decided to leave.

The fact that Herman didn't like some of the material they did - does it really matter? I only wish that it was more respectful towards a band he always seemed proud to be in.

I liked Eye II Eye actually, there are some really great songs on it. Sure it's a bit different, but still enjoyable to listen to if you ask me.

I couldn't agree more Joanne.
For me the essential points are in your, and Curry's posts.
I don't care who is the better drummer, and which era, and albums of Scorps are the better.
Sorry, am being ordinary, but Herman shouldn't *** to the place where he used to eat in the past, and eats nowadays also whenever he is a special guest of a Scorpsshow.

[antonis]

He could have choosen Eye To Eye as his worst album instead of Pure Instinct which is not really that bad.

I think that you have to reread the interview,because he says,what you say...
I agree that there is no bad Scorpions album,but those albums are bad(very bad i'd say)for Scorpions...they should be released as solo albums,NOT under the name of Scorpions.
What Herman and Francis did for Scorpions is written in the RnR history and nobody can take that away!
Apart from that,the european Temple of Rock tour,was a proof what the boys can do and it success was a natural thing to happen!!!

[Guest]

Sounds to me like an embittered fallen out drummer just releasing his true feelings after a loooooong time holding on to them and seeing that The Scorpions are still Rocking The World he probably wishes he would have never thrown the stick in.....

I feel the need to apologize for this comment I made about Herman, not knowing the facts about Hermans relationship with The Scorpions in the past it was unfair for me to comment about him in this way. I do know that the LP's recorded while he was with the group are amazing! So I need to give credit where credit is due. What I do not understand is why he had to express his disappointments now and why he didn't do it sooner?

[fantasy]

many fans there want that scorpions stop !!
many fans there follow them since crazy world and love only balads !
those fans , than i respect, don't realise that the scorpions with james and pawel is done !

scorpions stop their carrier !!

are you proud of it ???

i should give everything to have 2 or 3 albums from them !
i follow them since 1978 ! and i want they continue !

them , and only them, have the possibility to continue ! but they said stop ..so stop with this line up also ..

so, the only chance they continue is a reunion album or 2 albums ! they can do it..

20 years after ! you realise?? the war is again there ..i can understand their position but me...ME


i m very sad don't hear new stuff anymore from them !!

you seem happy ! i can't understand that !

[Deleted User 13688]

Val, i have come to adore you and so what I said wasn't meant to come back at ya girl!! Please know that you are entitled to your opin, I just had to add mine. And it was to everyone who was making such vicious comments about Herman.He probably has a reason for why he waited ....btw, he does have a book out that is very revealing. He sent me an autographed copy.....the boys are wonderful and amazing, BUT they have their faults and things were not always kosher back then. Maybe even still!! They don't always treat ppl very well at times, I do hear things....GASP!! Did I just say that about our precious Scorps? Well, guess what folks, they are human, they are rockstars and they do things behind closed doors that are not perfect. They are not spotless!! I still love them, truly I do, but I am a realist too and so therefore, I don't see them as Gods!!!

Fantasy, who are you talking to? BTW, the guys are going back into the studio to record some of their archived 80's songs that they never finished. With the 80's sound and lyrics and such. So they are coming out with sthg new, they just won't tour anymore.

[Guest]

[quote="victory*rawks"]Val, i have come to adore you and so what I said wasn't meant to come back at ya girl!! Please know that you are entitled to your opin, I just had to add mine. And it was to everyone who was making such vicious comments about Herman.He probably has a reason for why he waited ....btw, he does have a book out that is very revealing. He sent me an autographed copy.....the boys are wonderful and amazing, BUT they have their faults and things were not always kosher back then. Maybe even still!! They don't always treat ppl very well at times, I do hear things....GASP!! Did I just say that about our precious Scorps? Well, guess what folks, they are human, they are rockstars and they do things behind closed doors that are not perfect. They are not spotless!! I still love them, truly I do, but I am a realist too and so therefore, I don't see them as Gods!!!

My dear friend Cristy, I expressed my apologies after re reading the article posted and realized he was expressing what he felt during that era of recording music he hated, he said he was frustrated at the music they were recording for the LP "Pure Instinct" and he would not participate. He said he was made to feel like a hired drummer and as you said he does have a right to voice his opinion and again I do feel he was a great asset to our Scorpions during this era. I still feel I spoke too soon and reacted before weighing out the controversy and I will be mindful of that from now on ........................Ooops!

[Deleted User 13688]

Val, i have come to adore you and so what I said wasn't meant to come back at ya girl!! Please know that you are entitled to your opin, I just had to add mine. And it was to everyone who was making such vicious comments about Herman.He probably has a reason for why he waited ....btw, he does have a book out that is very revealing. He sent me an autographed copy.....the boys are wonderful and amazing, BUT they have their faults and things were not always kosher back then. Maybe even still!! They don't always treat ppl very well at times, I do hear things....GASP!! Did I just say that about our precious Scorps? Well, guess what folks, they are human, they are rockstars and they do things behind closed doors that are not perfect. They are not spotless!! I still love them, truly I do, but I am a realist too and so therefore, I don't see them as Gods!!!

My dear friend Cristy, I expressed my apologies after re reading the article posted and realized he was expressing what he felt during that era of recording music he hated, he said he was frustrated at the music they were recording for the LP "Pure Instinct" and he would not participate. He said he was made to feel like a hired drummer and as you said he does have a right to voice his opinion and again I do feel he was a great asset to our Scorpions during this era. I still feel I spoke too soon and reacted before weighing out the controversy and I will be mindful of that from now on ........................Ooops!

And ur one helluva woman to admit that!! Not many do I'm afraid. If I am convinced I am right I will stand my groiund, but for reals, I am also open to other points of view and folks who have seen it on here, has seen my change of mind due to someone's convincing argument. So I admire you Val!! I wish you could read Herman's book, then you would understand better what he went through. But my tirade above was for those others who were so mean and haven't reposted saying they see it from or have tried to see it from his view. I admire Herman very much, he is a great guy and I frankly feel bad that he was so disrespected, altho he either created or helped create some of the Scorps most infamous songs that made them ridiculously over the top rockstars!! And what made them the band that we love so much today. I wonder, if Herman hadn't been in the band....or Matthias didn't join, if Scorps would still be playing clubs. Sthg to think about, yeah?