Undoubtedly Herman Frank is one of the most significant and respected guitarists in the world and German Metal, anyway, besides work together to Accept, where he was part of at the time of the releases classics "Restless & Wild" and "Balls To The Wall" (82 -83), with the band returning to the reunion shows in 2004/2005 and now since 2009, this new line-up post Udo, which already accounts two amazing albums, still has a prolific solo career and work with other great bands like Victory, Moon Doc and Poison Sun, not to mention yet that produces and is a sound engineer, and working with names like Saxon, Molly Hatchet, Messiah's Kiss, Rose Tattoo and Holy Mother, released instructional videos and is a composer, arranger and bandcoach! a multi-man virtually!
We take a break between the release of his second solo album and Accept's World tour to talk with Herman some subjects, such as his new album, which finds time to do so many things, and, of course, about Accept!
Road to Metal: "Right
in the Guts" is the second album bearing the name "Herman
Frank," and brings changes in the line-up, you chose to work with
different people because it is a solo project, or you want a line-up stable,
functioning as a band, and perhaps also do live shows?
Herman Frank: Well, actually I had in mind to bring up the same line up again. Cause
life is playing games all time it turned out different. Jioti got some problems
with his health. I was waiting for nearly two years after Loyal to None to
start the recordings for Right in the Guts, but he was´nt able to sing. Like he
used to sing. Therefore I decided to look for another frontman to do the album.
Stefan (Schwarzmann) was quiet busy these days for different projects so he couldn´t find some time in between. Cause I wanted to record the follower to LTN I had to give new people a chance. Maybe this time the line up stays a little bit longer and gives me a chance to do some live shows.
Stefan (Schwarzmann) was quiet busy these days for different projects so he couldn´t find some time in between. Cause I wanted to record the follower to LTN I had to give new people a chance. Maybe this time the line up stays a little bit longer and gives me a chance to do some live shows.
RtM: Like the first album, "Loyal to None", many reviews have linked to accept sound, I even think there similarities, but I think his solo work has a more hard rock background. What do you think about these comparisons and what the main differences between the sound of what you do on Accept and at your solo work?
HF: Easy to tell. In Accept Wolf and Peter are writing most of the songs,
nearly every song. In my Band I am the “Mastermind”. As Wolf, Peter and myself
have kind a like the same backround thru all the years it´s obvious that there
might be similarities. On the other hand I evolved my typical own style in this
years without Accept. I think my productions are more live like and
rougher. Also more Melodic parts in my
songs may be a difference to Accept.
 |
| "Right in the Guts" line-up |
HF: Rick called me up asking to sing on my new record. Actually I haven´t
heard anything about him before. So I sended him some tracks with my vocal
ideas on top and net day I received finished songs with a vocal performance
that knocked me out. He was right on the
edge from the beginning on. He is such a strong vocalist and he shows a lot of
feelings on the tracks.
RtM: “Right in
the Guts” have many songs of pure Metal, with fast tempos, but my favorite, and
based on reviews that I read, has drawn considerable attention, are “Falling To
Pieces”, which is quite Hard Rock, reminding Whitesnake mainly by rick vocals.
I would like you to talk a bit about this song.
HF: Yeah, Falling to pieces is one of my favorites too. I like this song a
lot. Great ballade. Tons of feeling. Catchy hooks. Whitesnake ? Well, why
should we all leave it up to them ? And for me it´s an honor to be compared to
them. Isn´t it a great compliment having writing a song also Whitesnake could
have done ?!
RtM: How was the
songwriting and production process of
the CD and how you divided the time in order to concentrate on two major albums
as Stalingrad and Right in the Guts?
HF: As usual I wrote all the songs. During the days I came up with a couple
of ideas. As soon it was clear that Rick gonna be the new singer it went quiet
easy. We started working on the album August 2012 and Mix was finished in
January 2012. Time wise I just have to tell: Early bird catches the worm !
RtM: Talking
about the lyrics, about what you enjoy writing, and also about your influences
as a musician, who are your major influences?
HF: Maybe we should leave this up to Rick, he is writing all the lyrics.
Influences ? Me, myself and I.
 |
| Poison Sun |
RtM: You have
your solo work, also have the CD with Poison Sun, the work with Accept,
concerts, productions, etc ... as you finds time to do so much things?? ? He he
he! Besides the music you have any other hobbies? Movies, Football?
HF: As I mentioned before, you just have to love what you are doing and just
have to work hard. I don´t think about time when I am doing music. I just
loving it! And hobbies ? Movies you are
right. Some sports, like Wing Tsung. But most of all having once in a while a
little party with my friend Jack Daniells. He helps me to clear my mind and get
ready again for new projects !!
 |
| Great albums with Victory and Moon' Doc |
HF: It´s hard to tell which is or are my favorite albums. That´s a question
I can´t answer honestly. I still do like Culture killed the Native by Victory.
Accept Restless and Wild is my favorite one.Moon´Doc I would give Realm of
Legends a chance.
RtM: I think the
mos t Accept’s fans (including myself) did not imagine the band without Udo,
but after "Blood of Nations", many changed their minds(including
myself again!), and now you have released the second album with Tornillo. When
you decide to follow ahead, and look for another voice to the band, did you
expect results and public acceptance were so good? Probably you had some doubts at the beginning.
Now venture to say that 99% of fans are happy with the new line-up!
HF: Yeah ! It worked out great. Everybody in the band was very convinced
about Mark from the start on. He´s such a powerfull singer and one of the best
guys I ever meet. Cheesr to you my friend!
Cheers to Mark !
HF: Do me a favor? Leave this questions to Peter and Wolf.
RtM: After the
Accept’s reunion shows in 2005, it was expected that the so-called classical
line-up, with Udo, released a new album, also spoke on a DVD recorded in
Wacken, but it did not happen. Would tell us a little about why there was no
possibility this happen?
HF: No comment ….
RtM: About
that time, your Accept's first passage, I would like you talk a little about
how was to you join the band in that period. Many fans consider
“Restless & Wild” and “Balls To The Wall” the best Accept albums.
HF: For me it was a great adventure and a journey which still remains with a
big gab in between.
 |
| With Accept in 80's |
HF: Martina got a lot of respect with her first album. We are working
already on the second one. But no idea when this will be finished. I do like
the style of Poison Sun very much.
RtM: Well,
thanks for your attention Herman, I'll save a little of your time! hope to see
you soon here in Brazil, with either the Accept or maybe with your solo
band!Too bad last year for account of that accident in San Antonio you cannot
come to Brazil!
RtM: Well thank you to following my career and spending your affords to my
music ! See ya soon
!Best
Herman
Carlos Garcia to Road To Metal
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