As I sit here in my Berlin apartment, looking back on my life and the adventures that brought me here, my mind drifts back to the early 80s. Those were the days when Fritz Schumann and I were just two teenage boys with a love for music and a desire to make our mark on the world.
We met in school and hit it off right away. Both of us were huge fans of punk rock, and we spent countless hours listening to records, playing guitar, and dreaming of starting our own band. We were both pretty rough around the edges, but we had a passion and a drive that was undeniable.
It wasn’t long before we recruited a drummer and a bassist, and Stööl was born. Our sound was raw and energetic, a mix of punk and rock with a bit of new wave thrown in for good measure. We were a little bit wild and unpredictable, but we had a blast playing shows and recording our music.
One of my most vivid memories from those early days was when Fritz and I were almost caught graffitiing the Berlin Wall. We had snuck out late at night, armed with cans of spray paint and a rebellious spirit. We were just finishing up our masterpiece when we heard footsteps approaching. We froze in terror, sure that we were about to be caught by the police or the Stasi.
But then a group of drunken tourists stumbled around the corner, laughing and shouting in Italian. They barely glanced our way before stumbling off into the night. Fritz and I let out a sigh of relief and quickly finished our work before making a hasty retreat.
It’s funny to think back on those days now, with Stööl getting ready to go on tour again after all these years. We’ve come a long way since then, but the passion and energy that drove us as teenagers is still burning strong. Fritz and I are still making music together, and we’re as excited as ever to get back on stage and rock out with our fans.
Looking back on our journey, it’s clear that we’ve had our ups and downs. We’ve faced challenges and setbacks along the way, but we’ve never lost sight of our love for music and our commitment to each other. And now, as we prepare to hit the road once again, I know that we’re stronger than ever.
Stööl may have started as a teenage dream, but it’s become so much more than that. It’s a testament to the power of friendship, creativity, and the belief that anything is possible if you’re willing to work for it.
Leave a Reply