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 With the release of the bands latest album 'Devotion' last year, German rockers Shylock received critical acclaim from both fans critics alike. Just when you would have thought the band were about to take off, they called off all touring plans due to personal circumstances.
But now, the band are back and ready to get back on the horse, and take the proverbial bull by it's horns.
Komodo Rock's Mike Elliott caught up with vocalist Matthias Schenk to find out more about the band, the album, and where they'll be heading in 2008.
Mike Elliott: Can you tell us a little more about the history of the band, and how you came together?
Matthias Schenk: The thing with Shylock started back in 1998. Hannes
and me played in the former band simply called Red Rose and after a
band crash we just had to search for new members. At this time, I guess
it was 1996, I worked as a kind of „male nurse“ in an institution for
handicapped people and Oli (Keys) also worked there. So I just asked
Oli and Oli asked his brother Achim (drums) to join Hannes and me in a
band. The guys agreed and so Shylock was born!
ME: What is the significance of the bands name? Does it come from the
Shakespearean character, and if so, what was the ideas surrounding the
choice?
MS: Yes, you're totally right: Chris Löhr (Hannes’ brother) was our
first man on the bass and he finally came up with the idea for the
name. Chris was studying English at University and he actually worked
on Shakespeare’s „The merchant of Venice“. So one day he came into the
rehearsal room and asked „Hey, what about the name Shylock?!“. It
sounded cool and we all felt it was right. That’s the whole story and
there’s definitely no special meaning behind it. Just a name – not
more, not less!
ME: You released your latest album 'Devotion' back in October. Have you
been pleased with the reactions to it, both by fans and critics?
MS: All in all we are really pleased about the feedback so far. We got
about 100 great reviews, some magazines called “Devotion” Album of the
Year and even some people wrote that it’s a pity that songs like
“Again” don't have the airplay they deserve. That’s a very good
compliment for the soul of every songwriter. We got a lot of mails and
our fans all around the globe ask us when will Shylock come to rock
their house?
ME: How successful has the album proved to you as a band?
MS: Well, we are happy with our first complete self-made album and to
tell you the truth: We are all proud of every single song on Devotion
as musicians and as producers.
ME: How do you feel the bands sound and song writing has evolved with 'Devotion'?
MS: Compared with the last albums the songs are more hit-orientated and
they all got straight patterns. We've tried to create an unique album
sound and I think we did it, cause a lot of people talk about it.
ME: Can you take us through some of the important tracks on the album, and explain the ideas behind them?
 MS:
For me as a songwriter every track is important and the idea with every
single song is to let people forget their problems for some few minutes
or even longer!
ME: The bonus track on the album is dedicated to former German
International Football star Thomas Hassler. What inspired you to write
a song dedicated to him?
MS: Well, I was 15 years old when he won the World championship in 1990
with the German soccer team in Italy. That’s inspiration enough, my
friend! Fifteen years later Mario Lehmann from our former label MTM
asked me to write a song for Icke´s last soccer game. I just did it and
took the chance.
ME: Can you tell us a little more about the ideas behind the albums cover art that was created by Gaby Hylla?
MS: Gaby translated our ideas into reality with a computer software
called “Poser”. We just wanted to show the meaning of Devotion and
connect some typical stereotypes of Hard Rock music, that's all. So in
some kind, the cover is a bit ironical.
ME: Over the last few years you've shared the stage with numerous high
profile bands. Can you tell us some more about some of the most
important to you, and how the experiences have influenced you as both a
band and a musician?
MS: That’s hard to say, because every little experience with all those
bands were important for us and we all try to get the best out of all
those influences.
ME: You cancelled all appearances due to personal circumstances during the end of last year. Have things improved?
MS: Yes. We're definitely back and ready to rock. It was just an
important time for Hannes because of his job obligations. Now
everything is fine again… so let’s get rocked!
ME: With the cancellations, you played a solitary show in May last year
prior to the albums release. Are you planning a full scale tour in
2008, maybe heading to the UK as well?
MS: Hey Mike, please believe me: It would be a big honour for everyone
of us to rock in the UK! I guess we got fans over there and people are
interested in us. But on the other hand it’s always a matter of the
lousy money.
No money… no tour… no support slot... But it’s never too late for dreaming!
 ME: Are you looking ahead to what you will record next, or is to soon to think about what will come after 'Devotion'?
MS: Oh, we're not lazy at all. By now, we are already working on the
next album. About six songs are done with a demo and I think it comes
in early 2009. And you can be sure that we have some little surprises
on the next rocker.
ME: As a musician, who have you found to be the most inspirational to you?
MS: “Life“ is the most important inspiration for me, there are ups and
downs, love and hate and that's all I need to write a good song.
ME: Bands are increasingly turning to the Internet to promote their material. Do you find it to be useful for yourselves?
MS: At this time I have to say yes, because if you wanna survive in
this business, you have to swim with the stream. But I prefer to play
live, ‘cause I need to be in touch with the fans.
ME: Can you give our readers any important Shylock related weblinks please?
MS: Hello readers! Please visit our homepage www.shylockmusic.de or
www.myspace.com/shylockmusicde. We hope to see you soon… anywhere in
the UK!
A big thank you to Matthais for taking the time to talk with us.
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