Dirkschneider
From:
Germany
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Dirkschneider News
Below is our complete Dirkschneider news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Udo Dirkschneider Shares First German Single
He is THE constant among the German metal scene - Udo Dirkschneider. Originally becoming world-famous as a founding member of Accept, he continues to steadily expand upon his international successes with his U.D.O. and Dirkschneider outfits. Remaining true to himself over the years in a way few musicians could, Dirkschneider consistently bucks music industry trends in favor of following his heart. Yet his most personal and extraordinary album to date will be released on April 22nd, 2022: "My Way".
For the first time, Udo Dirkschneider now sings in his native language and shines on the Wolfsheim cover of the hit "Kein Zurück", which is being released today as a digital single and as a limited 7-inch vinyl (700 copies, incl. "We Will Rock You") and along with a music video clip.
"When I heard the song on the radio for the first time, I got excited straight away," remembers Udo Dirkschneider and explains: "I immediately felt understood by the words. It almost seemed to me as if the text was telling about my career, about my highs and lows, about all the good and bad experiences that you have. For those who choose the life as a musician, there is simply “no way back”. It's the first time I've been singing in my native language on a song - it was a real struggle for me at first, but at the same time it was a great experience." More...
Dirkschneider Issues "Living For Tonite" DVD Clip
In addition to the still ongoing successful "Back To The Roots" Tour, Dirkschneider will release "Live - Back To The Roots - Accepted!" on August 4th (EU) and August 18th (USA) via AFM Records as a DVD/2CD, BluRay/2CD and GTF, as well as triple Vinyl in two different colors. Check out a clip of "Living for Tonite" in the player below.
After putting out the live double CD last year ("Back to the Roots"), fans were asking for a visual output, so finally, in December 2016, the show in Brno (Czech Republic) was recorded for that purpose. Besides many classics from Udo Dirkscheider's Accept era, there's a cover version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" as bonus track on the CD and Vinyl.
The singer with the charismatic voice had his musical breakthrough with Accept in the early 80s. "It's still so much fun to sing these songs live, they are a part of my biography, but nevertheless it's about time to turn that page. There was so much talking and speculations about me and Accept, so this is kind of a musical statement from my end - which seems to be very interesting for the fans who came to these shows."
After the triumph all over the world in 2016, including tours in Israel and Japan, summer festivals and live shows in the US, Russia and Europe, Dirkschneider (now with Jon Oliva's Pain guitarist Bill Hudson) continues touring in 2017 and 2018, including a second more extensive tour of North America. The new dates will feature an almost completely NEW set list. Of course, it will still contain only Accept hits, but this time with many different songs compared to the last tours.
The track listing for the
CD 1:
1. Intro
2. Starlight
3. Living For Tonite
4. Flash Rockin‘ Man
5. London Leatherboys
6. Midnight Mover
7. Breaker
8. Head Over Heels
9. Neon Nights
10. Princess Of The Dawn
11. Winter Dreams
12. Restless And Wild
13. Son Of A Bitch
14. Up To The Limit More...
U.D.O. Taps Bill Hudson As New Guitarist
After recently splitting with guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen, German based U.D.O. (featuring legendary ex-Accept vocalist Udo Dirkschneider) tapped T.S.O./Circle II Circle guitarist Bill Hudson as his replacement.
The announcement reads: "We are very proud to announce that Mr. Bill Hudson from Brazil is the new guitarist of Dirkschneider/U.D.O.!
"Bill is based in the United States, but has already been in Pulheim a few weeks ago to join the songwriting session for our next album which we will start recording soon.
"Bill fits in, in every way, perfectly with us and builds a fantastic guitar team together with Andrey Smirnov. He is very experienced and has shared the stage with several known bands, most notably Circle II Circle, Jon Oliva's Pain and TSO for the last few years. It's not really necessary to talk about his skills, simply check it out on our next tour and you will see what we're talking about!
"After Kasperi left the band we have received many suggestions and applications from great guitar players from all over the planet. At the same time, we started getting hints from different and unrelated people in the business pointing straight into the same direction, telling us to check out this Brazilian/American guy. Once in Germany he convinced everybody from the get go and it was very clear that this guy had all the requirements to become the new band member.
We are REALLY looking forward to kick ass even more so than ever before!" More...
U.D.O. Splits With Guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen
Guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (Conquest/ex-Amberian Dawn) has split with U.D.O. for personal reason.
According to the band: "There is no bad blood or drama in this departure! The band and especially Udo wanna thank Kasperi for his great support and many fantastic shows on this planet. All the best Kasperi!"
Heikkinen also posted a statement: "I want to thank everyone, especially the fans, for these great four years I was in the band. I also wish all the best for the band with their future endeavors. From now on I will focus on my other music projects and some different outlets of creativity. You will surely hear from me again when the time is right. Stay metal and tsönk all the way!"
Heikkinen just completed a massive North American trek with Dirkschneider on the "Farewell to Accept" tour. More...
Report
A Legend In Manhattan "Accepts" No Substitutes
It’s was the fall of 1985 when Accept was introduced to me, only the second metal band to Twisted Sister that I was exposed to. “Metal Heart” was an album that captured me like no other, one that became so intertwined into what I declared “true metal” that I knew every single nuance of every single song. “Bound to Fail” became a bit of a theme song and “Teach Us to Survive” was one of the most daring songs of its time. Six months later a label company “rushed” “Russian Roulette” hit the streets and in as much as I read how disappointed the band was with it at the time of its release, it remains one of my favorite albums of all time, an underplayed, near forgotten masterpiece. I can expound upon what Accept has done to improve my life with such brilliant music, but suffice to say they have been in it for 31 of my 46 years and are ingrained in my very own “metal heart.” More...
Dirkschneider Gearing Up For 2017 Tour
Dirkschneider - the new incarnation of U.D.O. performing Accept songs - will hit the road in January in support of latest live album "Live - Back To The Roots." Catch these upcoming Dirkschneider 2017 tour dates:
Jan. 05 - New York City, NY - Stage 48
Jan. 06 - Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall
Jan. 07 - Quebec City, QUE - Salle Multi
Jan. 08 - Montreal, QUE - Foufounes Électriques
Jan. 10 - Toronto, ONT - MOD Club
Jan. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
Jan. 12 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
Jan. 13 - Chicago, IL - Concorde Music Hall
Jan. 14 - St Paul, MN - Amsterdam
Jan. 16 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
Jan. 18 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Jan. 19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
Jan. 21 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Jan. 22 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove
Jan. 23 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
Jan. 24 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
Jan. 26 - Dallas, TX - Trees
Jan. 27 - San Antonio, TX - Alamo Music Hall
Jan. 28 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
Jan. 30 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
Jan. 31 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
Feb. 02 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
Feb. 03 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Feb. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero More...