Unsolved Mysteries: Spielzeug, what happened?
This week, I’m doing the Bio of the Week a little bit differently. Instead of just presenting the band and their bio, I want to ask for your help. I was talking with Mikki who runs DeutschMusikLand.com and we were trying to figure out what happened to Spielzeug, but couldn’t find any recent information. No website, no information online, no releases to be found. All we have is the band biography she made 5 years ago. I think it’s pretty clear they have split up, but when? Did they ever release any music? Where are the band members now? If you have any information about Spielzeug, please send me an email at germaniacdotcom@gmail.com and let me know. Thanks.
Now for the bio, from DML:
Hamburg’s Spielzeug play Nu Rock in the German language & can be compared to bands such as Linkin Park, Incubus & Deftones, their music comprising of heavy guitars combined with electronic elements & oscillating between soulful melodies & aggressive rhythmic riffs.
The band was founded in January of 2001 by ex- Dodge guitarist Malte Schuster & ex- Child of Grace drummer Markus Geiger. By the end of June, singer Alexander Hotze had joined & in the beginning of 2002, bassist Mischa Sommer completed the quartet.
Through their first demo productions & local gigs, Spielzeug quickly made a name for themselves in the Hamburg band scene. This was followed by playing support gigs for international acts such as Chili’s Undercroft, Canada’s Slyce, Inc & America’s Hoobastank. Their club concerts were also mentioned many times as a “Live-Tip” by “Klaus Schulz Verlag”.
They have also proved by their appearance at Hafenrock 2002 that they have what it takes to play the open air circuits. Their demo release was planned for the middle of 2002 so it’s either out now or will be shortly forthcoming…
So… What happened to Spielzeug?
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:10 am
Also, just so everyone knows, I did find 2 leads… One is the MySpace page for Dodge, which Malte Schuster used to be in before Spielzeug, at http://www.myspace.com/dodgecrossover This band broke up in 2000 but someone is in charge of this site but they’re not answering my messages for info… The other lead is http://www.myspace.com/doubledhamburg in which someone named Mischa Sommer plays bass. This band is also from Hamburg & I have to assume that he is the same person as the bass player in Spielzeug but, again, I am getting no replies to my questions…
That’s the status of my search up until now… I do hope someone can help us out here!!
Mikki
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:41 pm
More news!! I’m told that http://www.myspace.com/kickthatfuckinasstothamoon is the person I need to speak to about getting info about Spielzeug… he hasn’t logged in since Sept. 21, though… I hope he logs in soon & gives me info!!! Hmm…
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Well at least you’re getting somewhere, Mikki! That’s good news.
Let me know what happens.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Oh yeah!!!! More than somewhere!! The guy from that site I linked is the drummer, Markus Geiger, & producer AND he created this tonight http://www.myspace.com/spielzeug1 YES!!! & he says I should be able to find info there soon so I’m really excited!!! The mystery is almost at an end & a story shall hopefully soon begin… I can’t wait to hear the story of what happened, or is happening, with Spielzeug… & I sent the link to the Russian girl who started this “quest” for info.. whoo hoo!!
October 8th, 2007 at 4:43 am
[…] you remember, I featured Spielzeug in last week’s Bio of the Week segment and asked if anyone knew what had happened to them. It appeared as if they had simply […]