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Oliver RiedelGerman musician
Country:
 Germany |
Content:
- Oliver Riedel: Biography of a Rammstein Bassist
- Education and Shyness
- The Inchtabokatables and Rammstein
- Challenges and Success
- Personal Life and Hobbies
- Role in Rammstein
- Equipment
- Creative Freedom
Oliver Riedel: Biography of a Rammstein Bassist
Early LifeOliver 'Olli' Riedel was born on April 11, 1971, in Schwerin, East Germany. Growing up, Oliver had a good relationship with his parents, who shared the same taste in music. They were more like friends than a typical family. Oliver was an only child and often joked about teasing his nonexistent siblings.
Education and Shyness
Oliver was not academically inclined, but he always had his mother's support. He was quite shy, especially during his teenage years, and preferred to hang out with his friends rather than go to parties or discos. He enjoyed spending time in his vicinity rather than seeking out exciting social events.
The Inchtabokatables and Rammstein
At the age of 19, Oliver joined the folk-punk-rock band called The Inchtabokatables. In 1994, Oliver, along with Till Lindemann, Richard Z. Kruspe, and Christoph Schneider, won the 'Metro Beat Contest' organized by the Brelin Senate. This victory gave them the opportunity to professionally record four tracks. Later, Paul H. Landers and Christian Lorenz joined the band, which eventually became known as Rammstein. They released their debut album, 'Herzeleid' ('Heartache'), in September 1995, followed by the platinum-selling album 'Sehnsucht' ('Longing') in 1997.
Challenges and Success
After their third album, 'Mutter' ('Mother'), released in April 2001, Rammstein faced difficulties and internal disagreements within the band. They took a year-long break before realizing their desire to continue together. In 2003, they released their fourth album, 'Reise, Reise' ('Journey, Journey'), which marked a significant stylistic shift for the band. Since then, they have released several successful albums, including 'Liebe ist für alle da' ('Love Is For Everyone') in October 2009.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Oliver Riedel has two children, one of whom is named Emma. He is passionate about photography and sports, particularly surfing and skateboarding. In a video about the making of the 'Keine Lust' music video, Oliver expressed his desire to snowboard while wearing a sumo suit.
Role in Rammstein
As the bassist of Rammstein, Oliver primarily uses fingerstyle technique, although he occasionally incorporates a pick during live performances. He is known for his distinctive shaved head and goatee combination, which complements his stage presence.
Equipment
Throughout his musical career, Oliver has experimented with various bass guitars, including the 'Sandberg California PM' and his own signature model, the 'MusicMan Stingray.' He has also played the 'ESP Eclipse' during the 'Sehnsucht' tour. His collection includes a custom-made 'Sandberg Plasmabass' and the bass amplifier 'Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI.' In the early days, he used the 'Ampeg SVT-II' amplifier, and later on, the 'Glockenklang Heart-Rock Amp.' He also uses overdrive/fuzz pedals for certain songs, such as 'Mein Teil' and 'Rosenrot.'
Creative Freedom
According to Swedish director Jonas Akerlund, who has collaborated with Rammstein, Oliver and his bandmates live in a "magical kingdom of their own creativity." This freedom allows them to explore various artistic concepts and contribute to their unique style.
