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Oliver Müller is the bassist with German Heavy Progressive Rock band, Heavenward. Heavenward's website is at www.heavenward.de |
Planet Bass – The Oliver Müller Interview September 2005
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Oliver Müller is the bassist with German Heavy Progressive Rock band, Heavenward. Heavenward's website is at www.heavenward.de |
What inspired you to first pick up a bass and what were your first attempts at playing it like?
I started playing bass in 1983 after we decided to form a band. I felt much better on 4 strings than on 6. Now I play a 5 string bass. My first attempt was playing like Steve Harris. Up to "Powerslave" I played nearly every song at this time.
Who were your early influences and what did you learn from them?
My first great influence at this time was Steve Harris, later Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, John Myung.
Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?
Most of my playing I learned by myself. Other inspirations I received from video tapes.
What’s the most important bit of advice you were given by another musician?
Not to play crazy breaks when they don't fit, play a good break at the right time and play it with feeling.
What’s the most important bit of advice you could give to new bassists?
The same I learned from another musicians.
Where do you stand on the old fingers vs. plectrums debate and why?
I'm a finger player, I'm not very good in playing with a plectrum. I think you can play with much more feeling with finger-technique. And if you're good enough you can play also fast enough.
Do you play 4, 5 or 6 string basses mainly? Fretted or unfretted?
At the moment I prefer to play a 5-string bass fretted. I have also a unfretted bass but I play this bass only at home.
How would you define your style of playing?
I think I play in one mind with our drummer and at the right time a good break. So I will say that my style of playing is more melodic.
Tell us a little about the artists and bands you have worked with, and how/if you adapted to playing with each of them?
The first band I´ve formed was "Tusk" in 1983 with a guitarist named Achim Schneider. Later we named the band "Mr.Smith" and in 1985 we named it "HEAVENWARD" with Achim and me, a singer named Wolfgang Jansen and a drummer named Thomas Stauch (later Blind Guardian). In 1986 Thomas left the band and our new drummer was Thomas Kelleners. After our first demo "Into the light"(1987) Wolfang left the band and our new singer was Stefan Keßel. In 1988 we recorded our second demo "At first nature" and it sold more than 1000 copies. In 1991 came our first CD "Within these dreams". After problems with out record company Achim, Thomas and me left the band and Stefan recorded the second CD "A future worth talking about?" with Andreas Rippelmeyer on guitar, Guido Gallus on drums and Marc Schulz on bass. Both CDs sold in Japan very well. 1993 was the end of Heavenward. I formed a new band with Achim named "Grand Circle" but not for long. I made some projects with many musicians ´til 1998. In 1998 I came into an Acoustic Band named "Fools" where Stefan is also the singer, we only play cover songs. The band still exits. Stefan and Guido played also in a band named "Centaur" and I came in this band in 1999. At this time we reformed HEAVENWARD with Stefan(Voc), Guido(drums), Andreas(guit), me(bass) and a keyboarder named Marco Grasshoff. We still play in this constellation and it's a lot of fun.
Of the artists and bands you've played with who was the most inspirational and why?
There are two inspirations. At first of course Heavenward now because the musicians are great and very inspiring.
In second my other band Fools because we play acoustic without drums, so we have to change the arrangements of the cover songs we play. And I think they still sound good without drums.
Do you warm up before a concert and if so how?
I warm up one hour before we start and I make some finger lessons and play some of our songs.
Do you have any other last minute rituals or habits before a concert?
No, not really. Peeing maybe... I don´t know. Maybe you should ask my band members!
What do you drink onstage?
Water
Have you ever played while drunk or under the influence of drugs?
Only once. I was drunken and I played a lot of shit....never again!
What’s the biggest disaster you’ve ever had onstage, and how did you cope with it?
When I was drunken....
What’s the biggest disaster you’ve ever had in the studio, and how did you cope with it?
We had a producer who drank much beer when we recorded our second demo. I was the only one with a driving license....No beer, the producer couldn´t work, who drives???....
What’s been your proudest playing moment?
Every gig makes me proud....
What’s been the most fun playing moment, and why?
When I was drunken....
What’s been the least fun playing moment, and why?
When I was drunken.....
What equipment do you use live and in the studio and why?
I use a Hartke 3500 Amp and two 4x10" Hartke speaker. For effect I use a Korg AX10B. And I play a Yamaha TRB-5 string.
I also play a Bogart SKC 4 string, a Warwick Streamer stage one 4 string and a Washburn AB10 Acoustic Bass.
I like the sound of the Hartke Amp because it sounds very powerful.
Are you fairly flexible about the equipment you use or must you always play with the same gear?
I´m flexible with the Amp but not with my bass.
What one piece of equipment would you advise all bass players to own?
Every bass player should play the equipment he feels good with, I think.
Do you read music?
I never learned it, I would like to but now I´m too old and too busy to learn it from the beginning.
Do you play any other instruments, and how well?
I play guitar and keyboard a little bit but only at home for my own recordings.
Do you write or co-write songs and if so do you write on the bass?
We write our own songs with HEAVENWARD. When I have an idea for a new song I´ll make it on the bass.
The other instruments I have in mind. So I can tell my band members my ideas.
Do you ever play cover versions, and if so how do you learn the originals note for note or do you improvise you own parts?
I played a lot of cover songs. Some we play note for note and some we play in our own style. But for practise lessons at home I like to play along with songs in every style of music.
Do you sing? Do you feel it is important?
With HEAVENWARD I only sing background vocals. In my cover band Fools I sing also lead vocals. I think it´s important because I like a good chorus in songs.
If you could nominate one song that you’ve recorded to sum up your playing style and feel which one would it be?
The song who defines my playing style is "DESOLATED". You can find it on our website www.heavenward.de in the media section. Click on ´Promo Material´ and you will find some promo songs.
What have you been doing recently?
We got a new rehearsal room and now we are preparing for our first gig with HEAVENWARD after 13 years.
Do you have a personal or band website? Or would you like to recommend any other useful websites?
Our website is www.heavenward.de - this is my main band.
My Acoustic Cover Band has also a website www.fools-music.de
