November 15, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Krautrock Legends Guru Guru Release “Made In Switzerland – Official Bootleg”

If you hadn’t believed possible that Mani Neumeier (born 1940) and his GURU GURU still rank among Germany’s most active and prolific rock bands, well, then you’d be proven wrong!

Founded in 1968, the year of the student’s revolt, Guru Guru has reached its 50th anniversary and still maintains its innovative spirit. Where many a musician made it big as a one-hit-wonder just to fade into oblivion soon after, Guru Guru carved its way outside the mainstream and short lived trends by blending experimental rock, avant-garde, jazz and world-music into an unique, original form of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
No one will deny that there were ups and downs, but nowadays, Mani shares the stage with two long-standing companions. Roland Schaeffer and Peter Kühmstedt have been with Guru Guru for more than 40 years. The passing of Hans Reffert, aged 69 († 21.02.2016), was a severe blow, but Guru Guru overcame this tragedy and proved that they are not in the least tired of creating music. Those four “Krautrockers” are living legends and next to the Rolling Stones among the longest-serving rock bands on this planet. Mani and Mick are in fact standing next to each other in the Tokyo House of Wax! Mani Neumeier and his Gurus are the epitome of a band that defies musical trends and fads and transcends limitations and genres.

When the Covid pandemic struck, all activities came to an abrupt halt and led to guitar player Jan Lindqvist leaving the band. But Guru Guru reinvented themselves yet again by adding a whole new dimension to the band’s sound: Zeus B. Held, former keyboard player in Birth Control joined the outfit and gave songs like “Moroso” or the fabled “Elektrolurch” a whole new level by his energetic virtuoso style. To document this milestone in the Guru Guru’s development, a concert in Switzerland was recorded and subsequently released on CD in a small edition to allow rock aficionados worldwide a glimpse into Guru Guru 2022. No overdubs, no digital “cheating” was done on this album “Made In Switzerland – Official Bootleg”. It is a statement of the rock ‘n’ roll feeling an experienced live act with 4 seasoned musicians at their peak can deliver on stage! This CD will not be available through any distribution channels other than directly from the band. No amazon, no streaming and no distribution company between Guru Guru and their loyal fans.

After more than 50 years they continue to go their own way because they’ve always been – and still are UNIQUE!

Musicians:
Mani Neumeier – Drums / Percussion / Kaossilator / Vocals 
Roland Schaeffer – Guitar / Saxophon / Nadaswaran / Vocals 
Peter Kühmstedt – Bass / Vocals 
Zeus B. Held – Keyboard / Bluesharp / Vocals 

Discography:
1970 UFO
1971 Hinten
1972 Känguru
1973 Guru Guru
1974 Der Elektrolurch
1974 Don’t Call Us, We Call You
1974 More Hot Joice
1974 Dance Of The Flames
1976 Tango Fango
1976 Rattenfänger
1977 Globetrotter
1978 Guru Guru Live
1979 Hey Du!
1979 Giri Fushi
1980 Mani in Germani
1983 Neumeiers neue Abenteuer
1987 Cosmic Hole
1988 Jungle
1988 Guru Guru 88
1988 Guru Guru Live 72
1993 Shake Well
1995 Wah Wah
1997 Moshi Moshi
1999 Live ‘98 – 30 Jahre Finkenbach (3 CDs)
2000 2000 Gurus
2005 In The Guru Lounge
2008 PSY- 40 Jahre Guru Guru
2009 Live On Tour 2008
2011 Doublebind
2013 Electric Cats
2014 45 Years Live (CD & LP)
2016 Live in Heidelberg (DVD & BluRay)
2018 Rotate!
New Releases:
2019 Live in China CD + DVD
2021 Made in Switzerland – official bootleg
2022 “New Album tba”

To purchase: 
Digital: https://guruguru1.bandcamp.com/releases
CD: https://www.discogs.com/de/sell/item/1753725982

For more information:http://mani-neumeier.de/guruguru/guru_10_shop.htm