Tankard (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tankard
Img_capt =
Img_size = 250
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Frankfurt, Germany
Years_active = 1982—present
Label = AFM Records
Noise Records
Century Media
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.tankard.info
Current_members = Andreas Geremia
Andreas Gutjahr
Frank Thorwarth
Olaf Zissel
Past_members = Bernhard Rapprich
Axel Katzmann
Oliver Werner
Andy Bulgaropulos
Arnulf Tunn
Notable_instruments =

Tankard is the name of a speed/thrash-metal band from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1982. After losing their guitarist because of their image as a bunch of drunks, they moved on to issue their first record in 1986. From that point on, the band has continuously made songs and records in the same style they started out with - fast metal songs in honor of alcohol. Thus they claim to have invented a new genre called "alcoholic metal". Tankard are self-proclaimed "Kings of Beer" in honour of the folkloric character Gambrinus.

History

Tankard were formed in 1982 by three classmates, Andreas Geremia, Axel Katzmann and Frank Thorwarth. At the time, the band was known as Vortex and Avenger until the current name of Tankard was discovered by the band in a dictionary. Their first song written was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As the band were not permitted to drink alcohol in the school, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, band member Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and was replaced by Andy Bulgaropulos.

In 1984, Tankard signed to Noise Records after narrowly missing out on signing with Steamhammer during a gig where guitarist Andy Bulgaropulous made the mistake of wearing a blue sweatshirt with a deer on the front creating the wrong image and causing Steamhammer to retract their offer of a contract.

Line-up

Current line-up

*Andreas Geremia - vocals
*Andreas Gutjahr - guitar
*Frank Thorwarth - bass
*Olaf Zissel - drums

Past members

*Axel Katzmann - guitar (1982-1993)
*Bernhard Rapprich - guitar (1982-1983)
*Andy Bulgaropulos - guitar (1983-1999)
*Oliver Werner - drums (1982-1991)
*Arnulf Tunn - drums (1992-1994)

Discography

tudio Albums

DVDs

*"Fat, Ugly And Still (A) Live" (2005)

Other Releases

*"Heavy Metal Vanguard" (1984) - demo
*"Alcoholic Metal" (1985) - demo
*"Alien" (1989) - EP
*"Hair of the Dog" (1989) - compilation
*"Open All Night" (1990) - video
*"Fat, Ugly and Live" (1991) - live album

External links

* [http://www.tankard.org/ Official Tankard site]
* [http://www.bnrmetal.com/v2/bandpage.php?ID=Tnkd Webpage on BNR Metal, discography with album covers]