STEELER

Formed in Bochum, Germany 1982, STEELER had originally used the name SINNER(changed it in 1983), and the band was put together by guitarist Axel Rudi Pell and bassist Volker Krawczak.
Pell joined his first band at the age of 14 between 1974 and 1975 with whom he took his first tentative steps. The band, a school outfit called SILVER STONES, at least taught Pell the art of tuning a guitar, evolving into FIREBIRD. With the group splitting in 1976 Pell took a hiatus from music until joining a local act called MERCY and, subsequently, DEVIL'S DEATH, with whom he proceeded to play the regional school and club circuits.
Having formed STEELER with Krawczak, the duo recruited FALLEN ANGEL guitarist Thomas Eder and a drummer in Siggi Wiesemöller. The fledgling group recorded their first demo during 1982, utilizing the services of vocalist Karl Holthaus, on loan from local act NEMO (although he had also been known to have fronted a group called GLADIATOR).
STEELER took the demos to SCORPIONS producer Dieter Dierks who chose not to pursue his original interest in the band, although the tape fell into the hands of ACCEPT who were having problems with Udo Dirkschneider at the time and were covertly auditioning possible replacements. ACCEPT auditioned Holthaus, but eventually settled their differences with Dirkschneider without the press getting wind of the original problem. Having received a fair amount of interest from demo track 'Call Her Princess' being aired on Tony Jasper's Rock show on the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) radio station STEELER not only recruited a permanent singer in Thomas Eder's former FALLEN ANGEL band mate Peter Burtz , they also hooked up with the newly formed Earthshaker label for a two record deal, releasing the debut 'Steeler' album in 1984.
STEELER's first album, recorded in a mere eleven days and with new drummer Jan Yildiral, sold a respectable 9, 000 copies, although a proposed tour with WARLOCK turned into a disaster due to problems with WARLOCK's manager and petty jealousy existing between the two groups.
band's second album, 'Rulin' The Earth', took between 14 or 15 days and was laid down at Horus Sound in Hanover and would sell 18, 000 copies as the group proceeded to play every 'toilet' they could in a bid for greater recognition. With the Earthshaker deal now over with STEELER signed to SPV, although legal problems with Earthshaker would persist for some time afterward especially concerning the payment of royalties. Having begun working on demo tapes of songs for the proposed third album STEELER parted company with Volker Krawczak. As the subject of the band's image had come up it had been decided that the unfortunate bassist, a portly chap, did not particularly fit into the scheme of things and the band felt it had no choice but to replace him. Krawczak would refuse to speak with his former colleagues for a good three years afterwards!
Volker's place was taken by French bassist Herve Rossi, previously with ANTHRACITE and a friend of drummer Jan Yildiral. Whilst Rossi certainly fitted STEELER's concept on the image front, it was quickly discovered that he was rather lacking in any prowess as a musician. Rossi may have been hired for looking like the renowned bassist Nikki Sixx, but he didn't play a note on the third album, 1986's 'Strike Back', a guesting Tommy Newton from VICTORY doing the honours. The album was produced by ELOY's Frank Bornemann, although Axel Rudi Pell claims the majority of the work was in effect carried out by Czech born engineer Jan Nimec. Ex SCORPIONS guitarist ULI JON ROTH was in the same studio at the time and Pell took the opportunity of inviting him to play on a track that appeared on a 'Metal Hammer' compilation album at the time.
Having dispatched Rossi back to France STEELER recruited ex AXE VICTIMS rhythm guitarist Roland Hag as the band's new bass player and hit the road, managing to add some shows in Holland and Switzerland to the regular German commitments. 'Strike Back', benefiting from better material, improved musicianship and a polished production, picked up sales in the region of 33, 000 and set the mood for the recording of fourth album 'Undercover Animal'.
Despite touring Germany with SAXON the 'Undercover Animal' only wound up selling 21, 000 copies. It would be during the writing of songs for the planned fifth album that AXEL RUDI PELL decided to leave the group, disenchanted at the band's more pop chorus oriented direction, officially departing on November 11, 1988.
STEELER actually folded upon completion of the SAXON dates. However, minus Pell and Jan Yildiral, the remaining members opted to continue, hiring a guitarist from the Frankfurt area known as Vic. The group recorded a three track demo and played a comeback show at Bochum's Zeche club, but split three or four months down the line.
Whereas Pell chose to pursue what turned out to be a very successful solo career (having teamed up with his old pal Volker Krawczak once more!), his former colleagues have engaged themselves in a variety of other careers. At one time Peter Burtz was the editor of German Metal magazine 'Metal Hammer' before taking the opportunity to work in the upper echelons of the EMI record label. Drummer Jan Yildiral, after recording further with DARXON and SHOUT, now runs a global travel agency as well as being operational on the live circuit with NAKED SONS, whilst Thomas Eder is working for a radio station reporting on events in the local courts. Copyright© Rockdetector.com