Oliver Riedel
Encyclopedia
Oliver "Ollie" Riedel is a German
musician
, notable for being the bassist
for the German Neue Deutsche Härte
band Rammstein
.
as an only child. Growing up, Oliver had relatively good relationships with both of his parents. He attributes this to the small gap in between their ages. As a child, Oliver wasn't a good student, but he made his way through school with the assistance of his mother. Oliver was quite shy, especially during his teenage years, and while his friends partied at discos, he would often be found just "hanging around".
band called The Inchtabokatables
. In 1994, Riedel, Till Lindemann
, Richard Z. Kruspe, and Christoph "Doom" Schneider
entered and won the Berlin Senate Metro beat contest that allowed them to record a four track demo professionally. Paul H. Landers
and Christian "Flake" Lorenz
would later join the band they named Rammstein.
The six released their first album, Herzeleid
(Heartache) in September, 1995. Their second album, Sehnsucht
(Longing) was released in 1997, which would later become platinum. In April 2001, the album Mutter
(Mother) was released and a European tour followed, ending on 13 July 2002. It has been reported that at this time the members of Rammstein were seriously discussing whether to continue or not in their present form. It was decided that they should all take some time off and then reconsider whether to continue.
In 2003, Rammstein started work on the fourth album, which was to prove a turning point in Rammstein's sound and maturity. September 2004 saw the fruits of this work in the release of Reise, Reise
("Journey, Journey").
In 2005, Rosenrot
(Rose Red) was released.
Rammstein's latest album Liebe ist für alle da
(Love Is There For Everyone) was released in October, 2009.
He likes photography and sports, especially skateboarding
and surfing
. In the making of the video for "Keine Lust," he mentions wanting to go snowboarding while wearing a fat suit. It has been said he is the most computer-literate member of the band.
His character is more mature and subtle during live performances. He tends to keep crew cut and skin-bald hair styles along with some styles of goatee
s. He is also the tallest member of the band, standing at 2.01 m (6'7").
In certain softer songs, Ollie has been known to play with a banjo style plucking technique with his right hand to play arpeggiated chords, such as in Seemann. He also plays the acoustic guitar introduction to "Frühling in Paris" in live shows.
Oliver also uses selected overdrive/ fuzz pedals for songs such as Mein Teil and Rosenrot.
"We never wanted to, but after Mutter
we had some difficult times because the third album is the most difficult one and we had a lot of pressure on us. We also had our differences between the group members and everyone's expectations were different. We took a year to rest, and after that we realized that we wanted to be together and to go on."
On his early family life
Interviewer: Did you have a lot of problems with your parents?
Ollie: Not a lot at all. My parents are quite young, which is good. Because the age difference isn't that big, we had it good with each other. My father and mother also liked the same music as me. We were almost more like friends than family.
Interviewer: But of course you did tease your brothers and sisters...
Ollie: No, because I don't have any, too bad. But if I would have had them, I would definitely have teased them!
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, notable for being the bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for the German Neue Deutsche Härte
Neue Deutsche Härte
Neue Deutsche Härte is a genre of industrial metal. The term was invented by the German music press after the release of the debut album Herzeleid by Rammstein....
band Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
.
Early years
Riedel was born on 11 April 1971 in SchwerinSchwerin
Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The population, as of end of 2009, was 95,041.-History:...
as an only child. Growing up, Oliver had relatively good relationships with both of his parents. He attributes this to the small gap in between their ages. As a child, Oliver wasn't a good student, but he made his way through school with the assistance of his mother. Oliver was quite shy, especially during his teenage years, and while his friends partied at discos, he would often be found just "hanging around".
Musical career
In 1990, at the age of nineteen, Oliver began playing in a folk-fiddle/punk-rockPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band called The Inchtabokatables
The Inchtabokatables
The Inchtabokatables were a German band active from 1991 to 2002. The band only played on classical instruments . The band was known for their no guitar policy...
. In 1994, Riedel, Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann is a German musician, actor and poet who is the frontman for the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein.-Biography:...
, Richard Z. Kruspe, and Christoph "Doom" Schneider
Christoph Schneider
Christoph "Doom" Schneider is a German musician. He is the drummer of the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein.-Early life:...
entered and won the Berlin Senate Metro beat contest that allowed them to record a four track demo professionally. Paul H. Landers
Paul Landers
Paul H. Landers is a German musician, notable as rhythm guitarist for the Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein.-Early life:...
and Christian "Flake" Lorenz
Christian Lorenz
Christian "Flake" Lorenz is a German musician, notable as the keyboardist for the Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. He is also known for his role in the band Feeling B.-Early years:...
would later join the band they named Rammstein.
The six released their first album, Herzeleid
Herzeleid
Herzeleid is the debut album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was released on 29 September 1995. The album's original cover depicted the bandmembers' upper bodies without clothing...
(Heartache) in September, 1995. Their second album, Sehnsucht
Sehnsucht (Rammstein album)
-Chart positions:- Personnel :*Till Lindemann – Vocals*Richard Z. Kruspe – Lead guitars, backing vocals*Paul Landers – Rhythm guitars*Oliver Riedel – Bass guitar*Christoph Schneider – Drums*Christian "Flake" Lorenz – Keyboards*Bobo – Additional female vocals...
(Longing) was released in 1997, which would later become platinum. In April 2001, the album Mutter
Mutter
Mutter is the third album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was released on 2 April 2001 through Motor Music.-Track listing:All tracks written by Rammstein.# "Mein Herz brennt" – 4:39...
(Mother) was released and a European tour followed, ending on 13 July 2002. It has been reported that at this time the members of Rammstein were seriously discussing whether to continue or not in their present form. It was decided that they should all take some time off and then reconsider whether to continue.
In 2003, Rammstein started work on the fourth album, which was to prove a turning point in Rammstein's sound and maturity. September 2004 saw the fruits of this work in the release of Reise, Reise
Reise, Reise
Reise, Reise is Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein's fourth studio album. It was released on 27 September 2004 in Germany and followed shortly by its release across Europe. It was released in North America on 16 November 2004...
("Journey, Journey").
In 2005, Rosenrot
Rosenrot
Rosenrot is the fifth album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was released on October 28, 2005 in Germany, December 6, 2005 in Canada, and March 28, 2006 in the United States. A limited edition with a bonus DVD is also available...
(Rose Red) was released.
Rammstein's latest album Liebe ist für alle da
Liebe ist für alle da
Liebe ist für alle da is the sixth studio album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein, which was released in most of Europe on 16 October 2009, the United Kingdom on 19 October 2009 and the United States on 20 October 2009.- History :The album title was confirmed on 1 September 2009, in a...
(Love Is There For Everyone) was released in October, 2009.
Personal life
He has two children, one of them a girl named Emma, and is separated from her mother.He likes photography and sports, especially skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
and surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
. In the making of the video for "Keine Lust," he mentions wanting to go snowboarding while wearing a fat suit. It has been said he is the most computer-literate member of the band.
His character is more mature and subtle during live performances. He tends to keep crew cut and skin-bald hair styles along with some styles of goatee
Goatee
Goatee refers to a style of facial hair incorporating hair on a man’s chin. The exact nature of the style has varied according to time and culture.Traditionally, goatee refers solely to a beard formed by a tuft of hair on the chin...
s. He is also the tallest member of the band, standing at 2.01 m (6'7").
Technique
Riedel is primarily a fingerstyle player, although he also uses a pick for most songs when playing live.In certain softer songs, Ollie has been known to play with a banjo style plucking technique with his right hand to play arpeggiated chords, such as in Seemann. He also plays the acoustic guitar introduction to "Frühling in Paris" in live shows.
Gear
His known gear is:- Sandberg California PM
- Sandberg Terrabass signature model
- MusicMan Stingray (used during the early days of the band)
- ESP Eclipse bass (used during the Sehnsucht tour)
- Sandberg Plasmabass 4-string custom built model
- Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI
- Glockenklang Heart-Rock Amp
- Two 8x10 Cabs
Oliver also uses selected overdrive/ fuzz pedals for songs such as Mein Teil and Rosenrot.
Quotes and interview
On the separation rumours"We never wanted to, but after Mutter
Mutter
Mutter is the third album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was released on 2 April 2001 through Motor Music.-Track listing:All tracks written by Rammstein.# "Mein Herz brennt" – 4:39...
we had some difficult times because the third album is the most difficult one and we had a lot of pressure on us. We also had our differences between the group members and everyone's expectations were different. We took a year to rest, and after that we realized that we wanted to be together and to go on."
On his early family life
Interviewer: Did you have a lot of problems with your parents?
Ollie: Not a lot at all. My parents are quite young, which is good. Because the age difference isn't that big, we had it good with each other. My father and mother also liked the same music as me. We were almost more like friends than family.
Interviewer: But of course you did tease your brothers and sisters...
Ollie: No, because I don't have any, too bad. But if I would have had them, I would definitely have teased them!
External links
- Interview with Oliver from the Dutch magazine Break-Out.