Click here for a video of David "Büffo" Völker

David "Büffo" Völker was the guitarist for the German Metal band Schweisser. The band itself split up in 2001 after 10 years. They were one of the best metal bands ever produced in Germany. It was a shock for many to see this band depart the scene in 2001 after 5 albums. Many thought it was the reaction to their last album "Bitte Warten" which lead to the break-up. There have been many questions which fans wanted answered. Thanks to Büffo, many rumours can be laid to rest.


How did you guys come together to form Schweisser?
We lived all near Weilheim which is 50 kms away from munich. Weilheim was so boring so we decided to make a band

What bands inspired you to create the sound of Schweisser?
Bands like Schroeder roadshow oder ton steine scherben were my strongest inspirations in the first years . I always loved different kinds of bands from popular music to classics. Very important bands for me: Queen, Faith no more, Sucidal Tendencies, Madonna,

Where did the idea to use saxophones in metal come from?
We tried to create something special, we loved to do things that people don’t expect

Why did you drop the 'Die' in 'Die Schweisser'?
Sounds dark, strong and funny and noone did it in germany when I started to tune the guitar in that way-

Schweisser changed its style of music with each album, more so than a lot of other bands. What were the reasons for this?
As I said we had fun doing things which people dont expect, it was not in our nature writing songs in only one schweisser style. E.g. Eisenkopf: would have been no problem to write an Eisenkopf 2 but I don’t like that, better do things you never did

What made you guys decide to end Schweisser?
Too long on the road and I decided to be more in my hometown, see my friends, I mean we were on the road for almost 12 years, that seemed to be enough for me

Did you guys plan a longer future for Schweisser? Or do you think the split up was the best choice for everyone?
As far as im concerned schweisser is a part of my past and it was definitely for me the best decision. I just received the news that Tommi our singer will relaunch the band with an upcoming release in 2006. I wish him good luck and all the best for this and i will definitely be in the audience when new Schweisser are running their first show. Tommi is the only original member in this new band

There was rumours that bad reaction to the style of music presented in 'Bitte Warten' were a major contribution to the break up of Schweisser. How true is this?
This is not true. Our chemicals werent as good as they could have been in those days. This was the only reason why schweisser broke up

Was the idea behind "Bitte Warten" really a challenge from your producers/record company or were you willing to make such a big change in your sound?
It was us who decided to change the sound. After 3 hard albums we wanted to change our songwriting to more melodics. No more 'stronger faster harder' it was our challenge to change

Would they ever consider getting back together? Even for a reunion gig?
No as far as im concerned but Tommi is doing it right now

How does it feel after all 4 years since the band split up, to still have a large following including many English speaking fans?
That a great honour and i want to say a really big thank you to everyone who loves and loved our music. These were fucking great years in my life

What do you miss most about playing with Schweisser?
As far as im concerned nothing

What do you miss the least?
Schweisser is a part of my live and also a part of my past they will live on in my mind but i dont miss anything

Schweisser made couple of music videos, is there any chance that these could be released online for fans?
Could be that this happens as a part of the new schweisser release

Out of all the albums your made, which was your favourite and why?
My alltime favourite is Eisenkopf. Most of the songs still sound cool and sometimes I think they also could have been written in 2006

And which is your favourite song?
Same, Eisenkopf

What have you been doing with yourself for the last few years?
I work as a production manage reg for Sportfreunde Stiller on tour or for a lot of bands in munic eg system of a down, david gray, robert plant, mando diao etc I also work as a coach for bands and companies

Do you still see much of the other members of Schweisser?
Mostly I see Miene, Sepp and Greulix. Miene is the Pate of my daughter

What's your opinion of the German metal scene of today?
Does there really happen something????

What advice do you give to bands that have a similar sound to yours and aspire to be someday more recognized?
Just go on and give your best. Believe in your music and fuck off to everybody who tells you that you wont get a deal. One year later the same person may tell you the opposite. So don’t give a shit

What German Music is of interest to you at the moment?
Wir sind Helden, Sportfreunde Stiller, Cosmic Casino, Monta,

What can we find in your cd player nowadays?
Jack Johnson, Oasis, Coldplay, ans sometimes Eisenkopf

What do they think of the current situation in Germany with German-language music (it is much more accepted than before).
10 years ago they told you to sing English now they are telling you to sing German. I think it doesn’t matter, just do wat you like and make your very best on it. I still dislike the musik industry

Hindsight is 20/20, if you could somehow go back and re-write one piece of Schweisser history, what would you have done a little differently and why?
I would be stronger against record companys and I wont give any interviews to the Vision mag. On a tour with Helmet our sounding guy made a big mistake. Page Hamilton forced us to fire him otherwise we should leave the tour. I fired our sounding guy. Today I would say fuck you Page and would leave the tour.

Any final words to the Schweisser fans out there?
A really really big thank you for all the great years with you THANK YOU!

Well on behalf of all the Schweisser fans out there, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Many have been wanting to ask these questions since the seperation of the band. I hope all is well and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future ;)
Thanks alot "Buffo"!!

Nick
www.schweisser.org