| Band Members | Charles Simmons - Vox, Dennis Poschwatta - Drums, Henning Rümenapp - Guitar, Stefan Ude - Bass
History. Success. Disappointment. New beginning.
The shock was great. In 2003 Germany mourned the breakup of it’s most successful alternative rock band of all time. The Guano Apes were dead. The sum of it’s parts were no longer a unit; they simply drifted apart. An era had come to an end, not only for the band, but for german rock music in general; the Guano Apes had shown how a band could be successful over many years and multiple albums loaded with sincere, energetic rock music. Calling it quits was not easy - neither for the band, nor for their fans. But for every ending, there is a new beginning.
But what came instead? Bassist Stefan Ude raised a family and enjoyed an active private life, drummer Dennis Poschwatta concentrated on his own project called Tamoto, und guitarist Henning Rümenapp concentrated ..ing newcomers acts, supported projects that trained and promoted new talent, acted as a judge for music competitions and as an instructor and coach for various workshops and seminars. They kept themselves busy, but as full-blooded musicians, it wasn’t enough.
The story continues. Opposites attract.
Three months after the official breakup of the band, the guys found themselves back in the studio together. “We weren’t even thinking about forming a new band; we just wanted to make music together. tells Henning. There were plenty of time-outs, creative pauses, and retreats back into private life, until 2006, when Dennis by chance ran into the soul singer Charles Simmons - who emigrated to Germany from the USA in 1991 and has been involved in countless soul and R&B productions - at an event during the Frankfurt Musik Messe trade fair. The two of them started talking, and Charles confessed to Dennis that “after so many soul, R&B and club projects, I really wanted to do something with lots of power and energy. Straight up ‘in your face’.” With the other 3 musicians at his side, that was not a problem. “iO” was born. Just how good these polar opposites work together could be seen in the more than 50 concerts the band has performed since their inception.
Concerts, that have played a pivotal role in the making of their forthcoming debut album. Their music covers a broad spectrum of emotions, and lives from an intense live energy and precision. The three instrumentalists who, according to Henning, “over the past 15 years have been like brothers, like family”, are perfectly in sync with each other, and know the game of dynamics and intensity very well. It is in this tightness that Henning, Dennis and Stefan are able to give their ‘new voice’ Charles plenty of space to work his vocal wonders. Charles shows clearly what he’s made of; from moments of tender fragility to massive fury in his message. A voice that takes one on a journey through rock, that is rarely heard nowadays.
A happy end: new band, new approach. Energy! Message!
The message - a new feeling for Henning, Dennis and Stefan “to be in a band, with songs that have a clear political statement”, according to Stefan. “The Apes was always a clearly non-political band. Charles, on the other hand has a lot of topics that he wants to talk about. In the beginning we discussed if we as a band could stand behind the things Charles writes about. We can. It was never in question, that we wanted to take our music to another level, political or otherwise. It’s a new element that is very exciting for us.
For Charles it’s not about, as he describes, “writing about political themes in an abstract way, rather in a way that is clear, understandable and meaningful. I sometimes take a very long time to write lyrics - not because I’m looking for something to write about, but because I’m always looking for the easiest, clearest words to convey my message. I want the listener to understand what I’m saying, and not spend too much time trying to figure out what the song is about. Song titles like “Stupid People”, “Say Something”, “Rage”, Fight Back”, and “Attention” are all examples of the power of straight talk combined with perfectly produced, powerful and timeless rock music.
In the background: Never change a winning team!
iO entrusted no other than Fabio Trentini, who sat behind the desk many times during the Guano Apes period, because, according to Henning, “through the years he’s been like a fifth band member. He’s been there since the Apes debut, and we trust him. He always finds the right angle for every song.” Also due to that ‘trust factor’, the album was recorded in Horus Sound Studios in Hannover. Nevertheless, iO is not a case of history repeating itself, but a totally new band. One can hear the difference immediately when one listens to the album: Here is a band that combines their passion and commitment to making great music together with a willingness to go a new direction, to take the road less travelled, and to test their limits. From this dedication comes a remarkably dynamic, energetic debut album that stands on its own, with timeless songs that are not bound to any of the current musical trends.
This pure, unadulterated approach to rock music is also part of the meaning behind the band name “iO”. “There are many interpretations of our name,” according to Henning. “Our favorite - the one that’s the actual meaning of our name - is: the little “i” represents our individual input as band members; the big “O” is the result of that input.” In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. |
