BAND founding members in 1983.photo: Courtesy of Alphaville
FOREVER YOUNG, a well-known pop song Slovaks used to sing with the whole world in the 1980s, is on its way back to Slovakia. The German band Alphaville, now on their Miracle Healing Tour around Europe, will appear at the Sport Stadium in the western Slovak town of Trenčín on April 5.
Named after a Jean Luc Godard film, the band was formed in 1981 by band members Marian Gold and Bernhard Lloyd. A year later the band held its second concert, which was to be its last for the next 10 years. The decision against live concerts was made to allow the band to concentrate on its studio work.
Locked in a studio, the musicians recorded one single after another. Their debut-single Big in Japan was followed by Sounds Like a Melody and Forever Young. In October 1984 the band released its first album, Forever Young.
The band finally jumped back on stage in 1993 in Beirut. Since then, Alphaville has been on tour almost constantly. In 1999 they held two concerts in Salt Lake City, recording the shows on DVD. Their eight-album collection includes a set of eight CDs, the Dreamscapes, covering the band's complete history.
The Slovak Spectator (TSS) e-mailed the band's lead vocalist Marian Gold (MG) about their upcoming concert in Slovakia,
TSS: Why that title - Miracle Healing Tour?
MG: It's my favourite song from this year's live set.
TSS: Why are you coming to Slovakia only now?
MG: We played in Slovakia two years ago. Had a great time. Looking forward to play there again.
TSS: What's Alphaville now? Is it the same or a different Alphaville?
MG: Alphaville is always different. That's the reason why it still exists.
TSS: In what ways is it different?
MG: In many ways. Alphaville is the ever-changing capital of fantasy, you know.
TSS: What are you going to play at the concert in Trenčín?
MG: Our best music.
TSS: What's the latest with your band? Anything new coming up - a new CD?
MG: Our new album will be out in autumn this year.
TSS: How many songs are in your repertoire?
MG: Our live repertoire this year embraces about 25 songs.
Alphaville's concert starts at 20:00 on April 5 at športová hala (Sport Stadium) on Mládežnícka 1 in Trenčín. Tickets: Sk430 (can be booked at any branch of the Satur travel agency or at tel: 032/744-4719.) For more information on the concert call Trenčín's information centre at 032/743-3505, and on the band go to www.alphaville.de
By Zuzana Habšudová
