The Teutonic thrash metal scene is often seen as the darkest and most sinister incarnation of the subgenre in existence, but one of its chief proponents, namely Frankfurt’s own Tankard has been bucking this trend since their mid-80s inception. Generally regarded as the progenitors of “beer thrash”, they’ve never been one to shy away from the comedic side of things, though they have likewise avoided becoming a one-dimensional affair and have taken many occasions to delve into the more serious side of things. In a career that has now spanned nearly four decades, they have proved to be a veritable case study in how a thrash act can grow, evolve and persevere through times of triumph and adversity, and now the formative years of that career with Noise Records has become available in its entirety via the “For A Thousand Beers” box set.
The story behind the career that began with a group of party-happy German teenagers playing Exciter-inspired speed/thrash with a punk-infused twist in tribute to horror cinema, culminating in the 1986 debut “Zombie Attack” and then proceeding onward into more advanced and varied territory is one of intrigue. It chronicles a band that was born in a time of plenty when metal was a marketable commodity and a band that was willing to pay its dues on the road was rewarded via a vast support system, then hitting a brick wall in the 1990s as that same market and support system evaporated in favor of the ensuing grunge craze. Through it all stood a quintet turned quartet that, despite a few shifts in personnel during the latter days of their tenure with Noise Records, stuck to their steins and kept their good cheer in spite of declining sales.
Naturally the tale told during the years chronicled by the upcoming “For A Thousand Beers” box set is not the whole one, as the band’s prospects following the turn of the millennium improved a fair bit and a return to the old style after some interludes into groovier territory came along for the ride. In that time, Tankard would be joined by a slew of younger bands from Europe and beyond, culminating in what has come to be known as the New Wave of Thrash Metal, with many claiming inspiration from the original trusties of all things alcoholic and thrash. Even the setbacks presented by the Covid-19 pandemic has done little to hinder these mad Germans in their quest to philosophize at the local pub, and it’s a foregone conclusion that the masses of Europe and beyond are hungry for more of that unique blend of humor and social commentary that Tankard has made their staple since the late 80s.
Sonic Perspectives collaborator Jonathan Smith caught up with lead vocalist and co-founder Andreas “Gerre” Geremia to discuss Tankard’s upcoming box set release of the fruits of their first decade, as well as the band’s upcoming and still in the works album, and his insights into how Tankard’s sound developed over the years. His unbridled sense of humor and optimism were on full display as he recounted the highs and lows of a brilliant and still ongoing career, leaving little doubt that while today is a day to celebrate the past, there is plenty more good time thrashing to come in the near future.
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