Nick Scharfschwerdt

In the morning right after the 25th International Fanday, we had the chance to interview Nick. Thank you very much, dear Nick, for taking some time for us.

Date of birth:

Place of living:

Instruments:

Hobbies:

10th of January

Berlin

drums, percussions

My biggest hobby is music. It doesn’t matter, if I just listen it, or play it by myself. During my sparetime I like to make boat trips through Brandenburg.

TAO:

How long have you played in the Modern Talking Band and how did you come to the band?

Nick:

Good question! I am always not sure, if it was in 2000 or 2001. Maybe you know it better, but I think it was in 2001. The record label BMG asked me. First I didn’t know what to expect, I just heard - Modern Talking! I was surprised, that they also play live and so I agreed with some television shows. After some time I realized how great Modern Talking is and took the chance, to be a part of it.

TAO:

How did you witness the second ending of Modern Talking and what was your intention to play further with Thomas?

Nick:

It came so sudden, that we all didn’t realize it. In my opinion it was a spontaneous backstage decision between Thomas and Dieter. We, as the band got that information at the same time, as the audience. Before encore, Dieter announced that both will go separate ways.

TAO:

Did you get some bad vibes as the band between Thomas and Dieter and if so how did it affect you?

Nick:

We got nothing before the shows, because we always meet shortly before the concerts start.

TAO:

Who decides about the process of a show and by what criteria do you choose the songs?

Nick:

We all discuss the show together, but only durig the show you realize, when and where which song fit or doesn't because of the reactions of the audience. Finally Thomas has the last word.

TAO:

How often do you do rehearsals together before a program is ready?

Nick:

First of all it depends how many new songs are in the program. Everyone is doing his preparations at home, like listening and playing them on his own and then we rehearse together during the sound check.

TAO:

Do you have other engagements, beside of Thomas and the MT Band?

Nick:

For many years I had been doing the percussions in my fathers band. Furthermore I had an own band for six years and I am always looking for new, interesting projects.

TAO:

What was the most beautiful experience regarding the band?

Nick:

There are many. For sure it was a show in New York. I got goose pimples when Thomas came on stage and said “Good evening New York” in front of 3500 people. That was a very emotional moment. Many beautiful moments were in Poland, I became a fan of this country because of them.

TAO:

When you are on long-haul trips around the world, are there some things which upset you sometimes or is it harmonic all the time?

Nick:

All of us have the gread sense of humor. So we laugh very often and have no stress with each other. Additionally working with Thomas is very relaxed. He is not one, who acts up as a boss. The way you know him from television or on stage, that is the way he is in private life.

TAO:

How does it work with your instruments on journeys? Can you take them with you all the time?

Nick:

Lars is the only one who takes his instrument with him all the time. The other instruments are borrowed from the organizers. Our technicians look after the correct setting. Apart from that it would be desirable, if I could take my own drums with me, but that of course it's not possible. If the cities are not so far away from each other, like in Poland we use the same ones.