| Tankard | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Genres | Thrash metal |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | AFM Records Noise Records Century Media |
| Website | http://www.tankard.info |
| Members | |
| Andreas Geremia Andreas Gutjahr Frank Thorwarth Olaf Zissel |
|
| Past members | |
| Bernhard Rapprich Axel Katzmann Oliver Werner Andy Bulgaropoulos Arnulf Tunn |
|
Tankard is a thrash metal band from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, founded in 1982.[1] After losing their guitarist because of their image as a bunch of drunks, they moved on to issue their first record in 1986. From that point on, the band has continuously made songs and records in the same style they started out with - fast metal songs in honor of alcohol. Thus they claim to have invented a new genre called "alcoholic metal". Tankard are self-proclaimed "Kings of Beer" in honour of the folkloric character Gambrinus.
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Tankard were formed in 1982 by three classmates, Andreas Geremia, Axel Katzmann and Frank Thorwarth. At the time, the band was known as Vortex and Avenger until the current name of Tankard was discovered by the band in a dictionary. Their first song written was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As the band were not permitted to drink alcohol in the school, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, band member Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and was replaced by Andy Bulgaropoulos.
In 1984, Tankard signed to Noise Records, after narrowly missing out on signing with Steamhammer during a gig where guitarist Andy Bulgaropulous made the mistake of wearing a blue sweatshirt with a deer on the front, creating a wrong image and causing Steamhammer to retract their offer of a contract.
Over the years, Tankard have built a steady fanbase and have released a series of albums cementing their niche fame. Despite still having to work "day jobs" to maintain themselves and their families, they managed to keep themselves on the metal fans' collective radar and to tour and appear in Europe's most popular Summer festivals with regularity.
| Year of Release | Title | Label |
| 1986 | Zombie Attack | Noise Records |
| 1987 | Chemical Invasion | Noise Records |
| 1988 | The Morning After | Noise Records |
| 1990 | The Meaning of Life | Noise Records |
| 1992 | Stone Cold Sober | Noise Records |
| 1994 | Two-Faced | Noise Records |
| 1995 | The Tankard | Noise Records |
| 1998 | Disco Destroyer | Century Media |
| 2000 | Kings of Beer | Century Media |
| 2002 | B-Day | AFM Records |
| 2003 | Beast of Bourbon | AFM Records |
| 2005 | The Beauty and the Beer | AFM Records |
| 2008 | Thirst | AFM Records |
| 2010 | Vol(l)ume 14 | AFM Records |