Running Wild (band)
Encyclopedia
Running Wild is a German
heavy metal
band, formed in 1976 in Hamburg
. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s. The band has carved its niche in the metal world as the first "pirate metal" band, a theme which took off with the release of Under Jolly Roger
in 1987 (thus abandoning the Satanic imagery of their earlier work). Although the earlier releases contained Satanic themes and imagery, Gerald Warnecke, the guitar player of the band, was then a Preacher and is now a vicar
in Cologne.
On April 17, 2009 Rolf announced that Running Wild had split-up. Their last show was at Wacken Open Air
on July 30, 2009. It was recorded for CD and DVD release, which will be released on June 24, 2011, titled The Final Jolly Roger.
As of October 21, 2011, Running Wild have reformed and have a new album that is due to released in April 2012. The announcement was made on the band's website with a video message from Captain Rolf, where he stated that he has already written 10 songs for the new album.
Bass
Drums
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, formed in 1976 in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s. The band has carved its niche in the metal world as the first "pirate metal" band, a theme which took off with the release of Under Jolly Roger
Under Jolly Roger
Under Jolly Roger is the third album by Running Wild and established their pirate theme, even if only one track on this album is about the topic. The title track is one of their best known songs and a live favourite...
in 1987 (thus abandoning the Satanic imagery of their earlier work). Although the earlier releases contained Satanic themes and imagery, Gerald Warnecke, the guitar player of the band, was then a Preacher and is now a vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
in Cologne.
On April 17, 2009 Rolf announced that Running Wild had split-up. Their last show was at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
on July 30, 2009. It was recorded for CD and DVD release, which will be released on June 24, 2011, titled The Final Jolly Roger.
As of October 21, 2011, Running Wild have reformed and have a new album that is due to released in April 2012. The announcement was made on the band's website with a video message from Captain Rolf, where he stated that he has already written 10 songs for the new album.
Current members
- Rolf Kasparek - Vocals, guitars (1976–2009, 2011-)
- Peter Jordan - Guitar (2004–2009, 2011-)
Former members
Guitar- Uwe Bendig (1976–84)
- Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke (1984–85)
- Majk Moti (1985–90)
- Axel Morgan (X-WildX-WildX-Wild was a German heavy metal band founded in 1993 by three former band members of Running Wild .The trio hired a British vocalist, Frank Knight, and put out their first album, So What!, in 1994....
) (1990–93) - Thilo HermannThilo HermannThilo Hermann is heavy metal guitarist and songwriter, who recently worked with Grave Digger.-History:...
(ex-Grave DiggerGrave Digger (band)Grave Digger are a German heavy metal/power metal band formed in 1980. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s.-Band history:...
, ex-Holy MosesHoly MosesHoly Moses is a German thrash metal band. They are well noted for being fronted by Sabina Classen and for being one of the very first German thrash metal bands.-Formative years: 1980-1985:...
, ex-Faithful Breath, ex-Risk) (1994-01) - Bernd Aufermann (Angel DustAngel Dust (band)Angel Dust are a German heavy metal band. Initially active from 1984 to 1990 as speed and thrash metal band, they dropped their thrash roots in favor of a power/progressive metal sound upon reforming in 1998....
) (2002–04)
Bass
- Jörg Schwarz (1976)
- Carsten David (1976–79)
- Matthias Kaufmann (1980–83)
- Stephan Boris (1984–87)
- Jens BeckerJens BeckerJens Becker is a metal bass guitarist who currently performs with Grave Digger.-History:The first real big band Jens played with in hir career was Running Wild, which he joined in 1987...
(Grave DiggerGrave Digger (band)Grave Digger are a German heavy metal/power metal band formed in 1980. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s.-Band history:...
, X-WildX-WildX-Wild was a German heavy metal band founded in 1993 by three former band members of Running Wild .The trio hired a British vocalist, Frank Knight, and put out their first album, So What!, in 1994....
) (1987–92) - Thomas Smuszynski (ex-U.D.O.U.D.O.U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
, ex-DarxonDarxonDarxon is a Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia Heavy Metal band manifested during 1983. The group signed with Wishbone Records for the 1984 debut album Killed in Action, recorded as a quartet comprising vocalist Massimo DeMatteis, guitarist Markus Szart, bassist Peter Schmidt and drummer Dominik...
) (1992-02) - Peter Pichl (Herman Frank) (2002–2009)
- Jan S. Eckert [Live] (Masterplan, (Iron Savior) (2009)
Drums
- Michael Hoffmann (1976–82)
- Wolfgang "Hasche" Hagemann (1982–87)
- Stefan SchwarzmannStefan SchwarzmannStefan Schwarzmann is a German drummer who has recorded for Accept, U.D.O., Running Wild, X-Wild, Krokus and Helloween. Schwarzmann joined Helloween as a replacement for departing drummer Mark Cross in 2003. Although Stefan got on well with the members of the band, he had other musical preferences...
(AcceptAcceptAccept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
, ex-HelloweenHelloweenHelloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, Paradox, ex-X-WildX-WildX-Wild was a German heavy metal band founded in 1993 by three former band members of Running Wild .The trio hired a British vocalist, Frank Knight, and put out their first album, So What!, in 1994....
, ex-U.D.O.U.D.O.U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
, ex-Voice) (1987–88, 1992–93) - Ian Finlay (ex-Justice, ex-Demon Pact) (1988–90)
- Jörg MichaelJörg MichaelJörg Michael is a German drummer. He is well-known for his time in the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and several other bands....
(StratovariusStratovariusStratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, ex-SaxonSaxon (band)Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
, Unleashed Power, ex-Axel Rudi PellAxel Rudi PellAxel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player, playing melodic heavy metal. He started off with the band Steeler before leaving to start his solo career in 1989 with the eponymous band Axel Rudi Pell...
, ex-Avenger, ex-RageRage (band)Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
, ex-Grave DiggerGrave Digger (band)Grave Digger are a German heavy metal/power metal band formed in 1980. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s.-Band history:...
, ex-Mekong DeltaMekong Delta (band)Mekong Delta is a German progressive/thrash metal band, formed in 1985.-History:The band was founded by a group of German metal musicians with the goal to 'musically outshine' all then-current, independent releases. The line-up and the history of the group was to be "the best kept secret in the...
, ex-Tom AngelripperTom AngelripperTom Angelripper is the founding member and main songwriter of the German thrash metal band Sodom.- Biography :...
, ex-Headhunter) (1990, 1994–98) - Rudiger Dreffein (1990–92)
- Christos Efthimiadis (Sub7even, ex-RageRage (band)Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
) (1998-1999, 2001-2001) - Angelo SassoAngelo SassoAngelo Sasso is a heavy metal drummer credited for playing the drums on two Running Wild albums, Victory and The Brotherhood. It was suspected that a drum computer was used in recording these two albums and that "Angelo Sasso" is simply a fictional person used to cover this up...
(2000–02) - Matthias Liebetruth - Drums (2002–2009)
Studio albums
- Gates to PurgatoryGates to PurgatoryGates to Purgatory is the first album by Running Wild. It predates their piracy themes and mostly has satanically influenced lyrics but also features song with anarchic and libertarian themes....
(1984) - Branded and ExiledBranded and ExiledBranded and Exiled is an album by Running Wild. It was the first to feature Majk Moti on guitar.The album has a sale over 250,000 records worldwide-Track listing:#"Branded and Exiled" – 3:54...
(1985) - Under Jolly RogerUnder Jolly RogerUnder Jolly Roger is the third album by Running Wild and established their pirate theme, even if only one track on this album is about the topic. The title track is one of their best known songs and a live favourite...
(1987) - Port RoyalPort Royal (album)Port Royal is an album by Running Wild. This release expanded on the pirate theme introduced on Under Jolly Roger and established them as "pirate metal" in the metal community.The album has sold nearly 1.8 million records worldwide....
(1988) - Death or GloryDeath or Glory (album)Death or Glory is a heavy metal album by German band Running Wild. One of their most successful releases, it contains the concert favourites "Riding the Storm" and "Bad to the Bone". The final track, "March On", was not included on the vinyl release due to space constraints.The album is the best...
(1989) - Blazon StoneBlazon StoneBlazon Stone is the sixth album by German band Running Wild.The album has sold over 340,000 records worldwide. According to Rolf Kasparek in an interview to a Brazilian heavy metal/hard rock magazine Blazon Stone is the sixth album by German band Running Wild.The album has sold over 340,000 records...
(1991) - Pile of SkullsPile of SkullsPile of Skulls is a metal album by Running Wild released in 1992. It was the first album almost completely dominated by songwriting from band leader Rolf Kasparek but remains a fan favourite.The album has sold over 350,000 records worldwide....
(1992) - Black Hand InnBlack Hand InnBlack Hand Inn is the eighth Running Wild studio album, released March 24, 1994 by Noise Records. It is a loose concept album about a resurrected man, against a backdrop of piracy, foreseeing Armageddon....
(1994) - Masquerade (1995)
- The RivalryThe Rivalry (album)The Rivalry is an album by German band Running Wild. It is the second in a trilogy of a theme of good versus evil, begun with Masquerade and concluded with Victory.The album has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.-Track listing:...
(1998) - VictoryVictory (Running Wild album)Victory is an album by German band Running Wild. It is the third in a trilogy of a theme of good versus evil, started with Masquerade and continued with The Rivalry.The album has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide.-Track listing:...
(2000) - The BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood (Album)The Brotherhood is an album by German heavy metal band Running Wild. The song "The Ghost" is about Thomas Edward Lawrence, who was British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916 to 1918.-Track listing:All songs by Rolf Kasparek...
(2002) - Rogues en VogueRogues en VogueRogues en Vogue is an album by Running Wild. The album has sold over 500,000 records worldwide.In the beginning the album had a bad start with sales of only 30,000 records a year, but sold over 350,000 records in the month prior to what would be Running Wild's final concert at Wacken before their...
(2005) - Shadowmaker (2012)
Live albums
- Ready for BoardingReady for BoardingReady For Boarding is a live album by heavy metal band Running Wild. It was recorded at a concert in Munich, Germany. The song "Purgatory" has never been recorded for a studio album and is dedicated to the PMRC.-Track listing:...
(1988) - LiveLive (Running Wild Album)Live is a live album by German heavy metal band Running Wild which was recorded on their 2002 tour.Disc 1# "March Of The Final Battle" - 02:16 # "Welcome To Hell" - 04:38# "Bad To The Bone" - 05:33# "Lead Or Gold" - 06:04# "Riding The Storm" - 05:15...
(2002) - The Final Jolly Roger (2011)
Compilation albums
- The First Years of PiracyThe First Years of PiracyThe First Years of Piracy is an album by German band Running Wild. It contains re-recorded versions of songs from the first three albums.Recorded and mixed at Studio W. Machtsum in July/August 1991. Produced by Rock'n Rolf...
(1991) - The Story of Jolly Roger (1998)
- The Legendary Tales (2002)
- 20 Years in History20 Years in History- Disc 2 :-Line Up:*Rolf Kasparek - Guitars, Vocals *Gerald 'Preacher' Warnecke - Guitars *Majk Moti - Guitars *Axel Morgan - Guitars...
(2003) - Best of Adrian (2006)
Singles and EPs
- "Victim of States Power" (1984)
- "Bad to the Bone" (1989)
- "Wild Animal" (1990)
- "Little Big Horn" (1991)
- "Lead or Gold" (1992)
- "The Privateer" (1994)
Tribute albums
- Rough Diamonds - A Tribute to Running Wild (2005) (available as a free download on the official website)
- The Revivalry - A Tribute to Running Wild (2005)
- ReUnation - A Tribute to Running Wild (2009)