10 Quick Ones with PETER KNORN of FARGO – June 2018

According to a recent press release: “Things might have turned out differently. For example if Peter ´Fargo-Pedda` Knorn hadn’t written a book about his life as a musician, band manager and label boss, bringing back  memories of his first band Fargo. The group, that’s the conclusion following the publication of ‘Bis hierhin und so weiter, 20 Jahre Rock´n`Roll – Ein- und Ansichten eines Bassisten’, has remained unforgotten to this day among its fans. Triggered by the book’s great success, the obvious question arose: How would Fargo sound today if the band was still around – or indeed returned? A consideration that the bassist from Hanover discussed with Fargo vocalist/guitarist Peter Ladwig and that both were only able to answer with a logical decision: Let’s find out! Inspiring support for this heartfelt mission was provided by Arndt Schulz (Harlis, Jane) and Nikolas Fritz (Mob Rules) and what had started as a simulation game soon turned into reality. And so Knorn and Ladwig are proud to announce two things in spring 2018: Not only are Fargo back 36 years after their last release F (1982), they are also set to release a brand-new album. Their comeback is entitled Constellation, is out on Steamhammer/SPV and features many of the classic trademarks of its predecessors, sounding earthy, bluesy, honest and authentic.” We get Peter to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1.Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

No hidden nuggets, no hidden messages. And we don’t have diehard fans.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

When I was 16 years old I saw a movie about Jimi Hendrix in the cinema. He smashed his guitar on stage and set it on fire. That really impressed me. So, I decided to become a musician and smashed an old acoustic guitar in my parents’ garden. And since I couldn’t play an instrument, I acted like I could sing and started a band. And because I couldn’t actually really sing German or English, I learned a few chords and mucked around a bit on the strings (“Pictures of Matchstick Man” by Status Quo was my favourite). But in the long run, playing guitar became too complicated for me (six strings but only five fingers on the fingerboard). So, I decided to play bass. They’ve only got four strings. That appeared more logical to me.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Grand Funk (Railroad), Humble Pie, Small Faces, ZZ Top, and Fargo’s lead singer Peter Ladwig.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Steve Marriott and Phil Mogg.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Simple classic rock with a singer, not a shouter.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

At first, it was the freedom to enjoy doing what you wanted. Then getting to know the girls into that kind of thing. Then developing the ambition to achieve the best you can. Later still, you‘re happy you survived everything reasonably in tact.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

The chef and the waitress.  And I hate singalongs, that’s for pussies.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I’m lucky enough to live in both worlds by being a manager for rock bands.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

When I had my own record label (Event Records), I turned down Nickelback.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

That would be Humble Pie’s single “Fool For A Pretty Face”. It’s not only one of the greatest songs for me, it’s also the story behind it: I had the same manager (David Krebs) and we’d been told the same story by him: “Record a hit single and I’ll get you a record deal.” We both got a record deal, but our song was not a hit single. In fact, it was taken off our album for the US release.

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Category: Interviews