The brand new album “Helluva Time” will be released under a different label. Why? Wouldn’ t certainly believe that Ulftone Records might have fired Jaded Heart after such an excellent record as Trust was?!?
No, not at all. It is just that our new label has got more impact and opportunities to get an album published… ´nuff said… ;o)

I had the chance to listen to the new vocalist Johan Fahlberg with his previous prog-metal band Scudiero, and i think his vocal approach is less screaming (and maybe more expressive) than Michael Bormann’ s one. Any risks concerning a loss in impact for the Jaded Heart sound?
No, because we knew that there are four other Jaded Heart members who influenced the Jaded Heart music on the past records too much. We knew that the songs would still have that Jaded Heart vibe. We were looking for a guy who has his own strong voice, is creative and could sing the old songs easily. He also had to fit in as a person.

We were looking for a new singer all over Europe and finally we found Johan somewhere in Stockholm… :o) Johan is just perfect for us, as a friend and musician! After we got to listen to Johan´s version of “Anymore” and “Feels like home”, we right away said: “This is the guy!!” He adds a new fresh colour to the music and now we finally got rid of that “German Bon Jovi” trademark that we had in the past, because of Michaels voice.

I do believe “Helluva Time” will be another masterpiece from a band that never missed a shot, up to now. But the announced cover of the popstar Anastacia’ s smash-hit “Paid my dues” makes me a bit worried…
You don´t have to be worried. Believe me! The original song is/was a cool rock song and our version rocks a little more… Typical Jaded Heart!!

What’ s your balance on the last album Trust, and in general about the past year?
The reviews for Trust were great all over the world and our first headlining tour was a good success for us. These days it is not easy to tour with your own music and make the people come to your shows if you are playing in a melodic Hard Rock band… After the split with our ex-singer we went through a hard time, but now we left the all the shit behind us and we can look forward to A HELLUVA TIME….

If i can ask you, why did Michael Bormann depart from Jaded Heart at the end of the Trust tour in 2004?
It really sounds like the typical cliché …but there were the “ musical and personal differences” that forced us to fire him. Jaded Heart was always supposed to be a band and not an platform for someone´s ego-trips. Everything we do is for the band as a whole. It´ s not like you´ ve only got a spotlight lead singer. You are going to hear all five of us.

What’ s true concerning the rumors that mentioned Mike Tramp as possible new vocalist, before Johan came in?
Absolutely nothing. That came up after we met Mike Tramp at a show and the people saw us hanging out with him. Henning is now playing with Mike in White Lion when he is not working with us.

Chris Lausmann, former Bonfire guitarist, has got a very good reputation as music producer. Do you think Jaded Heart will work again with him?
Yes of course! He is a friend of the band for a long time! He co-produced, mixed and did all the editing for the album. He probably will work for us as a front of house when we´ re touring.

I’ ve always noticed that no live footage of Jaded Heart is available. What about shooting a live dvd, or at least any videoclip?
Yes, currently we are collecting material for a dvd but we don´t have a date for the release yet.

As far as i know, after the United Forces of Rock festival in Ludwigburg/Germany, the band will start a brand new tour as headliner. Will Jaded Heart remember about us, forgotten italians?
Yes, absolutely. We can´ t wait to present A HELLUVA TIME to an audience! We will try to catch a good tour as a headliner and/or as a support-act. If there are any bookers who want us to play somewhere in Italy, feel free to contact our management. We really would like to come to Italy!!

After eight highly acclaimed albums, what is your secret to always publish great songs and stay on top?
The passion and love to our music keeps us work hard. But that ´s not really a secret…

Scorpions aside, do you feel Jaded Heart finally achieved a fame leadership in the actual german hard rock scene, or there’ s some other german band Jaded Heart consider more representative?
There are a lot of good bands here in Germany, for example Pink Cream 69, Evidence One or Wicked Sensation. The hard rock scene here in Germany is better now than 10 years ago.

In the beginning Jaded Heart used to be defined as the new Bonfire, even though i would say that your music style became different from their kind of sound quite soon. How did you live that comparison?
Really? I didn´ t know that! Well, Bonfire is/was a cool Hard Rock band, but I think that our style was always different.

In my personal polls, i voted your Trust and Thunderdome from Pink Creal 69 as best 2004 releases. Really seems like Germany rules!!! I’ m reserving a place for Helluva Time this year, cause i know it’ ll be a new strike!!! God bless you, and all the best for this new project!!!
Thank you very much for your time and your readers support. We hope to come to Italy soon and kick your asses. Take care and enjoy our new album HELLUVA TIME!