18 Summers

The combination of visual and acoustic elements which the singer, musician and photographer Felix Flaucher is melting into an overall concept that breaks up all borders of the dark genre is quite unique in the popular musical landscape. Together with the classical guitarist Frank Schwer, "18 Summers" represents an independent, distinctive style, wonderful melancholy Goth Pop pearls, melodic acoustic songs but also club hits you can dance to with innovative sounds that no DJ programme should miss. At first sight the artwork of the CDs contains aesthetic, erotic photos of beautiful young women - on closer inspection you discover wounds at the wrists, at the neck or a revolver in the hand of a model. The band itself often practises Teutonic poses with uniforms and machine guns on photos. But if you take a closer look, you will recognize artificial eyelashes being stuck on and plastic guns bought at the fairground which are changing the first impression right into the opposite. Besides, playing with symbols is an important part of the general picture of "18 summers". Skulls and crosses, which could hardly be more clichéd for the scene, are revived and brought into a new connection. It is not uncommon for Felix Flaucher to jokingly flirt around with the image of a sect leader and he quotes Crowley and LaVey, who say that his band and their Scene is often a bit like a secret society; as a close-knit family that calls themselves "The Church Of 18 Summers". But the drive of the phenomenon "18 summers" is not provocation, but artistic freedom, not having a restriction in mind, but the realization of creative energy. Roman Schönsee, member of the bands "The Dreamside", "The Bloodline" and "Satyrian" adds strength to the band with his song writing and recording knowledge. Even the renowned producer John Fryer gives them assistance during the final mix. Fryer produced well-known acts like "Dead Can Dance", "Depeche Mode", "HIM", "Paradise Lost" or "This Mortal Coil". Finally, the duo finds a new home with the label Drakkar Entertainment/e-wave in Witten. At last, in 2001, a new sign of life is showing up, the single "Felix In The Sky". An extravagant video for this single "hit" has been produced in Kiev and their fans are completely euphoric about it. The album with the more than fitting title "Phoenix From the Flames" is not to be long in coming. It is an impressive resurrection of a legend of the scene. Whereas on former CDs the electronic and acoustic elements were used separately for different songs in this album they are mixed together. This results in a homogeneous sound that is completely new to this band. But the visual image changed as well. In contrast to the more striking lyrics and images of the band's beginnings, in contrast to the provocative and partly brutal photos, they now are more mysterious and romantic. But that doesn't mean at all that "18 Summers" can get by without rough edges. Mirjam Kremer takes care for the graphic realization. She is not only to be seen as a model in this calendar but also makes up all the other girls for the photo session. The same year, in August, the band performs on the "PopKomm" in Köln. Together with the colleagues of the lable DE/Vision a recording of the concert is taken and broadcasted The Park", alongside with substantial extras. In the run-up to this DVD, a spectacular repeatedly on Viva Zwei. Later on, still in 2001, the concert is put on a DVD called "Down In competition takes place. Mastermind Felix himself visited relevant clubs all over Germany, armed with a Polaroid, and took photos of the most beautiful girls. Winner Kathrin von Schöwen wins the invitation for a photo session and becomes the cover girl of the DVD. Under the name of "18 Summers" the latest long player "Virgin Mary" was released, too. Just as the predecessor it was produced by John Fryer and Roman Schönsee. "Virgin Mary" doubtlessly is the current highlight of the creative activity of this remarkable collective, and we are glad to be able to present you this exclusive calendar.