The Other (band)

The Other (or TheOther) is a German horror punk band formed in Köln in 2002.[1] The band's music style blends elements of punk rock and heavy metal,[2] with lyrics and stage costumes inspired by horror fiction and films. Although most of their material is in English, they also write and perform songs in German.

For the British group, see The Others (band).
The Other
The Other at Rockharz Open Air 2018
Background information
OriginKöln, Germany
GenresHorror punk, Deathrock, heavy metal
Years active2003–present
LabelsFiend Force Records, Steamhammer
Websitehttp://www.theother.de/
MembersRod Usher, Dr. Caligari, Pat Laveau, Ben Crowe, Aaron Torn
Past membersJack Saw, Sarge von Rock, Chris Cranium, Viktor Sharp, Migore Drake, Andy Only
Singer Rod Usher and Guitarist Ben Crowe at Rockharz 2018
Former Bassist Chris Cranium at Rockharz 2018

History

The Other began as a Misfits cover band.[3][4] They released their first album, They're Alive!, in 2004 with a cover art inspired by classic horror film posters that has an actor "starring" section for the band members: "STARRING: Andy Only, Dr Caligari, Rod Usher, Sarge von Rock and.... The Creature".[5]

Their first official music video "Lover's Lane" was a subject of controversy in Germany because it was featuring German porn star Leonie Saint.[3]

In 2007, The Other published their first comic book: Tales of The Other (Comicheft, Weissblech-Verlag). Most of the band's albums were released on the group member's own record label, Fiend Force Records,[6] but they recorded "New Blood" (2010) with rock-label Steamhammer/SPV[7]

Many influential horror punk artists like Blitzkid, Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space, Mister Monster, The Crimson Ghosts, Nim Vind, Rezurex or The Deep Eynde released albums through The Other's independent label Fiend Force Records .[8]

Tours and live performances

The Other toured with famous bands like British punk rock pioneers The Damned, The Cult, Alice Cooper, the Misfits, The 69 Eyes, Balzac and Wednesday 13.[2] In 2015, they toured in the United Kingdom with British horror punk/metal groups Al B. Damned and Lupen Tooth as well as German groups like Die Ärzte or Dr. Hell.[9]

Throughout the years, The Other was part of numerous alternative/punk/heavy metal Festivals and events in Europe like the Wacken Open Air, the M'era Luna Festival, the Summer Breeze Open Air, Force Attack, the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Endless Summer, the Ruhrpott Rodeo, the Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors, the Amphi Festival and The Travelling Morgue Horror Fest[10]

Lifestyle and influences

The Other's songwriting, musical style, and performances are strongly influenced by classic horror movies and literature.

Among the actors and films that influenced the band lyrics and lifestyle (Gothic fashion, makeup), lead vocalist Rod Usher mentions: Bela Lugosi in Mark of the Vampire, Vincent Price in Andre DeToth's House Of Wax (1953), Klaus Kinski in Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) and Christopher Lee in Terence Fisher's Dracula (1958), Jack Arnold's Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954), Tarantula (1955) and more recently Alexandre Aja's Haute Tension (2003).[3]

Group members

Actual lineup
  • Rod Usher (Thorsten Wilms) - Vocals (2002- ) (refers to Roderick Usher, character of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839))
  • Dr. Caligari - Drums (2002- ) (refers The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1922), a German expressionist film directed by Robert Wiene)
  • Ben Crowe - Guitar (2013-)
  • Pat Laveau - Guitar (2014- ) (refers to Louisiana Creole practitioner of Voodoo Marie Laveau)
  • Aaron Torn - Bass (2014-2016) & (2019- )

Previous lineups
  • Chris Cranium - Bass (2016-2019)
  • Jack Saw - Guitar (2013-2014)
  • Sarge von Rock - Guitar (2002-2013)
  • Viktor Sharp - Bass (2010-2014)
  • Migore Drake - Bass (2006-2010)
  • Andy Only - Bass guitar (2002-2006) (the name refers to Jerry Only, bassist of the Misfits)

Timeline
Timeline

Albums
Year Album[11] Label
2004 They're Alive! Fiend Force Records
2006 We Are Who We Eat Fiend Force Records
2007 Tales of the Other: The Comic Fiend Force Records
2008 The Place to Bleed Fiend Force Records
2010 New Blood Steamhammer
2012 The Devils you know Steamhammer
2015 Fear Itself Steamhammer
2017 Casket Case Drakkar

References
  1. Nesten, Calen. "The Other – Fear Itself (2015)". Metal Temple. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  2. Ramirez, Carlos (June 29, 2012). "The Other Bring Some Horror Punk Madness". Noise Creep. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  3. Gaz, E. "Rod Usher of The Other". Uberrock UK. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  4. Barkan, Jonathan. "Exclusive Interview: Rod Usher of 'The Other'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  5. "The Other (2) – They're Alive!". Discogs. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  6. Idem.
  7. Longden, Oliver. "The Other, "New Blood'". One Metal. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  8. "Fiend Force Records". Discogs. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  9. "The Travelling Morgue Horror Fest 2016". Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  10. "The Travelling Morgue Horror Fest 2016". The Travelling Morgue Horror Fest 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  11. "The Other - Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
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