BREAKING NEWS! New CD is out! Buy it here. New Asshole T-Shirts also! Webshop And here is the video to Mr. Rodriguez: THE WORLD2HOT MUSIC PROJECT - Cliff Barnes and the Fear of Winning, have a long history. Back in the eighties and the nineties, they were stars. On tour and on record they used their own brand of alternative country to question the politics of the world. Reagan was the target for the legendary “Fucking in the White House” Era, when he deployed the Pershing missiles in West Germany. Later the band played in East Germany a few days before the Wall came tumbling down. Some say the band had nothing to do with it, while others…… Between these political highlights there were a lot of love songs. The band toured extensively in Europe and in the USA. The band imploded in the late nineties only to return in 2003 with a new album, mixed in Malta called Godsatwork. The band has been quiet for many years now. The two main protagonists, Bob and Henry, worked on a side project called the Artland Country Club. They developed a pedal power system with friends in the USA, using four bikes to power a very efficient PA system. This makes concerts in remote areas possible. The guys have done shows for the World Wildlife Fund and various charities, but mostly to promote the idea of a better world with bicycles. The title the new album, WORLD2HOT was a logical result. Getting together again with Marcus, they recorded a record with a very low carbon footprint. Using photovoltaic, pedal power and even a water mill to produce electricity. WORLD2HOT is a cry of hope and a sign that to change things we need to find our voice again. Politicians have been replaced by bankers and multinational companies as the villains that control the way we use resources and our greed life philosophy. Tough words, but the band is older and has no reason to not tell the truth. Tell it like it is, is the message. Stand up and be counted. The time is ripe for a consensus for change, for tolerance and for love. In a world of suffering and bad political leaders we deserve more, for ourselves and for our children. Enjoy, think and help. WORLD2HOT is a cry of the helpless, the frustrated and the weak. We have to make a difference. Almost all photos by Manfred Pollert, except those not by Manfred Pollert. Band photo in the Lagerhalle Osnabrück from Angela von Brill.
Follow the red flag, follow the blue flag. Don't stop to ask yourself why.I've got a gun - Bob T
WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND WORLD2HOT? The idea is simple. We live in a society that has been built on growth as opposed to need. We buy things because we are conditioned to buy things. We are taught to generate revenue because that keeps our economic house of cards from collapsing. The loser is the beautiful and very unique planet on which we live. We have been working with a bikes for a while now and more bike riding means less car use. The equation is simple, we are trying to make people understand that the only good product is a product being USED (or in use) and not the tons of stuff we buy and don’t use. We are against wasting time, energy, money and resources and we support happiness, change and responsibility. It may sound like a hippie mantra, but that seems to be what we need right now. Read the various aspects of this philosophy below:
People fear art. It’s dangerous, because you can’t control it, you can’t say “turn right here!” or “gimme more blue!”. It either has blue or it turned right a long time ago.
Nothing can stop art, not an army, a religion or a dogma. Not even a tidal wave, because art is in your head and not on a canvas in a museum somewhere, art is where you take the things you see and touch and love and turn them into something else.
The job of the artist is to extend the boundaries of his own art; to fight injustice and to preserve the beauty of the world.
The studio is using 100% photovoltaic electricity, plus the pedal power system when we need it. We are using LED lighting and trying to make the recording with the least amount of electricity possible. The heating of the studio is using 100% recycled pellets made from wood dust. The idea is to have the lowest carbon footprint on this recording.
We are mixing in a bigger studio which gets its power from a watermill that turns like it has done since the middle ages. Now instead of turning the mill to grind the wheat, it powers a modern turbine to make electricity.
The difference between recording now and then is very interesting. Back then we used a lot of tube amps and microphone preamps. Now you use a digital algorithmus that reproduces those tube valve sounds. This gave us a chance to use the sounds that we love, but without consuming an amazing amount of electricity.
We see this project as environmental music. We have reduced the amount of energy needed to make this kind of music. And we used the modern technology which allows others to play on the recordings, without flying across the world.
Why are we doing this? Most of us are old enough to be getting our rocking chair out on the veranda to watch the world go by. But we are people that have always had an opinion. We fought for what we believe is right. And an artist should always have something to say.
We were also working on a pedal power system to make electricity using bicycles. This is our way of showing what is possible in a world where we have forgotten about the resources we waste, forgotten about how important it is to preserve nature and the beauty of the world. Art can be a force that can change the way we look at the world.
The studio at Planet USED is using 100% photovoltaic electricity, plus the pedal power system when needed. We are using LED lighting and trying to make the recording with the least amount of electricity possible. The heating of the studio is with 100% recycled pellets made from wood dust. The carbon footprint on this recording is minimal.
We are also working at the Mühle der Freundschaft Studio which gets its power from a watermill that turns like it has done since the middle ages. Now instead of turning the mill to grind the wheat, it powers a modern turbine to make electricity.
During our long history in the music business we have seen up and downs. We have had contracts with record companies, we even had our own DIY record label in the days of punk. Now the whole business has gone around and come back again.
And so we use the tools of the day and a lot more do it yourself. Crowdsourcing and some sponsors are enough to make a project that is more than just music. We are mixing art with an awareness for the world in which we live in. We used Pedal Power concerts to finance this album. But then just when you are not looking, along comes a record company that might just be the one…
BERLIN COUNTRY CLUB - Was it 1983 or later? Anyway Reagan was President and the only way to stop the fall of the American Empire was a masterplan "Made in Heaven". No one knows if it was the CIA or the FBI, in those days it could have been the KGB as well. But the answer to this was 5 musicians - handpicked for a dangerous mission, in the face of the enemy. And the enemy was very clearly out in force at the Berlin Country Club. Lorry drivers and bank managers in lumberjack shirts with girlfriends in petticoats and lace panties dreaming of Johnny Cash before Rick Rubin. And then live on stage the battle begins. The band jabs with a quick "Fucking in the White House" and parried a return punch with a short, sharp "Crazy about Kinski" and going into the last round the fight is even on points. But a draw is not a win and only the brave know how to swing with the champions. The band lets loose with a well timed "No one has an asshole like a Cowboy" and the game is won. Now get out of there fast and don't look back. The band left for East Berlin and with a suitcase full of Ost-Marks they did what Pink Floyd only talked about and really brought down the wall. The mission was accomplished. Now 25 years later, like a Hollywood blockbuster the band is being asked to save the world again. This time the codename is "World2Hot".
This is one is those “Nothing compares to you?” songs. A guy who goes through life searching for the next real love. He will have breakfast with thieves and with villains, and convince them with …
God and Grumpy – that could describe us, sitting on the veranda, drinking beer and complaining about God and the world. But what we are really saying is that the modern world has reached the …
This one is about death as well. It’s about dying for a cause that is debatable, it’s about being fanatic about anything, but it’s also respectful of the right to be just that. The picture …
Dark, dark world of death and the devil. And “it’s oh so cold outside”. The sun goes down on the dreams of the lonely. Starts with that old joke of “Well if Jesus is my saviour, …
“All the lights are out tonight, we’re dancing slow we don’t need no lights” – I see a film in front of me. Kids dancing in the moonlight. Lovers grooving to the sound of the …
I am your poet, your cowboy, your lover, your clown. But trapped in a love gone wrong. it’s a song about loving someone without realizing that the love is over and there is someone else.
And …
New song. I actually know where i had the first idea for this song. It was in Cologne and i had a long walk from my hotel to a meeting at a local bicycle company. …
Sometimes it’s hard to know where songs come from. Sometimes the writer seems to be just an antenna receiving information from another level. And sometimes you may miss the broadcast and the song is gone …
In Greek mythology, Charon or Kharon (Greek Χάρων) is the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the …
The song “Ride My Bike” is a song for all bike riders but it goes further than that. We have recorded two versions: An acoustic and an electric version. But we also are asking other …
Full title is – “I wonder if the blue skies are hanging over you, because the grey skies are hanging over me”. I know it sounds like a Grand Ole Opry song and i guess …
What you do is Voodoo! i can only describe what women do to us as Voodoo! We are drawn to them like moths around an open flame. We know we will be hurt, but we …
Follow the red flag, follow the blue flag. Don't stop to ask yourself why.I've got a gun - Bob T
It is the job of art to fight the ugliness of the world. We use love and the fascination of beauty to do this. Beauty can be a kiss, a statement, a helping hand, a smile to uplift, a pat on the back, the knowledge that someone is with you in your quest. The world is a sad place when we thrive to make more and end up seeing less. But let it be said, in the end we are not experts, we have no surefire solution, we're just a bunch of idiots searching for the holy grail, like ships lost in a sea of indecision, we go where the wind blows. We eat and drink with thieves and kings, with punks and priests. We think and we progress, sometimes moving a step back, but never a step that was not necessary, never a step that could not have been a leap, because then we leap. We find ourselves singing about love a lot. What gives us the right to do this? Is it the words we find or the words we search for in desperation? Is love the question or the answer? The journey or the destination? The hope or the hopelessness? The answer of course is that loves moves the world, unrequited and sublime. And we are the storytellers that touch your soul, the missionaries that spread the word, love is great, love is good, love is omnipotent and also the bricks we use to build our songs.
I think i am the boss
Vocals – Born in London. Has been writing songs with Henry since the eighties. They played together in Surplus Stock, Cliff Barnes and the Fear of Winning and the Illegal Artists, before the Artland Country Club. Bob plays simple guitar and sings. His lyrics spin a web of intrigue down the highways of Americana. Loves bikes.
i let him think he is the boss
Playing lead guitar and more. Originally from the Eifel area of Germany, where a lot of Americans were stationed, he’s been living in and around Artland for years now. Works as a journalist for a guitar magazine. Played bass guitar on most of the songs as well. As a songwriter he puts the soundtrack behind Bobs lyrics.
More than a musician
Guitarist – played with Bob and Henry in CBATFOW and now runs the Mühle der Freundschaft a studio close to Osnabrück. Marcus engineered this to the sound of the stream outside. Marcus is also a renowned producer and works with Tito and Tarantula as their producer and guitarist. Marcus is mixing this album.
Someone has to keep the beat
The only thing the band can’t do is play drums. And the right drummer is harder to find than you may think. Lars plays a tea chest and his unorthodox style gave the songs a kick that can only be described as sensational. We are hoping we can persuade Lars to come on tour with us. Now who will carry that tea chest?
A women's touch
We played with Susan at South by Southwest years ago. Now she is back to spread some love with her violin. She lives in Chicago these days and still plays with Poi Dog Pondering. We sent her some files and she made some magic. Susan also runs a violin school and practices Thai Yoga. Beautiful….!
Banging stuff
The man on percussion and vibraphone. Felix played with the Artland Country Club. He has the best collection of broken cymbals we know about. Now the lead singer and bass player in the band King Caramel. They have a cd out now. Felix hit some stuff on “I’ve got a gun”, “Cold Outside”, “The Crossing” “Cardboard Moon” and “Mr. Rodriguez”.
The Wah-Wah is alive and well
There could never be a CBATFOW record without this man. The Doc is a recognised producer, performer and engineer, as well as playing on stage with pop star Christian Steiffen. Martin played organ, synthesiser (mini-moog!) and piano, as well as helping us with the string arrangements. Now if he’d just come on tour…
Blowing their horn!
Tommy Schneller and his band play their own brand of blues and jazz. The guys are at home on the best stages in Europe. They came by on a Thursday morning and blew their way through three songs. We were thrilled and they took the songs in a new direction. Thanks Tommy (Sax), Gary (Trumpet) and Dieter (Trombone)!
The man who made us change
I could write about this guy for ages. Mike is a renowned producer and sound guy. He has worked with the stars and also with us. He is at home in a big studio and in a dark basement room. He never gets the money he should when working with us, but he is the secret behind this album. He told us to do something extreme and we did.
Singing from the soul...
Camille Bloom is from Seattle. She tours regularly through Europe with her guitar in the back of a small rental car and we have met up many times. One gig at the Kantine in Artland we got her to sing some harmonies for us. And that’s what you can here on songs like “I let her down” and “Blue Skies”.
Making everything look better
Very talented photographer and video filmer. Has been working with the guys for a while now. He is responsible for the live optics and all photos and videos. Manfred will visualize the Plant USED concept in photos and film and be a full live member of the band. This time the revolution will be televised.
He's just there..
Cliff Barnes and the Fear of Winning on stage would not be the same without Frank. He came with us around the world and to Schwindkirchen in his sandals! Sold merchandise, printed t-shirts and designed all the tour posters. And drank Mata Hari’s with a Flock of Seagulls at SXSW – good times!
Follow the red flag, follow the blue flag. Don't stop to ask yourself why.I've got a gun - Bob T
Lots of new and older stories about your favorite band, about the songs and about the new record.
Um die neue Video zu bezahlen haben wir ein Crowdfunding Projekt bei StartNext gestartet. Startnext ist die größte Crowdfunding-Plattform in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. Mit einzigartige Ideen und innovative Produkte von Künstlern, Kreativen, Erfindern …
Read more →
Our new record is almost ready, we did some remixing on Friday and are all pretty happy about the way the songs sound. of course CBATFOW were always a guitar band, so just to prove …
Read more →
Six shows in seven days. October 1989 in East Germany. Read about it in the history books.
Read more →
Sechs Shows in sieben Tagen. Oktober 1989 in der DDR. Lies es in den Geschichtsbüchern
Read more →
In studio for the new World2Hot record. Felix H. on percussion (lots of shakers and what the Germans call
Read more →
What can you download here? We have three versions of the bicycle song “Ride my Bike”.
Read more →
So here we are in Quakenbrück. Pre-production for the “World2Hot” record. This panorama from Marcus,
Read more →
This week 25 years ago the band played a concert in Dallas. The local German newspaper wrote about it.
Read more →
The lights went out on the bands many moons ago. The last album was Godsatwork which we mixed in Malta.
Read more →