Five Questions... with Marc Storace of Krokus

Marc Storace isn't a household name, though had things gone a bit differently in the early '80s, it's highly possible that his name would be. After Bon Scott's passing, AC/DC was looking for a new singer, and the band had sent an invitation to Storace to audition for the new gig. Ultimately Storace declined, citing loyalty to his own band, Krokus. At the time who could blame him? Krokus was gaining serious momentum, and it wouldn't be long before they were getting tremendous airplay on both FM radio and on MTV, which at the time was still in it's heyday and playing music videos. Things were cruising nicely for Storace and his band, so why jump ship?

Interestingly enough in 2016, Storace admitted that if AC/DC were to call again, he'd definitely accept the chance to audition. Brian Johnson had left the band, citing issues with his hearing. Doctors had told Johnson that he risked complete hearing loss if continued on, and apparently it was enough for him to consider retirement. (In August of this year, rumors began flying that Johnson rejoined the band.)

So Marc Storace, at least for the moment is still with Krokus. Out of the goodness of his rock and roll heart, he agreed to answer a few questions about his extensive life of fronting a band, touring the world and not having any regrets.

Tell me a crazy but true rock and roll story.

Well, almost like an exert out of Spinal Tap it was! We were playing our last gig as Special-Guests on the huge Def Leppard -Pyromania- Tour in 1983. Krokus`s Headhunter album was sitting proudly at Number 24 in the Billboard Charts at the time...we were having the time of our lives.

After the end of every show we always came out to give one or two encores, the first of which was the title song of our current new album Headhunter. This song pleaded for theatrics so, LD, our tour-manager, not of small physique, would don this Henchman costume and "Bigfoot" his way onto our stage holding a huge Swiss ax high above his masked head. The band would be half way through the song and the henchman would walk out towards our lead guitar player, Fernando and hand him the heavy ax. It was always after Fern had just finished playing this long great guitar-solo and after he had teased and thrashed his guitar across the stage long enough!

He then would take the deadly ax from LD and get to work aggressively on his whining-guitar, which would eventually meet it`s ill fate ending up totally demolished high above his own head, it`s body pierced by the ax`s spike, with the neck still hanging from the strings accompanied by screeching guitar sounds coming from the speakers!

You can`t imagine how the crowds went berserk each and every time...it was scary, hilarious and much fun for all.

Part of an old tradition sees bands and crew members playing pranks on the last day of each tour...and this was no exception.

So, on our last night, still guesting with Def Leppard on our Headhunter tour, LD, our enormous tour manager, goes into the dressing room to change into his Henchman Costume, but, while he was doing so, one of the crew locked him in as was planned!

No problem, LD was armed with a huge ax which he immediately put to good use and made it onto that stage just in time...after first demolishing the dressing room door of course...ha ha ha ha ha! That`s one of the stories that easily sticks out in my head.

Krokus in 1983

You've clearly toured all around the world. What was touring like during the '80s and how is it different compared to how bands tour today?

We always preferred a night-liner to planes where possible because of the socializing and comfort factors involved. Of course we spent much time in cool hotels and enjoyed spending our days off at these huge Malls or Theme-Parks. We were into roller-coasters, good movies and good restaurants a lot. Nowadays we tend to fly much more but still enjoy some good old night-liner rides. I guess that`s how it is for a lot of bands today.

Tell me about the current state of Krokus.

Krokus is basically composed out of a bunch of old school rock`n`roll buddies who saw it fit to reunite after being apart far too long.

Each musician today totally respects the other, first for the music, then for the rekindled old camaraderie created over thousands of road miles, as much as the realization that the band will be celebrating 40 years since coming into being! Together we fought many fads and trends trying to stay true to the core, to keep our own identity ! Of course there were slight deviations...but these were mere intrusions of the times!

Today we are living what destiny has confirmed to us. That it was worth getting back together to reform the class of 1982. We`re are more or less the same hard working team that put so much energy..blood, sweat and tears into the band`s music and playing it around the world.

Today we sound close to where we left off in 1988 with the HEART ATTACK album...but with an additional and fitting touch of blues. Both our albums HOODOO and DIRTY DYNAMITE, released after the big reunion concert of 2008 here in Switzerland, helped us regain immense worldwide recognition...and the respect from our old hard core fans simply grew.

Our latest 2014 release, the "live" album LONGSTICK GOES BOOM! proves once and for all that we are a live-force to be reckoned with, so we`re back to where we started really, or maybe even further...truly amazing, but we are at the ready!

You almost became the singer for ACDC after Bon Scott died. Please tell me about that process, and do you have any regrets for not taking that job?

Had I accepted to turn up for an audition, I honestly doubt whether the lads would have been looking for someone who sounded so close to their dear Bon really. My loyalty to Krokus was too big then already anyway, so, absolutely no regrets.

Fill in the blank: If I could go back in time, I would ______________.

Never not follow my instincts again.

What is the most surprising thing you ever received in the mail from a fan?

I once received this beautiful velvet pouch containing this shining polished-crystal necklace. There was a parchment saying the crystals had been exposed to many full moons. I lost it somewhere along my travelling way.

If you actually did "Eat the Rich," what would it taste like? 

Well, I hate to go out of context and hope this does not shock you BUT according to the diaries of marooned survivors who forcibly resorted to cannibalism (they ate some muscle of their dead colleagues) for survival reasons, human flesh tastes like chicken!