THE FATAL SHORE
www.myspace.com/fatalshore
www.fatal-shore.de
The Fatal Shore is a Berlin-based band formed in 1996, by the getting together of two unique but complimentary Singer/songwriters - Phil Shoenfelt and Bruno Adams - for a hectic tour of war-ravaged Bosnia-Herzegovina. While en-route to Gorazde, they came under fire from Serbian snipers and were attacked by axe wielding mujahadeen in delnice. Under the motto, “what doesn’t killer you makes you stronger” they expanded the partnership into a full band with the adding of Chris Hughes on drums, and later, bass player Yoyo Röhm in 2001.
The first Fatal Shore self-titled CD (1999 Moloko + D) was recorded in Lucanec, Slovakia, during the hight of the Moravian floods. On route to the studio the band were held hostage in their train cabin by pistol waving Ukrainian guest workers, insisting on “one more song”. The resulting self-titled album comprises a set of traditionally based cover and original songs, performed in the Fatal Shore’s corrosive style of very dark, psychedelic blues.
On the invitation of American record producer Dan May in April 2001, the band flew to Covington, Kentucky, to record the follow-up Fatal Shore CD, Free Fall, (2003 Moloko + PLUS 067). May had heard the group’s first CD by chance, and within a few weeks the Fatal Shore were flying out of Berlin. The bizarre events continued after they arrived at The Church, a converted nineteenth century catholic church, filled with strange vibrations and May’s collection of automatic weapons, war memorabilia and strange hangers-on. The recording was finally completed two hours before the group’s flight left for Berlin. The result is a collection of classic songs, ringing with the eerie environs of “The Church”.
The Fatal Shore’s latest album, Real World, was released on the new Hamburg label Amboss Recordings, in March 2007. It is the first Fatal Shore album to be recorded in the relative calm of Berlin. With Local wunderkind Baxter Wilderbeast’s production and arrangement’s, Adams and Shoenfelt’s Classic Songs are taken to a new level. With strong string arrangements, and melodic, rhythmic and textural overdubs, Wilderbeast’s vision is brilliantly realized - from the eerie Singing Saw on “The Looking Glass Song”, to the rousing stings and circular Xylophone motif on “Faithless”.
What makes the Fatal Shore unique is the canyon deep voices and monumental song writing of Adams and Shoenfelt; The enigmatic patterns and wild syncopations of Hughes’s drums, back by Röhm’s steadfast bass lines; The interweaving of Shoenfelt’s lilting rytham Guitar and Adams’s panoramic lead lines; And the band's ability to fit seemingly effortlessly together a wide range of influences, from the Delta Blues of Robert Johnson, to songwriters such as Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Townes Van Zandt, to the sound scapes of Einstürzende Neubauten and Can.
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A TRIBUTE TO BRUNO ADAMS
16 OCTOBER 2009 - 19.30 h
@ Pilot Bar, Prague, Czech Republic
with Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross, ACME Poets' Union (feat. members of Once Upon A Time, Lunar Lounge), Jon Evans, Rany Tela, Conrad Adams & Chris Russell, Katerina Adams & Phil Shoenfelt, Giles Schumm, Baron Van Hustler, Dimitri Kucharzewski & Katerina Adams, Meadowstar, Sidi Santini & The Decadents, Secret 9 Beat, Constance Rudert, Carsten Klatte & Neil Black, Phil Shoenfelt & Lucie Reichrtova
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08.09.2009
The friends and family of Bruno Adams would like to thank everyone who took part in, or attended, the two tribute concerts that took place in Ebensee on August 29th and in Berlin on September 2nd, 2009. Also a big THANKYOU to the organisers of these two events (especially Tine Neumann, Phil Freeborn and Ollie Peters), and the club owners and managers who made them possible (thanks Konrad, thanks Tammy). We managed to collect quite a bit of money to help Katka with the funeral costs, so as well as throwing a damn good send-off party for Bruno, we actually achieved something practical. Again, thanks to everyone who gave their support in whatever way. The next tribute concert will be in Prague on 16/10/2009.
Phil Shoenfelt, Prague, 8/9/2009
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27.04.2009
Thanks to all of you who attended Bruno's funeral on Saturday in Berlin.
And thanks, too, to the hundreds of well-wishers who sent messages through the post, by phone and through My Space, but who couldn't be there in person.
It was a sad, but beautiful affair, a fitting send-off for a man whose big heart, warmth and musical talent affected so many people. And as someone who loved life and loved people, I am sure that Bruno would have been touched by the huge outpouring of love and affection that his passing occasioned.
I would just like to mention that there will be at least two tribute concerts in the coming weeks and months to celebrate Bruno's music and his life: one in Berlin and one in Prague.
There may be other concerts organised in other cities as well. As soon as we have any idea of the times, dates and venues, we will post this news on the Fatal Shore homepage and My Space sites.
Phil Shoenfelt
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18.04.2009
For those of you who don't already know, Fatal Shore singer and frontman Bruno Adams died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday morning, 18/4/2009. Bruno had been battling cancer for five years with all the strength and courage he could muster. But in the end time ran out, and he passed away at home in Berlin, surrounded by his family and close friends. Although in great physical pain, Bruno never once gave in to self-pity or despair. He loved his wife Katka and his three children with a depth of passion that never faltered, and in spite of his rapidly deteriorating condition, he managed to remain lucid and aware right up until the end. Bruno loved life and he loved people, and for him to be taken from us at such a young age is a tragedy that we will all suffer to come to terms with. The wonderful music he made will continue to inspire, and everyone whose life he touched (and there are many), will remember this unique and beautiful character with the deep love and respect that were the hallmark of Bruno's own attitude to life.
Bruno Adams: Born 02/09/1963, Bacchus Marsh, Australia. Died 18/04/2009 R.I.P. Berlin, Germany.
The date and time of Bruno's funeral has now been set, and all those wishing to pay their final respects are welcome to attend. The service will take place at 12 noon on Saturday 25th April at Kirchhof Alter Luisenstadt, Sudstern 8-12, Berlin 10961
Phil Shoenfelt, Prague, 18/04/2009
Update: Apparently there are several entrances to the cemetery. Please use the entrance on Südstern 8-12 (not Bergmannstr. 39-47) And after the funeral there will be an informal get-together in Hasenheide Park, a short distance from the cemetery. Any of Bruno's friends are welcome to come along and make a kind of picnic. Food and drinks will not be provided, so please bring your own refreshments. In the evening there will be an informal reception at the Trödler club in Kreuzberg, a favourite haunt of Bruno's. Again, all are welcome."
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Fatal Shore Preachin' Blues
