Timo, are you accessible ?

[jif26]

By that I mean, during tours, are you accessible to the fans ?

I'm in Montreal, hopefully, that tour date will get confirmed. Anyhow, if somebody knocks on your door backstage, do you want to talk to them ?

Once, Helloween came here, I had arranged a meeting with Weiki backstage and when I knocked on the door, the rest of the band was there (except the one I wanted to see) and they rejected me like an ass. Not a good experience. I was modest.

So, how are you on tour ?

[TimoTolkki]

By that I mean, during tours, are you accessible to the fans ?

I'm in Montreal, hopefully, that tour date will get confirmed. Anyhow, if somebody knocks on your door backstage, do you want to talk to them ?

Once, Helloween came here, I had arranged a meeting with Weiki backstage and when I knocked on the door, the rest of the band was there (except the one I wanted to see) and they rejected me like an ass. Not a good experience. I was modest.

So, how are you on tour ?

I am, but it really depends on many things.
I talk with people, I feel it that it is an obligation to do for a musician.
We would not exist without our fans.
Sometimes things are very chaotic though, for example 200 people come to you and everyone want a piece of you. Then it is better to do it in a more controlled environment. We musicians are just human beings as well you know, and we have feelings too
You might catch me walking in the city, by the bus, at the venue, if you have a pass..at a backstage. I would talk with you yes. I would not reject you.
But of course there are boundaries. 1 hour before the show and about 45 minutes after the show are what we call "sacred territory". Then it would be very difficult to communicate with any of us.
See you

[Latuman]

Good thread! Good to know this. As of yet only Alexi Laiho walked past me... I'm too shy to start talking about anything, I guess if you have a meeting or you need to be somewhere, you probably wont stop talking too much (I wouldn't), but as long as the musician is polite, its not a problem.

[Equinox]

You might catch me walking in the city, by the bus, at the venue,

Aww, it would be nice to see you walking in the Bronx when u come to NY this September, or on a ATM bus! oh shoot, I'll be in the street the whole month. . . . . . .Take care Mr. Tolkki!

[browneyedgirl]

Some fans are just lucky, I guess!
That is why autograph&signing sessions are held, so more fans get to meet the bandmembers.

[Wanderer]

It would be great to be such a lucky guy! What a dream come true,"Timo Tolkki, I suppose?"

[htcdude]

Some fans are just lucky, I guess!
That is why autograph&signing sessions are held, so more fans get to meet the bandmembers.

Yeah but in London we get bands like Feeder and Daniel Bedingfield...no power metal

[Tanaya]

When I was on first Strato gig (Salzburg, Visions tour with Elegy) I talked to Tolkki for about an hour after the gig. We were both completely drunk and some nice and interesting topics came up I also met Elegy keyboard and guitar players in the shop downtown and they were the nicest guys. My opening line was:"Is there any possibility for you to be Elegy guitar player?" And Henrik (I believe that is his name) said."Yes, a big one!"
I have pretty positive experiences with Strato guys. Kotipelto and Kainulainen being the most reserved and Johansson being most open. I am sure he doesn't remember but he GAVE me his Destiny sweat shirt when me and my friend drove over 500 km to come to Salzburg just to realize gig (with Angra) was cancelled because of Kotipelto's throat problems. We drank ourselves almost to death in a bar in Rockhouse (gig venue). And Angra guys gave us 4 free tickets for rescheduled gig!
And when we came to rescheduled gig I gave Jens homemade Schnapss before the gig and he disappeared backstage with the bottle and reappear like an hour later completely drunk!
Anyway, there are no big superstars in prog/power scene so egos are not that big. I managed to talk to Edguy, Strato, Angra, Elegy, Nightwish members and there were no problems whatsoever. Just say hello, itroduce yourself and everythig will be OK!

[browneyedgirl]

LOL! I don't believe its THAT easy to meet the guys! I live in the real world. I know it depends on lots of other things!
I'm not gonna elaborate--I don't have to.

I have heard of people getting turned away&rejected by bands, so I do not believe its so easy to see mid-big named bands like Strato, etc. Not for the AVERAGE person. Like I say, I live in the REAL world.

[Tanaya]

Hey, BED, you do not have to believe my story, but I do not see a point in sending a story like this unless it was true. I mean, it is really no such a big deal. I even suceed to meet and talk to Scott Columbus from Manowar and they are notorius for being assholes in case of unscheduled shit like this.

[browneyedgirl]

I just heard from USA conct goers its really tough to see bands---maybe things are different in Europe, but in USA there are 6'6" Security guards specially hired to keep fans away from bands! In light of Dimebag, I think thats a good idea! But, maybe things are more laid back in Europe.

[NeonVomit]

After what happened to Dimebag it's pretty much impossible to go stagediving here. Fair enough I guess.

[Jasmine6666]

When I was on first Strato gig (Salzburg, Visions tour with Elegy) I talked to Tolkki for about an hour after the gig. We were both completely drunk and some nice and interesting topics came up I have pretty positive experiences with Strato guys. Kotipelto and Kainulainen being the most reserved and Johansson being most open. I am sure he doesn't remember but he GAVE me his Destiny sweat shirt when me and my friend drove over 500 km to come to Salzburg just to realize gig (with Angra) was cancelled because of Kotipelto's throat problems.

Wowwwwwww they sound like really cool guys!! Thanks for the heads up!! :luv1: :luv3: :luv1: :luv3: :luv1: :luv3: :luv1: :luv3:

[Slayer]

Is there any possibility to get such an backstage pass?

All the best,
Slaeyer

[Electric Eye]

There is one inaccuracy in Tanaya story: How Jens could give her a Destiny shirt during Visions tour ?

[Slayer]

When I'm right, it wasn't visions tour when he gave her the destiny shirt.
It was later on the next Stratogig in salzburg...

All the best,
Slaeyer

[Electric Eye]

probably yes, but it's written like it all was connected with one show (first mentioned)

[Porter]

I give Timo mad props just for posting on his message board. That's a rare thing among musicians and as accessible as musicians get these days.

[browneyedgirl]

Is there any possibility to get such an backstage pass?

All the best,
Slaeyer

Truthfully--yes--if you are a breathtaking beautiful woman! And I'd bet my life Tanaya is exactly that, as classed/judged by males. I'm not talking groupies, I am talking about people with the looks of Pam Anderson, Meg Ryan, Catherine Zeta-Jones, etc. You get the Pic. Fanship does not really matter, per se, but, thats the shallow male-dominated world for ya---life is not fair. Thats how it is in USA&I assume in Europe shows, too.
@Jasmine6666, just go braless&wear a low-cut blouse, you'll get backstage, don't worry, honey. The guys all saw your Pics--don't be surprised if you get a very friendly E-Mail or PM a few days before the concert!

Ahem--In all seriousness, I think things are done differently because in USA even mid-weight bands command up to 5,000 people(big bands-much over) and there is no way a band can cater to fans in numbers like this. Just getting tickets to a big show is lucky enough for most folks I guess because they sell out fast!
BTW, I'm NOT a cynical person---just realistic---that way I do not get disappointed!

[Dawn_is_Here]

Is there any possibility to get such an backstage pass?

All the best,
Slaeyer

Truthfully--yes--if you are a breathtaking beautiful woman! ... Fanship does not really matter, per se...

Well, I can tell that, at least for 2 of the Stratoguys ('cause I haven't met the others yet), it doesn't work like that. And I'm proud of them

Sometimes, radio stations or sponsors make contests to win backstages passes, or some people are lucky enough to "know a guy who knows a guy who knows somebody related to the show" and that way you can get some passes too, but as far as I've seen, and I can say it specifically about Kotipelto w/ Johansson Southamerican tour, true "fanship" was enough.

[Cristiane]

Well, I can tell that, at least for 2 of the Stratoguys ('cause I haven't met the others yet), it doesn't work like that. And I'm proud of them

Sometimes, radio stations or sponsors make contests to win backstages passes, or some people are lucky enough to "know a guy who knows a guy who knows somebody related to the show" and that way you can get some passes too, but as far as I've seen, and I can say it specifically about Kotipelto w/ Johansson Southamerican tour, true "fanship" was enough.

yep, Dawn is absolutely right
I'm not an astonishing beautiful woman neither a groupie and got the pass for the same reason: my "fanship" was enough".

[BlackPhoenix]

I think, when you realy want to meet them, and talk to them for some time, you have to go to a small festival. Tha'ts the thing I did. They were in Netherlands last DauwpopFestival(about 5,000 people). I was there and I was realy lucky to get a talk to a cd-seller on the festival. I told him about me being a fan of Stratovarius, so he told me: 'give me your phone-number and I see if I can get you backstage". So a litle later he called and said to come to him after the show. I did and he took me backstage to the band. It was realy awesome!! Guys, thnx for signing my flag and drumsticks!!

[Just a Vampire]

that's cool
I want to meet the Strato guys, but they dont come to Colombia since a good time ago. please come here, please! besides, is a lil' hard because here in the concerts are a lot of police and other guys that don't let you go to the backstage the only way you can be with the musicians is in private concerts, and the tickets for that are expensive. but sometimes, you get a fluke and can go to a private, or the backstage.
Here, in Colombia, meet the musicians is a real fluke. I hope, when Stratovarius come, be one of the lucky people who meet them.

[Patricia]

@Dawn, you're absolutely right!

Btw, i've met 3 of them last years, and they're cool guys.

[browneyedgirl]

Well, if true "fanship" is what counts, then I am a shoo-in!
I have to say all those things to protect my ego, in case I can't go!
Then, I will not be disappointed----I can say, "Well, I knew thats how it is!"

Now, I have some hope at least!

[Jasmine6666]

Fanship does not really matter, per se, but, thats the shallow male-dominated world for ya---life is not fair. Thats how it is in USA&I assume in Europe shows, too. @Jasmine6666, just go braless&wear a low-cut blouse, you'll get backstage, don't worry, honey. The guys all saw your Pics--don't be surprised if you get a very friendly E-Mail or PM a few days before the concert! BTW, I'm NOT a cynical person---just realistic---that way I do not get disappointed!

Life is very fair and don't worry fanship does matter... and I can be a good fan, too! I simply love the music and I am very philosophical, really into deep spiritual conversations and such Yep, I already have a feeling I might hook up with one or a few of the guys

[browneyedgirl]

I knew you would.
I know men&the politics of relationships. Plus, the Pics did not hurt, did they?
Maybe I should post some Pics of my own&maybe I'd have a snowball's chance of meeting them, too! Now I see the light---as if I did not know it before.
My fanship is all a joke to everybody--we will see about that.

And I KNOW where the philosophical discussions you'd have will take place. Society&men are all alike.

EDIT: I bet I know Who will be the Stratovarius welcoming committee in California&who will get a backstage pass, etc.Who will get to swim in the Ocean with them! Because I know things others don't. And her PIC did help!
But, he's right---everything in life is temporary anyway. The main thing is, I am AWAKE&AWARE!

Philosophical discussions. Under Satin, or Silk?

[Tanaya]

Well, well, I am actually male and not breathtaking looking female. Tanaya is just my forum name and is actually my older daughter's name!!!!
And yes, conversation with Tolkki took place after Visions tour gig (with Elegy), and sweat shirt story took place during heavy drinking in a bar when Strato/Angra Destiny tour gig was cancelled.
And..it is a fact that Strato was much smaller band back then. If I remember right, there were like 150-200 people on Visions gig and around 400-500 on Destiny one, so yes, it was much easier to get in contact with band members.
And while I am here, I would like to recommend to Strato fans some really good music. Get first three Elegy (mentioned above) albums, Labyrinth of Dreams, Supremacy and Lost. It is power metal with heavy prog influences. Crazy musicianship and unbelievable singer. Try it and you won't regret it!!!

[Natas]

Well, well, I am actually male and not breathtaking looking female.

Hahahahaha you made my day!

[NeonVomit]

You read too much into things BEG. Just relax and enjoy life best you can. At the end of the day, that's all you can really do.