Guru Guru: Tongue-in-cheek reference to the Beatles

«We`re not cosmic rock, we`re comic rock» said Mani Neumeier from the band Guru Guru in 1973. On the bands newest offering 50 Years – Rotate! Neumeier plays drums,  percussion, kalimba, kaossilator Synth, and also sings. Roland Schaeffer plays guitar, Indian guitar, saxophone, nadaswaram, bawn flute and sings. The two mentioned musicians contribute to Guru Guru`s exciting and exotic sound and very creative music. 50 Years – Rotate! Is the bands twenty-second release and celebrate Guru Guru`s 50 years anniversary.

Many music lovers would possible not believed that Mani Neumeier and his Guru Guru still rank among Germany’s most active and prolific rock bands. They take a serious mistake indeed! The band were founded in 1968, the year of the student’s revolt in Germany, Guru Guru has reached their 50th anniversary and still maintains their innovative spirit. Where many a musician made it big as a one-hit-wonder just to fade into oblivion soon after, Guru Guru carved their way outside the mainstream and short lived trends by blending experimental rock, avant-garde, jazz and world music into an unique, original form of rock ‘n’ roll.

A free form jazz mentality, avoiding musical clichés and commercialism, has always characterized the music and philosophies of German freak `n roll band Guru Guru who have categorically occupied their own special stage within the realms of modern music. From it`s LSD induced origins in the late `60s to it`s present day configuration which still rocks and grooves with intensity, countless personnel changes have occurred making it more of a succession of musical ventures and concepts under the moniker Guru Guru, which came about as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Beatles and their guru worshipping of the late `60s.

Guru Guru were one of the first bands to become associated with the German Krautrock movement from that era along with bands such as Xhol, Amon Düül II,  Caravan, and Can. However, the band was not partial to the absurd stereo-typing and preferred the terms acid space or simply, acid rock which better described their loud, trippy, improvisational music.

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