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Tokio Hotel - Humanoid
 
Tokio Hotel

Bill Kaulitz (vocals)
Tom Kaulitz (guitar)
Georg Listing (bass)
Gustav Schafer (drums)

No one in the world is more prepared to bask in the glow of American rock stardom than the members of Tokio Hotel. Humanoid is only their second U.S. release, the follow up to 2008's Scream, but to millions of fans across the globe, they're already icons.

"Things are just starting for us in the US," says Bill Kaulitz, the band's front man, the leader of a worldwide army of black leather- and eyeliner-clad devotees. "What we’ve already experienced has been just great, and we’re looking forward to it starting again."

The biggest act to come out of Germany in 20 years, Tokio Hotel has gone 10x platinum, scored four No. 1 singles and sold out arenas and stadiums across Europe. They scored a Best New Artist VMA from MTV in 2008.

Their rocket to success launched in 2001 when Bill and his twin brother Tom -- the band's hip-hop-tinged, dreadlocked guitarist -- formed the band along with bassist Georg Listing, now 22, and drummer Gustav Schafer, now 21. They started at age 10 performing for small crowds around their hometown, Magdeburg, a salt-mining village that was formerly part of East Germany.

Growing up in one of the most dismal parts of Germany, Bill and Tom were different from their classmates, almost alien. They were the underdogs. The twins knew that they had to break out of there.

Tom had started fooling around with a guitar at age 7 and at 13 together with an already spiky-haired Bill, they caught the attention of some of Europe's best-known producers (including Humanoid producer David Jost) and solidified their heartfelt pop-rock formula.

Originally called Devlish, they changed their name before releasing their first German-language record, Schrei (Scream in English). By 2005, they embarked on what would be the most successful debut tour of Germany by a new artist. In 2007, they released their second German record, Zimmer 483 (Room 483 in English), and were selling out monster European arena shows in minutes.

Like wildfire, the band gained the attention of an entire generation. In France, the group's popularity exploded. They went from playing small club gigs for 500 to performing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a crowd of 500,000 screaming fans phonetically belting out the words to Tokio Hotel's German hits. Soon after they made a history by becoming the first German band to score a #1 hit on the Israeli radio charts.

In 2008, after a grueling 43 shows, Bill endured surgery for cysts on his vocal cords but was back on the road performing around the world within two months, shortly after Scream was released for the first time in the U.S. in 2008.

Humanoid is packed with much of the same emotion that has connected with multitudes of young fans. And in this age of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, the record is full of opportunities for audience participation.

The first single, "Automatic" is a metallic anthem with layered, buzzing guitars, stomping percussion, and a falsetto chorus made to be belted out by a stadium full of people. "World Behind My Wall" redefines the power ballad with depth, introspection, musical confidence and an irresistible sing-along chorus.

While recording this time around, though, the band was in its most experimental phase to date. They tracked songs in Hamburg, Miami, and L.A. "Bill drove us all crazy, constantly coming in with things, even though the old songs weren’t finished yet," says Tom, who's fond of frequently ribbing his brother. "Apart from that, we just didn’t limit ourselves, and we used new instruments."

There are more electronic sounds on Humanoid. The first single "Automatic" explores the relationships between every day emotions and every day conveniences.

"How many things happen automatically every day?" Bill asks. "The door opens and closes automatically, shifting gears in a car; a camera lens -- all of those are always positive things, but when the mechanical quality of the automatic meets human things like love, then suddenly it becomes extremely negative. Love has to be spontaneous and genuine, never automatic and cold."

Along with the new sounds, new subjects, new live show, and even Bill's new style, longtime fans will still find the constant connection to Tokio Hotel's raw honesty and emotion.

"We love our fans because they are the loudest of all and do such crazy things," Bill says. "They always support us, no matter what has happened, and a lot has happened."

Here's the Exclusive First listen to "Automatic."

Behind the Scenes of Tokio Hotel's "Automatic" Video
News:
Tokio Hotel have just premiered the highly anticipated video for "World Behind My Wall." Head over to the homepage of TokioHotel.com now to be one of the first to see the brand new clip directed by Daniel Wolfe (Duffy, Take That). "World Behind My Wall," the powerful new single from Tokio Hotel, appears on their sc-fi themed album Humanoid which is available on iTunes now.

Check out a brand new episode of Tokio Hotel TV in New York City. Watch the clip to see behind-the-scenes footage from the band's performance on MTV's It's On With Alexa Chung and learn more about what went on backstage. In true Tokio Hotel fashion, the guys face hoards of screaming girls as they make their way through the city. Bill and Tom also share their thoughts on having to eat fast food on the road while trying to be vegetarians.

Curious about what Bill, Tom, Georg and Gustav think of each other? Check out their recent interview with Teen.com to find out who is the funniest, messiest, most outgoing, most girl crazy and best dressed band member.

Listen now to "World Behind My Wall":
Tokio Hotel took home the "Best Group" award at the MTV European Music Awards in Berlin last night beating out the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Jonas Brothers, Kings of Leon and Green Day. Bill, Tom, Georg and Gustav also rocked an epic performance of their international single "World Behind My Wall" complete with insane pyro and explosive stage effects. The track appears on the recently released Humanoid which is available now .

Tokio Hotel sat down with The Myspace Music Feed to talk about their new album Humanoid. Tune in to the 3:20 mark to find out the band's thoughts on the American music scene, their dedicated fans and what it was like playing small venues in the US after rocking massive arena shows in Europe.
Check out a new behind-the-scenes video of Tokio Hotel in South Africa. Bill, Tom, Georg and Gustav battle freezing temperatures with a broken heater and no warm water. After much complaining from Tom throughout the clip, Bill and Georg lighten the mood with a dance off.

Tokio Hotel have just premiered the video for "Automatic!" Head over to TokioHotel.com today to check out the sci-fi themed video shot in the South African desert.



 
 

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Pop Culture Madness is your one-stop information location for Popular Culture, Popular Music, Trivia, Jokes and a bunch of other stuff! We update our Pop Culture News daily and our Pop Music section has hundreds of pages featuring the best and worst songs of all time. Our aim is to maintain a family-friendly, "PG" site. We have no swearing and no gory stuff, although some humor may need a creative explanation for younger visitors.
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Our motto: "All The Pop Culture News That Fits, We Print!" We are adding more information daily. Well, semi-regularly. If you don't see a link for what you're looking for, then it's your responsibility to write something up, and send it in. WE NEED WRITERS!!!

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