Dominik Blum (Hammond organ), Marino Pliakas (electric bass) and Lucas Niggli (drums) founded Steamboat Switzerland in 1996 because they were looking for a vehicle for their versatility. Dominik Blum had a degree in piano and Marino Pliakas in classical guitar, but they felt a certain vacuum. At the time, grunge made them realize what they were missing in new music: the physicality of rock'n'roll. In addition, all three musicians had developed a fascination for improvised music.

Another key feature of Steamboat Switzerland emerged during the first sessions: the band specializes in interpreting external compositions and interspersing them with exciting improvised passages. According to Lucas Niggli, there is a simple reason why the three highly musical members do not write the composed parts themselves: "We can't reach the level of composers who write pieces especially for us."

This is also reflected on the new album Time cry clearly. The pieces were written by Michael Wertmüller, who has already been commissioned by the band four times. As the drummer of Peter Brötzmann's band Full Blast, in which Marino Pliakas also plays, he knows the playing skills of the three musicians very well and can therefore create tailor-made compositions. These are strictly classical and meticulously notated, as a glance at the sheet music shows. And in their complexity - especially rhythmically - they push the limits of what can be played, as Marino Pliakas confirms. But the trio masters the challenges with breathtaking precision and burning intensity.

Steamboat Switzerland
(Dominik Blum, Marino Pliakas, Lucas Niggli):
Time cry.
Compositions by Michael Wertmüller.
Comfort records tr117