Michael Koch of The LenneBrothers Band on their new live album, the Rockabilly scene and Ireland

It's been 35 years since the Lennerockers hit the Rockabilly scene, celebrating success not only in Germany but across Europe. They split up in 2016 but two of the founding members, Michael and Stefan Koch, soon got together again to form the LenneBrothers Band.

On September 27, the band released their third album Rocking Live Around the Fire Station. It's a live record that not only includes their newest song 'Rock Around The Fire Station', but also some Rockabilly classics. "The album is a mixture of songs from the last two records, a few tracks from the Lennerockers era and some cover songs", Michael Koch explains, "it encapsulates what happens when we're on stage". Indeed, as Jackie Hayden asserts in his album review, "If you want a dose of rock'n'roll played with lots of original spirit, come right on in. Bring your dancing shoes."

For Michael Koch, the fascination for Rockabilly and Rock'n'Roll music started when he was 13. "I listened to 'Rockabilly Rebel' by Matchbox and I was like, 'Woah, that's it'", he recalls, "Then I discovered '50s legends like Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Elvis and all the artists from the time when Matchbox hit the charts, Shakin Stevens, Stray Cats. All these inspired me to found my own band".

With that, he entered a very special scene, and it became about more than just music for him. "It's a lifestyle. It begins with driving old cars, you listen to this specific kind of music, dance to this music, dress up like they did in the '50s. I just feel very comfortable in that scene."

Now, 35 years later, Koch is a Rockabilly legend in his own right. The Lennerockers' biggest hits, like 'High Class Lady' and 'Boogie Woogie Queen', are beloved by members of the scene all over Europe. Their legend status was solidified by their entry into the Guinness World Records book in 2003. They did 'The Highest Live-Show' in history on a plane to Mallorca, flying over 11,948.16 metres in the air.

Looking back, not everything was smooth sailing, however. In 2016, the band decided to call it quits. "Working together got difficult", Koch says, hinting at a rough ending to an over 30-year long career. In a new formation, The LenneBrothers Band have re-established themselves on the Rockabilly scene and are now trying to break new grounds. Their next goal, according to Michael, is Ireland. The musician will visit the country in a few weeks as part of a family vacation to test the water: "We want to explore Ireland and dabble in the music scene to see what's going on and what's possible for us as a band". With a music scene as welcoming as the Irish one, it wouldn't surprise if the LenneBrothers Band's German Rockabilly charm will catch on here as well...

Check out lennebrothersband.de for more information.