KROKUS Gives Back To The Less Fortunate

As part of the "Rockin' Christmas Festival" series, Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS performed last Friday in Bern, Switzerland.

Looking back at a very successful year for the band and this year's concert finale weekend — in the spirit of the season — KROKUS wanted to give back something to the less fortunate and the ones that need our support the most: The children of the world.

This year, Switzerland's "Jeder Rappen Zählt" (English translation:"Every Cent Counts") is collecting money to benefit children who are the victims of war and conflict. This multimedia concept goes out live on radio, TV and online, 24 hours a day for six days.

The idea is as great as it is simple: three presenters live together in a glass box constructed in the square in front of the Swiss federal parliament building in Bern. They welcome celebrity visitors, and collect money for a good cause. Donations are generated by a whole variety of initiatives.

Commented KROKUS bassist Chris Von Rohr: "The suffering of millions of kids on this planet (every day more than 50,000 deaths due to hunger and sickness) is ultimately a failure on our part! Children are our future and all of us have a responsibility to come up with ways to help and support more than ever the ones that are incapable of helping themselves, the weakest of this world — each one of us in their own unique way!"

Prior to the concert, Chris Von Rohr visited the "glass box" and donated on behalf of KROKUS a genuine "Hoodoo" platinum record award (the same one that the bandmembers were presented with last May) that was auctioned off for a good cause in support of kids in Africa.

Added Chris Von Rohr: "We would like to take this opportunity and thank all of you that made this an unbelievable year for KROKUS — your loyalty and your heartfelt support are much appreciated! KROKUS wish you a graceful, peaceful and happy holiday celebration — a wham baba luba bam boom!"

"Hoodoo", the new album from KROKUS, was certified platinum in the band's home country for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. Sony Music presented the bandmembers with their gold and platinum plaques prior to the first concert of the "Hoodoo Tour" on April 30 in Zuchwil.

"Hoodoo", which entered the Swiss chart at No. 1 in its first week of release, was made available in the U.S. on May 25 via SonyMusic Independent Network (SIN). The CD was produced by bassist and founding member Chris Von Rohr and was recorded by Dennis Ward (who previously worked on KROKUS' "Hellraiser" album) at House of Music Studios in Winterbach, Germany, with additional recordings at Pink Bild and Ton (engineered by ex-KROKUS member Jürg Naegeli) in Solothurn, Switzerland and Henson Studios, Los Angeles. Photography, artwork and graphic design was handled by Martin Häusler.

Partnered with Ariola and Arista, KROKUS became an international success and ran up the charts with their hit albums "Metal Rendez-Vous" (1980),"Hardware" (1981),"One Vice At A Time" (1982),"Headhunter" (1983),"The Blitz" (1984) and "Change Of Address" (1986).