Tankard is the name of a speed/thrash-metal band from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1982. After losing their guitarist because of their image as a bunch of drunks, they moved on to issue their first record in 1986. From that point on, the band has continuously made songs and records in the same style they started out with - fast metal songs in honor of alcohol. Thus they claim to have invented a new genre called "alcoholic metal". Tankard are self-proclaimed "Kings of Beer" in honour of the folkloric character Gambrinus.

History

Tankard were formed in 1982 by three classmates, Andreas Geremia, Axel Katzmann and Frank Thorwarth. At the time, the band was known as Vortex and Avenger until the current name of Tankard was discovered by the band in a dictionary. Their first song written was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As the band were not permitted to drink alcohol in the school, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, band member Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and was replaced by Andy Bulgaropulos.

In 1984, Tankard signed to Noise Records after narrowly missing out on signing with Steamhammer during a gig where guitarist Andy Bulgaropulous made the mistake of wearing a blue sweatshirt with a deer on the front creating the wrong image and causing Steamhammer to retract their offer of a contract.

Line-up

Current line-up

• Andreas Geremia - vocals
• Andreas Gutjahr - guitar
• Frank Thorwarth - bass
• Olaf Zissel - drums

Past members

• Axel Katzmann - guitar (1982-1993)
• Bernhard Rapprich - guitar (1982-1983)
• Andy Bulgaropulos - guitar (1983-1999)
• Oliver Werner - drums (1982-1991)
• Arnulf Tunn - drums (1992-1994)

Discography

Studio Albums

Year of Release	Title	Label
1986	Zombie Attack	Noise Records
1987	Chemical Invasion	Noise Records
1988	The Morning After	Noise Records
1990	The Meaning of Life	Noise Records
1992	Stone Cold Sober	Noise Records
1994	Two Faced	Noise Records
1995	The Tankard	Noise Records
1998	Disco Destroyer	Century Media
2000	Kings of Beer	Century Media
2002	B-Day	AFM Records
2004	Beast of Bourbon	AFM Records
2006	The Beauty and the Beer	AFM Records
2007	Best Case Scenario (Best of-remakes)	AFM Records
2008	Thirst	AFM Records

DVDs

• Fat, Ugly And Still (A) Live (2005)

Other Releases

• Heavy Metal Vanguard (1984) - demo
• Alcoholic Metal (1985) - demo
• Alien (1989) - EP
• Hair of the Dog (1989) - compilation
• Open All Night (1990) - video
• Fat, Ugly and Live (1991) - live album

External links

• Official Tankard site
• Webpage on BNR Metal, discography with album covers