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Jungle Tigers originally were founded in 1989 in Germany by musicians from Frankfurt/M. and Berlin. Martin “Space” Pfeffer, lead-guitar and Stefan “Jungle Jack” Webert, d-bass, knew each other for quite a while. They met each other at international R&R Festivals. Being friends of the rock & roll rhythems, they soon began to jam together. After a while they decided that there had to be more than just jam-sessions: They wanted to form a band…!!
“Jungle Jack” called a drummer named Frank “Billy” Mühlbach. “Billy” got in touch with Christian “Kaan” Auer, singer and rhythm guitarist, who had played with him before in a band called “DOWN TOWN REBELS”. ”Kaan” checked out the programm and musical concept of the band Rock & Roll with a „Jungle“ /“Mambo“ beat, a sound that had been fascinating him scince a very long time.. To the cool beat, a cool name had to be born.“JUNGLE TIGERS”.
The band started to rehearse wild R&R Songs (like „Chicken Walk“ from Hasil Adkins), Classics (like „Train Kept a rollin“ from Johnny Burnette), and „Jungle“ Songs (like „Jungle Rock“ from Hank Mizell, or „Tiger Man“ from Rufus Thomas).
In February 1989 the 4-man band played their first gig, but the sun was not shining very long for this first Line-Up: After only 2 gigs the bands drummer “Billy” went separate ways regarding personal disagreements. “Billy” later was a founding member of a Desperate Rock’n’Roll /Surf Band named „Aloha from Hell“. Nowadays he’s playing in the R&R band called the “Maniacs”.
Thanks to ”Kaan” and “Jungle Jack” ability to play more than one instrument, the band found quickly a solution: “Kaan” changed rhythmguitar to the slapbass, “Jungle Jack” changed from slapbass to the drums.
The new Line Up, now as a trio, soon hit the target: They soon had a small but hardcore following in the R&R scene, mostly around their hometowns Frankfurt and Berlin. Gigs in Italy, were also on the bill.
In June 1989 the „Tigers“ went into a studio for the first time and recorded a demo, which unfortunately never came out as a release on a label until today: Several R&R and independent labels showed big interest in the recordings, but finally they weren’t offering deals the band was totally satisfied with.
On stage and musically the 3 band-members were working together perfectly, but their strong and different characters made it difficult to keep the trio going. The problems became so big, that the group finally disbanded in November 1990.
“Space” and “Jungl Jack “soon founded a Fun-Surf Combo called the „SPACE HOBOS“, which is nowadays a very well known „Party“-Band.
“Kaan” started founding and tingeling in various R&R bands such as: TOWN REBELS, ROCKIN STOMPERS, SPEED CATS, , ROCKIN BARRACUDAS and JUMPBACK - until he moved to Barcelona, Spain in 1996.
Although he moved to Spain, the contact between him and a friend named Bernd Holzapfel, singer and rhythm guitarist, from Darmstadt who played in bands such as:-RAWHIDE, CRUSADERS, DOUBLE SIX and the ROCKRUNNERS, never broke down.
Most of the time while in Barcelona, “Bernd” was acompanied by his good friend “Stefan Pfeifer ” drummer from Essen, Germany, who played in bands such as: BADLAND SLINGERS, TON UP ROCKERS, LOU CIFER & THE HELLIONS, WILDCATS. They always called “Kaan” for some good boozing around town.
So it didn´t take very long that after a good booze, the three guys had the idea to reform the „JUNGLE TIGERS“ as a Project-Band.
They asked Carlos A. del Bosque from Valladolid spain, lead-guitarist, who played in Bands such as LONELY CATS, ROLLIN MILES and ANABEL & THE ROCK-A-BELLS to join the project. Stefan and Bernd knew Carlos for quite a while.
The songs were checked out, put on a CD (one copy for each musician), and finally given to each bandmember to prepare the songs alone at home.
3 months later the “JUNGLE TIGERS ” were re-born:
In April 2002 the band played ist first two gigs in Barcelona and on the 8.ROCKIN RACE FESTIVAL from the „Rockin Race Clubs“ in Malaga (sharing the stage with bands like CRAZY CAVAN (UK), TIN STARS (NL), LITTLE BOY ARNOLD & HIS WESTERN OAKIES (E) ).
Both shows were recorded by the band itself . Some of the tracks you can find on the official Demo CD 2002.
From these recordings one song appeared in early 2003 on the Vinyl-EP of the german R&R “DYNAMITE” Magazine (included for free in the magazine): A Live version from the Malaga Gig of the classic „20 Flight Rock“.
In November 2003, another track from this live recording session was been published: “Brandnew Cadillac” on the Japanese CD Compilations “Teds & Rockers”.
At the „3.ROCK & ROLL HEAVEN FESTIVAL“ in Calella (Barcelona), Spain, the band shared the bill with big names like IAIN TERRY BAND (UK; ex-Matchbox, Shotgun Guitarist) and FREDDIE FINGERS LEE (UK)....!!!!!! And the Tigers really were rocking the place… ..although being the 1st band of the night, many visitor agreed that the TIGERS had been one of the best shows that night.!!
Also a little local success took place in November 2002: The Live-Coverversion (also recorded in Malaga) of the band from the classic BRANDNEW CADILLAC by Vince Taylor was played in RADIO DARMSTADT (RADAR). The reactions were very positive, so that the Radio Station decided to do a longer “Special Interview” (including more songs) with the band in September 2003: A long interview was held, various tracks have been played….!! Also some recordings of the band are in the pipeline at the homerecording „JUNGLE BEAT RECORDING STUDIO and the “FUGU INTERNATIONAL MUSIC STUDIO “ at the moment, which will hopefully be released in the summer of 2005 as a Vinyl-Ep and /or a Mini-CD. Various labels have been showing their interests….!: And there are more Highlights coming up in 2005 soon
The new JUNGLE TIGERS had been a project band for almost 3 years, playing without rehersing and having lots of successful concerts in many different countries. Now it was time for some new ideas.
End 2004 a new band member “Pep” saxophone, gave the JUNGLE TIGERS a new fresh breeze. New plans were created to give the band a new touch with new hot mambo songs. Another good thing was that all band members now all live in the same country, Spain. Still 400 Km from each other, but much better than before.
Now that the bandmembers all live in the same country, it would be easier to get together and try some new things. Unfortnately our lead-guitarrist Carlos A. del Bosque, being member at the same time of other bands could not dedicate as much time as we needed to continue our ideas. We whish Carlos all the best for his Rock & Roll future.
2007 was a critical point in the history of the TIGERS. Due to the loss of lead guitarist Carlos, new ideas and a new formation were required. Solution was that Chris switched from slap-bass to the lead-guitar, Bernd from the rhythm guitar to the e-bass. Little later allmost all band members, due to different reasons, went back to Germany. Once again, spread out all over the country. Band member Pep stayed with his roots in spain and remains a passive member of the TIGERS. After a 1/2 Year brake, once more a new formation and new band member came on board: “ Def ”, bass / double bass player who played in various bands like “Rock And Roll Trio” and several other Blues Bands. Member Bernd switched back to rythm guitar. Scince then and up to now 2009, the band was blessed with a steady formation and the “kick ass” power has returned within the Band.
2011 we are once again looking for a new member. Interested? Just send us a mail!!
Not to forget is our latest “undercover” Band member “Alicia the Rarest” which is responsible for all the awesome cover work on POSTERS, PROMOTION CARDS, CD, SINGLES, and LP´s. Soon there will be new merchandise always to be purchased at their one of a kind GIGS.
JUNGLE TIGERS is a band founded by experienced musicians who alltogether have more than 40 years of Live-Experiences „on their backs“, so check them out THESE BOYS ROCK & ROLL LIKE HELL…..!!!
Please folks: Where ever you are, who ever you are – always remember:
GIRLS, PUT ON YOUR VOODOO SKIRTS, GUYS, SLIP IN YOUR ALLIGATOR SHOES, TO……ROAR WITH THE TIGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
© 04 - 2011 by J.T.
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January-February 1989
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March 1989 - November 1990
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March 2002 - October 2004
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- Original formation -
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- Second formation -
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- Third formation -
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Chris Auer “Kaan” vocals / guitar
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Chris Auer “Kaan” vocals / guitar
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Chris Auer “Kaan” vocals / d-bass
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Martin "Space" Pfeffer lead-guitar
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Martin "Space" Pfeffer lead-guitars
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Stefan Pfeifer drums
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Stefan Webert “Jungle Jack”d-bass
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Stefan Webert “Jungle Jack” drums
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Bernd Holzapfel vocals / guitar
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Frank "Billy" Mühlbach dums
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Carlos A.del Bosque lead-guitar
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January 2005 ->
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-Forth formation -
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Chris Auer “Kaan”,”Fugu” vocals / d-bass
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Stefan Pfeifer “Godzilla” drums
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Bernd Holzapfel vocals / guitar
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”Pep” Ferrera saxofone / harp
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January 2006 - August 2007>
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-Fifth formation -
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Chris Auer “Kaan” vocals / lead-guitar
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Stefan Pfeifer “Godzilla” drums
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Bernd Holzapfel vocals / e-bass
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”Pep” Ferrera saxofone / harp
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