With over three decades of hard-hitting rock under their belts, Swiss legends Gotthard have long earned their place among the greats of European rock. Known for their melodic power, anthemic choruses, and unwavering dedication to their craft, the band continues to evolve while staying true to their roots.

Their latest album, Stereo Crush, blends classic Gotthard energy with a fresh edge – a record that feels both familiar and excitingly current. We caught up with guitarist Freddy Scherer ahead of a sold-out show at Munich’s iconic Circus Krone to talk about the making of the album, the band’s views on artificial intelligence, life on the road, and why Devil in the Moonlight might just hit harder than your favorite cocktail.

First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us.

Freddy Scherer: You’re very welcome.

Your new album just came out and is being described as a strong mix of your classic sound with modern elements. How did you manage to strike that balance without alienating longtime fans?

Freddy Scherer: Honestly, we don’t usually start with a master plan. We just begin writing and see where it takes us. Once we have around 20 songs, we take a step back and check: Do we have enough heavy tracks? Is something missing? That’s when we adjust.

The production phase is where we really start to think about direction. As for songwriting itself – it’s hard to write something specific on command. We just write what comes naturally. Every album is like a snapshot of where we are as a band at that moment.
 

So the process is intuitive?

Freddy Scherer: Exactly. You’re influenced by everything you’re going through at the time. You can’t always explain where the ideas come from – they just show up.

If Stereo Crush were a cocktail, what would be in it – and which song would get you “drunk” the fastest?

Freddy Scherer: I’d say it’s a fruity margarita. And the one that disappears fastest in the dark? Probably Devil in the Moonlight.

You also included a cover – Drive My Car. How did that come about, and how did you make it fit with the rest of the album?

Freddy Scherer: That started with a car brand that sponsored us a couple of years ago. They asked if we could create a song for them. At first, we thought about writing something new, but then someone brought up Drive My Car – perfect fit, right?

So we recorded it. But later, they actually decided they’d prefer one of our own songs and went with Lift You Up, which we slightly rewrote for them. That left Drive My Car just sitting around – and eventually, we felt it deserved a spot on the album.

With AI on the record, you’re also tackling a very current topic. What’s your take on artificial intelligence? And how do you think it affects creativity – especially in fields like music journalism or songwriting?

Freddy Scherer: That’s a big one. We’d need a three-hour interview to go through it all. But in short: we’ve used AI once or twice – like when you’re stuck on a word and just want suggestions after half an hour of brainstorming.

But in total, maybe three out of 1,500 words came from AI. It’s negligible. We’re old school. We write everything ourselves, record everything ourselves, and use analog instruments. That’s just who Gotthard is.

For electronic acts, it might make more sense. As for society at large – well, it’s a bit like the arrival of the first computers. We’ll see where it goes. We’re not scared, but it’ll definitely change some job markets.

So there are concerns, especially in creative fields?

Freddy Scherer: Sure. Translators, photographers, maybe even architects – some professions will definitely feel the impact. But people have always adapted. Either we shape the tech, or the tech shapes us. That said, humans tend to go for whatever’s cheaper – and that’s the real risk. If we dig this hole, it might just be our own grave.

Do you think AI devalues creativity, or could it actually boost innovation?

Freddy Scherer: I don’t think it replaces real creativity. A songwriter has a style. AI could maybe mimic that. But if you don’t have your own voice, then what’s the point?

At best, it could support someone who already knows what they’re doing. But even then, it’s not fulfilling. Maybe helpful if you need a placeholder vocal or a demo singer – but nothing replaces the real thing.

Have you used AI tools privately?

Freddy Scherer: Just for quick stuff – writing a short bio or correcting a paragraph. That’s where it’s handy. But when it comes to the real work – no thanks.

How’s the tour going so far?

Freddy Scherer: Great! The reactions have been amazing. Today’s only our fourth or fifth show, but we’re loving it. And tonight – Circus Krone, sold out! That 's special.

Beautiful venue, too.

Freddy Scherer: Exactly. And people are really responding well to the new songs, which is the best reward.

You took part in Sing My Song recently. Do you think that introduced you to a new audience?

Freddy Scherer: Definitely in Switzerland. Not sure how many people in Germany or elsewhere saw it, but back home it’s a bit of a phenomenon – especially among younger viewers. We probably gained a few new fans who started exploring our music.

It’s not a typical rock format. What’s been the most rock ‘n’ roll moment on this tour so far?

Freddy Scherer: Oh, you’d have to ask the crew. I tend to crash early! We’ve played places like Bochum and Hamburg – pretty rock-solid locations. Nothing too wild… yet.

Since Stereo Crush adds some new elements to your sound – looking ahead, any directions or influences you’d like to explore further?

Freddy Scherer: We’ll be playing this album for a while. It just dropped in March, so we’ll run with it until the end of the year. But we’ve recorded more than what’s on the album, and we’ll revisit that material later. Right now, we’re still fully focused on Stereo Crush.

Last question – if your tour bus could talk, what would be the most embarrassing story it could tell? And how hard would you try to deny it?

Freddy Scherer: Honestly, the new bus is only a week old – pretty uneventful so far. And I’m usually not awake at 4 a.m. to see what mischief might happen. But yeah, over the years, there have been some wild nights. These days, though, we’re surprisingly disciplined. Very Swiss of us.

Wonderful. That’s all from my side. Thanks again for your time.

Freddy Scherer: Thank you! Looking forward to tonight.

Thomas  Wunder