TIMI HANSEN (Interviewed on December 08, 2000)

ME :  Timi, all of us know you as the first bassist of the legendary MERCYFUL FATE. You were an active member of the band when the cult-albums "Melissa" & "Dont Break the Oath" were released. What do you feel today when you look back to these glorious years?

TIMI HANSEN : I'm glad to have taken part in the best period of Heavy Metal (the 80'es). I wouldn't change
that for anyhing in the whole world.

Could you enlighten us about the period before the MERCYFUL FATE we discovered with the first EP (Rave-On)?

I didn't really know the guys before joining MF.

We can read on the "Melissa" LP's back cover that you thank Steve Harris... Do you know him personally or was it just a tribute to another great bassist?

He was my greatest influence. I did actually meet him once in Copenhagen. He's a great guy.

What are your past and present musical tastes & influences? (for example, what do you think about a bassist like Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, or new styles like doom or black metal...?)

Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Rush, Iron Maiden, Budgie. I think that Flea is a good bassist. I don't really listen to Doom- and Black Metal. And I'm not really into it.

I think that one of the most important & powerful aspect of MERCYFUL FATE was its specific sound especially regarding the rythmic part. You and Kim Ruzz offered such a deep and complex flavour in MERCYFUL FATE which makes this band unique. Don't you think that with the years and the albums the sound lost this aspect?

I think we've always had our own sound. Even in KD. I haven't listened very much to the latest albums. I haven't listened very much to the latest albums. I always get kind of "homesick" when listening to it. But it's still classic HM.

Why did you never try to compose some music or lyrics for the bands?

I did once, but it was denied and I never tried again.

I have often read that you left the bands after "Abigail" and after "In the Shadows" because of family- reasons. Is that true that  your son needed a lot your presence and attention? How is the situation today? What's your job since that time?

My x-girlfriend left my son and me, and I decided that he was more important than my career, he didn't ask to come to this life. I asked him to come.  He's now 14 years old and I also have a daughter at 6. I'm living
alone with my son, my daughter lives with her mom.  I work with the Danish football Association.

Would you ever consider to rejoin MERCYFUL FATE?

No, I don't have the time for anymore.

The other band members don't seem to know where is actually Kim Ruzz... Why did he leave the band? Do you know what is he actually doing and why he doesn't want to play with MERCYFUL FATE anymore?

He didn't leave. When MF changed name to KD he wasn't asked to join. I couldn't say if or not, he would like to play with MF today, as I haven't seen him for years.

Have you ever participated in another musical project and do you wish to play music today?

No, I've only been with MF and KD. Today I haven't got the time for it, as I work with football (my greatest passion), and in my sparetime I'm a trainer for 9-10 year old kids.

- What are your actual passions?

My children, football, good HM.

- Something else to say to the fans or the world? ;)

A lot of you out there might not know me since I left 14 years ago. But it makes me feel good, that young people are still listening to MF and KD today. I wish I could go on tour and see you all and thank you for listening to the music.

Last but not least, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a MERRY X-MAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

 All the best

 Timi "Grabber" Hansen