Rockpommel’s Band

Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL]
Saturday, 23 May 2026

If you were to ask me which album from the long history of the German so-called ‘Krautrock’ prog scene of the seventies that stood out above the crowd, my answer would be Rockpommel’s Land by Grobschnitt. Released in 1977, it featured a Roger Dean styled cover and the music blended the symphonic sweep of Yes, Genesis and other contemporaries with a whimsical concept story about Ernie and his giant bird companion.

Grobschnitt recorded around ten studio albums between 1972 and 1989, finally calling it a day in 2012. A few reunions flickered here and there, but the band itself have long since dissolved. That is, until a few years ago, when the original singer, Toni Moff Mollo (Rainer Loskand) dusted off the group’s repertoire and formed a new group under the name Rockpommel’s Band, a workaround necessitated by copyright issues. Even then, I never truly believed I’d witness the wonderfully sounding concept album, Rockpommel’s Land, live again. But then the tour was announced. And suddenly, there they all were, Toni included, on the stage of Zoetermeer’s rock temple, Boerderij.

With German punctuality and at exactly half past eight, a group of eight masked monks and a two-meter-tall monster crept onto the stage to play Razzia/Powerplay Finale, followed shortly thereafter by Du schaffst das nicht. The tone was set immediately.

When bassist and master of ceremonies Milla Kapolke announced that the band would perform the complete fifty‑minute suite, Rockpommel’s Land, the hall erupted with deafening applause. What followed was just under an hour of pure joy and I briefly forgot my reviewer’s duties and let myself be swept away by classic symphonic rock that could stand proudly beside its more famous English contemporaries.

Wonderful interlocking twin guitar parts flowed into one another, four‑part harmonies, inventive Moog lines, thunderous drums, melodic bass – everything shimmered, everything was there. And of course, the theatricality was intact with costumed roadies during Stoney Dance, and the Big Bird’s appearance at the finale. A celebration from start to finish. And one which was rewarded by the audience who roared with passionate appreciation before allowing the band to leave the stage for a twenty‑minute break allowing everyone time to breathe again.

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– INTERMISSION –

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After intermission, German became the language of the evening. The band opened with Vater Schmidts Wandertag (Heute ist ein schöner Tag), followed by the melodic rock of Wie der Wind from Jumbo (1976), this time spotlighting Toni Moff Mollo’s echo‑laden vocals. The instrumental Sous le tapis (‘we don’t speak French’) was fast, hard, and punk‑tinged; Könige der Welt contrasted sharply with its children’s voices and socially engaged lyrics.

Then came Polar Music (Sonnentanz version), a slice of Grobschnitt Wortschatz with Wopedidada, and a generous round of extended solos, most notably from the youngest member, Kevin Hollmann, whose long guitar solo was nothing short of spectacular. The theatrics escalated: a figure dressed like a Christmas‑lit Ku Klux Klan member, a trio of priests, a ‘light saber’ duel between monks, and a barrage of fireworks. Solar Music (the final section of the 1974 version) closed the act with a Camel‑like guitar passage, before the towering monster returned to extinguish the stage lights. End of act two, but far from the end.

The encore began with Mary Green, also known as the ‘coffee shop song’, complete with introductions of the band and roadies. Mary herself appeared briefly, brandishing a gigantic spliff. Space Rider, with Toni as a parody rock star, served as the final encore. A minute long standing ovation was the only fitting response after nearly three hours of music.

For me personally, the guitar duets were the absolute highlight, with Manu Kapolke and Kevin Hollmann, stationed at opposite ends of the stage, delivered harmonies that were simply sublime. New singer Armin Krull proved a strong addition, handling most of the vocals with confidence. Toni Moff Mollo’s echo‑heavy, often faint voice appeared only occasionally, mostly in a few songs and the finale. It had a bittersweet charm: the beloved, slightly eccentric uncle who once fronted the band, now stepping in for moments of nostalgia.

With eight musicians on stage, five across the front, it occasionally looked a tight squeeze, nevertheless, everything went well. The band brought its own crew, and the sound, lighting, and pyrotechnics were all spot‑on. According to Milla Kapolke, this was the very first Grobschnitt/Rockpommel’s Band show ever performed in the Netherlands. Judging by the response, it won’t be the last. And with John Vis’s seasoned film crew capturing the night for posterity, there’s even more to look forward to.

[Photos courtesy of Eus Driessen (Poppodium Boerderij)]

– Heute war ein schöner Tag (Today was a beautiful Day) –

SETLIST
Set 1:
Du schaffst das nicht
Razzia/Powerplay Finale
Before
Ernie’s Reise
Severity Town
Anywhere
Stoney Dance
Rockpommel’s Land

Set 2:
Vater Schmidts Wandertag
Wie der Wind
Sous le tapis
Die Kinder ziehn zum Strand (part 2, instrumental)
Könige der Welt
Solar Music (Sonnentanz version)
Solar Music (last part 1974 version)
~ Encore:
Mary Green
Space Rider

MUSICIANS
Toni Moff Mollo – Vocals
Milla Kapolke – Bass, vocals
Admiral Top Sahne Möller – Drums, Percussion
Manu Kapolke – Guitars, Vocals
Deva Tattva – Keyboards
Demian Hache – Drums, Percussion
Kevin Hollmann – Guitars
Armin Krull – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

LINKS
Rockpommel’s Band – Website | Facebook | Instagram