Harri Stojka - Novaks Kapelle

Stojka at the age of 13.

I was born in Vienna (Austria/Europe). I began playing at the age of 6 because of George Harrison… He was my hero!! Later on I listened to all the great rock guitar players from the 60’s and of course Jimi Hendrix and in the 70’s John McLaughlin! I was always a Beatles fan hardcore… In 1970 Jano my cousin… A drummer) and I grounded the youngster band… Jano & Harri. He was 14 and I was 13 years old! We were the youngest band here in Austria!

First live appearance of Jano & Harri at the “Arena 70” circa: 1970.

I was in several groups (even as a bass player) when we did the first Harri Stojka Express. We were totally into jazz rock like Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis as well! But besides them I learned very much about “bebop“ like Charlie Parker and Dizzie Glespie! I joined “Novaks Kapelle“ in 1977… So I really can’t say anything about “Hypodermic Needle” I wasn’t there… Sorry! Same as before… I wasn’t there that time! “Gipsy love“ was the band of my other cousin the guitarist Karl Ratzer! He was looking for a bass player… I was there… So I played that stuff on “Here We Come”, but my passion was always guitar playing!

Novak’s Kapelle.

I was learning very much of band leading… Stage attitude… Music theory… Guitar skills… Recording and so on… It was a great experience… Karl was a great teacher! Yes… we did the record “Naked“ in 1977 in Munich! Its a good album… We had much fun doing this thing…. No… We didn’t play many shows because the trend at that time wasn’t on our side… Also we had no management, but so what… We had fun! When I look back I see a band who didn’t gave a damn about what people thought about them… No compassion with the audience.

Gypsy Love.

I was learning very much of band leading… Stage attitude… Music theory… Guitar skills… Recording and so on… It was a great experience… Karl was a great teacher! Yes… we did the record “Naked“ in 1977 in Munich! Its a good album… We had much fun doing this thing…. No… We didn’t play many shows because the trend at that time wasn’t on our side… Also we had no management, but so what… We had fun! When I look back I see a band who didn’t gave a damn about what people thought about them… No compassion with the audience.

Dakota Brown