Wolfgang Uhlich is the founder of dIRE sTRATS. From his very first attempt at guitar at the age of 14, his initial idol was Ritchie Blackmore, and later – through “Sultans of Swing” – Mark Knopfler. Not knowing how to use a pick, he played with his fingertips until his fingers were sore. After several band projects, 2004 felt like the right time to pursue his favourite music.
Thomas Fiebig was already set as musician no. 1, since Thomas and Wolfgang knog each other from a rock’n’roll band.
Finding additional musicians proved extremely difficult. At a time when tribute bands were far less sought after, the project was viewed as (literally) a non-starter. Musicians who had been recruited agreed, only to cancel sometimes on the very day of the first rehearsal.
Until the rehearsal date when the four kindred spirits met who would play together until 2020 (Fiebig, Gernhoff, Spencer, Uhlich). Only after several rehearsals was a keyboard player found in Lars Leminski. This line-up played six wonderful years together. In 2011, Lars was replaced by Tobi Blattmann.
Many fine years later, Peter Spencer left the band. Wolfgang took over as vocalist, combining singing and playing in the way Mark Knopfler is known for. New drummer Olaf Satzer joined, having sat in behind the sTRATS drum kit irregularly since 2007.
As an additional guitarist, Wolfgang’s former guitar teacher and mentor Matthias Strass joined the band. A new position of percussionist was created for Jens.
Wolfgang generally plays with his fingertips, just as Knopfler does – allowing him to get very close to the style. His equipment is also similar to Knopfler’s. Wolfgang’s golden rule: “Play in the spirit of the original and the music.” This approach earns him great recognition at home and abroad.