About the band

TRUE CALLING is still launching its career – and yet the five-man band headed by vocalist Markus Bekson and lead guitarist Gianni Ulmer have already appeared on large festival stages, as a support act for world-class bands like the Scorpions, Status Quo and Nena and as a headliner at open air festivals and club shows.

And now the likeable Swabian newcomers are making a name for themselves through successful concerts in Austria, France and Luxembourg, becoming an insider’s tip for rock “Made in Germany” who can hold their own internationally. The talented young musicians spice up their snappy, classic rock numbers with hard rock elements, creating a distinct sound infused with profound, authentic emotionality.

Their lyrics convey messages of love, positivity and of course rock ́n roll! Their life- affirming optimism only takes one direction:

forwards!

Concerts as special guest

• Ten Years After La Laiterie, Strasbourg (France)
• Status Quo Hohentwielfestival Singen (Germany)
• Scorpions Rockhal Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg)
• Johnny Winter La Laiterie, Strasbourg (France)
• Nena Zelthalle Bad Buchau (Germany)
• Chris Thompson Zugspitzsaal Ehrwald (Austria)
• The Sweet Motorissimo Pforzheim (Germany)

Festival appearances (selection)

• Hohenzollern Open Air Hechingen (Germany), Englstaedter – Queen Classic, Axxis, Ray Wilson
• Rock For Nature Festival Hohenlohe (Germany), Scorpions, Joe Cocker, Nena, Ich&Ich, Roger Hodgson, Wir Sind Helden
• Rock Of Ages Festival Seebronn (Germany), Uriah Heep, In Extremo, The Hooters, Michael Schenker, Ten Years After

Prizes & Awards

• Winner of the German Rock & Pop Prize 2011
  „Best Rock Song of the Year” for “Change” and “Best Rock Singer of the Year” for Markus Bekson
• MySpace Featured Artist of the Scorpions 2010

Radio & TV

• Introduction to “Change” and band interview Donau 3 FM
• Introduction to “Into My Life” and band portrait Radio Tide 96.0
• Airplay with "Change" iMusic1
• Introduction to the band Regio TV

Further References

• Live-Performance with Matthias Jabs, lead guitarist of the Scorpions, in connection with the Showcase for the EP release “Change Vol.1” at his guitar shop, MJ Guitars, in Munich (Germany)
• Studio production with former drummer of the Scorpions, James Kottak, as guest drummer for the song “Change” (Germany/USA)

Reviews

"Then the room filled up with an enormous sound volume: the guys in the band True Calling really turned it on and got things rocking in the venerable Leopoldsaal. Singer Markus Bekson, winner of the Best Rock Singer award, and his fellow musicians impressed the audience.“
(Schwäbische Zeitung)

„The five musicians headed by vocalist Markus Bekson and lead guitarist Gianni Ulmer sent the audience into raptures from the very start with their ingenious rhythm and sound. Each of the musicians held his own without stealing the show. The band has made an international reputation for itself and already won over audiences as a support act for the Scorpions, Status Quo and Nena.“
(Alb-Bote Münsingen)

„The band True Calling from Gammertingen really spiced things up, being hailed by the mayor as one of the city’s “top-brand products.” With its rock sound the band really appealed to the seniors in the audience too.“
(Schwäbische Zeitung)

„Last Saturday the rock band True Calling from Gammertingen was the surprise guest at a concert given by the British giant of rock Status Quo at the Hohentwielfestival in Singen, which had been sold out for weeks. True Calling put a lot of passion into their performance, heating up the atmosphere on the Hohentwiel for half an hour and getting a hurricane of applause and calls for encores from 4,000 rock fans.“
(Schwäbische Zeitung)

„At the side of guitarist Gianni Ulmer, front man and vocalist Markus Bekson is undoubtedly the eyecatcher for female fans but he also has a tremendous voice. With songs like the rock anthem “Change” and the catchy ballad “Into My Life” True Calling has what it takes to make the cut.“
(Süd-West-Presse)

„With their catchy song ‘Change’ they set the bar extremely high from the very start. It is simply their best piece and it has opened some very important doors for the young band like the one to the Scorpions. By the way, they had their own drummer James Kottak record the drum tracks of this song in the USA! (...) Gianni Ulmer’s solos are masterful and it’s no secret that Markus Daikeler alias Bekson is one of the best, if not the best hard rock singer between the Alb and the Alps.“
(Miche Hepp, Popzone-Mag)

„The band True Calling from Gammertingen plays as a support act for Nena and 3,000 listeners cheer them on: the five musicians from the Gammertingen region really stirred things up for half an hour, promoting their own success in this way.“
(Schwäbische Zeitung)

„True Calling is a band with a lot of energy and devoted musicians who want to succeed and really have what it takes. Gianni is an excellent guitarist. Talents who also have a great personality really deserve to be supported.“
(Matthias Jabs – Scorpions)