Scorpions Bring Their Sting To The Coliseum On Sunday

Over the phone, Scorpion Rudolf Schenker doesn't sound like what you'd expect from the lead guitarist of one of rock's loudest metal bands. Actually, his almost musical German accent and staccato cadence give him the melodious tone and meter of an Alpine yodeler. Think leather lederhosen.

``Hellooo! How ah yoooo!

Schenker and the Scorps have recently begun the American leg of their ``Hit Between The Eyes'' tour in support of their 14th album, ``Crazy World.'' The band began the world tour last November in Europe, and Schenker was calling from Albuquerque, N.M., the Scorpions' first stateside stop.

``Were we surprised when we got here!'' Schenker said. ``It was snowing! Coming from Germany where we had lots of snow this year, we thought it would be different in Albuquerque, but no! Well, that's life.''

For 20 years the Scorpions have been putting on big, dynamic shows. They are one of the loudest bands in the business. But Schenker said the show will be a little simpler this time around.

``We don't have as many gimmicks, like explosions and puppets,'' the guitarist said. ``We're getting energy from the band members. A lot of energy. It's a good performance.''

Schenker said the band had chosen seven cuts from the new album, most notably the one-two opening punch of ``Tease Me Please Me'' and ``Don't Believe Her,'' high-energy, melodic pile-drivers in the Scorpion tradition of ``Rock You Like A Hurricane.''

``But many people like to listen to the old stuff,'' Schenker added. ``Some ask for very old stuff! So we have a good mixer.''

The Scorpions got their start in 1971 playing beer halls in their hometown of Hanover, Germany. They have always been a live band. But with every album since their first release, ``Lonesome Crow,'' in 1972, their recorded product and accompanying stage shows have become more and more complex. The band's last album, 1988's ``Savage Amusement,'' took more than a year to record. ``Crazy World,'' on the other hand, took only two months.

Schenker attributes the new approach to the band's new producer, Keith Olsen. ``He (Olsen) knows how to push the right button at the right moment, to keep the magic moment,'' Schenker said. ``To keep a band together you need new influences. A producer has to be strong and smart enough to get things done without fighting with the band. And when you play live, it makes a difference. When you play with the drummer together, instead of recording him separately, you get much more energy.''

``Crazy World'' also is the first album on which everyone in the band contributed.

``I wrote 95 percent of the old stuff,'' said Schenker. ``I was writing, writing, writing! It's too much stress when you're the only guy doing it. I told the band it was important everybody try. Now it's better.''

Schenker kept coming back to the importance of playing live, of cutting your teeth in clubs and small halls.

``I tell you one thing, it helps you. It's your learning point,'' he said. ``It helps you in the future. I look at the big arenas now, they are looking like clubs. Same thing.''

The Scorpions will perform at the Coliseum at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18.50. Opening will be Trixter, a young hard-rock band.