Official Tokio Hotel America--Most Loving and Incredible Fandom

Step into the house that Schnee built -- the Official Tokio Hotel America -- is a wonderful home to hang out with other fans.  As an added bonus, you may gain a friend or two.  You're invited in, have a seat, and enjoy! Here's Part 2 of Schnee's interview.

NTO: At what point was just being a fan not enough? When did you decide to be more proactive in their promotion to other fans?
Schnee: Tricky question. I am still a fan, first and foremost no matter what other roles I have. And it was pretty much immediately that I’d shared them with anyone who would listen because I felt and still feel that they are an important part of music history. I like to carry the message that they are not a boy band, not a manufactured band... I think that is what sets them apart from other young bands. Later in 2007, we were all stunned when they were invited by France to sing at a Bastille Day celebration and then invited by Israel to perform there. A German band in Israel? That was history.

I am debating adding this because I do not want to rip a Band-Aid off a healed wound, but to not say it feels like a lie. And anyone who knows me knows I am pretty militant about this issue... What drove me the most was back in 2007, it was really hard to find an English language place to enjoy the band without seeing pornographic fanart. I'm not a prude, but some of that stuff was HORRIFYING. And I felt it was a disservice to the band that any new fans wanting to check them out had nowhere to go that did not have it. So, that was the core impetus.

NTO: Tokio Hotel America has just passed their 2nd anniversary of official status as a fanclub. How did THA start?

Schnee: Well, I became a fan in January 2007 and started the blog in February 2007. I am a longtime blogger, over a decade and had previously run a fairly successful blog for an American Idol contestant (oh the horror). The idea of having a forum began to grow when we realized that there were a lot of people out there who wanted a place like we have. I have known Coolbreezegirl since the very beginning of this endeavor and she has also always been committed to the same vision. She's my rock. I love her.

If I may digress just a little, I have to give a shout-out to the entire staff and past staff at THA. It has always been magic how the team has come together. THA is and always has been a team effort. Sure, if it comes to someone having to make a final decision or being the ultimate bitch that often falls to me, but we really are a team. It would not work without every single person who participates, from the admins to the members of the forum to the people who hang out and engage in lively debate on the blog side.

And the members who work tirelessly bringing news from all over the world? I believe this is the most loving and incredible fandom in the world.

NTO: Did anyone think that your dream was too fantastic to happen? How do you protect yourself from the negative vibes -- at the beginning and even now?
Schnee: This dream of having this Tokio Hotel community? No, no one involved felt that it was too fantastic. Of course, we were willing for it to be tiny, just so long as we did not have to have crap shoved in our face all the time and could have the primary purpose of being about the band.

At the beginning, I was not as protective. I would put myself out there and yes, it was pretty horrible. The things people would say were beyond the pale of vicious.

Now, I just try to stay out of the drama as much as possible. Yes, there are times when I will stand up for things and principles and I know some of the things we do not allow here at THA cause people to talk shit. But really? That's just MORE drama. Don't like it here? Go somewhere else. It is not like there are not other places in the fandom to hang out. There is something for EVERYONE out there.

It does still bother me when I see people who are not even members here talk crap about THA, but there is a quote I love for all situations and it applies here.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." -HERBERT SPENCER

Stop by tomorrow for the final posting.