Bassist and singer with DATOG is Peter Baltes. Peter was born in Solingen on 4th. April 1958 and started playing the guitar at the age of eleven. However, he only ever had one lesson and then decided to teach himself how to play by playing to as many songs as possible that were available to him. He then formed a band of sorts, with two friends. Since no one wanted to play bass, matches were drawn. Peter literally got the short end of the stick and was now a bass player from that day on. Throughout the summer he worked in a piston factory, earning the money for his first brand new, black and white “Rickenbacker 4001” bass. Since there was not enough money left over for the case, he dragged his new instrument home wrapped in newspaper.
He then formed his first band, Pythagoras. From today's point of view, the group would probably be described as a prog rock formation, with which they covered a remarkably large playing time with only six songs! During his time with Pythagoras, Peter played through a small Fender amp and a self-built huge unpainted wooden cabinet holding two 15" speakers. His biggest musical influences at the time were Genesis, Emerson Lake & Palmer and especially Yes with their bassist Chris Squire, his first and ultimate role model.
In 1976 Peter became a member of Accept. The change to a hard rock band also fundamentally changed his playing style. Peter learned how to play a gripping groove with only a few notes but loads of energy, from then on, he didn't orientate himself so much on Yes, but rather on bands like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath or AC/DC. Especially Roger Glover and Cliff Williams left a lasting impression on him. To this day, his bass playing is a cleverly balanced mixture of the styles of these two musical legends.
In 1979 Accept released their debut album, with Peter on bass, on the song “Seawinds”, he was also the lead singer. Around this time he then switched to “Fender Precision” basses and “Marshall” amps. Spending the following ten years, almost permanently, either on tour or playing on album productions.
In 1980 Peter was back in the studio with Accept to record their second album “I`m A Rebel”. In addition to playing the bass, he again took over the lead vocals on the songs “No Time To Lose” and “The King”.
Also in 1980 the recordings of the third Accept release “Breaker” took place, with Peter as bass player and on the song “Breaking Up Again” he was once again the lead singer. The album gave the band their European breakthrough and their first headlining shows. Two tours with Judas Priest and Def Leppard through Great Britain, Germany, Belgium and Holland followed and in autumn 1981 Peter's detirmined decision to make music his profession along with his band colleagues, at last materialised. His first professional engagements included the studio recordings for the album “Breaking The Chains” by the American hard rock band Dokken, for which Peter was hired by the group members Don Dokken (vocals), George Lynch (guitar) and Mick Brown (drums) as a guest bassist.
In the spring / summer of 1982, the recordings for “Restless And Wild” began at the “Dierks Studio” in Cologne, an Accept album that caused a sensation, especially in America, on this album Peter played through an “Ampeg SVT” amp with an 8'' x 10" speaker cabinet for the first time. One year later, again in “Dierks Studio”, the production of the album “Balls To The Wall”, the ultimate Accept classic album, followed. After concerts in Europe in autumn 1983, from February 1984 the band played as “special guests” of Kiss, Iron Maiden and Saxon, among others but also sometimes as headliners themselves, on a major tour through America, Canada, France, Spain and Germany. This was followed by the sensational concerts at the famous “Monsters Of Rock” festivals in Castle Donington, Karlsruhe and Nuremberg, with other acts and artists like AC/DC, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Mötley Crüe or Gary Moore.
In the autumn / winter of 1984, the recordings for “Metal Heart” took place in the “Dierks Studio” once again, for the first time in direct collaboration with Scorpions producer and studio owner Dieter Dierks. An exciting challenge for Peter. In the song “Teach Us to Survive” he played both a double bass and a twelve-string bass. A world tour followed from February to September 1985 including their first ever performances in Japan, resulting in the recording of the EP “Kaizoku-Ban (Live in Japan)” recorded in Nagoya. Only a few weeks later, the album “Russian Roulette” was recorded in the 'Dierks-Studio'. Straight after that, the band went on yet another world tour between March and December 1986 and also released the compilation album “Hungry Years” in November 1986.
In the spring 1987 Accept parted ways with Udo Dirkschneider and hired the American David Reece as his successor on the microphone. Udo Dirkschneider founded his own band, U.D.O., in Germany, nevertheless he co-operated with Peter once again on the U.D.O. debut album “Animal House” Peter was bassist on all of the songs. The following year Peter recorded the vocal intro to the song “Every Minute Every Day” with the Scorpions, on their studio album “Savage Amusement”, the album “Eat The Heat” from Accept was released in 1989 and he was also part of the cast of Don Dokken's first solo album “Up From The Ashes” in 1990 with John Norum (Europe), Billy White (Watchtower) and Mikkey Dee (Motörhead). In the same year Accept released the “live” album “Staying A Life” which included recordings from Osaka, Japan, from September 1985.
In 1992 Peter was asked by John Norum to play all the bass parts on his solo album “Face The Truth” and to help out with the songwriting. He composed the tracks “In Your Eyes”, “Endica” and “Distant Voices” in co-operation with Norum and ex-Deep Purple singer Glenn Hughes, who were among others, who took over the lead vocals on this album.
In the spring 1992, first talks took place between Peter, Udo Dirkschneider, Wolf Hoffmann and Stefan Kaufmann with the aim to revive Accept in the original line-up. The result of the reunion eventually saw the light of day in February 1993. “Objection Overruled”, composed and produced in the “ROXX-Studio”, which, had been set up in the meantime by Stefan and Wolf, but album was mixed in the “Dierks-Studio”. From April to November 1993 the original line-up of Accept went once more out on a world tour.
In the spring of 1994 “Death Row” was recorded, this time not only the recording but this time, also the mixing took place in the “ROXX-Studio”. In January 1996 Accept released their album “Predator”, with Peter as lead singer on the songs “Lay It Down”, “It Ain`t Over Yet” and “Primitive”. During the following tour, the band members agreed to disband Accept. Peter then played on Wolf Hoffmann`s 1997 solo album “Classical” on the song “Pomp & Circumstance”, that same year Accept released the “live” album “All Areas - Worldwide”. Peter also played for John Norum again, this time taking over all bass tracks on the album “Worlds Away”, on which he also acted as co-writer on the songs “Center Of Balance” and “Endica (Revisited)”.
In both 1998 and 2001 respectively, the Accept compilation album “The Final Chapter” was released in America, Japan and Europe, with recordings from the 1993 “Objection Overruled” tour. After that, both Peter and Wolf Hoffmann retired from the music business for a few years.
In 2009, Peter joined the supergroup Deuxmonkey formed by the former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz, but then decided to reform Accept with Wolf Hoffmann. The line-up then consisting of guitarist Herman Frank, drummer Stefan Schwarzmann and Mark Tornillo as the new singer, released the comeback album “Blood Of The Nations” a year later, which charted high in the charts in many countries and was named “Album Of The Year” by more than 50 international media outlets. In May 2010, a successful European tour started, culminating in Hannover in front of 80,000 people as special guests of AC/DC. 2012 saw the release of the Accept album “Stalingrad”, which reached number 4 in the album charts in Germany and was the first release in Accept's history to enter the top 100 of the official Billboard charts in the USA. This was followed by a tour of more than 100 shows through Europe, the USA, South America and Asia, as well as participation in major festivals in the summer of 2013.
A few weeks later, songwriting and demo production began for the album “Blind Rage”, which was completed in Nashville, Tennessee in January / February 2014 and released in August 2014. In 2016 Peter was also involved in Wolf Hoffmann's second solo album “Headbangers Symphony” as the bassist on the songs “Symphony No. 40” and “Air On The G String”. This was followed by the release of Accept's studio album “The Rise Of Chaos” in August 2017.
In November 2018, Peter announced his departure from Accept. He also refused to take part in lucrative tour offers from other bands and artists but instead focused on writing new songs. He spent 2019 in his Nashville studio, composing for various film and television projects and gathering material for his first solo album. In addition, he played on Mick Mars' (Mötley Crüe) planned solo album with Ray Luzier of Korn, he also worked on a new project by Japanese guitar prodigy Nozomu Wakai and contributed, songwriting wise, to the album “We Are One” by U.D.O. and the German Armed Forces Music Corps. During the year-long production of “We Are One”, Peter, Udo Dirkschneider and Stefan Kaufmann met several times. These meetings gave rise to the idea of “Dirkschneider & The Old Gang”, for which former U.D.O. guitarist Mathias Dieth, Udo's son Sven and singer Manuela Bibert (known, among other things, for her duet with Udo on “We Are One”) could also be recruited.
In May 2020, a version of the song “Where The Angels Fly”, which was sadly a left over from the album “We Are One” with the German Armed Forces Music Corps was first released via YouTube, then Stefan Kaufmann, Udo Dirkschneider and Peter rearranged the number and turned it into a thoroughbred rock track. The result was, in September 2020, you could suddenly find a low-budget video clip of the new version on YouTube. The prompt reaction of the fans was overwhelming! Without any advertising or marketing measures at all, the clip was clicked millions of times within a few months.
In 2020, Peter also played the bass on the songs “Bluff & Feeling” and “Lucky” from Paul Shortino's latest solo album “Make A Wish”, which features former Whitesnake members Doug Aldrich and Marco Mendoza among others. Peter contributed all bass parts on the debut album “Underdog Anthems” by Nashville-based blues rock guitarist and vocalist Jax Hollow.
More exciting activities are in store for Peter with DATOG in 2021. The second song “Face Of A Stranger” has been online since 29 April 2021, to be followed by a third clip, “Every Heart Is Burning”, on 28 May 2021. On 27 August 2021, a single with all three songs will be released on CD, a 12" vinyl and a download.
Status May 2021
Klira Bass purchased at “ Herti “ Department Store
Early ACCEPT Equipment List:
Black & White Rickenbacker 4001
2 x Marshall JTM100 Super Bass
2 x Marshall 1979B Cabinet
Fender Squire Precision Bass
2 x Marshall JTM100 Super Bass
2 x Marshall 1979B Cabinet
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Hiwatt 400 Bass Amp
2 x Marshall 1979B Cabinet
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
2 x Ampeg SVT Amps
2 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
2 x Ampeg SVT Amps
2 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
On the Track "Teach Us to Survive" he played an Upright Bass & and a 12-String Bass
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Rotosound, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Moog Taurus 1
Nady Wireless System
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Rotosound, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Moog Taurus 1
Nady Wireless System
Peter played all the bass tracks
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: Rotosound, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
1 x Ampeg SVT Amp
1 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Rotosound,Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Peter played all the bass tracks
Don Dokken Voc / John Norum (EUROPE) Guit / Billy White (Watchtower) Guit / Mikkey Dee (MOTORHEAD) Drums
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Rotosound, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Bradshaw Rack Mount Splitter
Peter played all the bass tracks
John Norum Guit / Hempo Hilden Drums
"In Your Eyes" written by Peter Baltes, John Norum, Glen Hughes
"Endica" written by Peter Baltes, John Norum
"Distant Voices" written by Peter Baltes, Billy White, Glen Hughes & John Norum
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: Rotosound, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Kaman, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Bradshaw Rack Mount Splitter
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Kaman, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Bradshaw Rack Mount Splitter
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Kaman, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Bradshaw Rack Mount Splitter
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Kaman, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
3 x Ampeg SVT Amps
6 x Ampeg 8x10 Cabinets
Bradshaw Rack Mount Splitter
Peter played all the bass tracks
John Norum (EUROPE) Guit / Kelly Keeling Voc / Simon Wright (AC/DC) Drums
"Center of Balance" written by Peter Baltes, John Norum & Kelly Keeling
"Endica (Revisited)" written by Peter Baltes & John Norum
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Kaman, Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8 x10 Cabinet
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Dunlop, Nickel Plated Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Sennheiser Wireless System
2012 ACCEPT - Stalingrad - Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Fender Squire Precision Bass, Black
Strings: Dunlop, Nickel Plated Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Sennheiser Wireless System
Warwick PB 01 Custom Shop Streamer, Motorbike Springs, No Knobs, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: Dunlop, Nickel Plated Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Sennheiser Wireless System
Peter played Bass on the tracks 6/11/12
Equipment List:
Warwick PB 02 Custom Shop Streamer, Studs & Metal Plates, No Knobs, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Sennheiser Wireless System
Warwick PB 03 Custom Shop Streamer, Glow in the Dark Punisher Logo, Red Killswitch Cover, No Knobs, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Sennheiser Wireless System
Peter played Bass on the tracks "Bluff" & "Feeling Lucky"
Paul Shortino Voc / Vinnie Paul / Patrick Johannsson Drums / Marco Mendoza / Phil Soussan Bass / Nozomu Wakai Guit / Carlos Cavazo Guit / Doug Aldrich Guit
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Peter played all the bass tracks
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
Peter played bass on the tracks "Pandemonium", "Love and Sin", "Children of the World", "Rebel Town", "Neon Diamond", "Beyond Good and Evil"
Equipment List:
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
1958 Fender Precision Bass, Aged Natural, Badass Bridge, EMG P & J Pickups, Killswitch
Strings: DR Hi-Beams, Bright Stainless Steel 45-65-80-100
Ampeg SVT Amp
Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
