by Jon Michael Richardson

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American Bar Owner

     For Louis Trumpbour, day is night and night is day.
     Trumpbour is the American owner of 8mm Bar in Berlin's former West side. "8mm is a rock 'n' roll bar, not a tourist bar," says Trumpbour. "But being a bar owner is rough, man."
     Trumpbour, a native of New Jersey, was formerly employed by Westinghouse. He worked with computers before moving to Berlin five years ago.
     "I just needed a place where I could be more creative," says Trumpbour. "I never had time to dedicate myself to something like a band."
     After visiting Berlin a few times, Trumpbour moved there and opened 8mm Bar in 2002.
     Later he began painting and experimenting with photography and is now in the band named Index. "We tour a lot around Germany and Austria and have a pretty good following there," Trumpbour says. "We're just a straight up rock 'n' roll band."
     What came with owning a bar and being in a band was a schedule turned upside down.
     "I usually sleep during the day because of my hours," Trumpbour said. This includes going to sleep many nights at seven in the morning after a night at work.
     "One winter, with the days being so short and all, I only saw the sun one day the entire season," Trumpbour says.
     After five years, Trumpbour has completely integrated himself into the culture in Berlin. He speaks fluent German, which he infuses into his shows across Europe.
     "I probably speak 20 percent in English and 80 percent in German depending on the show," Trumpbour said.