Feb
1
Turbostaat
February 1, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Turbostaat are a four piece originally from Husum way up north in Germany and formed in 1999 from the remnants of a bunch of other punk bands in the area. They remind me a lot of The Fall or better, AFI: they’ve got the pounding, moody, downtuned guitars so beloved of the California punkers (what […]
Dec
14
De Phazz
December 14, 2005 | Leave a Comment
I first encountered De Phazz on the La Suite Hôtel Costes album. Pompougnac selected ‘Jazz Music’ as track 2. for his collection and I don’t recall getting much past it thanks to constant replaying.
Dec
12
Die Aerzte (The Doctors)
December 12, 2005 | Leave a Comment
Along with countrymen Die Toten Hosen, Die Aerzte were the founding members of Germany’s old-school punk generation. The Berliners still command massive respect.
Sep
19
Slut
September 19, 2005 | Leave a Comment
Quite simply Slut take themselves far too seriously. Soundwise they’ve the deadpan delivery of Joy Division which they occasionally carry off very well (Homesick being a good example) but more often than not, like our own Muse, Slut are the wrong side of monotonous with none of the quirky charm of other low-fi type bands […]
Sep
14
Monta
September 14, 2005 | Leave a Comment
Monta’s debut album opens with the languid guitar intro of ‘Farewell Dear Ghost’ which reminded me instantly of any number of Zeppelinesque accoustic songs but right there any further comparison to 70’s super rock must end.
Sep
14
Madsen
September 14, 2005 | Leave a Comment
If Sportfreunde Stiller are Germany’s home-grown (and up-to-date) response to the 90’s Britpop of Cast/Oasis/Blur then Madsen are the Teutonic answer to the dominance of so-called nu-punk. ‘Die Perfektion’ is only a 3-track EP but even on this slim evidence the Good Charlotte’s and Sum 41’s of the world would do well to sit up […]
Sep
14
Beatsteaks
September 14, 2005 | Leave a Comment
Berlin punk with a raw edge and Clash-style attitude. The Beatsteaks have the gonzo, falling-down-the-stairs style of Faith No More circa Epic (without the rap) and the belting, directness of Dave Grohl on a good day (and Mr. Grohl has few bad days).
Sep
5
Frank Popp
September 5, 2005 | 1 Comment
Frank Popp – designer, band leader, darling of the Düsseldorf media scene and all-round clever dude – purveys the kind of music that is guaranteed to get any party going. Displaying a liking for 60’s soul and funk that quite honestly is baffling coming from any German, even a DJ as talented as this.