Böhse Onkelz
Böhse Onkelz | |
---|---|
Rock-O-Rama (1984–1986) Metal Enterprises (1987–1990) Bellaphon Records (1991–1994) Virgin Records (1995–2000) rule23 Recordings (2000–2005) | |
Members | Stephan "Der W" Weidner Kevin Russell Peter "Pe" Schorowsky Matthias "Gonzo" Röhr |
Website | onkelz |
Böhse Onkelz (German pronunciation:
History
1980–1981: Founding
Inspired by bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, Böhse Onkelz began in November 1980 in Hösbach as a punk rock band. Founding members were Stephan "Der W" Weidner, Kevin Russell and Peter "Pe" Schorowsky. According to the official band biography, its name originated when teenagers in their neighbourhood warned their younger siblings about them with the words Vorsicht, da sind die bösen Onkels![2] Their name was an intentionally incorrect spelling of "evil uncles" (böse Onkel). Before that, they called themselves "Beulenpest" for two weeks (as seen on the Tour 2000 film). Initially, the band played primarily in the Frankfurt am Main area.
Böhse Onkelz maintained its initial lineup until Matthias Röhr (nicknamed "Gonzo", after the Ted Nugent album of the same name) joined them in 1981. Musically he was the most experienced of the group, having played guitar for six years and playing in other bands (such as Antikörper).[3] Since Weidner played guitar, Matthias started out on bass; however, they switched instruments before their first recordings for the punk sampler Soundtracks zum Untergang 2.[4]
1981–1985: Skinhead scene
Soundtracks zum Untergang 2 (Soundtracks for the Downfall, Vol. 2) was a left-wing-oriented punk sampler, on which Böhse Onkelz featured in the band's first widely released recording. However, the movement behind that sampler - which at that time has been seen as being apolitical - moved further towards anarchism, so the band lost interest in that subculture. Football became more important in their lives, particularly the fights surrounding it.
The band initially considered itself part of the (originally nonpolitical)
In 1985, Böhse Onkelz appeared in the TV movie Zagarbata by Tabea Blumenschein. The film was a ZDF co-production, directed by Christoph Dreher, about the skinhead and punk subcultures of the early 1980s.
1986–1992: Banning and media attention
Apart from the
On 16 June 1990 the band's best friend, Andreas "Trimmi" Trimborn, was stabbed to death during an incident at a bar in Frankfurt's Sachsenhausen district. Two days later, Böhse Onkelz supporters located the assailant: a Bundeswehr soldier whose father held high military rank. The killer was acquitted; the judge stated that Böhse Onkelz and its entourage were known to be violent, and the stabbing was committed in self-defense. Even today, all witnesses reject the claim that Trimmi threatened the killer and his companion (both of whom had allegedly snorted cocaine minutes before the incident). Russell fell into a deep depression over the loss of his friend, masking his grief with drugs and alcohol; his substance-abuse habits became so destructive that he almost died.[6] The songs "Nur die besten sterben jung" ("Only the best die young") and "Der Platz neben mir" ("The place beside me") were written for Trimmi.
1992–1997: Commercial success and criticism
In 1992, with no marketing, the album Heilige Lieder rose to No. 5 on the German LP charts. Despite its increasing commercial success, the band bore the stigma of being part of the right wing until its end. The Onkelz faced considerable criticism, which led to radio stations refusing to play their songs. Many observers did not believe that the band had "seen the light", considering their exit from the skinhead scene as a stratagem to avoid bans and prosecution. The band's reputation suffered, due to several poorly researched articles written about them. In response, Weidner wrote songs such as "Fahrt zur Hölle" ("Go to Hell") for Weiß and "Danke für nichts" ("Thanks for Nothing") for Hier sind die Onkelz (Here are the Onkelz).
Large department stores, such as
Since the early 1990s the Onkelz repeatedly took public positions against extremism of any kind, referring to themselves as outsiders with no political affiliation. In 1993, on their album
In 1994 the band moved to
1997–2004: No. 1 on the charts
The band has a large fan base, and is one of the most successful German music groups. In 1998, they sold about 300,000 copies of the album
On 8 August 2003, despite negative publicity, the Böhse Onkelz were a supporting act for
2004–2005: Career end
When the band's five-year contract with Virgin ended in 2003 they found a new distributor in
2005–2013: Aftermath
On 16 February 2007 their last concert was released on four DVDs entitled
On
Events concerning Böhse Onkelz are organised in Germany, such as G.O.N.D. (Größte Onkelz Nacht Deutschlands) (Biggest Onkelz Night of Germany) which has been held since 2006. In 2011, around 20,000 people attended.
2014: Comeback
In late 2013 the E.I.N.S GmbH was founded by the two band members Matthias "Gonzo" Röhr and Peter "Pe" Schorowsky. E.I.N.S. GmbH was founded for planning and realizing concerts. From 20 January rumors began to spread around, that the band plans a comeback. On 1 February 2014 they launched a trailer on their official website, stating they would play a concert together and revealed the date and the location, which will be on 20 June on the German race track Hockenheimring.[13] Later, the band posted a statement on Facebook in which they announced, that further things (like a tour or a new album) could happen, if the fans do want so.[14]
Music and lyrics
The band's musical style has changed several times. Originally they played punk rock, beginning with their demo album. They were heavily inspired by punk bands (such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones) and Oi! bands like Sham 69, Cock Sparrer and Angelic Upstarts. Their music was stylistically similar to Oi! during the early and mid-1980s, and later to heavy metal and hard rock. Russell's vocals have been a distinctive part of the band's style.
On later albums, the band experimented with a variety of musical styles. The song "1000 Fragen" ("1000 Questions") is a tribute to The Doors, featuring metaphysical lyrics and organ music. On the album Viva los tioz they combined hard rock rhythms with electronic music. An Indian sitar was used in the song "Einmal" from the album Adios. The nickname of guitarist "Gonzo" is derived from the album Double Live Gonzo by Ted Nugent (an influence on Gonzo). He and Stephan Weidner were also fans of American blues rock musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, to whom they dedicated the instrumental "Tribute to Stevie" on their 1993 album Weiß.[15]
The first song on most of their albums serves as an introduction to the band. Many of their songs are directed against their critics (particularly journalists)—for example, "Danke für nichts", "Zeig mir den Weg", "Jaja", "Keine Amnestie für MTV". In earlier years, the Onkelz also sang drinking songs such as "Heute trinken wir richtig", "Alkohol" and "Freibier".
The lyrics of later albums concern the meaning of life, as a line from "Finde die Wahrheit" demonstrates: "Denn die Wege sind lang, und selbst der Tod ist nicht ihr Ende, wach endlich auf!" ("For the paths are long, and even death isn't their end, wake up already!"). Similar songs include "Wieder mal 'nen Tag verschenkt", "Stand der Dinge", "Das Problem bist Du" and "Dunkler Ort". The trial of the murderer of Andreas "Trimmi" Trimborn was mentioned in several songs ("Nur die Besten sterben jung", "So geht's Dir (Deine Hölle)", "Das Messer und die Wunde", "Ganz egal" and "Der Platz neben mir").
Other subjects addressed in the band's lyrics are individualism, finding oneself and self-love. In "Wenn Du wirklich willst", they sing "Sei du selbst, steh zu dir, die Wahrheit wird gelebt und nicht doziert. Du bist was du warst und du wirst sein was Du tust, beginne dich zu lieben, und du findest, was du suchst" ("Be yourself, stand for you, the truth is lived and is not taught. You are what you were and you will be what you do, begin to love yourself and you will find what you are searching for."). Songs like "Das Wunder der Persönlichkeit", "Mutier mit mir", "Ich mache was ich will" and "Ich bin wie ich bin" are other examples.
In later albums the past is repeatedly addressed, often concerning the wild experiences of band members. The song "Erinnerungen" contains the lines Ich erinner' mich gern an diese Zeit, eine Zeit die man nie vergißt. Doch ich muss mein Leben leben, meinen Weg alleine gehn, mach's gut, Du schöne Zeit, auf Wiederseh'n ("I gladly remember that time, a time that you never forget. But I have to live my life, have to go my way alone. Farewell, beautiful time, goodbye"), referring to the band's exit from the skinhead scene. The songs "Ein langer Weg", "Scheiße passiert", "Nie wieder", "Flammen", "Deutschland im Herbst", "Buch der Erinnerungen" and "Ohne mich" have a similar motif.
Accusations of right-wing extremism
The band has been accused—despite many protests—of extreme right-wing tendencies, with their 1981 song "Türken raus" cited as an example. This song was written during their punk phase, and the band says it was written as a reaction to a specific Turkish gang with whom they often fought. Critics claim that the song does not refer to a specific group, but demands that "all Turks have to go". The band contends that it was only an example of their primitive way of thinking at that time. The 1983 song "Deutschland den Deutschen" ("Germany For Germans") is also often mentioned; however, the band says that this song was also written in reaction to their experiences on the street.
Another song from 1981, "SS-Staat" ("SS State") on Kill the Hippies – Oi!, is (according to the band) "a glaringly provocative anti-Nazi song". Due to poor recording quality, the line "SS-Staat im Staate, wir wollen's nicht erleben" ("SS state in the state, we don't want to experience it") can be misunderstood as "SS-Staat im Staate, wir wollen's mit erleben" ("SS state in the state, we want to experience it").
"Türken raus" and "Deutschland den Deutschen" were never officially released; they were distributed by copying the demo tapes. Weidner said: "The lyrics were stupid, and of course there was never a release of this song; of course, there will be never such a release."[citation needed]
The first two records of the band were released on the
The band has denied all right-wing accusations since 1985, and has written several songs against extremism, totalitarianism and racism. Later political songs promote independent opinion and oppose hate.[16]
Band members
- Kevin Russell – lead vocals (1980–present)
- Stephan Weidner – bass, vocals (1980–present)
- Peter Schorowsky – drums, percussion (1980–present)
- Matthias Röhr – guitars (1981–present)
-
Kevin Russell (2019)
-
Stephan Weidner (2019)
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Peter Schorowsky (2018)
-
Matthias Röhr (2019)
Discography
Studio albums
- 1984: Rock-O-RamaRecords)
- 1985: Böse Menschen – Böse Lieder (Rock-O-Rama Records)
- 1987: Onkelz wie wir... (Metal Enterprises)
- 1988: Kneipenterroristen (Metal Enterprises)
- 1990: Es ist soweit (Metal Enterprises)
- 1991: Wir ham' noch lange nicht genug (Bellaphon Records)
- 1992: Heilige Lieder (Bellaphon Records)
- 1993: Weiß (Bellaphon Records)
- 1993: Schwarz (Bellaphon Records)
- 1995: Hier sind die Onkelz (Virgin Records)
- 1996: E.I.N.S. (Virgin Records)
- 1998: Viva los tioz (Virgin Records)
- 2000: Ein böses Märchen … aus tausend finsteren Nächten (Rule 23)
- 2002: Dopamin (Rule 23)
- 2004: Adios (Regel 23, formerly Rule 23)
- 2007: Onkelz wie wir (re-recording, Rule 23)
- 2016: Memento (Matapaloz)
- 2020: Böhse Onkelz (Matapaloz)
Since 2001, the albums released on the Bellaphon label have been distributed by SPV/regel23. The albums from the Metal Enterprises era (Kneipenterroristen, Es ist soweit, and the EP Lügenmarsch) have been distributed with a different cover by SPV/regel23 since March 2005. The album Onkelz wie wir… was re-recorded and released on 2 November 2007. On 4 December 2009, a remastered version of Onkelz wie wir... was released as Onkelz wie wir (Black Edition) by Reflex Distribution & Media (Intergroove), which bought the rights from Metal Enterprises.
Singles
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Awards & record certifications
Awards
Year | Presenter | Awards | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Echo | Rock/Pop: group of the year national | Nominated[17] |
2001 | Echo | Rock/Pop: group of the year national | Nominated[18] |
2003 | Echo | Rock/Pop: group of the year national | Nominated[19] |
2005 | Echo | Rock/Pop: group of the year national | Nominated[20] |
2006 | Echo | Music-DVD-Production national: La Ultima / Live in Berlin | Nominated[21] |
2008 | Echo | Music-DVD-Production national: Vaya Con Tioz | Won[22] |
2015 | Echo | Music-DVD-Production national: Nichts ist für die Ewigkeit – Live am Hockenheimring 2014 | Nominated[23] |
Record certifications
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Platinum Certification[24]
2× Platinum Certification[24]
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Further reading
- Edmund Hartsch, Böhse Onkelz, Danke für nichts, ISBN 3-00-001743-7.
- Klaus Farin, Buch der Erinnerungen, ISBN 3-933773-13-X.
- Cornelius Peltz, Hesse trifft Hesse – Eine Reise ins Universum der Persönlichkeit mit Hermann Hesse und Stephan Weidner, buy at Archiv der Jugendkulturen.
- Matthias Gonzo Röhr, Ralph Larmann: Meine letzten 48 Stunden mit den Böhsen Onkelz I.P. Verlag Jeske/Mader "2006“, ISBN 3-931624-36-6.
References
- ^ a b Chartquellen: DE AT CH
- ^ Edmund Hartsch: In: Böhse Onkelz, Danke für nichts. First Edition, 1997, p. 28.
- ^ Edmund Hartsch: In: Böhse Onkelz, Danke für nichts. First Edition, 1997, p. 39.
- ^ Edmund Hartsch: In: Böhse Onkelz, Danke für nichts. First Edition, 1997, p. 58.
- ^ "Die Geschichte der Böhsen Onkelz". Boc-ghc.de. 18 June 2005. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Kevin – B Ö H S E O N K E L Z". Onkelz.de. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived 23 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Stones-Konzert in Hannover: Mick Jagger vertraut den Böhsen Onkelz - SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Wacken Open Air – Statement bezüglich der Böhsen Onkelz! – News". metal.de. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Böhse-Onkelz-Veteran Weidner: Wut im Kopf – SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Böhse Onkelz – Vaya con tioz [4 DVDs]: Amazon.de: Böhse Onkelz: DVD & Blu-ray". Amazon.de. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "BĂśhse Onkelz: Ăœber zwei Jahre Haft für Kevin Russell – laut.de – News". Laut.de. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Böhse Onkelz - Teaser 3 - 2014". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Es gibt immer ein "warum", ein "wenn"... – Böhse Onkelz (Offiziell)". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ Official biography, "Danke für nichts"
- ^ "Böhse Onkelz: Benefiz-Konzert gegen rechte Gewalt – laut.de – News". Laut.de. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ [2] Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "MusikWoche | News | Die ersten Nominierungen des Echo 2001". Mediabiz.de. 25 January 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "MusikWoche | News | Alle Nominierten für den Echo 2003". Mediabiz.de. 20 January 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "News | Kategorie: Rock/Pop". mediabiz.de. 20 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Echo 2006: Die Nominierten - Tokio Hotel & Azad News". Fan-lexikon.de. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Echo 2008: Erster Preis für Böhse Onkelz – laut.de – News". Laut.de. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Die Nominierten - Echo 2015 - ARD | das Erste".
- ^ a b c d Record Certifications: DE AT Archived 8 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Official website Archived 12 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine (English)
- Official website (German)
- Peter "Pe" Schorowsky
- Matthias "Gonzo" Röhr
- Stephan Weidner
- Böhse Onkelz discography at Discogs