Die Goldenen Zitronen

Die Goldenen Zitronen

Die Goldenen Zitronen live in 2013
Background information
Origin Hamburg, Germany
Genres Punk rock, jazz, new wave, avant-garde, hip hop, techno, electro
Years active 1984–present
Website www.die-goldenen-zitronen.de
Members Schorsch Kamerun
Ted Gaier
Julius Block
Mense Reents
Enno Palucca
Stephan Rath
Hans Platzgumer
Past members Aldo Moro
Ale Sexfeind
Psycho 1

Die Goldenen Zitronen (English: The Golden Lemons) are a punk rock band from Hamburg, Germany that are known for their entertaining and politically relevant style. Their original name was Die Deutschen Nazikartoffeln (The German Nazi-potatoes). When the band formed in 1984 at the beginning of the “Fun-Punk”-movement, punk was their main style. They are considered a forerunner to the "Hamburger Schule." Over the years the band added more experimental musical forms, with which different styles were combined. Their lyrics are political and take a critical view of society from a left to left-radical perspective.

History

Founded in the 1980s, they have in recent years branched out from punk and created a more experimental style that combines several different forms of music. The band is also especially known for its chaotic live performances.

The founding members were Schorsch Kamerun (vocals), Ale Sexfeind (drums), Ted Gaier (bass, guitar), and Aldo Moro (guitar, bass). Initially they combined hard rock with 1970s-era punk and lyrics that were both angry, yet comedic and pop-like. The band rejected the traditional music industry, seeing themselves as a symbol of artistic independence not wanting to "serve the structures of rock" (Ted Gaier.) Of the founding members, only Schorsch Kamerun and Ted Gaier remain. The new members are Thomas Wenzel (Die Sterne) under the pseudonym Julius Block, keyboarder and drummer Mense Reents (Egoexpress, Stella), and Enno Paluca.

In 1986 Die Goldenen Zitronen courted initial attention with their single "Am Tag als Thomas Anders starb" ("on the day Thomas Anders died"). Their subsequent release, "Für Immer Punk," was a cult hit in the German punk scene, inspiring comparisons with bands such as Abwärts, Die Toten Hosen and Die Ärzte.

Bandmembers Julius Block (back) and Enno Palucca (in front)

The band developed their style further with 1990s "Fuck You," in which they mock popular rock groups and protest against the tedium of daily life.

1994's "Das Bisschen Totschlag" saw a major musical transition, in which Zitronen mixed their usual power-rock style with elements of garage-trash, electro-beat, hip-hop and noise-pop. This trend of experimentation continued with 1996's "Economy Class," which was influenced by improvisational jazz.

With 1998's "Dead School Hamburg" (a jab at the Hamburger Schule trend of music), the band further altered their style, pursuing a greater emphasis on electronic instrumentation. Their most recent album, 2001's "Schafott zum Fahrstuhl", takes a more avant-garde direction.

Die Goldenen Zitronen have had a diverse number of collaborators, ranging from the poet Franz Josef Degenhardt to new acts such as Chicks on Speed or Peaches.

Discography

Compilations

Films

Other band member projects

References

  1. ↑ "7" single monks single" (PDF). Playloud.org. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  2. ↑ "Golden Lemons" (PDF). Berlinale.de. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  3. ↑ ""Verlautbarung der GOLDENEN ZITRONEN zum unerfreulichen Kinostart der Films" (Statement of the band in German)". Goldenlemons.de. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
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