Monday, October 15, 2012

Die Ärzte: Is That Still Punk Rock? (2012)



Regular reader Herr Pauli has broadened my perspective be pointing out that in Germany most punk fans often fall in to two camps, those who follow Die Toten Hosen (more HERE) and those who follow Die Ärzte. Now the name, Die Ärzte ('The Doctors'), was vaguely familiar to me but truthfully, until Herr Pauli got me to Wikipedia them, I was unaware that they've been around as long as DTH and share an affinity for catchy songs, crunchy guitars and crazy antics.  This single, "Ist Das Noch Punkrock?" ('Is That Still Punk Rock?'), from their latest album is a funny, poppy and crunchy blast: 





For those of you who need to know the lyrics in English (like me!) here they are in both languages:


Ist Das Noch Punkrock?

"Fick dich und deine Schwester" hast du dir tätowiert
No future, das war gestern, seitdem ist viel passiert
Sie heißt Andrea, ihre Haare sind blau
Ihr habt Verkehr und du gibst es zwar nicht zu, aber sie ist deine Traumfrau

Aber ist das noch Punkrock
Wie dein Herz schlägt, wenn sie dich küsst?
Ist das noch Punkrock
Wenn euer Lieblingslied in den Charts ist?
Das hat so den Coolnessfaktor
Von einem Gartentraktor
Ist das noch Punkrock?
Ich glaube nicht

Früher warst du dabei, wenn eine Wanne brannte
Dieses Jahr am ersten Mai besuchst du ihre Tante
Seit es Andrea gibt, kommst du nicht mehr saufen
Ihr geht zu Ikea, um euch für die neue Bude eine Küche zu kaufen

Aber ist das noch Punkrock
Wie dein Herz schlägt, wenn sie dich küsst?
Ist das noch Punkrock
Dass euer Lieblingslied in den Charts ist?
Ich will euch nicht den Spaß verderben
Aber musste Sid dafür sterben?
Ist das noch Punkrock?

Du machst nichts mehr ohne sie
Ihr seid so ein bisschen wie
Tom Cruise und Scientology
Gefährlich, gefährlich
Gut geht das auf Dauer nicht
Du verstehst meine Trauer nicht
Das ist wirklich bedauerlich
Ganz ehrlich, denn

Ist das noch Punkrock
Wie dein Herz schlägt, wenn sie dich küsst?
Ist das noch Punkrock
Wenn euer Lieblingslied in den Charts ist?
Ihr solltet euch immer fragen
Was würde Stiv Bators sagen?
Ist das noch Punkrock?
Ich glaube nicht



Is That Still Punk Rock?

"Fuck you and your sister" you got tattooed
No future, that was yesterday. Since then a lot happened
Her name is Andrea, her hair is blue
You two are having intercourse and you surely don't admit it, but she is your dream girl

But is that still punk rock
How your heart beats when she kisses you?
Is that still punk rock
If your guys's favorite song is in the charts?
That has the coolness factor
Of a garden tractor
Is that still punk rock?
I don't think so

Earlier you were involved when a police van burned
This year on Mayday you're visiting her aunt
Since Andrea has been there, you don't come drinking anymore
You two go to Ikea to buy a new kitchen for the new room

Is that still punk rock
How your heart beats when she kisses you?
Is that still punk rock
If your guys's favorite song is in the charts?
I don't want to spoil your fun
But did Sid have to die for this?
Is that still punk rock?

You don't do anything without her anymore
You two are a little like
Tom Cruise and Scientology
dangerous, dangerous
That doesn't go well in the long run
You don't understand my grief
That is really unfortunate
In all honesty, because

Is that still punk rock
How your heart beats when she kisses you?
Is that still punk rock
If your guys's favorite song is in the charts?
You should always ask yourselves
What would Stiv Bators say?
Is that still punk rock?
I don't think so


Readers. what's your take on this battle of the German punks,  Die Toten Hosen vs. Die Ärzte? Your thought are welcome in the COMMENTS section!


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10 comments:

  1. YEAH ! the right german BAND. i love the "ärzte"
    and bela b - the drummer is one of the greatest heads in german music(he had some solo records incl a duett with lee hazelwood)"DIE ÄRZTE" have great-funny but alway intellegent lyrics.

    "NEU" is a punkband. dark and depressed punk !

    "CAN" is the krautrockband - and for me the best german band ever. a favourite band of david bowie

    all in all ! jeffen it is great to see some german bands on your site. i hope people give the music a chance.

    thanx a lot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The band sounds great - any album I should check out?

      P.S. It's your comments that have inspired the German series - so thanks to you!

      Delete
  2. am i allowed to like both? also don't forget about Bonsai Kitten, The Punkles, The Bam Bams, The Crimson Ghosts and Xmal Deautschland (my brother lived in munich, i got beer and cds for xmas for those few years)
    Phinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sure! it was possible to like both !
      yes xmal deutschland - great band.
      hey ! german beer i`m not really a patriot, i never say i`m proud to be a german (it was nazi speech) but i am proud about german beer ;-)
      don`t forget one of my german heroes: "EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN"

      Delete
    2. Phinky
      I'm embarrassed to admit that I never realized that xmal deutschland were German. maybe it's just too obvious (plus being on 4AD may have thrown me off).
      The only other band, other than XD, I recognize on that list is the Punkles, Sounds like I've got some investigating to do...

      Delete
    3. Herr Pauli
      I'm glad we've all agree to like both because to English ears the two bands have a lot in common!

      And of course "EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN" noise the way God intended!

      Delete
  3. Die Artze
    1) because of the lyrics
    2) get the feeling they never compromised on anything

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I was impressed at how well the lyrics read in translation ("That has the coolness factor/Of a garden tractor") which is always a good sign!

      Delete
  4. Great tune and lyrics! I, as well, would be interested in checking out an album by these Doctors.

    CallPastorJerkface

    ReplyDelete
  5. i've forgotten:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5,_6,_7,_8_%E2%80%93_Bullenstaat!

    their old band was soilent grün (with bela and farin) 2 songs of them were re-recorded on that comp.

    ReplyDelete

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