PUNK IS DEAD!
How many people have said that already?
Now SWISS & THE OTHERS are saying it too, even though they became big and well-known through Punk. Is that necrophilia?
No, Punk is dead and yet continues to live on. Almost like a zombie, because somehow zombies are also punk, as they are outsiders. They are seen as enemies of society. This is exactly where SWISS & THE OTHERS come in. They have not only built a stable and growing fan base over the last few years. They are so involved with their clans (which used to be called fan clubs) that in the eyes of some, even those close to SWISS & THE OTHERS, it almost resembles a cult culture. Some find it too extreme. The people in the clans support each other. Support they didn't have before. They give each other courage and strength where there was once only fear and loneliness. The clans bring like-minded people together, and that is what music creates. Bringing like-minded people together, at least to some extent. Having similar musical tastes is already a foundation to build on.
SWISS & THE OTHERS play in large halls and at big festivals. The small clubs, the sauna tours the band did in their early years, also impressed me greatly.
Unforgettable SWISS & THE OTHERS at the club "Musik & Frieden" in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The club no longer exists, but SWISS & THE OTHERS do.
After their first three albums, I lost sight of the band a bit. They actually didn't appeal to me as much anymore. Somehow too forced, too deliberate, and also a bit too much bravado. That's part of hip hop, and anyone who knows the old stuff from SWISS knows that he can do that very well.
Now album number seven is being released. Seven is considered a number of fate. As a special number, it fits very well with "Punk is dead".
The band retreated to North Frisia for songwriting. In February.
Anyone who has been in North Frisia during this time knows that it is lonely there. It is lonely and gray and endlessly far. This must have influenced the Hamburgers, because what they are releasing on the 14 songs of "Punk is dead" is a back to roots.
The production is, of course, beyond all doubt. However, it is very down-to-earth. Nothing is overproduced, which benefits the songs. The album reminds me of the band's first albums that I liked so much and with which the band played their way into the hearts of so many people.
That SWISS & THE OTHERS are older but by no means calmer becomes clear right from the first song "Bock auf Stress". At the same time, it politically clarifies where they stand (which unfortunately seems necessary in this time, even for such a band). At the same time, the current political and social state is aptly described. In just over three minutes, everything is made clear (which was already clear anyway).
With "Punk is dead", they hit the same nail on the head. It also explicitly mentions what the band and especially the clans stand for. Solidarity.
And by the way...
No one can exploit me if you are useless
All the sacrifices you make are not worth the pain
...what lines. So much is involved. Social exclusion, lack of self-confidence, not feeling comfortable in the world. A really big deal!
It is certain that Punk will continue to live on without SWISS & THE OTHERS, but of course, that is also part of the band's standing. Big mouth but also something behind it.
SWISS needs to be nice soon; he won't look good forever. When I think of "being nice", I briefly think of K.I.Z. The flow is somewhat similar.
What surprises me are the quiet tones on the album. Here, the great anti-war song "Ficken bis der Frieden kommt" should be mentioned, as well as "Die Wolken wohnen im Himmel" and "Sehnsucht". Especially the song "Sehnsucht" is almost a kind of undressing. It is a very personal, an intimate song.
With "Jung & Frei", a song has made its way onto the album that reminds me of the poppy style of Element of Crime. The words paint pictures.
Of course, there is also chaos on the album. Here, "Beschissene Party", "Haifisch", "Tetris", or "Bock auf Stress" should be mentioned.
Anyone who listens to "Auf der Flucht" will hopefully never again say a bad word against refugees or those who have fled.
Many songs are sung from the first-person perspective. This makes the songs not only stronger but also more tangible and real.
I didn't expect much from the new album by SWISS & THE OTHERS and I am more than thrilled.
It is a strong album!
As long as there is something like "Punk is dead", Punk is not dead!
