A few days ago, Peter Blümer himself got in touch with me to introduce his new band and to send me their debut EP. I was very pleased and curious about it. After all, Peter Blümer was a member of the unfortunately no longer existing German punk band HASS. In 2007, there was a farewell tour. The great band HASS, with which I not only grew up but also still listen to, and whose often profound lyrics are still relevant today. Perhaps even more relevant than ever.
So it was difficult for me to completely
wipe away those memories and view the new band DOWN BY THE KÖTTELBECKE without bias. That’s actually impossible. The vocal style constantly reminds me of HASS, and the songs are very much structured like those of HASS. Peter Blümer had written almost all the lyrics and music there. So, no surprise.
The first song of the EP “Pottsau” is a catchy start. A song that sings the praises of the Ruhr area and its people. The guys come from Dortmund, after all, and know and love their Pott. The song is easy to get into, and by the last seconds, you’re happily singing along to the chorus. And who isn’t sometimes (gladly) a Pottsau?
The second song “Nicht auf mein Schiff” leans very much towards HASS. Lyrically, thematically, and also in structure. It’s against Nazis, but the chorus is a bit naive, which takes away the seriousness of the whole thing. It’s a shame, because otherwise, there’s not much to complain about this song, just one thing makes me ponder: why is there also room for the Pope on the Dingi (small dinghy)? Punk and religion? That’s like the devil and holy water, it just doesn’t work!
The following song “So lange es geht” also strongly reminds me of HASS. The lyrics are melancholic, sad, and hopeless… and then comes the line “But if you say you love me, I’ll keep going as long as it goes.” A line that touches the heart and that every punk can relate to when it seems like there’s no way forward again. A love song that shows that love is stronger than the cruel world out there.
Next, the song “Ganz normale Leute” is worth mentioning, which provides a razor-sharp analysis of the gray mass and the so-called “normal people.” Accurate, shocking, and true. The real freaks are those with a row house, kids, and a dog.
The songs “Silver Surfer” and “Der Mann der zuviel wusste” are the weaker tracks on the record, but they are definitely not failures.
Overall, the EP “So lange es geht” is a good, intelligent record that promises less punk than HASS but operates at a very high lyrical level. A decent portion of its own identity is necessary, however, if the band does not want to be seen merely as a successor to HASS.
