|
|
My independent study project on Wizo on 29 April, 2004:In 1989, the young punk band, Wizo, began recording their first 7" EP, "Klebstoff", in a smelly cellar studio on the dark side of Stuttgart. The songs, 3 hyperkinetic punk rock pieces, soon became hymns for an entire generation of youths who had been waiting for a band playing infectious punk tunes with serious political statements & a good dark sense of humor. In 1991 they played, for their first album "Für 'n Arsch" a surprise concert, from the back of a truck, in front of a courthouse. There, the trial of a famous German actor was held (something like the OJ Simpson trial!) One day later the story of the impudent punk rock band from Sindelfingen was heard all over German TV & newspapers. 1992 they released a somewhat "mean" tribute, "Roy Black ist tot" for the first anniversary of the death of a famous German singer. "Bild Zeitung" called it the "worst album of the year" thus the kids loved it! 1993 they recorded a cover-version of the song "All that she wants" by Ace of Base. It was a huge success! The video played on MTV & in discos & Ace of Base liked it alot! It was the only official cover version of the song worldwide! Almost a dozen techno-remixes were denied... 1994 Wizo released their third album, "Uuaarrgh!" on Hulk Räckorz. It would become their breakthrough in Germany & was hailed as a "milestone in German punk rock history"! More than 100,000 copies were sold & Wizo was again in the papers as they, during "Chaos Days" in Hannover where 2,000 punks rioted, smuggled their van through police checks & played in the middle of the street! (-for those who were left, many had been arrested- not translated) Late in the spring of 1994 a new problem began when a South German District Attorney started investigations against the band. The reason? He said the song, "Kein Gerede" from the 1991 album "Für 'n Arsch" had "illegal anti-government statements and instigations for terrorist actions" (-not sure how to translate that). The offices of Wizo's record label, Hulk Räckorz & their German distributor, SPV, were searched & some hundred Wizo CD's were confiscated. Wizo was sued & had to pay 1,000 Marks in fines & were not allowed to sell albums w/ the "Kein Gerede" song on it or print the lyrics in any CD booklets. Later they recorded the song on a remixed "Für 'n Arsch" as a great "Kein Gerede-Karaoke-Track". The band & fans found it unbelieveable, however, that this could happen. The government says that there is no censorship & one has freedom of speech, how is that??? In 1995 Wizo played two concerts with California punk legends NOFX. The band made a good impression on Fat Mike, singer & bassist for NOFX & head of the San Francisco record label Fat Wreck Chords, & he offered to release the "Uuuaarrgh!" album in the US, Canada, Japan & the rest of the world. Wizo said yes to working with Fat Mike & to their surprise (but pleasure) the energy filled & catchy punk rock cocktail pleased the American youth & Wizo was invited to play, that same year on the Warped Tour (-skater punk thing, I believe, nt) In 1996 Wizo found a new drummer, Herr Guhl. The band also contributed to many Samplers & released a couple mini & maxi CD's. In 1998 they released "Kraut & Rüben" in the US with Fat Wreck Chords. At this time the band is in the studio working on their newest CD. It should be excellent! More at: |
