Ton Steine Scherben

Ton Steine Scherben (German pronunciation: [ˈtoːn ˈʃtaɪnə ˈʃɛːɐ̯bən]) was one of the first and most influential German language rock bands of the 1970s and early 1980s.^[1][2][3][4] Well-known for the highly political and emotional lyrics of vocalist Rio Reiser,^[1] they became a musical mouthpiece of new left movements, such as the squatting movement, during that time in Germany and their hometown of West Berlin in particular. Today, after the band's demise in 1985, and the death of Rio Reiser in 1996, Ton Steine Scherben have remained a cult following and popularity in the related scenes. Recently, the remaining members have given reunion concerts under the name "Ton Steine Scherben Family".

Etymology

Ton Steine Scherben's literal English translation is "Clay Stones Shards"; in German, "Ton" can mean "sound" as well, so the band's name may be considered to be an amphibology. Singer Rio Reiser usually told journalists the name was taken from a description by pioneer archeologist Heinrich Schliemann of what he saw when he first came to the site of ancient Troy. Other members of the band claim in the biography "Keine Macht für Niemand - Die Geschichte der Ton Steine Scherben" (No power for nobody - the story of Clay Stone Shards") that it is a play on the name of the West German labor union Bau-Steine-Erden (Construction-Stones-Earths). The band name is also a tribute to The Rolling Stones and to "Die roten Steine" (The red stones), a trainee theatre group from Berlin.

History

Formed in 1970 by vocalist and guitarist Rio Reiser, guitarist R.P.S. Lanrue, Kai Sichtermann on bass guitar, and drummer Wolfgang Seidel when the members were all around 20 years of age, they are nowadays considered to have been one of the first genuine German-language rock band,^[2][3] together with Udo Lindenberg. Their first big-stage appearance was at an Open-Air on 6 September 1970 on the Fehmarn stage where Jimi Hendrix had had his last appearance directly before. A house right next to the stage went up in flames while they were still playing;^[2] it has been alleged that it had been set on fire by the security personnel who had just received news that the event's organizers had disappeared with all the revenues.^[2] Still many people believed that Ton Steine Scherben had set the stage on fire, which gave them tremendous credibility in the radical scene. ^[3][4]

Die Scherben released their material through their own label.^[1] The "David-Volksmund-Produktion" (David from "David and Goliath"; Volksmund = the people's voice) released not only the LPs of the Scherben but also of "Caramboulage", a "girl band" which consisted of Angela Olbrich, Elfie- Ester Steitz (R.P.S.'s sister) and Britta Neander; also they were engaged in the German gay-movement, so they released two LPs of "Brühwarm" and a Boy-Group namend "Stricher" ["hustler" or "the moneyboys"]; the last record of the David-Volsmund-Poduktion is the LP "Sternschnuppen" of the singer-song-writer Misha Schoeneberg. Later DVP became Schneeball-Produktion ("Snowball Productions") before becoming Indigo-Records in 1990. In 2003 the DVP was brought back to life as an independent division of Indigo- Records and is run by Nickel Pallat.

In the middle of the 1970s the pressure on the Scherben from their anarchistic fanbase grew.^[2] The Band felt more and more like a "music-box", playing for the radical scene on cue.^[2] While the band attempted a shift toward more personal lyrics,^[1] the radical scene insisted that they remain as political as before. ^[2] Under this pressure the band escaped from Berlin to Fresenhagen, ^[2] a little town in Nordfriesland, where they bought an old farm, which the numerous bandmembers, about 16 in all, repaired. There they tried to make their dream of "working & living together" come true.^[2]

After a period of being managed by Claudia Roth (later to become co-chairwoman of the German Green Party), they disbanded in 1985 when the band's debt became unbearable. ^[2][4]

Ton Steine Scherben Family live (2005)

Singer Rio Reiser then embarked on a solo career until his death in 1996. At that time the rest of "Ton Steine Scherben" reunited one more time for a farewell concert. As of 2000, some members of the formerly Ton Steine Scherben touring since 2005 as Ton Steine Scherben Family, performing the band's classics.

Musical traits, lyrical themes and influence

Ton Steine Scherben were pioneers in German music culture. Their style has been described as rock with a "renegade stance, what in later years would be dubbed 'punk'."^[1]

Their lyrics were at the beginning anti-capitalist and anarchist. ^[2][3][4] They didn't think the socialism of the Soviet Union was anywhere near real socialism, ^[2][4] and had connections to the squatter scene ^[2] (e.g. Rauch-Haus-Song) and the German Red Army Faction terrorists ^[2] during the time before the latter turned to violent crime and murder. Later Ton Steine Scherben toned down on political issues and explored more personal themes like freedom, love, drugs, and sadness.^[1][2][4] Most of their songs can be described as slightly mad, sometimes in a funny way, sometimes in a rather scary way. ^[2][3][4] Later songs were about more complex issues such as unemployment (Mole Hill Rockers) or homosexuality (Mama war so). They also contributed to two full-length concept album about homosexuality which were issued under the name Brühwarm (literally: boiling warm) in cooperation with a gay-revue group.

All their albums were self-published and promoted.^[1] Revenues from the albums were slim which contributed to the band's dissolution.^[1] Only few singles were released, which rarely received commercial attention.

Members

Founding members

• R.P.S. Lanrue -- guitar (1970–1985)
• Rio Reiser -- vocals, guitar(1970–1985)
• Wolfgang Seidel -- drums (1970–1971)
• Kai Schichtermann -- bass guitar (1970–1985, except 1974–1975)

Last line-up

• R.P.S. Lanrue -- guitar(1970–1985)
• Rio Reiser -- vocals(1970–1985)
• Funky K. Götzner -- drums (1974–1985)
• Kai Schichtermann -- bass guitar (1970–1985, except 1974–1975)
• Martin Paul -- keyboards (1981–1985)
• Misha Schoeneberg -- management, stage- and lightdesign (1981–1985)
• Claudia Roth -- management (1982–1985)
• Dirk Schlömer -- guitar (1983–1985)

Former members

• Nikel Pallat -- vocals, saxophone, management (1970–1978)
• Jörg Schlotterer -- organising, flute
• Sven Jordan -- drums (1971)
• Oliver Lietzau -- drums (1972)
• Angela Olbrich -- chorus, percussions (1972–1981, except 1976–1977)
• Captain Hynding -- drums, guitar (1972)
• Helmut Stöger -- drums (1973)
• Werner "Gino" Götz -- bass guitar (1974–1975)
• Britta Neander -- drums, chorus (1974–1982)
• Elfie- Ester Steitz -- chorus, catering (1979–1982)
• Elser Maxwell -- management (1981–1982)
• Marius del Mestre -- choir/chorus, guitar (1981–1982)

Current members of Ton Steine Scherben Family

• Funky K. Götzner -- drums
• Kai Schichtermann -- bass guitar
• Martin Paul -- keyboards
• Marco Schmedje -- (lead guitar)
• Angela Olbrich -- chorus, percussions
• Nikel Pallat -- vocals, saxophone, management
• Marius del Mestre -- vocals, guitar

• Elser Maxwell -- management

Discography

• 1971 - Warum geht es mir so dreckig (Why am I so miserable)
• 1972 - Keine Macht für Niemand (No power for nobody)
• 1974 - Wenn die Nacht am tiefsten (When it's darkest night)
• 1980 - IV
• 1981 - Auswahl I
• 1983 - Scherben(Shards)
• 1984 - In Berlin (live)
• 1985 - Live I

The following albums were issued after the band ceased recording:

• 1996 - Live II
• 2006 - Live III

References

External links

• (German) Official website
• (German) www.scherbenfamily.de - the official website dedicated to current news (reunion appearances, etc.)
• (German) RioLyrics All lyrics from Ton Steine Scherben and a comprehensive literature archive about the band