- Ton Steine Scherben
Infobox Musical artist
Name = Ton Steine Scherben
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Background = group_or_band
Alias = "die Scherben" ("the Shards")
"TSS"
Origin =West Berlin ,Germany
Genre =Folk rock ,blues ,German rock ,protopunk
Years_active = 1970–1985
Label = David Volksmund Produktion (DVP)
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.tonsteinescherben.de www.tonsteinescherben.de] de icon
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Past_members =
Notable_instruments =Ton Steine Scherben [IPA|toːn ʃtaɪnə ˈʃɛːɐ̯bən] was one of the first and most influential
German language rock bands of the1970 s and early1980 s.cite web
last = Leggett
first = Steve
title = Biography
work = All Music Guide
publisher = AllMusic.com
date =
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:apfyxql5ld6e
quote = "Ton Steine Scherben were one of Germany's first real homegrown rock bands [...] , and although they weren't commercially successful in the normal sense, the group's influence in Germany has been long-lasting. [...] Ton Steine Scherben [...] released several independent records on their own dime, recordings that were frequently highly political and controversial. In time, Ton Steine Scherben shifted ground just slightly and explored more personal territory in their lyrics, but they never abandoned a sort of renegade stance, what in later years would be dubbed 'punk.'"
accessdate = 2007-06-11] cite book
last = Sichtermann
first = Kai
title = Keine Macht für Niemand - Die Geschichte der Ton Steine Scherben
coauthors = Jens Johler, Christian Stahl
publisher = Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf
year = 2003
pages =
isbn = 978-3896024688] cite book
last = Seidel
first = Wolfgang
title = Scherben: Musik, Politik und Wirkung der Ton Steine Scherben
publisher = Ventil
year = 2005
pages =
isbn = 978-3931555948] cite book
last = Skai
first = Hollow
title = Das alles und noch viel mehr. Rio Reiser - Die inoffizielle Biografie des Königs von Deutschland
publisher = Heyne
year = 2006
pages =
isbn = 978-3453120389] Well-known for the highly political and emotional lyrics of vocalistRio Reiser , they became a musical mouthpiece of new left movements, such as the squatting movement, during that time in Germany and their hometown ofWest Berlin in particular. Today, after the band's demise in 1985, and the death of Rio Reiser in 1996, Ton Steine Scherben have remained acult 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 archeologistHeinrich Schliemann of what he saw when he first came to the site of ancientTroy . 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 unionBau Steine Erden (Construction Stones Earth).The band name is also a tribute toThe 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 , guitaristR.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, together withUdo Lindenberg . Their first big-stage appearance was at an Open-Air on6 September ,1970 on theFehmarn stage whereJimi Hendrix had had his last appearance directly before.1 A house right next to the stage went up in flames while they were still playing; 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. Still many people believed that Ton Steine Scherben had set the stage on fire, which gave them tremendous credibility in the radical scene.In the middle of the 1970s the pressure on the Scherben from their anarchistic fanbase grew. The Band felt more and more like a "music-box", playing for the radical scene on cue. While the band attempted a shift toward more personal lyrics, the radical scene insisted that they remain as political as before. Under this pressure the band escaped from Berlin to Fresenhagen, 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.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.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'."Their lyrics were at the beginning anti-capitalist and
anarchist . They didn't think the socialism of theSoviet Union was anywhere near real socialism, and had connections to thesquatter scene and the GermanRed Army Faction terrorists 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. Most of their songs can be described as slightly mad, sometimes in a funny way, sometimes in a rather scary way. Later songs were about more complex issues such asunemployment ("Mole Hill Rockers") orhomosexuality ("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. Revenues from the albums were slim which contributed to the band's dissolution. 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 --drum s (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 --drum s (1974–1985)
*Kai Schichtermann --bass guitar (1970–1985, except 1974–1975)
*Martin Paul -- keyboards (1981–1985)
*Misha Schoeneberg --management , stage- andlightdesign (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 --drum s (1971)
*Oliver Lietzau --drum s (1972)
*Angela Olbrich -- chorus,percussions (1972–1981, except 1976–1977)
*Captain Hynding --drum s,guitar (1972)
*Helmut Stöger --drum s (1973)
*Werner "Gino" Götz --bass guitar (1974–1975)
*Britta Neander --drum s, chorus (1974–1982)
*Elfie- Ester Steitz -- chorus,catering (1979–1982)
*Elser Maxwell --management (1981–1982)
*Marius del Mestre -- chorus,guitar (1981–1982)Current members of Ton Steine Scherben Family
*
Funky K. Götzner --drum s
*Kai Schichtermann --bass guitar
*Martin Paul -- keyboards
*Misha Schöneberg --management , stage- andlightdesign
*Dirk Schlömer --guitar
*Angela Olbrich -- chorus,percussions
*Nikel Pallat -- vocals,saxophone ,management
*Elfie- Ester Steitz -- chorus,catering
*Elser Maxwell --management
*Micky M. del Mestre -- chorus,guitar 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
* [http://www.tonsteinescherben.de Official website]
* [http://www.scherbenfamily.de www.scherbenfamily.de] - the official website dedicated to current news (reunion appearances, etc.)
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