This year, the German music industry has nominated the South Tyrolean (note, that is in Italy) band Frei.Wild for the title of Best Rock/Alternative Band National (note, this implies Germany). It recently became clear that they have fans not only because of their nationalistic lyrics, as the band had to announce their withdrawal from the lineup of the With Full Force Festival after massive complaints. Initially, the co-nominated Kraftklub dropped out, and today Die Ärzte followed suit. So, there were good chances for the most German of all non-German artists to win the award if they remained the only nominees. However, that will unfortunately not happen, as the board of the Echo Awards quickly pulled the emergency brake last night and kicked Frei.Wild out. Not because they had a problem with their nationalist antics, but to "prevent the ECHO from becoming a stage for a public debate on the issue of political beliefs."
Here is the complete statement: http://www.musikindustrie.de/presse_aktuell_einzel/back/82/news/deutsche-phono-akademie-nimmt-freiwild-von-der-liste-der-diesjaehrigen-echo-nominierten/
However, one should not be satisfied with that. Because Frei.Wild continues to spread their dangerous patriotic messages at their concerts. For instance, on April 12, 2013, in the Sparkassenarena in Aurich. In response, an action alliance has formed in Aurich, which is countering with a demo and a decent concert. This will take place on the same date in Aurich at the Schlachthof with Dödelhaie, Neonschwarz, Rogue Steady Orchestra, ContraReal, and E123. All information can be found here: http://keinfreiwildinaurich.wordpress.com/
According to Ostfriesen-Zeitung, the bands that want to play at the counter-events are already lining up: http://www.oz-online.de/-news/artikel/109182/Bands-stehen-Schlange-fuer-Gegenkonzert
