When I received the request from the band to review their new album for ramtatta.de, I initially thought it was a typo. I know the band Klabusterbären, but KLABUSTERBERND? Who is that?
KLABUSTERBERND comes from Emsbüren, which is located between Nordhorn and Spelle, or to put it very roughly, the guys are from Emsland.
What is Emsland famous for? Grain distilleries, peat, a hard-drinking population, and agriculture, and... well, not much else.
The band photo of KLABUSTERBERND was taken classically and robustly in a highway rest area. In the background, the toilet house.
The band started releasing singles back in 2018. As luck would have it, they received the tip at the well-known DocMaKlang Studio in Osnabrück to record more and release a first album.
Five years later, it will finally happen; on April 19, 2024, the debut album of the band from Emsland, titled “Dorfrebell,” will be released.
The eleven songs are surprisingly well recorded and remind me of the music I listened to more than 20 years ago. I immediately think of the Heiligen Drei Könige or Xarecrows, Müsli für alle, or Nihao. But I also recall the older stuff from Planlos in Düsseldorf or the songs by Rogers.
It’s a little time travel that I didn’t expect and that is really enjoyable.
There’s catchy pop-punk to sing along and pogo to. Yes, the music is really fun.
The songwriting rarely tackles the big world-changing themes. Instead, it’s more about what the band members (and surely all of us) have experienced. Whether it’s unrequited love, the rumor mill that is so often stirred up, or
the latent alcohol and party addiction. These are lyrics from life with the soundtrack of the difficult years between 18 and 30.
With the title track, the band describes what many people feel when they swim against the current in the village. It’s still something different than in the big city. “Möchtegern” hits the same note, from a different perspective that isn’t necessarily punk but has something to do with punk.
The little, secret hit of the album for me is “Hey Max!”.
In times of self-optimization, protein drinks, and fitness crazes, it’s a great counterpoint.
It was the year 2008,
on New Year's Eve.
Who has come up with a resolution for the new year?
No one has thought of anything,
but when the question came,
from the corner, quite spontaneously.
I’m starting to smoke now.
KLABUSTERBERND surprised me with their debut, and even though for old geezers like me it’s more of a time travel, the feeling that the songs convey is one that not only old geezers know.
By the way, have you ever heard of a second spring?
I wish the band success in getting their debut beyond the borders of Northwest Germany.
As beautiful as Bad Bederkesa, Westerstede, Sögel, Emlichheim, and Geeste may be, the city rebels also enjoy your music.
