For a few years now, song titles and band names that contain wordplay have been trending. Think of “Das Aus der Jugend” or “Ken Hetzen”. Now comes PUNK LIFE BALANCE, a new band. Once again from Cologne.
Cologne, a city that produces more punk bands than one can drink Kölsch.
The eight songs on the self-titled debut, which is only released on vinyl and digitally, have names like “Authentischer Autist” or “Veränderungsziel”. That sounds somehow weird, alienating, and cerebral. All attributes that fit.
The band plays quiet indie-punk, you could also call it relaxed rock. Shoegaz hovers over everything. Dreamy guitars create an aura in which Guido Leicht’s vocals feel at home.
The lyrics are reminiscent of Die Sterne, then Tocotronic, or even Fehlfarben. Lyrically, they’re not too far from Pascow and Love A.
What do you do with music like this, which is almost radio-friendly yet still at home in the subculture? What do you do with lyrics that are sometimes understandable and sometimes only fragmentary? What do you do with lyrics that question a lot but give no direction? Asking is easier than answering.
Musically, the whole thing is well thought out, and a concept can also be discerned lyrically. The band has put in effort, no question, but… for whom? The spots in the Hamburger Schule are occupied by the repeat students, and the junior classes somehow lack that certain something.
Anyone who likes Die Sterne and Tocotronic or enjoys dreamy indie-punk should give PUNK LIFE BALANCE a listen.
