A band that starts its name with SOKO, an abbreviation for Sonderkommission, a special or additional group within the police, e.g., for investigating serious crimes like murder or leftist political engagement, wants to stand out, and the band from Leipzig-Connewitz does just that. Of course, Connewitz, for some the district of chaos, in Berlin such a place is called a danger zone.
We feel right at home, don’t we? Exactly there is our little world that we love so much. Open-minded, tolerant, and critical of capitalism. Of course, also living a bit of a utopia, but what does that matter? In all this, the constant apocalypse is a good way not to go crazy.
SOKO LINX has formed and is releasing their debut album on the Loikaemie label. Fettfleck Records and Loikaemie are sure to open doors, just like Hellcat Records did for Grade2, but I digress.
SOKO LINX makes music for people who hate punk. Of course with a “Z”, because writing “SS” is practically fascist.
Nice spontaneous fun!
Like back in the day when we circled every “A” and felt mischievous joy.
So what are the three masked radical cuddle punks doing? Did I write cuddle punks? Well, they are kind of cute in their red balaclavas and their style. And they sound like Supernichts and Farin Urlaub.
Melodies like “Stein des Anstoszes” are basically stolen from Supernichts (or Detlef) and sung in a way that sounds like Farin Urlaub. The lyrics are very reminiscent of the guitarist from Die Ärzte. Who really knows who is hiding under the balaclava?
Tracks like “Gewaltenteilung” (a word that describes the separation of powers in democracy. What was that again? Judiciary, executive… and legislative) sound more like a mix of Deichkind and K.I.Z.. The lyrics of the song are great, as they describe what is perceived as “good” violence and what is perceived as “bad” violence or is “sold” as such in the media.
Of course, guest musicians are a must. Axel from Wizo sings on “Zeitmanagement”. The Dead End Kids are featured on “Kein Kompliment”.
The song “Feuer, Pfeife, Reminiszenz” is for me a little homage to Die Ärzte, who are also sampled in the song. The best band in the world once had an announcement on the B-side of the single “Hurra” during the song “Ekelpack” (Live from Munich). A man needs three things...
In contrast to Gunter Gabriel, who once sang that a man needs six things.
Ah, I’m digressing again.
One can also be a bit selfish, sung about in “Verkehrsteilnehmer innen”, but hey, everyone can relate to the lyrics, I mean really everyone, right?
So there’s something good to find here for both young and old.
I saw the band at the legendary FETTFEST this year in Leipzig.
What can I say?
Sometimes I close my eyes when I listen to music, and in those moments, the band wasn’t so bad at all.
With my eyes open, it was a bit too loud and overdone for me.
Lyrically, a lot of good stuff is offered. Sometimes explanatory, sometimes it feels like a good friend is talking, and sometimes sarcastic and cynical.
It’s hard to say that SOKO LINX is bad, as they try to bridge the gap between old punks and new punks and explore commonalities. This is important, especially in these times. Will they succeed?
At least SOKO LINX is shaking up the scene and gaining attention. That is right and important. How the music is received is something everyone should decide for themselves, but, and this is important to me, never overlook that the band from Leipzig-Connewitz can make a difference that is bigger than themselves.
What changes will come with it… we will see.
It would be worse without SOKO LINX.
So “Little Democrat, what now?”
