In 1994, the BROILERS were founded in Düsseldorf.
As a small Oi-Punk band, the group was perhaps best known at the time for their name, which is the term for roast chicken and is still part of the vernacular in the eastern regions. The name was well chosen, and the first releases brought the Düsseldorfers quite a bit of attention. Fans from the early days still speak with glowing eyes about the first two releases “Fackeln im Sturm“ and “Verlierer sehen anders aus“.
The audience in the early years mostly consisted of punks and skinheads. From my memories, the BROILERS were more of a skinhead band than a punk band, but that may have varied regionally.
The band was loved and respected by fans and played a lot in small clubs, occasionally venturing into larger venues. The fan base grew steadily.
With the album “Vanitas Recordings“ released in 2007, a lot changed for the band. The album was very well produced, perfectly recorded, with lyrics from the heart and music from the soul. It was a milestone for the band. Looking back now, the album was the catapult that brought the combo from the Rhine into the big halls.
I was fortunate enough to see the band after the release at Kato (now Bin Nuu) in Berlin. A small club in the subway station “Schlesisches Tor“, right in the middle of Kreuzberg. The club was sold out almost immediately. The atmosphere was gigantic. The subculture celebrated the band as if there were no tomorrow. I have experienced many sold-out concerts there, but this concert was something else. Hotter, crazier, and very intense.
The band bid farewell to their old sound at the latest with “Vanitas Recordings“. Since this album, the sound became broader, more stadium-ready, and even though that wasn't thought at the time, actually mass-compatible. Yes, one could also say more commercial. However, what did not become shallower were the lyrics from singer Sammy. Still intense, personal, and written with life experience from the heart. This may also be one of the reasons why the band never had to deal with commercial accusations on a large scale (at least as far as I have noticed). The band evolved, along with their fans, and those who could no longer identify with the Düsseldorfers left, but without resentment.
Now we are in the year 2021. The Broilers released the album with the grand name “Puro Amor“ (Pure Love) on April 23, 2021. Fourteen songs are on the album, which comes in a beautiful digipack with a booklet. In my eyes, this album tries to connect the now and here with the history of the band. Musically, this may not succeed so well, because the widescreen sound that fits so well into the big halls and stadiums is sometimes a bit too heavy and perhaps comes off too smooth. Lyrically, however, Sammy has succeeded. This starts with the first song, in which the band describes themselves as follows:
Hey, we remain who we were - teenagers of 40 years
Just for this line, I love the band. It speaks absolutely from my soul.
It continues with the sadly longing “Trink mich doch schön“ and who doesn’t think of the song “Paul der Hooligan“ from the EP “La Vida Loca“ released in 2002 when listening to “Schwer verliebter Hooligan“? And the night is still the only one who knows how I feel. Each of us who has crossed 30 knows about the memories and experiences that have shaped us, but which should please remain closed somewhere. Everyone has their “attic episodes“.
BROILERS, however, do not only look back and reflect, but also look forward. This is represented by songs like “Diktatur der Lerchen“, “Alles wird wieder o.k.“ and the powerful “Niemand wird zurückgelassen“.
A song that deserves special attention is “Alice und Sarah“. Here, a certain woman is asked to please pick up another, as right-wing arsonists are dangerous. Sometimes love helps (as Die Ärzte sing in “Liebe gegen Rechts“), but sometimes even the greatest love is not enough, as the band sings:
All this Nazi shit,
all the ghosts they summoned.
This is no longer your girl,
no longer the woman you love!
“Puro Amor“ stands out mainly due to the great, sometimes even truly lyrical lyrics from singer Sammy. The whole album is carried by these lyrics. Without these lyrics, the band would be only half as good. Thus, one forgives to a certain extent the sound that is definitely made for the stadium.
