SCHARPING...wasn't that the spaced-out politician who, despite being a cyclist, was always a bit off track? What has become of Rudolf “The Rennradfahrer“ Scharping? Is he still cycling?
It takes quite a bit of pain tolerance and twisted humor to name a band after this politician. But that's the trend today and the new hot shit in the indie music market. Just do something, as long as it's quirky, a bit danceable, and definitely with a mustache and grandpa's clothes. You really have to like that stylistically and be quite pain-free if your whole life is a never-ending Bad Taste party.
SCHAPRING are somewhere in between, that is, between catchy pop-punk and rock, quirky avant-garde of the current decade, lounge music with lyrics, and a lived Bad Taste party.
The thirteen tracks on the album demand quite a bit from the listener. The band has done what they felt like doing, and they have a lot of desires. There are very catchy songs dressed in poppy punk rock, like “Alternative zur Umwelt“, “Durch die Backen“, the great “Emily“, or “Die Dinosaurier, bitte“. These songs musically remind one of Die Ärzte, who have always made and still make some wild stuff, as well as the Terrorgruppe. Melodically, it’s all very catchy and pleasant to listen to. The band shows that they have an extremely good sense for melodies and arrangements. Even with many breaks, tempo changes, and guitar solos, one doesn’t get dizzy.
As the album progresses, the songs become calmer. They become fluffier, an increasingly mild listening pleasure. The music retreats more and more into the background, so that it hardly even registers when the “Nachtzug nach Neapel“ has left. Track number 14 is then almost a wake-up call.
What SCHARPING has on the plus side is that the quartet consists of seasoned musicians, including Kevin Kuhn (Die Nerven), and these musicians can play really well. Whether punk rock or blues, whether pop song, groovy lounge music, or avant-garde excursions, it all sounds good and skillful. I have rarely heard so much variety on an album. Lyrically, they manage to let a lot of criticism shine through in mundane texts. Fine irony, reading between the lines, and reflecting on life, that’s what the band can do.
What’s on the downside is the outfit. One shouldn’t judge people by their clothes, but... Fuck, is that the concept and am I falling for it?
Be that as it may, grandpa's clothes are not what I aspire to, and the snot-nosed brat as a trendy, fashionable accessory is also not my thing. I've met way too many weird people with mustaches in my life.
The only cool person with a mustache was Schimanski!
So the conclusion becomes difficult because... the best fits:
Both and neither.
SCHAPRING are somewhere between genius dilettantes, small-town, blues, and protest.
