DIE BOCKWURSCHTBUDE has released a new album.
They still exist?
Yes, they still exist. I had the same thought.
The band was founded in Frankfurt (Oder) in 1995. In the following years, the band played a lot in Brandenburg and Berlin and made a name for themselves. For me, the band was always somewhat under the radar. Of course, I had seen them live at some point, and I occasionally heard something new from the combo, but they never really captivated me back then.
After nine years, the band has released a new album titled “Sippenhaft.” The new songs welcome you with a cover of the so-called “Mäusebunker.” This building was once operated by FU-Berlin and was an animal testing laboratory. The fact that it still stands can only be explained by the fact that the building is a prime example of Brutalism. In terms of architectural style, the animals must have felt the same way. It's strange that no band before DIE BOCKWURSCHTBUDE has printed this iconic building on a cover.
As iconic as the building is, the music of DIE BOCKWURSCHTBUDE is not quite as iconic, but it is certainly noteworthy. The first songs stylistically remind me of Alarmsignal and Popperklopper as well as Normahl. Fast, melodic punk rock with scene-typical lyrics. It sticks in your ear. The subsequent songs then broaden the style a bit, so that influences from the Berlin band No Exit cannot be denied (especially the “Scheißsong” could have been written directly by that band). The roaring guitars accompany the songs quite dominantly and give the tracks a snotty touch. The drums are also quite prominent, and the deep bass might even be recorded a bit too heavily. At times, the vocals give the impression that they have to fight against the guitar and drums to be heard.
All the songs are not bad, and yet I have to say, even after multiple listens, that little sticks. It is good German-language punk rock that doesn't need to hide, but in my eyes, it lacks enough to remain striking. Where the band operates, the positions are (still) clearly defined. Of course, guitar-heavy, melodic German-language punk rock cannot always be reinvented. I know that, but despite this argument, “Sippenhaft” cannot fully convince me. Something is missing. The cake looks good, tastes good too, but something not really definable is lacking. Is it the cherry? Is it more sprinkles?
Solid punk rock that is fun, that is “Sippenhaft” for me.
Nothing more.... unfortunately.
