After six years, a new album from CHEFDENKER is finally being released. It is their first album in six years.
Now, surely everyone knows that CHEFDENKER originated from Claus of the legendary Knochenfabrik, and by now, Caddolf from the legendary pop-punk band Wohlstandskinder... oh wait, they grew up and were then called The Wohlstandskinder... is also involved. Let’s refrain from bashing non-existent bands just before the end of the year. Let’s focus on the current work instead.
The title “Asozialdarwinismus” is already suspiciously Pulitzer Prize-worthy. The cover image also shows the band in various stages of evolution. The highest stage of evolution is, of course, the punk with spikes and a beer bottle around his neck.
It’s always difficult to discuss works that Claus Lüer has been involved in. The writer never knows whether it’s meant seriously or not, or if he understands a reference or misunderstands it... or doesn’t understand it at all. What goes on in the writer's mind is often a mystery.
The new album by CHEFDENKER strongly reminds me of the works of Detlef and the legendary (actually and forever) Supernichts. Detlef and Supernichts are all from Cologne and are probably all related in some way.
The works number 19 (!). Some sell that as a double album.
Thematically, there is a comprehensive overview that touches on pretty much everything that has happened in recent years or what observations have been made. Particularly noteworthy in this context is “Blues auf A”. There is so much truth and scene ambivalence in it that it almost hurts. And yes, playing the blues seems easy and always resonates well with gloomy souls. However, one can do more than just wallow in sadness, but “Can rock 'n' roll electromobility?” One could also ask “Is this still punk rock?”, but Die Ärzte already did that; both are correct. Is life, in its entirety, even punk rock? The main thing is “beer”!
I believe there should be a sampler just on the topic of beer. This song would definitely be on it, along with the line:
Botox for the belly, that you just drink
What do I need beauty ideals for? I drink beer, and that’s for every day!
Beer opens a door that was just closed. In the past, everyone drank beer and had fun; today, the corner pub has turned into a Waldorf kindergarten, and the parents are strangely out of touch with reality and live fully healthily.
What has become of this world?
Does the song “Kreuzberger Morgen sind lang” actually have its origin in the bar that starts with “M” and ends with “bar”? Sometimes it’s the little things that are important in life. Besides beer, definitely coffee!
But we are, of course, not only moving in the segment of life-sustaining beverages but also going to where it hurts; alongside the “Russischer Anwalt”, there is of course also the “Junge Union”. Supernichts had a great song about that too, but “Junge Union” by CHEFDENKER is also more than successful. Just for the line...
Talking shit to perfection, lifelong young union
...the band deserves to be awarded the Federal Cross of Merit.
It’s phenomenal what kind of lyrics have been created here. Not only are complex topics commented on in vivid language, but also the band’s own position is expressed very clearly. Very refreshing in a time when even in the left scene, one often has to pay attention to the “right” choice of words.
There are many bands that put effort into writing lyrics. Really good lyrics come out of that. Over the course of a band's life, there are some songs that are truly perfect in terms of lyrics. These songs remain for (almost) forever.
CHEFDENKER consistently delivers such lyrics, and it’s not surprising that this album will be a milestone in German-speaking punk rock due to its complexity and simple genius.
Here’s to a Djuardin.
