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"Merged" Version

1A Lyrics and compositions

Nearly all of the Bands texts are written by Campino, the other band members von Holst, Meuser and Breitkopf are in charge of the musical arrangements. The two former drummers Trimpop and Rohde are occasionally named on the older compositions as authors. A major part of the music was produced by Jon Caffery; he was however replaced by Vincent Sorg in 2008. The band satirically,critically deals with social and political issues. The texts, mainly first-person narrated, deal with faith, religion, psychology and xenophobia. Major topics in their texts are friendship and moral courage. A common reference to soccer is significant for them and their texts. Their songs seem anthem-like as the chorus is sung by all the band members. Almost all their texts are colloquial language and often contain vulgar expressions. The band furthermore published some drinking songs, which became popular tune in Germany. Moreover the band feels connected to the cabaret. Their friends Gerhard Polt, die Biermösl Blosn, Funny van Dannen and Hanns Christian Müller ,also artists, have been involved in some of the bands productions. The band also had some more challenging projects, as Nur zu Besuch- unplugged im Wiener Burgtheater. They were supported by composers of classical music like Hans Steingen. Furthermore they were joined by various guest musicians such as Tim Cross, Esther Kim and Raphael Zweifel. Consequently since 2005 the band uses more acoustic instruments, both for their new songs and old ones.

The less frequent English speaking songs come out by a total production of Campino and the musicians Honest John Plain ,Matt Dangerfield of “the Boys” and T.V. Smith. Besides many cover versions, the band has published 238 compositions by the time of their 25th anniversary of them being together as a band.

2A

All members of the band taught themselves to play their instruments. In the early years most of the band members were still attending school. The first album was recorded unprofessionally in a studio that was rented hourly. They limited themselves to simple guitar chords and texts and cut their music with the usual amateurism in punkrock. They were mostly influenced by punk bands from the 1970s, to whom they payed tribute on their albums and all their concerts. Additionally they occasionally cover the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. With „Schunkelpunk“ (a fusion of traditional German pop music and punk) like „Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder“ (a song about a strong alcoholic drink), numerous cover-versions of German `Schlager´ songs (pop songs for older generations) and tracks like „Azzurro“, The Toten Hosen are additionally ranked as pioneers of the `Volxmusik´ (new German folk music). The Toten Hosen consistently improved due to longtime stage experience, new contacts and multiple impressions from abroad. Thanks to their commercial success since the late 1980s and the resulting good financial situation, especially since the founding of their own label JKP in 1995, the band profited from the opportunity of transforming their ideas according to their concepts. In some tracks experiments with string and wind instruments were made. Some songs display features of jazz (example given „Warum werde ich nicht satt“, engl. ´Why am I still hungry´), reggae („Zehn kleine Jägermeister“) or Yugoslavian gypsy music („Das Mädchen aus Rottweil“, engl. `The girl from Rottweil´). For the most part The Toten Hosen have not departed substantially from their original style of music. Beaten quavers and powerchords, easily understandable texts, simple melodies, anthem-like choruses and dropping of long solos belonging to that.

2B

Musical Development

Every member of the band taught himself how to play his own instrument. At the beginning of their musical career most of them still attended school. Their first album was recorded unprofessionally in a studio which was rented on an hourly basis. The band kept to simple guitar chords and lyrics and they played their music in a dilettante style, which was common for punk rock. Die Toten Hosen were mainly influenced by Punk bands from the 1970s, who they paid tribute to on most of their albums and at all of their concerts. In addition they occasionally covered the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The band often plays “Schunkelpunk”, which means simple sing-a-long punk songs like Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder, numerous cover versions of German Schlager music and songs like Azzuro. Because of that they rank among the pioneers of the so called “Volxmusic”. “Volxmusic” is a musical genre which combines elements of German folk music with elements of jazz, hip-hop or rock. Die Toten Hosen constantly improved their skills through many years of stage experience, new contacts with other musicians and the experience they gained in foreign countries. Since the late 1980s the band had great commercial success which put them in good financial standing and in 1995 they even established their own record label JKP. All in all this enables them to put through their own ideas according to their own visions. In some of their songs Die Toten Hosen experiment with strings or wind instruments. A few songs have elements that are lifted from jazz (e.g. Warum werde ich nicht satt), reggae (Zehn kleine Jägermeister) or Yugoslavian gypsy music (Das Mädchen aus Rottweil).

Basically, however, the Toten Hosen have not changed their original musical style significantly. This includes hammered quavers and power chords, easily understandable lyrics, simple melodies, anthem-like choruses and avoidance of long solo passages.

Finalized version

All members of the band taught themselves to play their instruments. In the early years most of the band members were still attending school. Their first album was recorded unprofessionally in a studio which was rented on an hourly basis. The band kept to simple guitar chords and lyrics and they played their music in a dilettante style, which was common for punk rock. They were mostly influenced by punk bands from the 1970s, to whom they payed tribute on their albums and all their concerts. Additionally they occasionally covered the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. With „Schunkelpunk“ (a fusion of traditional German pop music and punk) like „Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder“ (a song about a strong alcoholic drink), numerous cover-versions of German `Schlager´ songs (pop songs for older generations) and tracks like „Azzurro“, The Toten Hosen are additionally ranked as pioneers of the `Volxmusik´ (“Volxmusic” is a musical genre which combines elements of German folk music with elements of jazz, hip-hop or rock). Die Toten Hosen constantly improved their skills through many years of stage experience, new contacts with other musicians and the experience they gained in foreign countries. Since the late 1980s the band had great commercial success which put them in good financial standing and in 1995 they even established their own record label JKP. All in all this enables them to put through their own ideas according to their own visions. In some of their songs Die Toten Hosen experiment with strings or wind instruments. A few songs have elements that are lifted from jazz (e.g. Warum werde ich nicht satt), reggae (Zehn kleine Jägermeister) or Yugoslavian gypsy music (Das Mädchen aus Rottweil).

3 FINALIZED

Nevertheless, Die Toten Hosen haven't essentially diverted from their original music style which includes hammering quavers and power chords, lyrics that are easy to understand, simple melodies, anthem-like choruses and the dropping of lengthy solos.

Concerts

All live performances are centered around lead singer Campino's physical agility and both provoking and satirical announcments. He moves quickly across the stage, stage-dives or climbs up lighting rigs in order to finish a song, sometimes 33ft. over the ground and hanging head over heels. With the aid of anthem-like songs, the use of call and response as well as covering popular tunes, the band encourages the audience to sing along and integrates them into the show.

The band is known for playing surprise-gigs or spontaneous shows in front of a small audience on special occasions or in the living rooms of families or friends of individual fans for example at a wedding party or at exceptional venues like penal institutions in Berlin and Düsseldorf, on a steamer on the river Elbe in Dresden, on Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze, at a convent school in Altötting (Bavaria) or the 5th department of Hamburg's main mental hospital in Hamburg-Ochsenzoll (now: Asklepios Klinik Nord). On all of these events, the band passed on fees but performed for board and lodge only.

'''4A Concerts''' As they became more popular, it got more and more difficult for the band to choose between the many invitations to the “Magical-Mystery-Tour-Gigs”, a series of concerts named after an album of the Beatles. Since 1992, therefore, the band announced their public performances to pick out the most original applications they received. In 2005, for instance, they played in a flat share of students in Pirmasens, who had won the concert as the main prize of a video-competition of the band. In September 2009 the band gave a concert in the club SO36. With the entrance fees from the concert they supported the financing of a noise barrier, which the city of Berlin had required the owner of the club to erect after a dispute with a neighbor. Additionally, the band sometimes used pseudonyms to perform in front of a smaller audience. In 1993, the band appeared as “Katastrophenkommando” and in 1998 as “Reihnpiraten” (“Pirates of the Rhine”). In 2000 they performed several concerts under the name “Essen auf Rädern”. In Berlin and Düsseldorf, two of the concerts were performed together with “Die Ärzte” (“The Doctors”) who performed using the name “Die Zu Späten” (“The ones who are always late”). In the meantime the band had started to sell concert tickets to fans only if personal information was registered and identity cards shown at the entrance. To avoid higher black market prices the tickets are nontransferable to other persons.

4B

As their popularity grew it became harder and harder for the band to select the right ones among the many invitations to these „Magical-Mystery-Tour-Gigs“, which is what these concerts were named after an album by The Beatles. For that reason, since 1992 they advertised these gigs in public in order to pick the most original ones among the applications they received. In 2005, for example, they performed in Pirmasens in a flat share owned by students who had won the concert as the first price in a video competition of the band. In September 2009 the band gave a concert in the club SO36 to found the construction of a noise barrier which was imposed by the city of Berlin onto the club managers after they had a dispute with their neighbours.

To be able to perform in front of small audiences beyond that, the band occasionally used pseudonyms. In 1993 they performed as „Das Katastrophenkommando“, in 1998 as „Rheinpiraten“. In 2000 they played several concerts as „Essen auf Rädern“, two of these concerts they played together with the band Die Ärzte who performed as „Die Zu Späten“ in Berlin and Düsseldorf. By now the band came to sell tickets for their concerts in small halls and clubs only if personal information is registered and the identity card shown at the entrance. To foreclose higher prices on the black market the tickets are nontransferable to other persons.

5 Finalized version

Social involvement - political activities

The band Die Toten Hosen not only repeatedly aligned themselves in public with various political and social organizations through music, speeches and financial support, but also participated in their projects. However, the members of the band clarified that they are not attached to any political party. According to that, they rejected a request of the SPD (social political party of Germany) to write a song for their European election campaign in 1994. Already in 1991, their track Fünf vor Zwölf (“it is high time”) was published on the sampler Nazis raus ( “not up for Nazis”) and in 2006 they supported the campaign Kein Bock auf Nazis (“cannot stand Nazis”) of the band ZSK. In 1992, the band participated in a demonstration against xenophobia in the courtyard garden in Bonn. They performed together with Herbert Grönemeyer, Nina Hagen and others in front of nearly 200,000 fellow demonstrators. In 1995, they supported Greenpeace, the campaign Ärzte gegen Atomkrieg (IPPNW: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclearwar), Aktion Atomteststop (an initiative for a nuclear test ban), the BUND (“Friends of the Earth Germany”) and they were featured with the track Tout Pour Sauver L’Amour (“Everything for saving love”) on their sampler Stop Chirac. In 2002, the band attracted publicity by posing undressed for posters of the animal rights group PETA under the slogan Lieber nackt, als im Pelz (“Better naked than in fur”). Moreover, they funded the sampler On the Run of the human rights group Pro Asyl in 2005 and were represented with the song Meine Stadt ("my city"). From 1999 on, they operated a public forum for discussion on the internet, in which everybody could state his or her opinion anonymously. Nevertheless, in August 2004, the band closed this section of their official homepage without explanation.

Finalized Version: Concerts

Due to the raise of their name recognition the right choice between many invitations to the “Magical-Mystery-Tour-Gigs”, how they called the concerts after an album of the Beatles, became more and more difficult for the band. For that reason, since 1992, they advertised these gigs in public in order to pick the most original ones among the applications they received. In 2005, for instance, they played in a flat share of students in Pirmasens, who had won the concert as the main price of a video-competition of the band. In September 2009 the band gave a concert in the club SO36: With its entrance fees they supported the financing of a noise barrier, which Berlin had imposed the club managers as a condition after a dispute with a neighbour.

To be able to perform in front of small audiences the band occasionally used pseudonyms. In 1993, the band appeared as “Katastrophenkommando” and in 1998 as “Reihnpiraten”. In 2000 they gave several concerts as “Essen auf Rädern”, two of these concerts were played together with “Die Ärzte”, who were performed as “Die Zu Späten”. Only when details about a person and an identification card at the entry are given, the band meanwhile has started to give up the tickets for their concerts in small halls and clubs. The tickets are not applicable to another person to exclude high black market prices.

6, Group A Ties to their home town Düsseldorf

During their history as a band, the Toten Hosen have expressed their bond toward their home town through various activities. In the summer of 1995 the band competed in a hockey match with some members of the Düsseldorfer EG against the Leningrad Cowboys, who were supported by the Finnish national team at the “Powerplay des Wahnsinns”. The match was played outat the Brehmstraße in Düsseldorf. They had called their team “Knochenbrecher Düsseldorf” and only narrowly lost with a score of 10:11. In 1969 they slipped into women’s clothing, silk stockings and high heels and took part in the carnival procession of Düsseldorf with their own float under the slogan “We bury good taste”. The Toten Hosen are considered to be the most prominent supporters of Düsseldorfer´s soccer club Fortuna Düsseldorf. During the 1980s they supported the club by donating 200.00 DM to finance the transfer of Anthony Baffoe into their club. From 2001 to 2003 they sponsored the club, after it had gotten into deep financial difficulties. In 2002 the band signed a contract with the Diebel brewery and passed on the gains to the youth of the club who from then on started to wear the logo of the band, a skull, on their jerseys.

The Toten Hosen have reserved a grave-site for seventeen people in which they want to be buried when they pass on.

6, Group B Connections to the hometown Düsseldorf

In the course of band history the Toten Hosen expressed their bonds to their hometown through various actions. In summer 1995 the band participated in the ice hockey game “Powerplay des Wahnsinns” (“Power-play of insanity”) in Düsseldorf and formed a team together with part of the Düsseldorfer EG. The opposing team was the Finnish rock band Leningrad Cowboys which were supported by the Finnish national team. Under the team name of “Knochenbrecher Düsseldorf” (“bone breakers of Düsseldorf”) they suffered a narrow defeat of 10:11. In 1996 they slipped into dresses, silk stockings and high heels and took part with their own wagon in the carnival procession of Düsseldorf under the slogan “We bury good taste”. The Toten Hosen are considered to be the most prominent fans of Fortuna Düsseldorf, the football club of Düsseldorf. At the end of the eighties they helped the club with a donation of 200.000 DM to finance buying the player Anthony Baffoe. From 2001 until 2003 they were sponsoring the club when the latter had gotten into major financial difficulties. 2002 the band entered into an advertising contract with the brewery Diebels and transferred the earnings to the youth of the club who wear the skull emblem on their tricot. The Toten Hosen have rented a space at the cemetery “Südfriedhof” for 17 persons in which they want to be buried after their demise.

6, Merged Version

Ties to their home town Düsseldorf

During their history as a band, the Toten Hosen have expressed their bond toward their home town through various activities. In the summer 1995 the band participated in the ice hockey game “Powerplay des Wahnsinns” (“Power-play of insanity”) and formed a team together with part of the Düsseldorfer EG. The opposing team was the Finnish rock band Leningrad Cowboys which were supported by the Finnish national team. The match was played out at the Brehmstraße in Düsseldorf. They had called their team “Knochenbrecher Düsseldorf” and only narrowly lost with a score of 10:11. In 1969 they slipped into women’s clothing, silk stockings and high heels and took part in the carnival procession of Düsseldorf with their own float under the slogan “We bury good taste”. The Toten Hosen are considered to be the most prominent supporters of Düsseldorfer´s soccer club Fortuna Düsseldorf. During the 1980s they supported the club by donating 200.00 DM to finance the transfer of Anthony Baffoe into their club. From 2001 to 2003 they sponsored the club, after it had gotten into deep financial difficulties. In 2002 the band signed a contract with the Diebel brewery and passed on the gains to the youth of the club who from then on started to wear the skull emblem on their tricot.

The Toten Hosen have reserved a grave-site for seventeen people in which they want to be buried after their demise.

7)Version Group A The band’s history 1982 – 1987: The first years In 1982, Campino, Andreas von Holst, Andreas Meurer, Michael Breitkopf, Trini Trimpop and Walter November founded the band Die Toten Hosen [The Dead Trousers] in Ratinger Hof in Düsseldorf as the successor of ZK. For their first concert at the Slaughterhouse in Bremen at Easter 1982, the organiser accidentally announced the band as Die Toten Hasen [The Dead Rabbits]. The initial single Wir sind bereit [We are Ready] and later on Reisefieber [eagerness to travel] were published in the same year. Guitarist Walter November surprisingly left the band in 1983 and joined the religious sect Jehovah’s Witnesses. The third single, containing the party song Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder [iced Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], is considered to be the first recognized success as this single was sometimes played on the radio. The first album Opel Gang [group of people who likes the German car brand Opel] was released in 1983 under the band’s own independent label Totenkopf [skull]. The video to Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder [iced Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], directed by Wolfgang Büld and financed by EMI, was made in a small Bavarian church in summer 1983. In this video, Kurt Raab in the role of a catholic clergyman who is not opposed to drinking alcohol and Marianne Sägebrecht in the role of a bride presented a chaotically running marriage. Afterwards, the community considered it necessary to re-consecrate the church of the village. German public TV channels had boycotted the video for a long time. The band, meanwhile having a contract with EMI since July 1983, together with the New York rapper Fab Five Freddy released a hip-hop version of the single Bommerlunder [Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], entitled Hip Hop Bommi Bop, as Christmas single at the end of the year 1983.

Version Group B

The German band „Die toten Hosen“, literally meaning „The Dead Pants“, was founded in 1982 replacing the band “ZK”. It was founded by Campino, Andreas von Holst, Andreas Meurer, Michael Breitkop, Trini Trimpop and Walter November in Düsseldorf at a bar for punk musicians – the “Ratinger Hof”. At Easter 1982 they were accidentally announced as “Die toten Hasen” (meaning The Dead Rabbits) during their first concert at the “Bremer Schlachthof”. During the same year their first single “Wir sind bereit” (meaning We Are Ready) was puplished followed by “Reisefieber” (meaning Holiday Fever). Suprisingly, the guitarist Walter left the band in November 1983 and joined Jehovah's Witnesses. Their third single the party song „Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder“ is said to bet he first decent result since it was played on the radio a couple of times. Their first album “Opel-Gang” labeled “Totenkopf” was released in 1983. In the summer of the same year the music video of “Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder” (meaning frozen, strong alcoholic drink), which was financed by EMI and directed by Wolfgang Büld, was produced in a small Bavarian church. It depicts a chaotic wedding ceremony with Kurt Raab playing an alcoholic priest and Marianne Sägebrecht playing the bride. Afterwards the community thought it would be necessary to anoint the church again and the music video was boycotted by the German puplic television for a long time. At the end of the year 1983 the band, which was under contract to EMI since July, released in cooperation with the New Yorker Rapper Fab Five Freddy a Hip-Hop-Version of the song „Bommerlunder“. They released it as a Christmassong called „Hip Hop Bommi“.

Merged version

In 1982, Campino, Andreas von Holst, Andreas Meurer, Michael Breitkopf, Trini Trimpop and Walter November founded the band Die Toten Hosen [The Dead Trousers] in Ratinger Hof in Düsseldorf as the successor of ZK. For their first concert at the Slaughterhouse in Bremen at Easter 1982, the organiser accidentally announced the band as Die Toten Hasen [The Dead Rabbits]. The initial single Wir sind bereit [We are Ready] and later on Reisefieber [eagerness to travel] were published in the same year. Guitarist Walter November surprisingly left the band in 1983 and joined the religious sect Jehovah’s Witnesses. The third single, containing the party song Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder [iced Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], is considered to be the first recognized success as this single was sometimes played on the radio. The first album Opel Gang [group of people who likes the German car brand Opel] was released in 1983 under the band’s own independent label Totenkopf [skull]. The video to Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder [iced Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], directed by Wolfgang Büld and financed by EMI, was made in a small Bavarian church in summer 1983. In this video, Kurt Raab in the role of a catholic clergyman who is not opposed to drinking alcohol and Marianne Sägebrecht in the role of a bride presented a chaotically running marriage. Afterwards, the community considered it necessary to re-consecrate the church of the village. German public TV channels had boycotted the video for a long time. The band, meanwhile having a contract with EMI since July 1983, together with the New York rapper Fab Five Freddy released a hip-hop version of the single Bommerlunder [Danish spirit called Bommerlunder], entitled Hip Hop Bommi Bop, as Christmas single at the end of the year 1983.

final version The German band „Die toten Hosen“, literally meaning „The Dead Pants“, was founded in 1982 replacing the band “ZK”. It was founded by Campino, Andreas von Holst, Andreas Meurer, Michael Breitkop, Trini Trimpop and Walter November in Düsseldorf at a bar for punk musicians – the “Ratinger Hof”. At Easter 1982 they were accidentally announced as “Die toten Hasen” (meaning The Dead Rabbits) during their first concert at the “Bremer Schlachthof”. The initial single „Wir sind bereit“ [We are Ready] and later on „Reisefieber“ (Eagerness to travel) were published in the same year. Suprisingly, the guitarist Walter left the band in November 1983 and joined Jehovah's Witnesses. The third single, containing the party song Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder (iced Danish spirit called Bommerlunder), is considered to be the first decent success since it was played on the radio a couple of times. The first album Opel Gang (group of people who likes the German car brand Opel) was released in 1983 under the band’s own independent label Totenkopf (skull). In the summer of the same year the music video of “Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder”, which was financed by EMI and directed by Wolfgang Büld, was produced in a small Bavarian church. It depicts a chaotic wedding ceremony with Kurt Raab playing an alcoholic priest and Marianne Sägebrecht playing the bride. Afterwards the community thought it would be necessary to anoint the church again and the music video was boycotted by German puplic television for a long time. At the end of the year 1983 the band, which was under contract to EMI since July, released in cooperation with the New Yorker Rapper Fab Five Freddy a Hip-Hop-Version of the song „Bommerlunder“. They released it as a Christmassong called „Hip Hop Bommi“.

8A In 1984, the band accepted the BBC’s invitation to perform on the John Peel Show. But because of the high travelling expenses, they had an argument with EMI. Another reason for this was the scandal about Norbert Hähnel, who did a parody on the “real” Heino in the opening program of “Die Toten Hosen”. Heino, who was under contract to EMI, enforced a writ of injunction against Hähnel at the regional court in Düsseldorf. Eventually, “Die Toten Hosen” separated from EMI and got a contract at Virgin Records. Nevertheless, the dispute continued, as the second LP “Unter Falscher Flagge” was published in 1984. The original cover illustrated the skeleton of a dog sitting in front of a gramophone, which was a caricature of the EMI logo “His Master’s Voice”. EMI went to court and achieved that the cover had to be changed. In the end, the skeleton dog on the black flag was replaced by the skeleton of an eagle, which is still used as a logo by the band, besides the Jolly Roger.

In spring 1985, the band toured France for the Goethe-Institut and in fall they travelled through Hungary and Poland. In 1985, Trini Trimpop left the band as a drummer and continued working in their management until 1992. For a short period of time, Jakob Keusen became the new drummer, who was replaced by Wolfgang Rohde in January 1986. The first concert Rohde played, was also the band’s first concert in front of a huge audience. They played at the “Anti-WAAhnsinns-Festival” in Wackersdorf with Herbert Grönemeyer, Udo Lindenberg, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, BAP, The Rodgau Monotones and various others to protest against the construction of the local reprocessing plant in 1986.

8B In 1984 the band accepted the BBC's invitation to perform at the John-Peel-Show. The high travel costs provoked an argument with EMI. Another reason for the argument was the scandal about Norbert Hähnel's parody of Heino, who was under contract with EMI, in an opening act of a Hosen concert. In the Düsseldorf Land court Heino enforced a restraining order against Hähnel.

Finally, „Die Toten Hosen“ parted with EMI and got signed on by Virgin Records. However the arguments were continued when the second LP “Unter falscher Flagge” was published in 1984. Originally, the cover showed a picture of a dog's skeleton sitting in front of a gramophone, a caricature of the EMI emblem „His Master's Voice“. In court, EMI took out a modification of the cover. In the end, the dog's skeleton on the black flag was replaced by an eagle's skeleton, that is still used as the band's emblem nowadays, as well as the Jolly Roger.

In spring 1985, the band toured France for the Goethe-Institute and in autumn „Die Toten Hosen“ travelled Hungary and Poland.

In late 1985 Trini Trimpop abandoned his post at the drums and worked as the band's manager until 1992. Jakob Keusen became the new drummer temporarily and was taken over by Wolfgang Rohde in January 1986. Rohde's first concert as a drummer was simultaneously the band's first concert in front of a huge audience. Along with Herbert Grönemeyer, Udo Lindenberg, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, BAP, the Rodgau Monotones and many others, they performed at the “Anti-WAAhnsinns-Festival” close to Wackersdorf in July 1986 to protest against the construction of the local reprocessing plant.

8 Merged VersionA In 1984, the band accepted the BBC’s invitation to perform on the John Peel Show. Another reason for this was the scandal about Norbert Hähnel, who did a parody on the “real” Heino in the opening program of a Toten Hosen concert. Heino, who was under contract to EMI, enforced a writ of injunction against Hähnel at the regional court in Düsseldorf. Eventually, “Die Toten Hosen” separated from EMI and got a contract at Virgin Records. However, the dispute continued, as the second LP “Unter Falscher Flagge” was published in 1984. The original cover illustrated the skeleton of a dog sitting in front of a gramophone, which was a caricature of the EMI emblem “His Master’s Voice”. EMI went to court and took out a modification of the cover. In the end, the skeleton dog on the black flag was replaced by the skeleton of an eagle, which is still used as a logo by the band, besides the Jolly Roger.

In spring 1985, the band toured France for the Goethe-Institut and in fall they travelled through Hungary and Poland. In late 1985, Trini Trimpop abandoned his post as a drummer and continued working in their management until 1992. For a short period of time, Jakob Keusen became the new drummer, who was replaced by Wolfgang Rohde in January 1986. The first concert Rohde played, was also the band’s first concert in front of a huge audience. They performed at the “Anti-WAAhnsinns-Festival” in Wackersdorf along with Herbert Grönemeyer, Udo Lindenberg, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, BAP, The Rodgau Monotones and various others to protest against the construction of the local reprocessing plant in 1986.

final version

In 1984, the band accepted the BBC’s invitation to perform on the John Peel Show. The high travel costs provoked an argument with EMI. Another reason for the argument was the scandal about Norbert Hähnel, who did a parody of Heino in the opening program of a Toten Hosen concert. Heino, who was under contract with EMI, enforced a restraining order against Hähnel in Düsseldorf land court. Eventually, “Die Toten Hosen” separated from EMI and got a contract at Virgin Records. However, the dispute continued, as the second LP “Unter Falscher Flagge” was published in 1984. The original cover illustrated the skeleton of a dog sitting in front of a gramophone, which was a caricature of the EMI emblem “His Master’s Voice”. In court, EMI took out a modification of the cover. In the end, the dog skeleton on the black flag was replaced by the skeleton of an eagle, which is still used as the band’s logo, besides the Jolly Roger.

In spring 1985, the band toured France for the Goethe-Institut and in fall they travelled Hungary and Poland. In late 1985, Trini Trimpop abandoned his post as a drummer and continued working in their management until 1992. Jakob Keusen became the new drummer for a short period of time and was taken over by Wolfgang Rohde in January 1986. Rohde’s first concert was simoultaneously the band’s first concert in front of a huge audience. Along with Herbert Grönemeyer, Udo Lindenberg, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, BAP, the Rodgau Monotones and many others, they performed at the “Anti-WAAhnsinns-Festival” close to Wackersdorf in July 1986 to protest against the construction of the local reprocessing plant.

9 merged:

In 1986, they recorded the third album "Damenwahl“ (“Ladie’s Choice”). During the subsequent tour, named after the album, which was sponsored by the northern Germany company Fromms, the audience was generously supplied with condoms. In 1987, the band celebrated its first chart success with the record “Never Mind The Hosen – Here’s Die Roten Rosen” (“Never mind the Trousers – Here’s the Red Roses”) using the pseudonym “Die Roten Rosen” (“The Red Roses”). The album contains exclusively rock versions of German pop songs; name and cover art of the record are a parody of the LP “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” by the Sex Pistols from 1977.

In late 1987, the first live-album “Bis zum bitteren Ende” ("Till the Bitter End") by Die Toten Hosen was released, reaching top 30in the German and Austrian album charts as well.

1988 to 1995: Recognition and early success

In 1988, the LP “Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau” (“A little Bit of Horrorshow”) came out, including among others the song “Hier kommt Alex” (“Here comes Alex”). This album is considered the commercial breakthrough of the band. For the most part, this record contains stage music written by Die Toten Hosen for Bernd Schadewald’s theater play “A Clockwork Orange”. The play was adapted from Anthony Burgess’s eponymous book and the film by Stanley Kubrick. For half a year, the band played on stage next to Ralf Richter who played the lead character at the “Kammerspiele Bad Godesberg” (intimate theatre of Bad Godesberg) in Bonn. In September of the same year, Die Toten Hosen performed in the Lithuanian cities Vilnius and Kaunas at the Lituanika-Festival, where they were chosen by the jury as the best band of the event.

10A The spring concert tour in 1989 was also a success for the Toten Hosen, whose show at the Westfalenhalle (westfalia auditorium) in Dortmund was completely sold out. At the same time the band released 3 Akkorde für ein Halleluja (3 Chords for a Hallelujah), a video cassette about the previous lifes of the band members as musicians. In 1990 the Toten Hosen were invited to attend the New Music Seminar in New York and performed as the supporting act for The Rolling Stones in Cologne. In that summer, the band travelled to Italy to report on the Fifa World Cup for different papers and radio stations. In addition, they released a punk rock cover version of the classic Azzuro by Adriano Calentano with a corresponding video clip, which satirizes the behaviour of German football tourists in foreign countries. The double album Kreuzzug ins Glück (Crusade to Happiness), which was also published in 1990, was sold more than 150,000 times in the first week of its release.

In 1991 the Toten Hosen released their album Learning English Lesson One, a tribute to the musical role models of the band. Most of the songs are cover versions of anglophone punk rock classics. At least one member of each of the original bands was present during the recordings of those songs. According to the band, the cooperation with the English post robber Ronald Biggs, whom they met in Rio de Janeiro in order to record several songs, was the highlight of this work. This production indicates the beginning of the cooperations with T.V. Smith, the songwriter and former lead singer of The Adverts with whom the Toten Hosen work together up to present day.

10B The spring tour in 1989 was also a success and DTH managed to completely sell out the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. During this time the band released a video tape titled “3 Akkorde für ein Halleluja” (3 Chords for an Alleluia), documenting their lives as musicians up to that point. In 1990 DTH were invited to New York for the “New Music Seminar” and they performed as the supporting act for the Rolling Stones in Cologne. In summer the band travelled to Italy to report on the Soccer World Cup for the taz and the SDR 3. For this purpose they recorded a rock cover version of the classic song “Azzuro” by Adriano Celentano, accompanied by a corresponding video clip which satirically deals with the behaviour of German football tourists abroad. The double album “Auf dem Kreuzzug ins Glück” (On the Crusade to Happiness) which was released in the same year sold over 150,000 copies in just one week. In 1994 the album “Learning English Lesson One” was released. This LP is a tribute to the musical idols of the band. The songs are mainly cover versions of Punk rock classics in English. During the recordings, there was always at least one member of the original band present. The personal highlight for the band was the collaboration with the British mail robber Ronald Biggs, whom they visited in Rio de Janeiro to record several songs. This production marks the beginning of their enduring collaboration with T.V. Smith, songwriter and former singer of the Adverts.

10 Merged The spring tour in 1989 was also a success for the Toten Hosen (DTH might be confusing to foreigners), whose show at the Westfalenhalle (westfalia auditorium) in Dortmund was completely sold out. At the same time the band released 3 Akkorde für ein Halleluja (3 Chords for a Hallelujah), a video cassette documenting the lifes of the band members as musicians (left out „previous“ or „up to that point“ because it is clear that the documentation can only show what happened before). In 1990 the Toten Hosen were invited to attend the New Music Seminar in New York and performed as the supporting act for The Rolling Stones in Cologne. In that summer („that“ to make clear that this happened in the same year (1990)), the band travelled to Italy to report on the Soccer World Cup for different papers and radio stations (left the names of the radio station and newspaper out, because no non-German person would know what is meant by taz or SDR 3). For this purpose (good choice) they recorded a rock cover version of the classic (left out „song“ because otherwise this could indicate a song the Classic-genre) “Azzuro” by Adriano Celentano, accompanied by a corresponding video clip which satirically deals (we liked your construction with the adverb better) with the behaviour of German football tourists abroad. The double album Kreuzzug ins Glück (Crusade to Happiness), which was also published in 1990, sold over 150,000 copies in the first week (nice use oft he pseudo-passive).

In 1991 the Toten Hosen released their album Learning English Lesson One, a tribute to the musical role models of the band. The songs are mainly cover versions of English punk rock classics (we are not really sure how to deal with „englischsprachig“, we hope it is clear that with „English“ we are not only talking about songs from England). During the recordings, there was always at least one member of the original bands present. The personal highlight for the band was the cooperation with the British mail robber (mail robber has much more hits on google, so that is probably the better choice) Ronald Biggs, whom they visited in Rio de Janeiro to record several songs. This production indicates the beginning of the cooperations with T.V. Smith, the songwriter and former lead singer of The Adverts with whom the Toten Hosen work together up to present day.

11A Afterward, from spring to autumn(1) 1992, the band went on tour again and played a lot of gigs under the slogan(2) “Menschen, Tiere, Sensationen” (People, Animals, Sensations) in numerous booked up halls and festivals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Great Britain, Spain and France. For the first time they played in Argentina, where they meanwhile have a constant fan community.(3)

The single “Sascha… ein aufrechter Deutscher”, which was released on Christmas 1992, was vehemently directed against right-wing radicalism. The band supported an antifascist campaign called “Düsseldorfer Appell gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus” with the proceeds of this song. The Republicans(5) tried unsuccessfully to ban the song due to partisan defamation and thereby involuntarily contributed to the success of the single. The song later grossed half a million Deutsche Mark.(4)

In 1993, the album ‘‘Kauf MICH!“ reached number 1 of the German album charts. It mainly deals with the topics consumption, advertisement and right-wing extremism. In summer 1993 they were U2’s supporting act at the Zoo TV tour in Germany, where they played in front of more than 50 000 people per concert. The “Kauf MICH!” music clip(7) showed several cuttings(6) of the tour.

In the same year, their first best-of-album “Reich&sexy”(10) was released and the band depicted themselves(8) nacked on the cover pretending to be ostentatious music bosses surrounded by several unclothed women. In 1994 the international version of the best of album called(9) “Love, Peace &Money” followed. At this time, the Toten Hosen had three album in the German charts simultaneously.

11 B From the spring to the fall (1) of 1992 the band went on tour again with the slogan(2) Menschen, Tiere, Sensationen (Humans, animals, sensations). They played many sold-out concerts and performed at various festivals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and for the first time in Argentina,[11] where the band has a strong fan base by now.(3) The band supported the Düsseldorfer Appell gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus (The Düsseldorf appeal against xenophobia and racism) with revenues of the single Sascha…ein aufrechter Deutscher (Sascha… an upstanding German). The single, released for Christmas 1992, sent a clear message against right-wing radicalism(4). A German far right-wing party (5)(called Republikaner) failed in the attempt to have the song banned for libeling against a political party. By doing so, the Republikaner unintentionally contributed to the success of the single, which generated revenues of more than half a million Deutsche mark.[12]

In 1993, the album Kauf MICH! (Buy ME!) was released, which hit number one in the German album charts. It mainly deals with topics like consumerism, advertisement and right-wing radicalism. In the summer of 1993, Die Toten Hosen performed as the supporting act for U2 on their Zoo TV tour in Germany, with an audience of more than 50,000 people at each concert. The video to the song(7) Kauf MICH! shows some footage(6) of these concerts.[13] In the same year, the band released their first best-of album with the name of(10) Reich & Sexy (Rich & Sexy). For the cover, the members of the band posed naked, portraying(8) pretentious millionaires from the music industry surrounded by nude women. An international version of the best-of album was released in 1994 under the name of(9) Love, Peace & Money. At that time, Die Toten Hosen were represented in the German charts with three albums simultaneously.

1 sounds more natural and fluent 2 less German 3 new sentence, constant wrong collocation 4 German text says "Extremismus" 5 explanation of Republikaner 6 Charla prefers "footage" 7 s.6. 8 you cannot depict yourself 9 shorter 10 s.9.

11 Finalized Afterward, from spring to autumn 1992, the band went on tour again with the slogan “Menschen, Tiere, Sensationen” (People, Animals, Sensations). They played many sold out concerts in halls and at festivals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Great Britain, Spain and France. For the first time they played in Argentina, where they meanwhile have a strong fan community. The single “Sascha… ein aufrechter Deutscher” (Sascha… an upstanding German), which was released in time for Christmas 1992, was vehemently directed against right-wing radicalism. With the proceeds of this song, the band supported an antifascist campaign called “Düsseldorfer Appell gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus” (The Düsseldorf appeal against xenophobia and racism). A German far right-wing party (called Republikaner) failed in the attempt to have the song banned for partisan defamation and thereby unintentionally contributed to the success of the single. The song grossed half a million Deutsche Mark.

In 1993, the album “Kauf MICH!” (Buy ME!) was released, which hit number one in the German album charts. It mainly deals with topics like consumerism, advertisement and right-wing extremism. In the summer of 1993, Die Toten Hosen performed as the supporting act for U2 on their Zoo TV tour in Germany, with an audience of more than 50,000 people at each concert. The video to the song “Kauf MICH!” shows some footage of these concerts. In the same year, the band released their first best-of album with the name of “Reich & Sexy” (Rich & Sexy). For the cover, the members of the band posed naked, portraying pretentious millionaires from the music industry surrounded by nude women. An international version of the best-of album was released in 1994 called “Love, Peace & Money.” At that time, Die Toten Hosen were represented in the German charts with three albums simultaneously.

13 finalized

The “Toten Hosen“gave over a thousand concerts in the period from 1982 to 1997. At the anniversary concert on June 28, 1997 in the Rhine-Stadium (the biggest stadium there) in Düsseldorf, attended by 60,000 persons, a 16-year-old girl was killed in the crowd in front of the stage. The band immediately interrupted the concert; however, they continued on the advice of the head of the firefighters Düsseldorf in order to prevent panic. The band was very shocked by this event and thus cancelled all of the other concerts in that year. They did not appear on stage for half a year and did not play any gigs in stadiums.

In January 1998 the”Toten Hosen” participated in the Vans Warped tour. The program was played on festivals in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the US, where they had not been popular. In the same month the single “Pushed Again”, a song about denial of human rights and oppression, was released. It was first performed for a German audience at an illegal concert in Ahaus on the occasion of the transport of atomic waste. The flip side of “Alles ist Eins” (“Everything is one”) is dedicated to the girl that died during the band’s anniversary concert in Düsseldorf. In August 1998 the”Toten Hosen” performed at the festival in Landsberg am Lech and in Constance at the Rock am See Festival (“rock on the lakeside”). This was followed by the Vans Warped tour through Europe, which, besides five concerts in Germany, included gigs in Spain, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.