RODGAU MONOTONES

In the organizer's words:

If you ask the musicians of the Rodgau Monotones about the status of their band, you hear sentences like "We are an indestructible anachronism". There is a hint of self-irony, a sympathetic understatement, but above all a lot of self-confidence. After all, the band from the Hessian hinterland has been on the road since 1977. And essentially with the same line-up. Singer Peter "Osti" Osterwold, guitarists Ali Neander and Raimund Salg, bassist Joky Becker and drummer Mob Böttcher are founding members of the Monotones. The gentlemen make no secret of what they were originally about: "Our first rehearsal was cool and loud, we drank beer, stole ZZ Top ..." they later memorialized their beginnings in two song lines. They have remained true to blues, boogie and distinctive rock riffs in their own songs to this day. In the typical "Rodgau style" with driving drums, a stoic bass, lots of fat guitars, ecstatic vocals and a sharp blower as a bonus. Singer Kerstin Pfau as second voice and saxophonist Matthias Dörsam have long been jointly responsible for this.

If you still think the Rodgau Monotones are a regional phenomenon because of all the Hessianisms and unmistakable local color in the lyrics, take a look at the history of the Rodgau Monotones in fast motion here in the appendix. It quickly becomes clear that the group is an indispensable part of German rock history. But you have to understand that for yourself, because marketing and self-promotion were never the Monotones' thing. They once said that they were a brand with a communication problem. But in the rare species of German-speaking rock'n'rollers, they are still way ahead and continue to be one of the best live acts in this country. Unpretentious with all the class of their playing. Unagitated and perhaps also a little comfortable. Because constantly touring between Garmisch and Flensburg is not their thing. But when they play at the Fabrik in Hamburg, the place is packed. The desire to play is always their priority. Many song titles on the new, now 14th studio album, tongue-in-cheek and boastfully christened "Genial", signal this: "Vollgas", "Mama Lauda" (i.e. "Mach' mal lauter"), "Wie geil ist das denn", "Wenn's abgeht", "Das macht uns keiner nach" (with the credo: Lieber laut als tot ...) and "Immer noch Spaß". This was also well received in neighboring federal states. On the SWR website, under the heading "Wuchtiger Boogie Rock", you could read: "On their first studio album in seven years, the Hessian fun rockers once again combine powerful boogie rock à la ZZ Top with juicy horn sections, almost pop-catchy hooklines and, of course, witty lyrics. As always, there is also room for thoughtful nuances, and the famous style parodies are not missing either - this time the shanty-rockers from Santiano have to believe it. Musically, musically and in terms of production, it's all at a high level. Ingenious? At least captivating." And yet the septet is often confronted with clichés such as "Klamaukband" or "Festzelt Rocker". But Ali Neander has the right answer: "Especially in times when rock music seems to be becoming increasingly irony-free and humorless, proven forces like us have to provide a remedy. But between all this party mood there are also numerous little lyrical vulgarities and, hear, hear, also something like a political claim."

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