The band formed out of the ashes of punk band, ZK, founded 1978. The members of Die Toten Hosen (literally "The Dead Trousers" in English; "tote Hose" is a German expression meaning "lifeless", "boring", or "nothing going on") are Campino (Andreas Frege), Kuddel (Andreas von Holst), Vom (Stephen George Ritchie), Andi (Andreas Meurer) and Breiti (Michael Breitkopf). Vom replaced Wölli as the drummer in 1999 (Wölli's untimely departure from the band was due to injuries caused by a car accident), who himself had replaced Trini in 1985 and is still an honorary member of the band; Trini became the band's manager.
The band has existed for over 20 years, and their songs' focus gradually shifted from funny and nonsensical to serious; the songs from their first LP were mostly about having fun, but by the end of the 1980s they were focusing more on political and social issues such as racism.
Part of the folklore surounding the band is the story that in their early days they played for free on private birthday parties or similar events. However only under the conditions that the host provided for unlimited beer supply and paid for all damages caused by the band.
The debut single "Wir sind bereit" ("We are ready") was released in 1982, and was followed by their first album, "Opel-Gang", the next year. In 1988, Die Toten Hosen released the LP "Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau". It refers to the movie A Clockwork Orange based on the book by Anthony Burgess. In 1993, Frank Castorf produced a German theater version of the book, in which Die Toten Hosen performed as actors and musicians.
Their 1000th concert was on 28th June 1997, in the Düsseldorfer Rheinstadium, and was attended by more than 60,000 fans. A Dutch girl died in the crowd; after various talks with security and police, the band decided to play soft songs until the end, in order not to panic the crowd. Later the band produced the song "Alles ist Eins" in memoriam for the Dutch girl.
Die Toten Hosen have collaborated with numerous other musicians (like Bad Religion, AC/DC, U2, Rolling Stones); they are also one of the few German punk bands popular outside of Germany (esp. in South America, Australia, eastern Europe) other notable bands being Die Ärzte and Rammstein.
As longtime fans of the their local soccer team Fortuna Düsseldorf they have been sponsoring the club from 2001 to 2003.
After their Unplugged concert in the end of 2005 they've taken a time-out. But they disclaimed rumors, that this is the end of the band.
In 2008 they released the Album "In aller Stille.
In 2012, Die Toten Hosen released their album Ballast der Republik. A special edition includes a bonus CD with cover versions of songs that influenced the band. On 26 April 2016, it was announced that former drummer Wolfgang Rohde had died of cancer.
Innenstadt Front
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
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Kleinkrieg am Flughafen, weil Türke gern sein eig'nes Taxi nähm'
Sturmangriff in Heerdt, das ist doch nur der Allkauf wert
Panik in Grafenberg, stahl ein Irrer den grünen Gartenzwerg
Chaos am Stadtrand, doch nicht in Bilk und Derendorf
Die Lage ist ruhig an der Innenstadtfront
Front
Nazis am Mahnmahl und Punkies am Schadowplatz
Doch die Front, die hat sie satt
Keine Chance dem neuen Babylon
Erzitt're vor dem Aufschrei der Nation
Chaos am Stadtrand, doch nicht in Bilk und Derendorf
Die Lage ist ruhig an der Innenstadtfront
Front
Front
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song, "Innenstadt Front," depict the chaotic, violent, and disillusioned state of a city's inner downtown area, which is subject to constant conflict, unrest, and hysteria. The first few lines describe how a small issue, such as a road not being paved, can spark a civil war in one part of the city, while a Turk wanting to use his own taxi creates a battle at the airport. These violent confrontations are juxtaposed with the absurdity of a man stealing a green garden gnome, implying a sense of surrealism and absurdity within the violence.
The song goes on to describe how even the outskirts of the city, such as Mahnmahl and Schadowplatz, have become battlefields between different factions, including Nazis and punk rockers. However, notably absent from the conflict are the residents of the more affluent and calm neighborhoods of Bilk and Derendorf. The chorus emphasizes the peace in the inner downtown area, ironically referred to as the "Innenstadtfront" – a term that invokes images of a war zone.
The lyrics can be interpreted in various ways, whether as a commentary on social inequality, political polarization, or simply a reflection on the chaotic and absurd nature of human conflict. Nonetheless, the song captures the mood of a society in turmoil and showcases the band's punk rock aesthetic of provocation, rebellion, and social critique.
Line by Line Meaning
Bürgerkrieg in Benrath, weil man 'ne Straße nicht gepflastert hat
Conflict in Benrath due to unpaved streets
Kleinkrieg am Flughafen, weil Türke gern sein eig'nes Taxi nähm'
Small war at the airport because Turks prefer their own taxi
Sturmangriff in Heerdt, das ist doch nur der Allkauf wert
Storm attack in Heerdt, which is only worth the Allkauf
Panik in Grafenberg, stahl ein Irrer den grünen Gartenzwerg
Panic in Grafenberg because a crazy person stole a green garden gnome
Chaos am Stadtrand, doch nicht in Bilk und Derendorf
Chaos at the city outskirts, but not in Bilk and Derendorf
Die Lage ist ruhig an der Innenstadtfront
The situation is calm at the downtown front
Nazis am Mahnmahl und Punkies am Schadowplatz
Nazis at the memorial and punks at Schadowplatz
Doch die Front, die hat sie satt
But the front is fed up with them
Keine Chance dem neuen Babylon
No chance for the new Babylon
Erzitt're vor dem Aufschrei der Nation
Tremble before the outcry of the nation
Front
Front
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH
Written by: Franz Heribert Bielmeier, Peter Hein, Markus Oehlen, Thomas Schwebel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind