Slime (band)
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Hamburg, Germany |
| Headquarters | Hamburg , Germany |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles |
Slime, established in Hamburg in 1979, is a German punk rock ensemble that rose to prominence as a pivotal force within the 1980s German punk movement and stands as the most prominent representative of Deutschpunk.
Musical style
Drawing initial inspiration from late 1970s British punk, Slime crafted a distinctive punk rock sound that became foundational for Deutschpunk. Their compositions are marked by intricate arrangements and multilayered lyrics rich in narrative content. Central themes revolve around political defiance against racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and fascism. The band’s commitment to activism has significantly shaped the German punk scene, with their work often described as protest music. Throughout the 1980s, they were closely associated with anti-nuclear protests and squatter movements. Their songs opposing police authority have become rallying cries for left-wing political factions and have fueled popular slogans frequently seen in graffiti and sticker campaigns.
Slime has often sparked controversy. Early in their career, accusations of selling out were levied against them. Some lyrics conveyed anti-American sentiments, reflecting critiques from the '68 generation regarding U.S. backing of former Nazi affiliates; the track Yankees raus originated during this period but is no longer part of their performances. Several songs underwent legal examination—most notably Wir wollen keine Bullenschweine and Deutschland muss sterben, both released in 1980. The former was placed on an index in 2011 and subsequently removed from live sets, while the latter was legally affirmed as protected artistic expression in 2000.
Formative period 1979–1984
Michael "Elf" Mayer and Sven "Eddie" Räther crossed paths at Hamburg-Langenhorn’s Gymnasium Heidberg and founded a punk group inspired by the Ramones. Mayer handled guitar duties, Räther played bass, and Peter "Ball" Wodok was on drums. Their initial vocalist was Thorsten "Scout" Kolle. Originally called "Slime 79 and the Sewer Army," they soon abbreviated their name to "Slime". Their first composition, "Polizei SA/SS," criticized police repression of anti-nuclear demonstrations. Their inaugural gig took place at the Kiwittsmoor youth center alongside "The Kreislaufkollaps," whose lead singer Dirk Jora ("Diggen") replaced Kolle.
Rehearsing within a decommissioned bunker in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, Slime penned "Wir wollen keine Bullenschweine" soon after Diggen joined the lineup. This track was released as a single through Tom Meyer’s label Moderne Musik. In autumn 1979, they recorded four tracks for an EP—Bullenschweine, Iran, Hey Punk, and Ich hasse—which came out in February 1980; all 2,000 copies sold rapidly. On February 24, 1980, Slime performed at Neuengamme youth prison alongside The Buttocks, inciting such a strong reaction that concerts were prohibited there for years afterward. Christian Mevs joined as a second guitarist shortly after.
Their first full-length album, Slime I (1981), featured "Wir wollen keine Bullenschweine," which attracted legal attention but ultimately did not result in charges. The record included politically charged anthems such as "A.C.A.B." ("All Cops Are Bastards"), a slogan that endures within leftist circles, along with anti-establishment tracks like They Don't Give a Fuck and the punk staple Hey Punk.
In 1982, Slime released their sophomore album Yankees Raus, containing enduring songs like Gerechtigkeit ("Justice") and Legal-Illegal-Scheißegal ("Legal-Illegal-It doesn't matter"). Their third studio effort, Alle Gegen Alle (1983), explored darker and more complex subject matter with tracks such as Deutschland muss Sterben (...damit wir leben können) ("Germany must die (... so we can live)"), inspired by poet Heinrich Lersch. This album also included classics like Linke Spießer, Störtebeker, and Sand im Getriebe. Following this release, Slime disbanded and remained inactive for several years.
Engagement in Other Endeavors 1984–1990
Despite Slime officially dissolving, the band reunited for a performance in Hamburg in 1992. During this period, members explored separate paths: Eddi Räther and Michael "Elf" Mayer created the brief-lived group "Targets" alongside Stéphane Larsson from The Buttocks.
Stephan Mahler contributed as a drummer to gothic rock outfits "Mask For" and Torpedo Moskau. Together with Mevs and Jens Rachut, Mahler co-founded Angeschissen. Additionally, Mevs and Mahler launched Hamburg’s Soundgarden-Studio, where Mevs emerged as a prominent producer for Hamburger Schule acts such as Tocotronic, Blumfeld, and Die Sterne, all linked to the indie label L’age d’or.
In 1988, Michael Mayer became part of Destination Zero with Peter Siegler from Razzia; both musicians joined the revived band Abwärts in 1989, which remained active until 1995. Mayer continued his involvement with Abwärts even after Slime’s reunion in 1994.
Renewed Activity 1990–1994
Following the reunification of Germany and a surge in neo-fascist movements, Slime reassembled to release Viva La Muerte in 1992. Their 1994 album Schweineherbst ("Autumn Of Swines") is often hailed as their peak work both musically and lyrically. According to Dirk Jora, the title symbolizes neo-Nazis’ aim to immolate people like swine. The record includes Der Tod ist ein Meister aus Deutschland ("Death is a master from Germany"), inspired by Paul Celan’s Holocaust poem Todesfuge. After this album, Slime disbanded once more.
In 1998, Diggen and Elf established C.I.A. (Church of Independent Assholes), releasing the album Codename Freibeuter. They also produced a reinterpreted cover of Rio Reiser’s König von Deutschland featuring Axel Kurth (Wizo) and Bela B. (Die Ärzte). Following a short tour, C.I.A. dissolved.
Reissues and Rubberslime Collaboration 1995–2009
Between 2002 and 2003, Weird System reissued Slime’s initial three albums with altered titles and re-recorded vocals to circumvent legal issues. In 2004, after delays caused by legal complications, the double DVD Wenn der Himmel brennt was released. This DVD presents a documentary overview of the band’s journey and includes a 56-page booklet containing an interview and discography.
In 2003, Slime joined forces with Rubbermaids to create Rubberslime, inspired by a concert at FC St. Pauli. Their releases include the single Viva St. Pauli (2003) and two albums: First Attack (2004) and Rock’n’Roll Genossen (2005).
"Sich fügen heißt lügen" Reunion Period 2009–2020
Slime reunited in 2009 and released Sich fügen heißt lügen in 2012, an album influenced by anarchist poet Erich Mühsam. Notable tracks include Rebellen and Zum Kampf.
In 2017, they issued Hier und jetzt, tackling modern political themes. The track Sie wollen wieder schießen dürfen criticizes the far right and Alternative for Germany (AfD), who advocated shooting immigrants at borders. Another song, Banalität Des Bösen, draws on philosopher Hannah Arendt’s ideas while condemning homophobia and racism.
Their 2020 album Wem gehört die Angst was followed by internal disputes that led to a breakup amid the tour. Frontman Dirk Jora publicly announced his exit; meanwhile, other band members attributed the split to his health concerns. The remainder of the tour was subsequently cancelled.
Slime's Revival Featuring a New Vocalist
Following their reformation, Slime promptly brought on board Tex Brasket as their new frontman. Together, they produced the 2022 release titled Zwei ("Two"). Dirk Jora has expressed the opinion that the band might have been better served by adopting a different name.
Discography
- 1981: Slime I (self-released, prohibited)
- 1982: Yankees raus (Aggressive Rockproduktionen)
- 1983: Alle gegen Alle (Aggressive Rockproduktionen)
- 1992: Viva la Muerte (Aggressive Rockproduktionen/Modern Music)
- 1994: Schweineherbst (Indigo)
- 2012: Sich fügen heißt lügen (People Like You/EMI)
- 2017: Hier und jetzt (People Like You)
- 2020: Wem gehört die Angst (Arising Empire)
- 2022: Zwei (Slime Tonträger, Hulk Räckorz)
Live Albums and Compilations
- 1984: Live (Aggressive Rockproduktionen)
- 1990: Compilation 81–87 (Bitzcore)
- 1990: Die Letzten (Aggressive Rockproduktionen)
- 1995: Live Punk Club (Große Freiheit in Hamburg) (Slime)
- 2012: Rebellen 1979–2012 (in collaboration with Visions)
- 2017: Live (included with the box set of Hier und jetzt)
Singles
- 1980: "Wir wollen keine Bullenschweine" (Moderne Musik)
- 1993: "Der Tod ist ein Meister aus Deutschland / Schweineherbst" (Weserlabel/Indigo)
- 1993: "10 Kleine Nazischweine" (two-track EP with Heiter bis Wolkig)
- 2015: Fick das Gesetz (7″, Aggressive Punk Produktionen)
- 2016: Sie wollen wieder schießen (dürfen) (7″, People Like You Records)
- 2017: Unsere Lieder (7″, People Like You Records)
- 2018: Patrioten/Hallo Hoffnung (split-7″ alongside ZSK, People Like You Records)
Tribute Album
- 2009: Alle gegen Alle – A Tribute to Slime (featuring artists such as Toten Hosen, Rasta Knast, Dritte Wahl)
Video Releases
- 1994: Schweineherbst (VHS, Indigo)
- 2004: Wenn der Himmel brennt
- 2023: Documentary series titled DIGGEN! Das Leben von Dirk Jora zwischen Fußball, Anarchie und Punk, published on the Missglückte Welt YouTube channel
Literature
- Daniel Ryser, Slime – Deutschland muss sterben, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, Munich, 2013, second edition
Band Members
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