Ton Steine Scherben
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Rio Reiser, R. P. S. Lanrue, Kai Sichtermann, Wolfgang Seidel |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Rock music albums and performances |
| Website | www |
Ton Steine Scherben () was an influential German-language rock group active between 1970 and 1985. Renowned for the impassioned and politically motivated lyrics delivered by frontman Rio Reiser, they emerged as a prominent voice within new leftist movements, notably aligning with the squatter communities in West Berlin. Although they never achieved mainstream commercial success, the band independently released several significant albums that fused elements of folk rock, blues, and early protopunk.
The band’s music became a vehicle for social activism, deeply resonating throughout Germany's alternative cultural circles. Following their breakup and the passing of Rio Reiser in 1996, Ton Steine Scherben retained a devoted cult audience. Some original members have participated in reunion performances, helping to preserve their influence within the German rock scene.
Etymology
The name Ton Steine Scherben literally means "Clay Stones Shards," but since "Ton" also translates to "sound" in German, the band’s name functions as a wordplay. Vocalist Rio Reiser explained that the inspiration came from archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann’s accounts of ancient Troy. Other members have suggested it references the West German trade union Bau-Steine-Erden (Construction-Stone-Earth). Additionally, the name pays homage to The Rolling Stones and the Berlin-based trainee theater group "Die roten Steine" (The red stones).
History
The ensemble formed in 1970 with vocalist and guitarist Rio Reiser (Ralph Christian Möbius), guitarist R. P. S. Lanrue (Ralph Peter Steitz), bassist Kai Sichtermann, and drummer Wolfgang Seidel, all approximately 20 years old at the time. They are recognized as one of the earliest authentic German-language rock bands, following Ihre Kinder but preceding Udo Lindenberg's Panikorchester, which was the first to achieve mainstream success singing in German. Their breakthrough occurred at a 1970 open-air festival on Fehmarn Island where a nearby residence caught fire during their performance; rumors claiming their involvement boosted their standing among radical audiences.
Ton Steine Scherben issued their records via their own label, "David Volksmund Produktion" (DVP), which also released albums by female rock outfit Caramboulage and supported the German LGBTQ+ movement by distributing LPs from groups like "Brühwarm" and "Stricher." The final release under DVP before its initial closure was Misha Schoeneberg’s album "Sternschnuppen." The label was later revived in 2003.
By the mid-1970s, tension grew between the band’s anarchist supporters who demanded ongoing political content and the musicians’ desire to explore more personal themes. To alleviate this strain, they moved from Berlin to Fresenhagen in Nordfriesland, where they bought and refurbished a farmhouse that became home to about sixteen collective members.
For a short period, management was handled by Claudia Roth, who would later become co-chair of the German Green Party. The group dissolved in 1985 due to increasing financial difficulties and a belief that they had fulfilled their artistic mission.
Following the split, singer Rio Reiser embarked on a solo career until his death in 1996. The band briefly reunited for a farewell concert. In 2014, nearly three decades after disbanding, they came together again for tours throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Guitarist R. P. S. Lanrue died of cancer on 14 July 2024 at age 74.
Musical characteristics, thematic content, and impact
Ton Steine Scherben played a groundbreaking role within the German music scene by merging rock with a rebellious attitude that would later become synonymous with punk rock.
Initially, their lyrics conveyed strong anti-capitalist and anarchist messages. They distanced themselves from Soviet-style socialism and maintained connections with the squatter movement as well as the German Red Army Faction prior to its adoption of guerrilla tactics. Gradually, the band’s lyrical focus evolved toward more intimate subjects such as liberty, love, substance use, and melancholy. Additionally, they created two concept albums exploring homosexuality under the alias Brühwarm, collaborating closely with a gay revue ensemble.
All of their records were independently released and marketed, resulting in modest financial returns. The group frequently encountered demands from left-wing factions to perform complimentary "solidarity concerts," which exacerbated their financial difficulties and contributed to their eventual breakup. Their singles were few and seldom achieved commercial success. Due to associations with leftist extremism, they were excluded from public German radio broadcasts; private radio stations only became legal after the band had disbanded.
The artistic direction of Rio Reiser was often shaped by gay rights advocate and avant-garde filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim.
Original members
- Rio Reiser – vocals, guitar (1970–1985, † 1996)
- R. P. S. Lanrue – lead guitar (1970–1985, † 2024)
- Kai Sichtermann – bass guitar (1970–1985, except 1974–1975)
- Wolfgang Seidel – drums (1970–1971)
Final roster
- Rio Reiser – vocals (1970–1985)
- R. P. S. Lanrue – guitar (1970–1985)
- Kai Sichtermann – bass guitar (1970–1985, except 1974–1975)
- Funky K. Götzner – drums (1974–1985)
- Martin Paul – keyboards (1981–1985)
- Dirk Schlömer – guitar (1983–1985)
Session and touring musicians
- Kai Sichtermann – bass guitar
- Funky K. Götzner – drums, percussion
- Nicolo Rovera – vocals, guitar
- Ella Josephine Ebsen – vocals, guitar
- Maxime S.P. – drums, percussion
- Lukas McNally – keyboards, vocals
- Simon Barchewitz – saxophone
- Elfie-Esther Steitz – vocals, backing vocals
Previous members
- Nikel Pallat – vocals, saxophone, management (1970–1978)
- Jörg Schlotterer – coordination, flute (1971–1978; † 2025)
- Sven Jordan – drums (1971)
- Olaf Lietzau – drums (1972)
- Angela Olbrich – backing vocals, percussion (1972–1981, except 1976–1977)
- Captain Hynding – drums, guitar (1972; † 2018)
- Helmut Stöger – drums (1973)
- Werner "Gino" Götz – bass guitar (1974–1975)
- Britta Neander – percussion, backing vocals (1974–1982; † 2004)
- Hannes Eyber – creative inspiration, lyricist, producer (1981–1985)
- Martin Paul – keyboard (1981–1985)
- Marius del Mestre – backing vocals, guitar (1981–1982)
- Dirk Schlömer – guitar (1983–1985)
Discography
- 1971 - Warum geht es mir so dreckig?
- 1972 - Keine Macht für Niemand
- 1975 - Wenn die Nacht am tiefsten…
- 1980 - IV
- 1981 - Auswahl I
- 1983 - Scherben
- 1984 - In Berlin (live)
- 1985 - Live I
Releases following disbandment:
- 1996 - Live II
- 2006 - Live III
See also
External links
- Official website
- RioLyrics — Extensive collection of the band’s lyrics and related literature
- Ton Steine Scherben on Music-Map