Vorkriegsjugend
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Berlin-Kreuzberg , West Germany |
| Products | Punk music, Deutschpunk, hardcore punk |
Vorkriegsjugend (translated as "pre-war youth" in English), commonly known by the abbreviation VKJ, was a prominent band within the Deutschpunk and hardcore punk scenes, emerging from the Berlin-Kreuzberg squatter community in West Berlin, Germany. Their main period of activity spanned from 1982 until 1985, during which they established themselves as one of the most impactful German punk groups of that time.
In 1983, VKJ issued a double 7" record alongside the LP titled Heute Spaß, morgen Tod under Weird System Records, with a limited pressing of only 900 copies. The lineup during 1982 and 1983 featured Klaus Hicker on vocals, Michael Weindl handling guitar duties, Jürgen Heiland on drums, and Markus Noack playing bass.
That same year saw members Heiland, Bomber, and Fuchs initiate the band Zerstörte Jugend, which remained active until 1985 and transitioned from hardcore punk into techno music. The VKJ lineup for 1984 and 1985 expanded to include Thomas Rickert on bass and Sepp Ehrensberger as a second guitarist. The group ultimately dissolved in 1985. In 1998, drummer Jürgen Heiland revived VKJ as the sole original member and released the EP Widerstand dem Teutonenland before the band ceased activity again in 1999.
The band's self-titled LP has become a sought-after collectible, notable for its cover artwork created by Lisa Deanne Smith (also known as Lisa Bat). Even more rare and valuable is their original 7" EP; early pressings often fetch prices above $150, placing it among the priciest German punk records. In 1988, a 12" reissue was distributed by the Brazilian label New Face Records.
VKJ released Wir sind die Ratten (Kreuzberg Hardcore Punk 1982-1985) in 2003 through Weird System Records. This remastered compilation combines material from both the Heute Spaß, morgen Tod EP and their self-titled LP.
Discography
- 1983 – Heute Spaß, morgen Tod (EP initially issued as a double EP)
- 1984 – Vorkriegsjugend (LP)
- 1998 – Widerstand dem Teutonenland (EP)
- 2003 – Wir sind die Ratten (Kreuzberg Hardcore Punk 1982-1985) (compilation including LP and double EP)