Die Toten Hosen (their name literally translates as The
Dead Trousers) were formed in 1982 from the ashes of two Düsseldorf punk bands,
ZK and KFC. Their first album, Opel Gang, was self-released in 1983 and several
months later EMI signed the group and reissued the LP. EMI soon grew
disenchanted with the band (particularly when they were sued by German pop icon
Heino after they parodied him in concert) and Virgin released their next album,
Unter Falscher Flagge, in 1984.
"Opel-Gear" struck like a bomb ... Was the
energy of the Düsseldorf Chaos troops already lost?
NO!! "Under The False Flag” released in 1984 would
continue where "Opel Gear" had left off; with nasty punk rock at its
finest! The bar was raised even higher and successfully passed over. Metal
elements were brought in discreetly, sophisticated melodies adorned the mostly
very raw songs and technically there was something for discerning ears. This
offensive by the Düsseldorf pirates seemed to be miserably submerged in the
wake of the bankrupt vulture; "Opel-Gang" was a rather remarkable
success commercially, but the band was chronically broke. In addition, the
recordings for "Under The False Flag" had
to be interrupted again and again because Campino and Breiti had to do their
community service. Nevertheless, the record still bangs unbelievably today; the
opener - a cover version of Ennio Morricone's "Man With The Harmonica"
- incorrectly titled "Spiel Mir Das Lied Von Tod" by the ‘pants,
prepares the inclined listener in a melancholy and exciting way for the
Pogokracher "Liebessreiber". Still a part of their live shows and a
real classic. Ballad-like songs were also used for the first time ("Last
Watch", "The Eyesore") and showed a clear development of the ‘pants.
The title track "Under The False Flag" drives the whole set and only
leaves a pitiful pile of burning ashes; the finest punk metal. And finally,
with "Sekt or Selters", Campino let his imagination run wild with
marriage, family and philistine - probably a bit outdated today. One of the
major achievements of the album is the depressed, slightly threatening and
spooky-looking "In The Harbour Is The End Station" - what a wonderful
refrain! Rarely has a ‘pants song created such a dense atmosphere as in this
track.