Then explain to me…IF YOU CAN, Mr. Astronaut, why Rammstein is not allowed to perform in England…and in fact radio stations and video outlets in England will not play their music.
A statement from the band indicates that England ‘assumes’ that the band is facist simply because they are from Germany. and that ‘it’s a well known fact’ that England still holds a heavy prejudice against Germans.
:: dropping lawyer posture::
Seriously, from every English Rammstein fan I’ve talk to (and in reality, it’s only like a dozen people), they maintain that England still ‘hates’ Germany and that’s why the band can’t go there. Maybe they’re just bitter, but it does make me wonder, since Rammstein had two shows scheduled in London and almost instantly had to cancel them.
Do you know that they’ve been banned? I’d be interested in the details. I suspect the reason they don’t get airplay is that they’re not popular enough (yet). I certainly hadn’t heard of them until I read your posts.
Do you know why they cancelled? Again, I’m interested.
Historically, not a lot of German music has become mainstream popular in the UK. That said, I think in the 80’s there were a couple of German heavy metal bands which made some inroads (I’ll try to remember their names…).
I certainly have nothing against Germany or Germans (though I wish we’d beat them at football a bit more often), and I’m certainly not offended if someone calls me a Limey.
Wow. I’m gobsmacked. Apart from the afore-mentioned rivalry in football (which can, in fairness, become pretty intense) I don’t know of anyone personally who would assume that a German band is fascist (or who holds a heavy prejudice against the Germans).
Have you seen the Shephard Neame brewery beer mats? Their main beer is called Spitfire and the ads will have tag lines like “No Fokker comes close” and “Downed all over Kent, just like the Luftwaffe”
They are just about the number one band in Germany, three singles in the top ten in the last six months. But that IS possible.
As a level headed fan, I suspect they were cancelled because of their stage show which involves a lot of pyro, s&m imagery, simulated sodomy and violence. Their statement said that London specificaly would not allow them to do their show how THEY wanted to do it, so they cancelled. Fire laws?
but hysterical English rammstein fans claim bigotry of course.
I really only posted the question as a joke. I know that people are different everywhere. but honestly, I’ve been told on several separate occasions that the English ‘still hate Germany’, and that’s just from tourists.
I don’t think it’s much to do with Rammstein, per se. Of my colleagues and acquaintences, not one could name any band in the German top ten (btw, I remembered the name of the earlier band who had crossed over to the UK: the Scorpions).
Interestingly, some of the sites I’ve visited single out the German media (rather than the UK) as foisting the fascist label on the band. For instance, this site says:
Fire laws are a possibility, but I cannot imagine that they are the only band to use a lot of pyro. As someone who’s worked in the theatre, I’m not aware that it’s the amount of pyro that is an issue. It’s just that it has to be done right.
Metal music just isn’t that popular in the mainstream media, and certainly isn’t as popular in general as it is in Germany. And, if it’s not in the mainstream, the major chains that dominate music retail are unlikely to carry their albums or videos.
Considering that other controversial groups have played in the UK without much trouble, I’m guessing that the promoters get cold feet, fail to meet local council requirements (I’m not sure, but I don’t think there are “London” requirements, but local councils get the final say based on loads of factors).
As others have said, some Britons have a hang-up about Germany, but no more so than they do about France or Italy or a number of other countries. And they’re idiots.
The tabloids stir this up, but most individual Britons don’t have a problem about Germany or Germans. The whole ‘hatred’ thing is blown out of all proportion: I’m sure it was worse, which may be why Germans have a historical impression of British bigotry, but it doesn’t strike me as a big deal these days.
Don’t forget the fine English tradition of “taking the piss”. Tourists saying “We still hate the Germans” sounds to me like “We still like our friendly rivalry with the Germany”. Why does everyone have to interpret everything so seriously?
Piss-taking happens both ways. When being shown round another German town where the company I work for have a site, my boss pointed out the way the town had been planned well to take account of modern transport. “Of course,” he said, “we were able to build it how we wanted to because you bastards destroyed the original layout 50 years ago.” Ho ho ho, we both have a laugh, and go for some beer.
See - not hatred. Just fun.
[sub]Though they will insist on repeatedly beating us at football, damn their eyes[/sub]
Xerxes, I’m sorry if I implied that England was the only country hoisting a facist flag…I never meant that at all. It happens to them everywhere they go. I talked to a guy the other night who tried to convince me that their songs were taken right from Hitler’s speech text :rolleyes: he picked the wrong gal to fight with.
They’ve been accused of being facist because Till pronounces Ich with an ‘sh’ sound instead of an ‘ick’ sound…JUST LIKE HITLER DID.
No offence taken, as I know none was meant. I’m genuinely interested to know why their two concerts were cancelled.
Well, I can’t speak for all of England, only the bits I interact with. I’m ashamed to say that there -are- a few idiots who may espouse the ‘Rammstein-is-fascist’ kneejerk schtick, but in my experience those kind of people are in the minority (thankfully).
[sub]
For the record (and not trying to sound too sycophantic) you’re one of the people who’s posts keep me around. I wouldn’t want to get in your bad books… [/sub]
