Artist: Wizo
Album: Punk Gibt’s Nicht Umsonst!
Genre: Punk Rock
First Impression: They’re not Mexican
Rating: 11/5
I’ve been looking for a Mexican Punk band to review… (Honestly why ask WHY?) So when I saw this sweet album cover with a man in a poncho and a sombrero riding a donkey, my first thought was, it must be Mexican… But nope, they hail from Germany; Land of Schnitzel and Rouladen! My love for German food runs so deep that I even had to name my dog after a German dish, (and I’ve already pre-named the next: Spaetzel!)
I’ve heard of Wizo but only gave a listen purely because it was on my 1996 Compilation album by Fat Wreck Chords, I remember thinking at the time, “this is so gnarly, dude”.
And even though, I LOVE YOU in German sounds like I’ll KILL YOU, I have to say I am extremely impressed with these guys! I have no idea what they are singing about and I feel it doesn’t even matter because it’s the feeling you get, NO WORDS NECESSARY! You will inevitably find yourself bobbing your head and tapping your feet and singing the “Whaooooo’s”!
A short list of words I think I heard:
Ninja, zombie, decay, hat, organ, baby, ideas, buried beneath, nazis, O my dear, marshmallows, beer, relish, frustration, bitter, dessert, count em, please, old skin
There are 21 tracks on this album, and I can remember the first time I saw that many tracks was on Rancids “Let’s go” album. I had thought “there’s no way these can be all good”, (I was terribly wrong because I have purchased the CD twice as well as the vinyl!) When every song is great, there is no need or desire to skip ahead! That’s how I feel about this WIZO album
Of course I had to do some reading about these fellas and staying true to punk rock since 1985 they are opposed to Nazism, Facism, Racism, and “all of that crap”.
There is only one band I’ve traveled multiple times to see, (Gogol Bordello), and I can definitely add WIZO to my “Will Travel Anywhere to See These Guys” list.
For me an 11 will be staying true to the Fubar way of cranking things to 11, (because you can), and in the words of Dean Murdoch: “First things first. More Cheers, More Beers Man. That’s it that’s all.”
I’m going to say listen to this original international band WIZO & WIZZ ON! My fellow wizzers, I’ve got a fever and the only cure is more WIZO! BAM!
#EWestMusic and tell us your thoughts on the album and how you would rate it!
Thanks for reading,
Daryl (Drock) Uhrin
Favourite songs:
01. Seegurke
02. Scheissefresser
03. Kohlenholen
04. Ganz klar gegen Nazis
05. Scheissekotzen
06. Kriminell & Asozial
07. Kein Empfang
08. Alles verschwimmt
09. Koenigin
10. Unpoliddisch
11. Zombiemann
12. Endzweit
13. Meine Wut
14. Pinoepel
15. Dummensch
16. Wenn ich mal sterb
17. Erwin
18. Wie solls gehen
19. Pfoertner
20. Schlechte Zeit
21. Alte Herren
Other Wizo songs:
The Whole Album
Similar Artists:
BigWig
Pulley
88 Finger Louie
Sublime
Ten Foot Pole
Guttermouth
Suicide Machines
Against All Authority
Operation Ivy
GOB
Gogol Bordello
Cheech & Chong
My Rating System:
1 – Give it another listen, it might be your thing
2 – I like a song or two, buy what you like and support the artist
3 – Great band with a lot of talent, buy their album, tweet about it and tell the world
4 – Amazing, listen to it on repeat, every song is good, go see them live and buy the album
5 – New favourite album or band, go buy the LP, see them live, buy a t-shirt and have them sign my bare chest
11 – Because sometimes you need to crank it to 11
Daryl Uhrin
I was introduced to music through headphones on my mother’s womb. I was born with the lyrics of Rocket Man by Elton John on the tip of my tongue, and a strange urge to commit the Crime of the Century by Supertramp. I quickly found my heart belonged with the Punk/Metal/Hardcore scene. I found myself picking out the guitar, bass or drums for hours, being just amazed by the speed, talent and rawness they used to share their story, vision and experiences with us.
Favorite band: Gogol Bordello; no matter your age you will enjoy the diversity
“If the kids all united they would never be divided” -Rancid
