ZSK frontman Joshi on his rights: “It’s hard to stay calm”

Punk band ZSK plays a concert in Brandenburg before the elections. Singer Joshi talks about the band’s commitment and concerns about the AfD takeover.

Singer against the right: ZSK frontman Josi sings during a demonstration against the AfD federal party congress in Essen at the end of June. Photo: Markus Matzel/imago

Taz: josh, Why are we playing in Potsdam on the eve of the Brandenburg state elections?

josh: We want to celebrate a great festival of resistance. Everyone in civil society is invited to feel good, recharge their batteries and face today even stronger. Because the coming months and years will be really, really hard. Of course, we also hope that this event will motivate people to vote democratically. And we hope that someone in Munich, for example, will be happy that there was such a great event in Potsdam! In February, I personally attended the anti-right demonstrations in Hamburg, Munich and elsewhere. It gives me courage every time I experience that you are not alone in defeat.

taz: ZSK appears with Madsen and Sportfreunde Stiller. Why three West German bands?

josh: We have been living in Berlin for 20 years. And the distinction between East and West seems to be outdated. We are all in the same boat. I don’t care where someone comes from. Anyone who wants to show an example of democracy today is welcome.

taz: There were other bands in the lineup, right?

josh: Of course, but the schedule is often full. I see it this way: there are some bands, like Feine Sahne Fischfilet or us, who are always right in front at concerts. But it would be great if we could quickly spread this to more shoulders. Imagine 20 great German bands from different genres saying: We play twice a year in small places where people need help. That would be great!

taz: How has the “Don’t Feel Like Nazis” initiative evolved since it began in 2006?

josh: At that time, what we did on the band side was very small. In fact, we invested in it because we thought it was important.laugh). It is now a major campaign with over 100 information centers every year, including events like Rock im Park and tours with Toten Hosen and Doctors. We have 8 full-time employees and can really make a difference. Compared to NGOs like Sea Watch or Greenpeace, we are of course a small grain of sand, but we reach a lot of people.

taz: Isn’t the political situation much more serious now than when the country was founded?

josh: Clearly, democracy in Germany has never been so threatened. The fact that right-wing extremist parties are winning state elections is at a historic low. Maybe another federal state, Brandenburg, will be added on Sunday. That could be the turning point. It is difficult to remain calm and collected. I could scream every day. But instead of giving up, I say: Now more than ever! We will not let them run the field.

taz: Have you adjusted your strategy over the past few years?

josh: Yes, we are no longer just warning about the AfD. Anyone who still votes for her in the state elections is voting consciously. because She is a racist. Our focus now is to support dedicated people who continue to fight for democracy and human rights.

taz: What exactly does this support look like?

josh: We send out thousands of promotional packages free of charge to youth centers and those who are satisfied with them throughout Germany. We print more than 1.5 million leaflets, stickers, posters, etc. In the end you can say: Yes, it is nonsense. A drop in the ocean. But at least we tried. Even if we helped all these wonderful alternative projects in the affected federal states to continue and maintain their viability for years to come, it was worth it alone.

taz: Have you ever had to deal with right-wing sympathizers in the audience?

josh: We played a small town festival recently, and someone in a punk shirt came up to us with merchandise and said our concert was great. But he also wanted to say that he didn’t understand our hatred for the AfD. That’s exaggerated. I asked him: What do you think would happen if a fascist came to power in this country? Do you think they would then say to their opponents? It’s okay. Keep going. No, buddy!

taz: What are you afraid of when an AfD state government comes into power?

josh: I said on stage that if the AfD were to decide on its own, there would be no more festivals like this, and probably many volunteers would end up in jail. We will have to think about this in five or ten years. Many people do not want to understand what their lives would mean if the AfD government could decide everything in this country on its own. You might think it is cool to listen to Tottenhosen on the radio at home. But if the AfD were to do that, Tottenhosen would probably be banned from the radio because they are the party’s opponents!

taz: What has changed in the fight against the right wing?

josh: The world has become more complex and simple answers are tempting. It is also the problem of the radical left that we do not have answers to many of the world’s burning questions, or do not have answers that are very difficult to provide. It is important to us that everyone can live in peace.

As a right-winger, you don’t care at all. The circle of people you care about is very narrow. Everyone else is indifferent to you. This is how the world is made so easy.

taz: Can punk rock still be influential?

josh: Anyway! For many people, we are the soundtrack to political engagement. Our music gives them strength. For example, I played a short acoustic set with a loudspeaker truck at the AfD federal party conference in Essen, and many people told me afterwards how much it motivated them. I felt it was almost ridiculous that I was doing so little to help block the road. Bands like The Clash and Rage Against The Machine were the soundtrack to protest movements. Music can connect and inspire people.

Taz: ““The kids are fine,” you sing on your latest album. But most of the first-term voters in Thuringia and Saxony voted for the AfD. Are you wrong?

josh: Certainly not with our fans. We are very lucky that Ende Gelände, Fridays for Future or Antifa groups have an extremely dedicated young fan base that continues to grow. They often write to us to organize demonstrations or concerts against the right wing. That gives me hope. Of course, this is only a small part of the young people in Germany. There is no doubt about it. We are not Nina Chuba or the 187 street gang. Or Taylor Swift.

taz: Do you want to persuade people?

josh: I am a musician first and a political activist second. I didn’t choose music to reach as many people as possible, but I think punk rock live is really cool. It’s obvious to us that we will never reach the mainstream. But I can make a living with music, and I can touch people, and that’s really cool.

taz: Are you afraid of being attacked at your concert?

josh: Not in Potsdam. It is a stable city with many great people. At other concerts, such as the upcoming Sonneberg concert, things may be different because of special security precautions. But in Potsdam, it will be a huge festival of joy with resilient performances and children’s bands. There is something for everyone who wants to stay stable. Come on!