ROBOCOP KRAUS

Robocop Kraus

Robocop Kraus are back! "Smile" is the name of the first new album of the "Robos" since incredible 15 years. The whole thing was produced by Jan Philipp Janzen (Die Sterne, von Spar etc.) and it sounds like ... well ... unmistakably Robocop Kraus! Can we get this down once and for all, that the band, who have optionally been called German "The Make Up / Franz Ferdinand / Talking Heads / The Rapture / Devo", simply have a sound all their own? You have to create that first. Speaking of creating? How did we actually endure so long without Robocop Kraus? And how can it be that 25 years after their first show in a youth center in Hersbruck, the band now releases the best album of their career? An album that, passing a completely success-optimized, anemic indie scene, will also be one of the most refreshing albums of 2023?

On "Smile" the name says it all, the Robos gallop impetuously and fearlessly through the most diverse themes and musical styles. Without false modesty, without guile and driven only by "Innocent Fun". An affront? Not at all, in times of overly thought-out, styled life and music designs, the band's naive joy and inventiveness seems not only charming, but truly subversive. "Smile" exudes the boisterous energy and composure of a band that has swept people off their feet at over 800 concerts worldwide, yet always gets to the heart of every song as if it's about everything.

"What's sizzling in those pots, strange kitchen aromas" enters the opener "Young man", is driven by drums and bongos. The aforementioned "Innocent Fun" follows, a touching coming-of-age story in a euphoric power-pop glitter suit. The first single, "On Repeat," floats driftingly into Kraut disco on dreamy synthesizer pads. "World/Inferno" is dedicated to the New York band of the same name, with whom the Robos toured Europe and the U.S. in the noughties and whose singer died last year. The New Wave-like banger "Under control" puts into words the condition of too much emotion. But this is then curbed again in the very next song by the great rationalist Jean-Jaques Rousseau. Another highlight is the pop ballad "Cradle of Filth", which is spun around an experience with the metal band of the same name on a night train to St. Petersburg. Throughout everything, there are flashes of that Robocop Kraus typical humor that defines this band, without ever being ironic or distant. Because they mean well with us and the world, and everyone who has been to one of their concerts or owns a Robocop Kraus record knows that, and there are many. With "Smile" Robocop Kraus manage in a very charming way to get out of the trap of ending up as a dull cult band or even worse a dusty legend. This band kept itself fresh away from attention like a frozen pie waiting to be consumed when the timing is right.

Robocop Kraus was formed in 1998 in Hersbruck, Germany. They have played more than 800 shows in clubs, pubs, concert halls and festival stages all over Europe, in the USA, UK, Japan and Russia. They have released 5 albums on L'Age d'Or, Epitaph, Anti and Day After Records.

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03.11.2023 // Admission: 19:00 // Start: 20:00

VVK: 20,00 € plus fee // AK: 25,00 €// AK - reduced: 20,00 €

(Valid for: Students, trainees, severely disabled persons (the registered accompanying person has free admission), pensioners, volunteers of the voluntary social year and participants of the voluntary ecological year).