Wizo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids WIZO
WIZO in Berlin, 2019
Background information
Origin	Sindelfingen, Germany
Genres	Punk rock, hardcore punk, anarchopunk
Years active	1985 (1985)–2005 (2005); 2009 (2009)–present
Labels	Hulk Räckorz, Fat Wreck Chords
Members	Axel Kurth Ralf Dietel Alex Stinson
Past members	Jochen Bix (1985–1990) Jörn Genserowski (1985–2005) Ralf "Ratz" Plapp (1987–1990) Karlheinz "Charly" Zaske (1990–1996) Ingo Hahn (1996–2000) Thomas Guhl (1998–2015) Thorsten Schwämmle (2009–2013)

WIZO (pronounced "VEE-zo") is a German punk rock band. They started in 1985 in Sindelfingen, Germany.

WIZO's music mixes funny and serious political messages. They play fast, catchy punk rock songs. They are known for a style called Fun-Punk. Their songs are in German. The band believes German lyrics help the music and words fit together. They have said that Normahl, Hass, and The Exploited are important bands that influenced them. WIZO also thinks it's hard for musicians to earn money from music streaming today.

The band supports left-wing politics. They often sing about fairness for everyone. This includes women, queer people, and other groups who might be treated unfairly. Axel Kurth, the singer, once said that anyone who dislikes unfairness is an "anti-fascist."

Band History

Early Years (1986–2005)

The band "Wieso" (meaning "why?") began in 1986. The first members were Jörn Genserowski (bass), Axel Kurth (guitar), and Jochen Bix (vocals). They were from Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart. At first, they used a drum machine. Then, Ralf "Ratz" Plapp joined as their drummer. Later in 1986, they changed their name to "WIZO."

In 1987, WIZO started playing live shows. In 1988, they recorded their first demo tape, Keiner ist kleiner. They made a second demo tape in 1990. Jochen Bix sang on some songs, including a cover of "Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest. Ralf "Ratz" Plapp left, and Charly Zasko became the new drummer. Jochen Bix also left the band. Axel Kurth then became the main singer. Axel writes most of WIZO's songs. He jokes that he writes many of them while in the bathroom!

Later in 1990, WIZO started their own music label called Hulk Räckorz. They did this with Andreas "Fratz" Thum. They released their first vinyl record, an EP called Klebstoff ("Glue").

The band's logo

In 1991, WIZO released their first full album. They also got attention for playing music outside a courthouse. This happened during a famous TV star's trial. The band played from the back of a delivery truck.

In 1992, WIZO released their album, Bleib Tapfer ("Stay Brave"). They also released a single called "Roy Black ist tot" ("Roy Black Is Dead"). This song was a punk version of a children's song. The lyrics were changed to be about the German pop star Roy Black. A big German newspaper called it the "worst CD of the year."

In 1993, WIZO covered the pop song All that she wants by Ace of Base. Their music video for the song was shown on MTV. This helped the band become well-known across Germany.

WIZO in 2010

In 1994, their album Uuaarrgh! was released. It sold 100,000 copies! For fans in America, this album was released by Fat Wreck Chords. This is a very famous punk music label. The American version of UUAARRGH! had fewer songs and different versions than the German one.

Later in 1994, the album Bleib Tapfer was put on a special list. This meant it could only be sold to adults.

In 1994, WIZO played at the Chaos Days in Hannover. This event was even shown on German TV news. The band later wrote a song about this experience. It was called Chaostage 94.

In 1995, WIZO released Herrenhandtasche ("Man purse"). They also played on the Warped Tour in the USA. After this, they opened concerts for the famous German band Die Ärzte.

In 1996, WIZO played a concert at the Bizarre-Festival in Cologne. About 35,000 people watched them. MTV and a German TV channel filmed the show. The band asked the film crew not to block the audience's view. When filming stopped, Axel and Jörn damaged some cameras. Axel has said that the band was sued for this. Because of this, they no longer play at very large festivals. In 1996, the drummer changed again. Ingo Hahn replaced Charly Zasko.

The "Judensau" on the Regensburg Cathedral

In 1997, the band released Weihnachten stinkt! ("Christmas stinks!"). This was a split EP with the Japanese punk band Hi-Standard. In 1998, WIZO released Kraut & Rüben EP. It had songs that were popular in Germany but new to other countries. That year, Thomas Guhl became the new drummer.

The Stick EP, released in 2004, was the first album released on a USB stick.

In September 2004, WIZO did something new in music. They released a single on a USB flash drive. It was called the Stick EP. It had five songs, a video, pictures, and lyrics.

In November 2004, WIZO released their album Anderster ("differenter"). At the same time, they said they would stop playing music in March 2005. They went on a farewell tour.

Reunion (2009–Present)

After WIZO stopped in 2005, Axel Kurth released some solo songs. He used the name XLQ. He wrote a song for a soccer team and covered other songs. He also helped write music for a movie.

In November 2009, WIZO announced they would make a new album. They also said they would go on tour again in 2010. In the new band, Thorsten Schwämmle replaced Jörn Genserowski on bass.

In May 2010, the band played at a punk festival. In August 2010, Ralf Dietel joined them as a guest guitarist for seven festivals. On December 13, 2013, Thorsten Schwämmle announced he had left the band.

WIZO released the album Punk gibt's nicht umsonst (Teil III) on June 13, 2014. They also announced a tour. Ralf Dietel became the new bass player. In December 2015, Thomas Guhl left the band. Alex Stinson became the new drummer.

On June 21, 2016, the single Verwesung was released. On June 25, 2016, WIZO released the single Adagio at a festival in Canada. On August 12, 2016, WIZO released their new album Der.

In 2018, WIZO released the single Ich war, ich bin und ich werde sein. In 2019, the band started their Die Schönheit des Verfalls tour in Europe. On May 5, 2023, they released the single Grauer Brei. This was their first new music in five years.

Band Members Over Time

For most of their history, WIZO has been a three-person band.

Music Albums and Songs

Axel Kurth and Alex Stinson in Stuttgart, 2016

Demo Tapes

• Keiner ist kleiner (1988)
• Du, Wir Können Doch Gute Freunde Bleiben (1990)

Studio Albums

• für'n Arsch (1991)
• Bleib Tapfer (1992)
• Uuaarrgh! (1994)
• Herrenhandtasche (1995)
• Anderster (2004)
• Punk gibt's nicht umsonst! (Teil III) (2014)
• Der (2016)

Compilations and Live Albums

• Sterntalern Live in Herrenberg (1988)
• WIZO-Raritäten (1996, fan club only)
• Mindhalálig Punk (split with Aurora) (1994/1997)
• Kraut & Rüben (1998)

WIZO performing in Berlin, 2019

Singles and EPs

• Klebstoff (1991)
• Roy Black ist tot (1992)
• All That She Wants EP (1993)
• Das goldene Stück Scheiße (1994)
• Hey Thomas (1994)
• Doof wie Scheiße (1996)
• Weihnachten stinkt! (split EP with Hi-Standard) (1997)
• Kraut & Rüben EP (1998)
• Stick EP (USB-Stick, 2004)
• Adagio (2016)
• Ich war, ich bin und ich werde sein (2018)
• Grauer Brei (2023)

Songs on Other Albums (Samplers)

WIZO's songs have appeared on many compilation albums, including:

• Peinlich peinlich ist hier alles (1989)
• Intoxicate You (1990)
• Schlachtrufe BRD II (1992)
• Willkommen zur Alptraummelodie (1992)
• Vitaminepillen #3 (1993)
• Bring back the Vinyl (1994)
• Punk Uprisings (1995)
• Survival of the fattest (1995)
• Punk Chartbusters Vol. 2 (1995)
• Partisanen III (1996)
• GötterDÄmmerung - Tribut An Die Beste Band Der Welt (1997)
• Short Music for Short People (1998)
• Fat Music Vol. IV: Life in the fat lane (1999)
• Rock Explosion (2000)
• Fat Music Volume V: Live fat, Die Young (2001)
• Pankerknacker Hörspiel-CD (audiobook, 2002)
• Fat Music Volume VI: Uncontrollable Fatulance (2002)
• Punk Rock BRD Vol. 1 (2003)
• Nazis Raus! (2004)
• Undercover (2004)
• Punk Rock BRD Vol. 2 (2004)
• Rotten Schwuchtel Sampler (2009)
• Wrecktrospective (2009)
• Kein Bock auf Nazis Sampler (2014)

Images for kids

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  Axel Kurth and Alex Stinson in Stuttgart, 2016

• 

  WIZO performing in Berlin, 2019

See also

In Spanish: Wizo para niños