Wizo

This article is about the band. For the Carolingian scholar, see Candidus (floruit 793–802). For the Jewish organisation, see Women's International Zionist Organization.

WIZO
WIZO in Berlin, 2019
Background information
OriginSindelfingen, Germany
GenresPunk rock, hardcore punk, anarchopunk
Years active1985 (1985)–2005 (2005); 2009 (2009)–present
LabelsHulk Räckorz, Fat Wreck Chords[1]
MembersAxel Kurth
Ralf Dietel
Alex Stinson
Past membersJochen 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)
Websitewizo.de

WIZO (German pronunciation: [ˈviːzo]) is a German punk rock band from Sindelfingen, that formed in 1985. WIZO's music is characterized by a combination of humorous and political lyrics with a fast, melodic punk rock sound. They are considered to be part of the German movement known as Fun-Punk (also punk pathetique or 'pret-punk').[2] Their lyrics are written in German, and Axel Kurth has spoken about how German lyrics are important so that the music and lyrics go together.[3] They have named three bands as important influences: Normahl, Hass, and The Exploited.[3][4] Axel Kurth has spoken out about how difficult it is for musicians to make a living with streaming services.[5][6]

The band espouses left-wing politics and describes themselves as "against Nazis, racists, sexists, and other assholes!"[7] They have also said that the most important themes for them are equality for women, queer people, and other marginalized groups.[5] Axel Kurth has stated "We are all Antifa. Everyone, who does not like it when people are treated differently on the basis of some obscure characteristics, is in my opinion an anti-fascist."[8]

  1. ^ "Wizo". Fat Wreck Chords. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. ^ Ringelsiep, Diana (2 July 2018). "WIZO: Axel über Dackeldamen und Linkspopulismus" (in German). Ruhrpott-Rodeo Newsletter. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Thorsten (1 August 2018). "Der WIZO beam Rocco: Axel Kurth im Interview". Tough Magazine (in German). Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference wahrschauer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Danzer, Andreas (19 August 2022). "Wizo-Sänger Kurth: 'Jeder kann vom Grundgedanken der Anarchie etwas lernen'". Der Standard (in German). Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  6. ^ Doyle, Mike (16 March 2023). "Ep. 211: Wizo w/ Axel Kurth". This Was The Scene Podcast.
  7. ^ Heigl, Raimund (3 December 2014). "Für WIZO ist Punk nicht nur Musik". Kleine Zeitung. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  8. ^ Weber, Markus (10 November 2016). "Interview mit der Band WIZO: Leute politisieren". Printzip: Das Magazin der Region (in German). Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023. Wir sind alle Antifa. Jeder, der keinen Bock auf die Ungleichbehandlung von Menschen aufgrund irgendwelcher obskuren Merkmale hat, ist meiner Meinung nach ein Antifaschist.