ZK

ZK was a German punk band from Düsseldorf, which is considered the precursor band of the group Die Toten Hosen. Initially, they called themselves Zentralkomitee Stadtmitte, but in the scene primarily established the abbreviation ZK, subsequently, the name was officially adopted. 

 

ZK was founded in November 1978 by Campino, Ralf Isbert and Claus Fabian. The first gig was in March 1979 at the Ratinger Hof. It was not until the end of 1980 that guitarist Andreas von Holst became a permanent member. In the beginning, the group played punk rock, but then steadily developed their style and integrated Schlager and Rockabilly elements into their music. The group's humorous lyrics were striking, revolving, for example, around cleaning lady phobias, cowboys sitting in bathtubs, or Santas with unwanted presents. 

 

A single was released in 1979 and other one in 1980, followed by the album 'Eddie's Salon' in 1981. On November 21, 1981, ZK gave their last concert at the Okie-Dokie in Neuss. The band members went different ways afterwards. After the band broke up, another live album was released in 1982. 

 

Campino, Von Holst and roadie Andreas Meurer subsequently formed the band Die Toten Hosen. Fabian founded Die Mimmi's and has been running the Bremen punk label Weser Label since 1982. Isbert founded the rockabilly formation Panhandle Alks. 

 

In 2000, a joint concert of Die Toten Hosen and Die Ärzte resulted in a one-time reunion of the band, performing the song "So Wie Konrad". Several songs of the band, for example "Dosenbier" and "Hahnenkampf", are played live by Die Mimmi's. In 2005 the band met in final line-up in the rehearsal room of Die Toten Hosen. The session was released on the DVD 'Friss Oder Stirb'. In the context of the Christmas concerts of Die Toten Hosen, which were accompanied by Die Mimmi's on December 26, 2009, ZK played some songs as a surprise opening act. With the re-release of the album 'Eddie's Salon' for the 40th anniversary, the band managed to enter the German album charts in December 2021. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]