Vergessene Arbeitskämpfe - Ein Punk-Abend

Berlin in 1949. The city lies in ruins. Partition and duplication go hand in hand. Berlin has two mayors now, two ideological systems, two different currencies – but only one suburban railway system. The Soviet military administration in Germany (SMAD) controls the railway network in the Soviet Occupation Zone, and therefore Berlin’s elevated railway traffic as well. Initially, the west allies approved of this decision. However, when the currency reform brings the West mark, it becomes an issue. As of March 1949, the D-mark is West-Berlin’s effective currency – to the detriment of those workers who live in one of the West sectors yet work in Berlin’s East.  Some 13,000 West German railway employees are paid their salaries in GDR’s East mark currency, but they must pay the bills for rent, electricity and gas in West marks. And the exchange rate is at 1:4. So if a worker’s wage was 200 East marks, only 50 West marks would remain. The independent workers’ union UGO calls a strike, and the stations in the West sectors are taken and blocked by strikers. Strike-breaker units are sent over from the Eastern sector, and violet crackdowns ensue. For 38 days, the strike of West Berlin’s railway workers paralyzed suburban and inter-zonal railway traffic so crucial for West Berlin’s supply situation at the time.

Tough Mother: The international trio gives auditory versions of unapologetic period stains left as proud branding of love lorn lust vehicles. Playing smashing power grunge into sun burned eyes as an anthem to their own delirium, Tough Mother is expressing disappointment in the world and everyone on it.

spotify.Tough Mother
instagram.com/yourtoughmother

In a whirlwind of noise and colour Berlin’s LOBSTERBOMB arrived in 2020. Since then they have been bringing their raw and energetic performances across Germany. Mixing introverted and self-reflective lyrics with extroverted and loud sounds spanning indie pop to post-punk, Lobsterbomb is always ready to go. Their debut LP ‘Look Out’ was released July 2023 via Duchess Box Records. LOBSTERBOMB are Nico Rosch(vocals/guitar – she/her), Vik Chi(drums – she/her) and Crayon Jones(guitar/vocals – he/him).

lobsterbomb.bandcamp.com
instagram.com/lobsterbombband