Frau Gott. Trixsi

With an album called Frau Gott and a band name Trixsi I had expected to be listening to a female singer. In fact somehow it made me think of 'Nina Hagen Band'. Because of that connotation the first thing I did was put on that album and enjoyed it once again (as always).

But no, playing Frau Gott later on, I heard a man sing but the music does ring faint 'Nina Hagen Band' bells alright. Trixsi is less subtle in its rock and (post)punk but rocks out in ways that make me like the music immediately. In fact I don't mind stating Frau Gott is in my list of favourite German language albums already. Yes, this is quite the statement but I stand by it.

Trixsi is not afraid to go all out and combines this quality with the ability to write great rocking songs that go for the mind, throat, legs and gut at the same time. I can only imagine in these Corona days how much fun being at a live show must be. To dance into oblivion to this music.

Until recently I had never heard of Trixsi. So what is Trixsi? It is a new band from Hamburg ("Als ich in Hamburg aus 'm Zug steig", oh, Nina) filled with members who all have played in other bands before,all unknown to me. Thanks to the kind people at Glitterhouse Records that is not the case with Trixsi. Paul Konopacka drums, Klaus Hoffmann bass, guitarists Kristian Kühl and König Wilhelmsburg and singer Jörkk Mechenbier make their debut with a force strong enough to shake my brain around and make a lasting impression. Frau Gott is great fun yet serious in the impression the band wants to make with its first album.

Promo photo

In its music Trixsi is obviously inspired by U.K. bands from the 00s like Maximö Park and Arctic Monkeys, alternative rock with twists. At the same time there is a punk element manifesting itself in the way several songs are attacked. As if they needed to be conquered is the way the band goes at them. With the obvious exception of 'IroCityExpress' that is akin to 'Nina Hagen Band''s final song 'Pank'. A statement underscoring that both bands are not punk bands but could easily be so if they chose to be.

For that the ambition of Trixsi is too high. The band is too good to just be a (post)punk band. 'Menschen' is, a louder, Nada Surf style song, without the subtleties that come with Nada Surf. There's also proof that the band has listened to a song like 'Frankfurt Oder', better known as 'Zoutelande' in my country, and what happens when a song like that gets a full blown rock treatment. Just a few examples of how broad the influences are.

This means there's a host of musical joys to be found on Frau Gott. It is an album that deserves to be heard widely outside of Germany as well. Language ought not to be a barrier, let alone because of an inhibition against the German language in music. Deutschrock or not, if you like alternative rock with a punky pop flavour this may be the best album you're served in 2020. From Germany, yes.

Wo.

You can listen to and order Frau Gott here:

https://glitterhouserecords.bandcamp.com/album/frau-gott


or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g