Beatsteaks

Beatsteaks are a rock group from Berlin, Germany, active since 1995. They start as a German alternative rock and punk band, with early material rooted in punk rock and later releases moving towards rock and alternative rock.

Formation and line-up

The original line-up includes Arnim Teutoburg-Weiß on vocals and guitar, Bernd Kurtzke and Peter Baumann on guitar, Ali on bass, and Steffi on drums. After the first album, 48/49, Steffi leaves and Thomas Götz replaces him on drums. After the second album, Launched, Ali leaves and Torsten Scholz takes over on bass. The listed members are Stefan Hircher, Alexander Roßwaag, Peter Baumann, Bernd Kurtzke, Arnim Teutoburg-Weiß, Thomas Götz and Torsten Scholz.

Albums and releases

The band releases a demo CD in 1995, followed by the album 48/49 in 1996 on the Berlin indie label XNO. Launched appears in 1999, and Living Targets follows in 2002; both are released on Epitaph. Their fourth album, Smacksmash, arrives in 2004 and the band signs to Warner from that point. Later releases include the DVD B-Seite in 2006, .limbo messiah, Boombox, the self-titled album Beatsteaks, and YOURS.

Notable songs and recognition

The song “Let Me In”, from Living Targets, helps bring the band attention in the national and international rock scene. Smacksmash and its singles “Hand in Hand”, “I Don’t Care as Long as You Sing” and “Hello Joe”, together with album tracks such as “Cut Off the Top”, “Jane Became Insane” and “She Was Great”, lead to chart success and their national breakthrough in Germany. Other singles listed for Boombox include “Milk & Honey”, “Cheap Comments” and “Automatic”.

Other releases and projects

Beatsteaks also release the rare 7-inch Knaack EP in 1997 and the limited Wohnzimmer EP in 2002. Drummer Thomas Götz is involved in a separate project called NinaMarie with Torben from the German punk band Turbostaat.