The first installment of the Weimar series „5300 Series,“ which will be followed by further releases throughout
2026, thoroughly exploring the city’s extensive underground culture up to 1989 and making it accessible to everyone.
The series makes a grand start with the city’s first two punk bands, which, founded in 1979, were also among the first punk bands in the entire GDR and thus significantly shaped the emerging scene in Thuringia.
Until now, only one song by Ernst F. All had been released, making the songs heard here a special premiere. Recorded around 1982 in the rehearsal room, the legendary PCW 1,
these historical recordings, with their direct lyrics, offer insight into the rebellious mindset, desires, problems, and fears of a newly emerging youth culture outside the desired state norms. They thus provide a glimpse into the early days of a scene that was not supposed to exist in the socialist part of Germany and was combated with full force by the state. This spirit of resistance is also evidenced by the recordings of the Madmans released here, which were made in the spring of 1983 at an illegal concert in the parish hall of St. James‘ Church in Weimar.
These recordings also demonstrate the virtuosity of the band members on their instruments, even back then.
In addition, there are previously unreleased songs from the rehearsal room around 1982. All recordings on this album have been digitized from the original tapes and cassettes for the first time, meticulously mastered, and restored.
The split LP comes in a chunky gatefold cover and with a 56-page, full-color booklet in LP format, which recounts the history of the Weimar punk scene in detail, from its origins around 1978 to the end of 1983. It’s packed with commentary and interview excerpts from numerous key figures of the time, illustrated with many previously unpublished, restored photos from private archives and background information on the Stasi files concerning the Weimar scene.
Extras include a Weimar band diagram and liner notes written by some of the band members for all the printed lyrics.
The LP was produced in close collaboration with Heldenstadt Anders e.V., Black Cat Tapes, Lion Crew Records, former and current band members, friends, and members of the Weimar scene, and is therefore an important part of historical research. Anyone who thinks they already know everything about the East German punk scene will be proven wrong here.
(Elbtal/ 2026)
Tracklist:
Madmans - Intro
Madmans - Umweltverschmutzung
Madmans - Falling Snow
Madmans - Alkohol
Madmans - Schaufensterpuppe
Madmans - Egoismus
Madmans - Eurovision
Madmans - Sonnenschrei
Madmans - Liebesbriefe Mit Schreibmaschine
Madmans - Limericks
Madmans - Denn Sie Lehren
Ernst F. All - Mama Nölt, Papa Nölt
Ernst F. All - Abendrot, Morgenrot, Tod
Ernst F. All - Schwarzer Freund
Ernst F. All - Tote Häuser, Tote Stadt
Ernst F. All - Ich Mach Mir Einen Spaß
Ernst F. All - Das Ist Die Zeit
Ernst F. All - Angst
This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 14 April, 2026.
