Portrait: D-Sailors

D-Sailors stand for down-to-earth melodic punk in German-speaking countries and promise first-rate entertainment for every music lover who can be satisfied with three chords. Fast, melodic punk rock songs with catchy riffs and strong vocals, sometimes in several parts in Scandinavian-Californian style are their strengths and passion which, even in times of Emo and the rediscovery of rock 'n' roll don't seem moth-eaten. The D-Sailors still sound like the early '90s, and even in the future they won't be writing "The" before their name.

The dense, throbbing punk rock songs of the D-Sailors are loosened up with elements from
ska and metal, not unusual in this genre, but without seeming artificial or forced. The occasional saxophone passages used to loosen up the sound of the D-Sailors are all the more effective in their frugality and provide special accents to every album. Of course the influences of bands like Pennywise or Millencolin are clearly recognizable, but still the D-Sailors have managed over the years to develop a style completely their own and don't need to hide behind the greats of the genre.

Unlike many German punk bands, the subject of their English texts are not political but mostly social grievances ("The devil is our own society"). In particular, they pay attention to the dark side of mass media (1000s of Stories, My Guitar), the sorry condition of German pop culture (No Tomorrow) and the aberrations of the current television landscape (Dedicated to the Soaperstars). Personal topics like relationships or daily life in the band are also examined. In spite of the sceptical and sometimes serious tone, their music must above all be fun, brighten up the listener's mood and penetrate directly to the legs. And through countless tests on live audiences, the D-Sailors know very well that they reach these goals.


The success story of the quartet from Juelich begins in 1993 with the founding of the Drunken Sailors, which name was summarily truncated to D-Sailors following two tapes when they brought out their first CD in 1996. From the very start, the most important thing for the founding members Uli Breitbach, Ingmar Krause, Uli Grossmann and Marco Böddecker was to put on first-rate performances: "The main thing is, of course, to put on a good show for the people that want to see us, who buy tickets…. I mean, anybody can record a good album today, but you have to come across to your audience. I just want for people to go home after a concert and say to themselves, 'I saw a dynamite band tonight!'" (Interview in OX fanzine).

The debut album, A New Project, appeared in 1998, the band steadily became better known, enabling them to play as a support group for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Terrorgruppe, Rantanplan and the UK Subs. After a forced hiatus due to the foreign travels of singer Uli Breitbach, the D-Sailors conquered new markets with two split CDs, first with the Brazilian punk rockers Nitrominds and later with the French band Freygolo. Appearances throughout Europe and a successful Brazilian tour followed.

The deteriorating health of drummer Marco Böddecker as a result of a serious illness prevented him from participating in the tour in Brazil. Marco sat behind his drum set at a concert for the last time in March 2004. The new drummer was Matthias 'Matthi' Brus, who had previously played in Bibibox.

In the middle of 2004, four years after the last studio album, the D-Sailors brought out Lies and Hoes in Germany and Brazil. As a result of their extensive live experience and the inspiring cooperative efforts, this album sounds substantially clearer and more structured than the previous ones and, within its defined limits, shows itself to be a multifaceted production, both musically and in content. The record offers 14 straight punk rock songs and, like earlier albums, is loosened up with ska and metal elements, samples and slow passages.

In 2006 the D-Sailors are picking up the pace: their new album is expected to appear this fall. More sombre tones will be heard on this record, including a song for friend and band member Marco, who died in 2005. The D-Sailors will then be appearing live again starting May. The next album will probably not reinvent punk, but for sure this disc will be supercharged with songs to sing along, pog along and think along with. The boys from Juelich haven't given up their dream of the big breakthrough, and their well-attended concerts and the success of banks like the Beatsteaks show that fast, melodic punk rock is still in demand in Germany.
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