Die Toten Hosen are currently facing criticism in some places. The reason: in June 2023, the Düsseldorf band will once again be playing as the headliner at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. Also part of the line-up: Pantera (or the Pantera tribute band of the remaining members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante). There is a special reason why many fans are now disappointed.
Many criticize that the band is playing at the same festival as Phil Anselmo, who caused a sensation and criticism at a concert in 2016 with right-wing extremist failures. Anselmo, who said he was drunk, chanted “White Power” several times at the end of a show and apparently stretched out his arm in a Hitler salute. Many are now disappointed that the Hosen are now playing at the same festival as Anselmo (who had apologized for this action).
Detailed statement by Toten Hosen
In a detailed statement on their social networks, the band commented on the cause on January 18, 2023. “One thing first: We think it’s great that many visitors to RaR and RiP are politically sensitive and critically question issues related to the music and the acts that are performing. Especially when it comes to racism, homophobia or right-wing extremism. That’s one reason why we always liked being guests there, because that was also the vibe that we felt time and time again from you: cosmopolitan, tolerant and against exclusion,” it says.
“To make it short: The video, which shows the obviously drunk Anselmo in 2016 giving the Hitler salute and shouting a racist slogan, is repulsive and disgusting. Although he apologized soon after for his underground behavior and has since maintained that he is not racist and that he learned from his behavior at the time, the question remains as to how credible his apology is and how to deal with this issue around Campino.
However, they still want to do the planned performances – and argues like this: “During our research on the subject, we saw that Pantera will be playing at numerous European festivals this year, where bands such as Flogging Molly, Rancid, The Baboon Show will also be performing , Fever 333, Napalm Death and in America Bad Religion. All acts that are difficult to put in the right corner. Interestingly, Pantera’s European booking agent is the same one that exclusively books Rage Against The Machine’s concerts in Europe. The majority of the rock music world seems to believe the singer’s purification. With RATM, one can assume that they would not be represented by an agent who also has right-wing extremist bands in their program.”
“As is well known, we have always been against the right and racism with a clear edge. Through our cooperation and support of various initiatives and activists in this area, we know from our own experience how difficult and uncomfortable it can be to stand in the way of these currents outside of one’s own comfort zone. We would like to thank everyone who is tirelessly fighting this battle and will continue to do so,” said Toten Hosen at the end of their statement.
Second statement: “But of course there is much more to it”
With this statement, however, the controversy was not yet cleared out of the world – a little later the band followed up with another, shorter statement. “Dear friends, two days ago, with our post about Rock am Ring / Rock im Park, we tried to present a situation that is currently burdening us and many others. Unfortunately, there are some people who either don’t understand our statement or don’t want to understand it and spread the word “pants don’t matter, the main thing is that the concert takes place”. Mistake! Anyone who knows us and has read our lines correctly knows that this is not the case right now. However, with regard to the upcoming decisions, we want to be sure that we take all the facts into account. For example, what about those of you who bought a ticket because of us and were looking forward to the concerts, but least of all can do all that shit?! But of course there is much more to it than that. We’ll keep you up to date. “It says.