Farin Urlaub wrote a long post in his online guestbook about his guest appearance on the new Flake album.
Farin Urlaub is considered a beacon of reason for many of his fans. He has been performing on stages in Germany with his band Die Ärzte for over 40 years. It is not uncommon for him to convey a political message in his songs. In songs like “Cry for Love”, “Your Guilt” or “Men Are Pigs” he draws attention to social injustices in the country and often even offers solutions – in punk style, of course with a wink.
The singer also shows his commitment by supporting organizations such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Attac. He doesn’t eat meat, smoke or drink alcohol. And he of all people is now working together with a Rammstein member? A band against which allegations of abuse have been made (regardless of the fact that the public prosecutor’s office is not investigating Till Lindemann)?
“A slap in the face”
On the 61-year-old’s official website, a wave of indignation emerged in the guestbook. Fans complained because their icon worked with Flake on music for his solo album. He announced his new project on November 8th. Flake’s first work without Rammstein – a cover record with festival classics. It was released on November 22, 2024. In addition to the Die-Ärzte frontman, musical guests on the 58-year-old’s record include Joey Kelly, Käptn Peng, Doro Pesch and Micha Rhein.
In Farin Urlaub’s guestbook, the disappointment reads as follows: “Being on the left (…) means mindfulness, a good culture of error and a basic trust in one’s own moral compass,” writes a fan. And further: “Farin Urlaub’s recent collaboration with ‘Flake’ by the band Rammstein is a slap in the face to all those people who like your music because of your ability to recognize the signs of the times and capture them in music form, as well as supporting you in the discourse against violence and for fair coexistence position.” Ouch – that hurts.
Now Farin Urlaub himself has spoken out in his guestbook. He writes that he sent a signal that “can be taken completely wrong.” He writes: “I go through life pretty self-righteously and think my decisions are mostly well-considered – and then I play on a Christmas album because I’m a flake as a friend, and I forget that in today’s symbol debate I am sending a signal that can be taken completely wrongly.”
“…I couldn’t be friends with Flake.”
Then he wants to reassure his fans: “No, I didn’t pretend for 40 years or spontaneously throw away my moral compass. But I see that some people are disappointed in me and I’m sorry for that.”
Farin Urlaub indirectly addresses the allegations against Rammstein, Not treating women well. “I deeply despise any form of violence against women. Any intimacy requires the mutual consent of those involved. This is so self-evident in my mind that I didn’t think I would ever have to expressly say or write it.” And specifically defends Flake: “And if I weren’t convinced that he saw it the same way, I couldn’t talk to Flake be friends.”
Finally, a look at big politics: “We absolutely need open discussions; we have to break the behavioral patterns that enable or at least do not prevent femicide, rape, humiliation of the weaker people and abuse of power. It doesn’t feel good to have unintentionally ended up on the wrong side of this debate.”
Farin Urlaub is happy about the discussion that has arisen: “But it is good and right that this discussion is taking place here in the guestbook, and that I have learned something from it: What is important is not what I personally think about someone, but that I am in them In case of doubt, put the case on the side of the alleged victims. I really should have figured that out myself.”
The Flake case
Flake’s reputation had recently suffered. Lorenz, who likes to present himself as a rustic Berlin buddy type in the background of his loud boss Till Rammstein, also took a few hits last year in the wake of abuse allegations against the singer (the Berlin public prosecutor’s office has stopped its investigations against Lindemann). Christian Lorenz lost his radio show and was cut from “Inas Nacht”. He also appeared in some of the stories of accusing female (ex) fans. He himself did not comment on the allegations against Rammstein.