In the media library – how “Die Toten Hosen” rocked in East Berlin

In the photo: Die Toten Hosen in front of their brightly colored tour bus.

Shortly after their formation at Easter 1982, the West German punk band “Die Toten Hosen” fooled the Stasi: The musicians Campino, Andi, Breiti, Kuddel and Trini gave a secret concert in a church in the middle of what was then the GDR.

In “Auswärtsspiel – Die Toten Hosen in Ost-Berlin” by Martin Groß, this unique event is now comprehensively recounted for the first time.

With an exploratory, documentary perspective, the film follows previously forgotten clues, tracks down those directly involved and brings to light unusual moments.

“Die Toten Hosen” will celebrate their 2022th band anniversary in 40. Shortly after their formation at Easter 1982, the West German punk heroes fooled the Stasi and gave East German youth culture a boost.

In their brightly colored tour bus they set off towards East Berlin, bringing with them the right amount of youthful recklessness and thirst for adventure.

The documentary will be available as a series (3×30 minutes) in the ARD Mediathek from April 10, 2022.

The wild combo from the West sensed the opportunity to make a statement against the system together with the Eastern punks beyond the wall.

And so the musicians Campino, Andi, Breiti, Kuddel and Trini played a now legendary secret concert in a church in the middle of what was then the GDR.

In “Auswärtsspiel – Die Toten Hosen in Ost-Berlin” the little-known story of this incredible journey is now told comprehensively for the first time.

The 75-minute documentary will be broadcast on April 13, 2022, at 22:50 p.m., on Das Erste.

A secret concert, disguised as a “church event with musical accompaniment” – the joint appearance with the East German punk band “Planlos” becomes an important motivating sign of solidarity for the punk scene in the East.

But how are “Die Toten Hosen” supposed to get across the border, what about their instruments? The risk is high, especially for the punks in the GDR. The Stasi has long had them in its sights...

The format is a production by Eco Media on behalf of SWR, RBB and NDR.

© Photo: SWR, JKP, Das Erste