The skinhead movement has been an integral part of the music scene since the 1960s. One of the best-known and at the same time most controversial bands within this subculture in Germany were the Body Checks. Their album ‘Tätowiert und kahlgeschoren’, which was released by Rock-O-Rama Records in 1984, caused quite a stir. It was even banned/indexed in 1993.
Foundation
The four members Peter (drums), Willi (bass), Thomas (guitar) and Heinz (vocals) founded the band Body Checks in 1982 in Kamp-Lintfort/Duisburg. The band was known for its energetic Oi! sound and provocative lyrics.
Tattooed and shaven
The album ‘Tätowiert und kahlgeschoren’ was Body Checks’ first official studio album. In its original version, it contained 13 songs that dealt with various topics such as identity, rebellion, skinhead culture and patriotic themes. The music was characterised by fast, melodic guitar riffs and catchy vocals. Some of the outstanding songs on the album are ‘Warum?’, ‘Englandkult’ or ‘Hundesteuer’.
Banned
In April 1993, the record was placed on the index by the Federal Review Board for Publications Harmful to Young Persons because ‘… its content is likely … to disorientate children and young people socially and ethically’.
Controversy
Although the Body Checks were popular with skinheads, the album ‘Tätowiert und Kahlgeschoren’ caused great controversy. Some of the lyrics contained content that glorified violence and, for some, was too patriotic, which shocked and outraged do-gooders and left-wing philistines.
Rock-O-Rama Records released their debut album. It was known for its loose release policy when it came to right-wing skinhead bands. This often associated the Body Checks with politically motivated bands, although the band itself emphasised that it had no political agenda.
Despite the controversy and the ‘negative’ reputation, the album ‘Tätowiert und kahlgeschoren’ has achieved a certain cult status. It is regarded by some skinheads and collectors as an important piece of skinhead history. The discussions surrounding the album also contributed to people taking a different view of the skinhead scene as a whole and distancing themselves from overly big hotheads.
Conclusion
The skinhead band Body Checks and their album ‘Tätowiert und kahlgeschoren’ caused quite a stir in the skinhead scene and beyond. The controversial lyrics and the connection to the label Rock-O-Rama Records led to great controversy and ultimately probably mainly to the indexing of the album. Nevertheless, the work has achieved a certain cult status and the discussions surrounding the album have ultimately led to a more critical view of the skinhead scene.
Rock-O-Rama Records re-released the debut album ‘Tätowiert und Kahlgeschoren’ as an LP in 2018. The Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young Persons objected to some of the songs. These objectionable songs were replaced with unproblematic tracks or digitally edited so that the problematic parts of the lyrics disappeared. The album was also digitally remastered so that the recordings sound more powerful and dynamic overall.
Label: Rock-O-Rama Records