Die Prinzen

Die Prinzen
Die Prinzen in 2006
Die Prinzen in 2006
Background information
OriginLeipzig, East Germany
GenresA cappella, pop rock
Years active1987–present
LabelsSony BMG, Ariola Express, Hansa
MembersSebastian Krumbiegel
Tobias Künzel
Wolfgang Lenk
Jens Sembdner
Henri Schmidt
Mathias Dietrich
Ali Zieme
Websitedieprinzen.de (in German)

Die Prinzen ("The Princes") is a German pop rock band, consisting of former members of the Thomanerchor, and a former member of the Dresdner Kreuzchor.

Overview

Early albums consist of a cappella music. The band's first name was Die Herzbuben, but it was changed to Die Prinzen in 1991 to avoid confusion with the Volkstümliche Schlager duo Wildecker Herzbuben. The lyrics of their songs are often humorous, tongue-in-cheek critiques of German government or society. The group's most popular singles have been "Alles nur geklaut", "Gabi und Klaus", "Millionär", "Küssen verboten", "(Du musst ein) Schwein sein", "Mein Fahrrad", "Olli Kahn" (about German World Cup goalkeeper Oliver Kahn) and "Deutschland".

In reference to the group's name and the Brothers Grimm fairy-tale "The Frog Prince", the group's logo is a green frog wearing a crown. The frog logo has appeared in a number of album and single covers.

Their hit song "Millionär" appeared in the accompanying video to the German textbooks "Komm mit", "Stationen", and "Kontakte".

"Deutschland" is a very cultural and ironic song about everything in Germany. It was written by German songwriter Steve van Velvet.[1]

Band members

Die Prinzen in 1992

Die Prinzen

  • Sebastian Krumbiegel (5 June 1966); vocals, keyboard
  • Tobias Künzel (26 May 1964); vocals, guitar, keyboard
  • Wolfgang Lenk (4 September 1966, Leipzig); vocals, keyboard, guitar
  • Jens Sembdner (20 January 1967); vocals, keyboard
  • Henri Schmidt (17 August 1967, Leipzig); vocals

Backing band

  • Ali (Alexander) Zieme (23 March 1971, Leipzig); drums
  • Mathias Dietrich (24 November 1964, Leipzig); bass

Discography

Charts

References

  1. ^ ""Deutschland" song information on kazaa". kazaa. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.