Glitterhouse Records

For over a decade from the mid-eighties on The Bates were Germany’s best and with over a million records sold, most successful Punkband besides Die Toten Hosen. They toured all over Europe and Japan with bands such as The Toydolls. Sold more than 1 million records and hit the Charts in Thailand but paid tribute to fame and Rock’n’Roll, culminating in the death of singer/bassist Zimbl at the age of 41 because of drug and alcohol abuse. This live album from 1992 shows them at the height of their powers! Raw, wild, a class of their own.

It all started in the mid-80ies in Eschwege, Germany. Four boys and their love for Punkrock accompanied by talent and diligence. Soon after they found their charistmatic frontman Zimbl they started touring locally. The Bates played youth centres and smaller clubs and got known as the hottest thing between Werra, Fulda and Weser. It wouldn't take long until they reached out for the rest of the country and 'til they signed their first major contract with Virgin (who also released „Never Mind The Bollocks“) and became a huge success.

The Bates always were a band that stayed real. Of course they did all of this MTV and VIVA party stuff and Zimbl even got pictured in Bravo's 'Foto-Lovestory' alongside German popstar Blümchen, but they stuck to their roots. They sung about love, desire and party. They never were a political band, it was all about having a good time. Proof to this is the stunning live album entitled 'Unfucked' from 1992. Now for the first time ever available on Vinyl and digital. The 4-piece was a very powerful act to experience live, headed by their charismatic singer and bassist Zimbl. The Bates always had great songs like „The Lips of Jayne Mansfield“ that were accompanied by stunning cover versions of their favorite artists.

„Unfucked – Live“ was originally released by Snoop Records in 1993. It was the band's last album before they signed with Virgin. Surprisingly it never got re-released. It is 100 % proof why The Bates got that big: Because they were a stunning live act! „Unfucked – Live“ was recorded in 1992 at the Outpost club in Göttingen and mastered by Pauler Acoustics, Northeim. Master & Servant remastered the files for re-release on Vinyl.

The story of The Bates continues until 2001. After years of drug and alcohol abuse of singer Zimbl the band took a break from which they never returned. Zimbl (Markus Zimmer) died in 2006. He only got 41 years old. Armin (Beck) works as a minister, Klube (Frank Klubescheid) is a social worker specialized in helping disabled persons live rich and fulfilling lives, Reb (Michael Rebbig) is a teacher and Pogo (Thomas Möller) works - since he left The Bates in 1998 – for Hamburg based soccer club FC St.Pauli.

The Bates 'Unfucked - Live' will be released December 4 via Glitterhouse Records limited to 500 copies on red Vinyl. It will be the first Bates album available on Vinyl since 1992.