Messed!Up
Berlin-based power-trio is known for their explosive blend of grunge, garage rock, noise pop, and fuzz-driven alternative rock. Formed in 2016, the band consists of Erik Heise (vocals, guitar), Tilman Kettner (bass), and Tore Knipping (drums). What began as a duo with Heise and Knipping quickly evolved into a full-fledged trio once Kettner joined later the same year, solidifying the group’s signature sound.
PABST first appeared on the German underground scene with their debut EP Skinwalker (2016), released through Crazysane Records. The EP immediately drew attention for its raw energy, gritty guitar work, and refreshingly modern reinterpretation of classic grunge aesthetics.
In 2018, the band released their debut full-length album Chlorine, which expanded their audience beyond Berlin’s indie circuit. The album’s hook-heavy songwriting and fuzz-drenched sound earned enthusiastic reviews and introduced the trio as one of Germany’s most promising contemporary rock acts.
Their second album, Deuce Ex Machina (2020), produced by renowned Berlin producer Moses Schneider, marked a major step forward. The record showcased a broader sonic palette – still heavy and gritty, but more dynamic and melodically adventurous. Its singles, including the anti-gentrification anthem “Skyline,” solidified the band’s reputation not only for visceral rock music but also for socially conscious themes rooted in their experience of a changing Berlin.
After years of intense touring – sharing stages with artists like Bob Mould, Kadavar, Shonen Knife, and many others – PABST released their first live album 1, 2, 3, Go! in 2023. Capturing the band’s ferocious stage presence, the release documented what fans already knew: PABST is one of the most electrifying live bands in Germany’s alternative rock scene.
In 2025, PABST announced their fourth studio album, This Is Normal Now, through their label Ketchup Tracks in partnership with Alcopop! Records. The album’s lead single, “I Felt All There Is to Feel,” features guest vocals from DZ Deathrays’ Shane Parsons and hints at an even more evolved, emotionally charged sound. And today it’s the release day for the album!
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Pabst pages
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Pabst: This Is Normal Now
