Electric Callboy

Electric Callboy
Electric Callboy at Reload Festival in Germany, 2015
Electric Callboy at Reload Festival in Germany, 2015
Background information
Also known asEskimo Callboy (2010–2022)
OriginCastrop-Rauxel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
Members
  • Kevin Ratajczak
  • Daniel "Danskimo" Haniß
  • Pascal Schillo
  • Daniel Klossek
  • David Friedrich
  • Nico Sallach
Past members
  • Michael "Micha" Malitzki
  • Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler
Websitewww.electriccallboy.com

Electric Callboy (formerly known as Eskimo Callboy) is a German electronicore band formed in Castrop-Rauxel in 2010. They take a more relaxed approach to the genre, and are known for their comedic songs, live shows and videos.

History

[edit]

Early releases and Bury Me in Vegas (2010–2013)

[edit]
Electric Callboy live at Wacken Open Air 2016

The first self-titled EP was self-released in 2010 and was distributed via EMP. Later the band re-released the EP via their actual recording label Redfield Records. The band was a support act for groups like Bakkushan, Callejon, Ohrbooten, We Butter the Bread with Butter and Neaera.

At festivals, the group shared stage with acts like Casper, Distance in Embrace and Rantanplan. In 2011 they played at Traffic Jam Open Air and Mair1 Festival. Their debut album, Bury Me in Vegas was released on 23 March 2012 worldwide via Redfield Records.[1] Between 28 and 30 September 2012, the band toured Japan on the Geki Rock Tour. After Geki Rock the group toured China and Russian Federation.[2] In October and November 2012 Eskimo Callboy was a support act alongside the Electro duo WassBass (founded by Nico of K.I.Z) for Callejon on their Blitzkreuz Tour, which lead through Germany and Austria.[3] At the last show of the tour, at Live Music Hall in Cologne on 10 November 2012, nine fans were injured after pieces of the ceiling fell down in the moshpit area.[4] The concert was stopped and rescheduled for 23 February 2013, at E-Werk in Cologne. The band did not appear on the new date because they were touring alongside The Browning, Close to Home and Intohimo through Europe during that time.[5][6]

On 17 November 2012, the band announced after a concert in Düsseldorf that they were parting ways with their drummer Michael Maletzki; he was replaced by David Friedrich. In April 2013 the band toured the United States for the first time alongside Kottonmouth Kings and Deuce.[7] In August 2013 the band made an appearance at Wacken Open Air,[8] as well as on the Geki Rock Tour in Japan. The band was nominated for the Up And Coming (best newcomer award) at the German Metal Hammer Awards, held in Berlin on 13 September 2013, which they won.[9]

We Are the Mess, Crystals, The Scene, Rehab and departure of Biesler (2013–2020)

[edit]
Original vocalist Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler performing with the band in 2018.

The band started recording their second album at Kohlekeller Studios together with producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner in autumn of 2013. The album, We Are the Mess, was released on 10 January 2014 via Redfield Records and Warner Music Japan.[10] The band played five release shows in Germany supported by Annisokay. We Are the Mess peaked in 8th place on Germany's official long-play charts and in 64th place in Austria. The band toured in Japan to promote their album.[11] In March of that year, the band toured Europe supported by Iwrestledabearonce, Her Bright Skies and To the Rats and Wolves.[12]

In August 2019, the band released the single "Hurricane" from their fifth studio album. The album, Rehab, was released on 1 November 2019.[13] Following the release of Rehab, the band embarked on their Rehab European Tour 2019.[14]

On 12 February 2020, the band announced through their social media appearances that the previous singer "Sushi" would be leaving the band.[15] "Sushi" went on to start a new project called "Ghostkid".[16]

Introduction of Sallach, international success, name change, and Tekkno (2020–present)

[edit]

On 24 April 2020, frontman Kevin Ratajczak announced on YouTube that the search for a new singer was over. After an application phase, a video followed on 4 June 2020, announcing that Nico Sallach (former lead singer of the band To the Rats and Wolves)[17] would be the new lead singer of the band.[18] On 19 June 2020, the band released the song "Hypa Hypa".[19] On 24 July 2020, the band released the song "Hate/Love".[19] On 11 September 2020, the band released the EP MMXX.[17]

On 3 September 2021, the band released the song "We Got the Moves".[20] On 3 December 2021, the band released the song "Pump It".[21] On 6 December 2021, the band announced via their Twitter account that they submitted "Pump It" into the German national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022,[22] but ultimately were not included in the final list of participants.[23]

In December 2021, the band announced that they were removing old songs from all platforms due to lyrics that have "become more increasingly problematic in modern times".[24] In March 2022, they announced that they would be called Electric Callboy from now on.[24] The band changed the word 'Eskimo' to 'Electric' because it can be seen as a derogatory name for Inuit and Yupik people of the Arctic. They subsequently re-released the artwork from their previous albums with their new name.[25]

On 8 April 2022, the band released their first song under their new name, "Spaceman", featuring rapper Finch.[26] On 15 April 2022, Electric Callboy announced their new upcoming studio album, Tekkno, which was released on 9 September 2022, and featuring the previously released singles "We Got the Moves" and "Pump It", along with "Spaceman".[27][28]

On 8 July 2022, the band released a song called "Fuckboi", with the American metalcore band Conquer Divide.[29] On 19 August 2022, the band released the song "Hurrikan".[30] The release date for the album was changed to 16 September 2022.[31]

Tekkno entered the German charts at No. 1 in the first week after release, the highest ranking any record of Electric Callboy achieved. In the following week, they had to postpone their UK/France Tour as well as cancelling their participation on the US Level-Up tour with Attack Attack! due to their singer Nico Sallach having a jaw and middle ear infection.[32]

On 23 May 2024, the band released the single "Ratatata", a collaboration with Japanese band Babymetal.[33] This song would subsequently be used by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE as the theme song for the 2024 Bash in Berlin event.[34]

Musical style and influences

[edit]

The band's musical style can be described as electronicore,[35][36][37][38] metalcore,[35][19][39][40] melodic metalcore,[38][41] post-hardcore,[37][42] EDM,[35][39] comedy rock,[39] dubstep,[37] and electro.[37] The musicians named bands like Asking Alexandria and Attack Attack! as their musical influences. Their singer stated that the musicians don't feel like being a part of the "hardcore music scene".[43]

The lyrics deal with themes such as getting drunk, parties, and sex.[44] The band call their music "Porno Metal".[43] In an interview with the German magazine FUZE, vocalist Sebastian Biesler said that their lyrics only use clichés in a satirical way.[45] German Metal Hammer magazine published a positive review of the band, writing, "This is why Eskimo Callboy is enjoyable: because they dismiss themselves and let the fun rule".[46]

Band members

[edit]

Current members

  • Kevin Ratajczak – vocals, keyboards, programming (2010–present)
  • Nico Sallach – vocals (2020–present)[47]
  • Daniel "Danskimo" Haniß – lead guitar (2010–present)
  • Pascal Schillo – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
  • Daniel Klossek – bass, backing vocals (2010–present)
  • David-Karl Friedrich – drums (2012–present)

Former members

  • Michael "Micha" Malitzki – drums (2010–2012, guest 2022)
  • Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler – vocals (2010–2020)

Timeline

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
GER
[48]
AUS
[49]
AUT
[50]
BEL
(FL)

[51]
BEL
(WA)

[52]
FIN
[53]
NLD
[54]
SWI
[55]
Bury Me in Vegas
  • Released: 23 March 2012
  • Label: Redfield
  • Format: CD
65
We Are the Mess 8 64
Crystals
  • Released: 20 March 2015
  • Label: Spinefarm
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
6 54 70
The Scene 6 14 89
Rehab
  • Released: 1 November 2019
  • Label: Century Media
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
16 65
Tekkno
  • Released: 16 September 2022
  • Label: Century Media
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
1 66 3 9 123 13 27 6

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays
Title EP details
Eskimo Callboy
  • Released: 3 September 2010
  • Label: Tone Df, Redfield
  • Format: CD
MMXX

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak positions Album
GER
[48]
AUT
[50]
US Hard Rock
"Is Anyone Up?" 2011 Bury Me in Vegas
"We Are the Mess" 2013 We Are the Mess
"Best Day" 2015 Crystals
"MC Thunder" 2017 The Scene
"Hurricane" 2019 Rehab
"Nice Boi"
"Prism"
"Hypa Hypa" 2020 77 MMXX
"Hate/Love"
"We Got the Moves" 2021 93 Tekkno
"Pump It" 31
"Spaceman" (featuring Finch) 2022 31
"Fuckboi" (featuring Conquer Divide)
"Hurrikan"
"Ratatata" (Babymetal x Electric Callboy) 2024 55 66 6

Covers

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Original artist Year Peak positions Album
GER
[48]
"California Gurls" Katy Perry 2010
"Cinema" Benny Benassi and Skrillex 2013
"Everytime We Touch" Cascada 2023 95

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Director(s)
2010 "California Gurls" (Katy Perry cover)[56] Oliver Schillo
2011 "Is Anyone Up?"[57] Un­known
2012 "Muffin Purper-Gurk"[58] Eskimo Callboy
2013 "Cinema" (Skrillex/Benny Benassi cover)[59] Oliver Schillo and Pascal Schillo
"We Are the Mess"[60] Eskimo Callboy and Oliver Schillo
2014 "Final Dance"[61] Tommy Antonini and Eskimo Callboy
2015 "Crystals"[62] Eskimo Callboy
"Best Day" (featuring Sido)[63] Un­known
"Baby (T.U.M.H.)"[64] Un­known
2017 "The Scene" (featuring Fronz)[65] Eskimo Callboy
"MC Thunder"[66] Pascal Schillo and Oliver Schillo
"VIP"[67]
2018 "Shallows"[68] Christian Ripkens
2019 "Hurricane"[69] Un­known
"Nice Boi"[70] Un­known
"Prism"[71] Un­known
2020 "Made by America"[72] Christian Ripkens
"Hypa Hypa"[73] Pascal Schillo and Oliver Schillo
"Hate/Love"[74]
"MC Thunder II (Dancing Like a Ninja)"[75]
2021 "We Got the Moves"[76]
"Pump It"[77]
2022 "Spaceman" (featuring Finch)[78]
"Fckboi" (featuring Conquer Divide)[79]
"Hurrikan"[80]
"Arrow of Love"[81]
"Mindreader"[82] Mirko Witzki
2023 "Tekkno Train"[83] Pascal Schillo and Oliver Schillo
"Everytime We Touch" (Cascada cover)[84]
"Parasite"[85] Christian Ripkens
2024 "RATATATA"[86] Pascal Schillo and Oliver Schillo

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2013 "N/A" Up And Coming (best newcomer award) Won [9][87]

Impericon Awards

[edit]
Award nominations at Impericon Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 "Hypa Hypa" Best Video[88] Won
2021 "We Got the Moves" Best Music Video[89] Won
2023 "Everytime We Touch" Best Music Video[90] Won
2023 Electric Callboy Band of the Year Nominated
2023 Electric Callboy Best Live Band Nominated


Heavy Music Awards

[edit]
Award nominations at Heavy Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 "Pump It" Best Video[91] Won
2023 Electric Callboy Best International Live Artist[92] Won
2023 Electric Callboy Best International Artist Nominated
2023 "Hurrikan" Best Video Nominated
2024 Electric Callboy Best International Live Artist[93] Won

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ ibanez.de: Eskimo Callboy on tour Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ partyausfall.de: CALLEJON - Band auf Blitzkreuz Tour im Oktober 2012 (German)
  4. ^ Marco Götz: Metal Hammer: Callejon: Verletzte und Konzertabbruch nach Decken-Einsturz - Tour-Ende mit Schrecken(German)
  5. ^ partyausfall.de: ESKIMO CALLBOY - GET DRUNK OR FUCK OFF EURO TOUR 2013 mit THE BROWNING, CLOSE TO HOME und INTOHIMO (German)
  6. ^ metal.de: Get Drunk Or Fuck Off Tour (German)
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[edit]