Electric Callboy, formerly Eskimo Callboy, is a German electronicore band formed in Castrop-Rauxel in 2010. Initially noted for their serious lyrics and post-hardcore sound, they underwent a line-up and name change during the early 2020s and have since garnered mainstream attention for their comedic songs, live shows, and music videos. They also occasionally perform DJ sets under the name Electric Bassboy.[1]
Electric Callboy (then Eskimo Callboy) at Wacken Open Air in 2016
The band's debut EP, Eskimo Callboy, was self-released in 2010 and was distributed via EMP. The band later 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 the 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 worldwide via Redfield Records on 23 March 2012.[2] Between 28 and 30 September 2012, the band toured Japan on the Geki Rock Tour, then toured China and Russia.[3]
In October and November 2012, the band opened for Callejon on their tour through Germany and Austria.[4] During the final show of the tour, at Live Music Hall in Cologne on 10 November 2012, nine fans were injured after pieces of the ceiling fell onto the moshpit area.[5] The concert was stopped and rescheduled to take place at E-Werk in Cologne on 23 February 2013, for which the band could not appear due to touring with The Browning, Close to Home, and Intohimo through Europe.[6][7]
On 17 November 2012, the band announced after a concert in Düsseldorf that they were parting ways with their drummer Michael Maletzki, who was replaced by David Friedrich. In April 2013, the band toured the United States for the first time alongside Kottonmouth Kings and Deuce.[8] In August, the band made an appearance at Wacken Open Air,[9] as well as returning to the Geki Rock Tour in Japan. The band won the Up And Coming Award at the German Metal Hammer Awards, held in Berlin on 13 September 2013.[10]
We Are the Mess, Crystals, The Scene, Rehab, and departure of Biesler (2013–2020)
Biesler performing with the band in 2018
The band started recording their second album, We Are the Mess, at Kohlekeller Studios with producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner in autumn 2013. The album was released on 10 January 2014 via Redfield Records and Warner Music Japan.[11] The band played five shows in Germany supported by Annisokay. We Are the Mess peaked at No. 8 on Germany's official long-play charts and No. 64 in Austria. The band also toured in Japan to promote their album.[12] In March, the band toured Europe supported by Iwrestledabearonce, Her Bright Skies, and To the Rats and Wolves.[13]
In August 2019, the band released the single "Hurricane" from their fifth studio album Rehab, which was released on 1 November.[14] Following the release of Rehab, the band embarked on their Rehab European Tour 2019.[15] On 12 February 2020, they announced that lead singer Biesler would be leaving the band.[16][17]
Tekkno and addition of Nico Sallach (2020–present)
On 24 April 2020, co-lead singer Kevin Ratajczak announced that the band had found Biesler's replacement, which was confirmed to be Nico Sallach (former frontman of To the Rats and Wolves, who toured with the band seven years prior) on 4 June.[18][19] On 19 June, the band released the song "Hypa Hypa", with its accompanying music video signalling a more comedic direction for the band and becoming their most-viewed YouTube video.[20] On 24 July, the band released the song "Hate/Love".[20] On 11 September, the band released the EP MMXX.[18]
On 3 September 2021, the band released the song "We Got the Moves", whose music video overtook "Hypa Hypa" to become their most-viewed YouTube video.[21] On 3 December, the band released the song "Pump It".[22] On 6 December, the band announced that they had applied to represent Germany in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with "Pump It",[23] but ultimately were not included in the final list of participants.[24]
In December, the band announced that they were removing a selection of their old songs from all platforms due to lyrics that had "become increasingly problematic in modern times".[25] In March 2022, they announced that they had changed their name from to Eskimo Callboy to Electric Callboy after learning that "Eskimo" can be seen as an outdated term and slur for the Inuit and Yupik people.[25] They subsequently re-released the artwork from their previous albums with their new name.[26] On 8 April, they released their first song under their new name, "Spaceman" featuring rapper Finch.[27] On 15 April, they announced their next album Tekkno, to be released on 9 September 2022.[28][29]
On 8 July 2022, the band released a song called "Fuckboi" alongside American metalcore band Conquer Divide.[30] On 19 August, they released the song "Hurrikan" (unrelated to their old song "Hurricane"),[31] and the release date for Tekkno was changed to 16 September 2022.[32]Tekkno entered the German charts at No. 1 in the first week after release, the highest ranking any of their records achieved. In the following week, they had to postpone their UK and France tour as well as cancelling their participation on the US Level-Up Tour with Attack Attack! due to Sallach suffering from a jaw and ear infection.[33]
On 23 May 2024, the band released the single "Ratatata" alongside Japanese metal band Babymetal,[34] which was used by WWE as the theme song for that year's Bash in Berlin event.[35] During the band's tour in Australia, former Sum 41 drummer Frank Zummo filled in on drums when Friedrich departed unexpectedly due to illness.[36]
On 24 January 2025, the band released the single "Elevator Operator".[37] On 29 April, Friedrich announced his departure from Electric Callboy after 13 years with the band, stating his intention to pursue a new direction in life. The band confirmed they would perform the upcoming tour with a new drummer,[38] with Zummo eventually returning.[39] On 23 May, the band released the single "Revery".[40] On 31 October, the band announced the 2025–2026 Tanzneid World Tour[41] and released the song "Tanzneid" with a music video featuring Zummo on drums for the first time.[42]
The lyrics deal with themes such as getting drunk, parties, and sex.[52] The band call their music "Porno Metal".[51] In an interview with the German magazine FUZE, vocalist Sebastian Biesler said that their lyrics only use clichés in a satirical way.[53]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".[54]
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