Left-wing movement figurehead Monchi: Perceive me not as solely associated with the progressive music scene - Refrain from categorizing me as a proponent of leftist ideologies.
Jan "Monchi" Gorkow, the frontman of the renowned punk band Feine Sahne Fischfilet, has expressed a shift in his political perspective. In an interview with the German Press Agency, Gorkow stated that he no longer considers himself to be a part of the left-wing scene.
Previously, his political views may have aligned with the left, but Gorkow now feels that traditional left-leaning ideologies are too limiting. He mentioned his experience with football fan groups and the label of 'ultras' as an example of this narrow categorization.
Gorkow identified himself as a humanist, advocating for clear boundaries against statements promoting racism or homophobia. However, he also commented against overzealous attempts to police language and thought, stating, "One should not always be searching for the needle in the haystack."
Feine Sahne Fischfilet, recognized as one of Germany's most successful punk bands, has been actively fighting against right-wing extremism. This activism has earned them continuous attacks from the right, and they have also challenged classifications by state authorities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as left-wing extremists in court.
Gorkow expressed shock at the electoral successes of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, particularly in his hometown of Jarmen, where the AfD received 54% of the second votes. He criticized the party's nationalist whining and found it unbearable.
In contrast to urban neighborhoods, Gorkow frequently encounters right-wing extremism due to his profile. He questioned the motivations of people from Kreuzberg who criticize him, stating that they do not truly understand the meaning of 'right-wing.'
Feine Sahne FischfiletPunk bandRight-wing extremismGerman Press AgencyMecklenburg-VorpommernUltrasHansa Rostock
In spite of his prior affiliations with the left-wing scene, Jan "Monchi" Gorkow, the frontman of Feine Sahne Fischfilet, now advocates for a more expansive political perspective. This perspective, rooted in humanism, encourages entertainment, music, sports, and sports-betting as avenues for connection across EC countries, without the restrictive boundaries he experienced within traditional left-leaning ideologies.
However, he remains critical of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, even as he encounters their ideology in rural areas such as his hometown of Jarmen, expressing dismay at their nationalist rhetoric and electoral successes.
