Don't Say Please - The Oral History of Die Kreuzen

“Die Kreuzen are one of those bands that influenced a thousand other bands that went on to have huge success.” —Butch Vig (Producer and founding member of Garbage) 

Step back to the early eighties in the Rust Belt of the Midwest, where underground newsletters and ‘zines ignited a creative revolution. Amidst this explosion of American punk and experimental music, a band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, emerged with a groundbreaking sound. Die Kreuzen, a group that defied genre boundaries, fused punk and metal influences to create something entirely new.

Were they punk? Were they metal? Die Kreuzen recorded what fans and critics hail as a defining album of hardcore punk, only to reinvent their sound with each subsequent release. They toured the world, made little money, and eventually broke up. Yet, this seemingly brief stint in music history has rendered Die Kreuzen legendary. But why?

For the first time, band members Keith Brammer, Brian Egeness, Dan Kubinski, and Erik Tunison—alongside their friends, collaborators, and famous fans—reveal the inside story of Die Kreuzen.

This book features rare images and artwork, with contributions from music icons like Thurston Moore, Steve Albini, Neko Case, Lou Barlow, and more. 

“They’re a seminal band for me and they’re on my list of things that just make me excited about music. I’ve never lost my appreciation for them, and I think the whole concept of not giving a fuck about what was going around them is what has preserved them for all these years. “ Neko Case (Solo artist and founding member of New Pornographers) 

“All bands have a lifespan and Die Kreuzen were lucky to have burned so brightly during their tenure.” Steve Albini (Recording engineer and founding member of Big Black and Shellac)

“When Dinosaur Jr toured with the Foo Fighters for the first time, Dave Grohl had this cool little stereo in a road case that he’d bring with him backstage. Before he’d go on stage, he’d take shots of whisky and blast the first Die Kreuzen record to pump him up, like immediately before going on stage. For me it was like “wow” because it just reminded me of how important that record was to a particular slice of musicians.” Lou Barlow (Solo artist and founding member of Dinosaur Jr.)