Wir sind Helden (, German for "We are heroes ") is a German Alternative Rock band from Berlin, first established in 2001, in Hamburg. The quartet is composed of lead singer Judith Holofernes and musicians Pola Roy, Mark Tavassol, and Jean-Michel Tourette. The group's style has often been considered similar to that of the Neue Deutsche Welle, with songs such as "Denkmal" and "Nur ein Wort" evoking New Order.

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Background

In 2002, Wir sind Helden broke onto the German music scene with their song "Guten Tag" , which reached #53 on the German singles charts and got significant airplay on MTV Europe, even though the band did not have a record deal. The band's debut album Die Reklamation (2003) entered the German album charts at number six and eventually reached number two. Their popularity was significantly increased when Judith Holofernes appeared on television on the Harald Schmidt Show, which led their small club tour to sell out immediately. Their second album Von hier an blind (2005) entered at the top of German and Austrian charts and remained in the top ten for twenty weeks.

Wir sind Helden often supports other bands by giving them the opportunity to open at their concerts. In particular, Astra Kid and the two-man-band Olli Schulz und der Hund Marie had significant exposure during tours with Wir sind Helden.

In late 2006, singer Judith Holofernes and drummer Pola Roy took time off from the band to have a baby. The band returned in 2007 with the album Soundso and a series of concerts across Germany. They have since announced another break following their 2008 tour (with the opening act Tele) and the conclusion of their recording contract with EMI. ^[1]

In spring 2010, Wir sind Helden will release a new album on their new recording contract with Sony BMG. ^[2]

International activities

Wir sind Helden played at three sold-out concerts in London, United Kingdom in October 2006, November 2006 and September 2007, which is considered a great feat for a band with non-English lyrics. However, Wir sind Helden remains largely unknown in the English speaking world. ^[3]

In 2007, the iTunes Music Store has released the first in a series of "iTunes Foreign Exchange" singles, in which two bands of different nationalities cover one of the other band's songs. The first single features +44 and Wir sind Helden. +44 provided an English language cover of "Guten Tag" while Wir sind Helden did a retro-sounding, German cover of the +44 single "When Your Heart Stops Beating". Also included are the original tracks done by both bands.

Also in 2007, their song "Endlich ein Grund zur Panik" was featured in the soundtrack to the EA Sports video game, FIFA 08, and another song "Guten Tag" was in "FIFA Football 2004".

Discography

Albums

• Die Reklamation (2003)
• Von hier an blind (2005)
• Soundso (2007)

Singles

Year	Single	Album	Peak positions
			GER	AT	CH	NL
2003	"Guten Tag"	Die Reklamation	53	—	—	—
	"Müssen nur wollen"		57	—	—	—
	"Aurélie"		47	—	—	—
2004	"Denkmal"		26	41	—	—
2005	"Gekommen um zu bleiben"	Von hier an blind	24	4	39	—
	"Nur ein Wort"		28	13	—	—
	"Von hier an blind"		42	57	—	—
2006	"Wenn es passiert"		41	34	—	36
2007	"Endlich ein Grund zur Panik"	Soundso	34	32	—	—
	"Soundso"		62	—	—	—
2008	"Kaputt"		69	—	—	—
	"Die Konkurrenz"		—	—	—	—

Other releases

• Guten Tag (2002) (5-Track EP independently released, 3000 copies produced)
• Die Rote Reklamation (Die Reklamation + Bonus DVD) (2004)

Awards

• ECHO
• * 2004: "Best National Newcomer", "Best Marketing" (EMI label), "Best New National Talent On Radio", "Best German Video"
• * 2006: "Best National Band"
• Eins Live Krone (Radio-Station Award)
• * 2003: "Best New Act"
• * 2004: "Best Live Act"
• * 2005: "Best Album" (Von hier an blind)
• European Border Breakers Award
• * 2005

References

1. 20 February 2008 issue of "WELT Online"
2. Wir sind Helden veröffentlichen neue Platte bei Sony BMG
3. GermanSounds. Musik Made in Germany