With an impressive 50,000 copies sold per week in Germany, Fischer-Z's album "Red Skies Over Paradise" was once a huge success. Now, the band around John Watts is preparing an equally ambitious and unusual release, " PUNKT!"
The new Fischer-Z album is far more than just a music collection. PUNKT! presents itself as a multidimensional art project comprising ten audio tracks, ten artworks, and a short film in ten chapters – all interconnected into a cohesive concept.
Of particular interest: The release dates are based on multiples and fractions of 70, which corresponds to John Watts' age this year. It all kicked off on March 14, 2025, with a limited edition of 70 numbered 7" singles titled "2 Sides of PUNKT!". This was followed on July 14, 2025, by "2 More Sides of PUNKT!", before the complete album was finally released digitally on all platforms on September 19, 2025. In addition, art enthusiasts can experience the works during an art gallery tour in Germany from September 22 to October 2, 2025.
John Watts, founder and frontman of Fischer-Z, is considered by many art critics to be one of the most influential post-punk and new wave artists from Great Britain. With his new album PUNKT!, he embarks on a creative new beginning. Photographed by Toddevision. This photo was kindly provided to us. All rights remain with the artist and photographer.
The creation process of the new Fischer-Z album began with a significant decision by John Watts.
"PERIOD! means end point.",
"It marks the end of something, the old way of working," explains the seasoned stage performer. With this concept, he not only created a new music album but also ushered in a new creative beginning.
The idea behind the album title
The play on words "punk" and "point" perfectly encapsulates Watts' art form. The title symbolizes a clean break with previous methods and ways of thinking. At the same time, it underscores the versatility of the project—a powerful statement that perfectly captures the album's character. At a time when creatives are expressing considerable concern about the threat AI poses to their art, John wants to emphasize the value of music and art . That's why he's chosen an "art" modelto create a limited number of custom-made vinyl artifacts .
A new beginning after a difficult time
Fischer-Z at the Laeiszhalle, April 30, 2025 – photographed by Johanna Lippke . This photo was kindly provided to us. All rights remain with the artist and the photographer.
For John Watts, “PUNKT!” the 26th album of his career and also marks the second year of his five-year plan to revive his name in areas that have largely forgotten him.
The question I get asked most often here in the UK is: 'Why have I never heard of you?' I want to change that in the coming years."
Watts explains.
A new wave of inspiration has prompted Watts to shift his focus and see if he can have a more significant impact in his home country. His intention is clear:
I love this new project, PERIOD! But it's just one brick in a huge wall. I want people in the UK, Australia, and America to know that I built this wall
Collaboration with Tony McAnaney
Particularly noteworthy is Watts' new approach to the creative process. "PUNKT!" was written, arranged, and recorded in collaboration with producer Tony McAnaney . Watts describes this as his "first real creative collaboration since the early days as a band.
“I always had complete artistic control,” he admits. “It was the only way I could work. But PUNKT! was my first real creative collaboration since the beginning of being in a band. And I loved it. That’s how I want to work from now on – bringing talents together to create something none of us expects.”
An album that is more than just music
“PUNKT!” sets new standards for the concept of a music album.
John Watts deliberately blurred the lines between different art forms and created a total work of art that is unique in this form.”
10 songs, 10 works of art, 1 short film
The new Fischer-Z album is released as a collection of ten audio tracks, ten artworks, and a short film in ten chapters. All components are thematically linked – the album music forms the soundtrack to the film, while the artworks address the same themes.
This genre-crossing album is accompanied by artwork like this one. This photo was kindly provided to us. All rights remain with the artist.
The full album will be released digitally on all channels on September 19, 2025.
Why vinyl was chosen as an art object
In a time when AI threatens music and everything else, vinyl is an artifact; it's real, you can't copy it, and I want to talk about the value of music."
John Watts explains. He further emphasizes in his statement:
While creatives express great concern about the threat AI poses to their art and livelihoods, I want to highlight the value of music and art by choosing an 'art' model to create a limited number of custom vinyl artifacts.
John Watts enjoys the sun while working on one of his drawings for the new album PUNKT! – photographed by Armin Pongs. This photo was kindly provided to us. All rights remain with the artist and the photographer.
The role of the art gallery tour
From September 22nd to October 2nd, 2025, John Watts will present his project on a gallery tour through Germany. At these exclusive events, visitors can experience the following:
A private viewing of the ten PUNKT! artworks
A 5-minute PUNKT! film loop
A 40-minute acoustic live performance of the "essence of PUNKT!"
The exhibitions are taking place in cities including Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Bonn. In particular, the galleries offer a unique opportunity to acquire John's art and limited-edition PUNKT! vinyl records, while also being able to hear some of his PUNKT! songs up close in their most essential acoustic form.
Here are the full tour dates:
Art gallery tour by Fischer-Z – All dates at a glance
Monday, September 22, 2025: Hamburg, Galerie StadtLandKunst
Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Frankfurt, Massif Central
Wednesday, September 24, 2025: Munich, Pasinger Fabrik
Thursday, September 25, 2025: Schorndorf / near Stuttgart, Bech Art Gallery
Friday, September 26, 2025: Day off / Press and Radio
Saturday, September 27, 2025: Kaarst near Düsseldorf, Kulturscheune (cultural barn)
Sunday, September 28, 2025: Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Bonn Ice Age
Monday, September 29, 2025: Essen, S-Art Gallery
Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Day Off / Press and Radio
Wednesday, October 1, 2025: Berlin, BUNKER WEST
Wednesday, October 2, 2025: Hamburg, Galerie StadtLandKunst
Most artists are driven to express their view of the world via their art form. My main one is writing songs and putting out recordings. I still have as great a desire as ever to write about all the things in the world that move me.”
This is a direct quote from John Watts, founder and frontman of Fischer-Z, who is considered by many art critics to be one of the most influential post-punk and new wave artists from Great Britain.
Thematically, the new Fischer-Z album occupies a space between pointed social commentary and emotional depth. The album's ten tracks cover a wide range of topics that reflect John Watts' long-standing artistic vision.
In this video, the artist explains his new album project in his own words:
Social criticism in »Conclusion«
The song "Conclusion" directly addresses the state of the world, continuing the political tradition for which Fischer-Z has always been known. Watts, who once studied clinical psychology and worked in psychiatric clinics, expresses his left-wing political leanings in the lyrics. In earlier works such as "Red Skies Over Paradise," he already addressed social injustices and the Cold War—themes that seem frighteningly relevant today.
Surreal love in the title track »PUNKT!«
In contrast, the title track “PUNKT!” unfolds as a surreal, dystopian love story. Here, Watts demonstrates his ability to seamlessly blend political statements with personal emotions. The combination of catchy melodies with profound lyrics has always been a hallmark of his work – “the idea of sparking a revolution with a beautiful melody.
Influences from Motown, funk and punk
Musically, the album combines a wide variety of influences. While the title alludes to the band's punk roots, the arrangements also incorporate elements of Motown and funk. This stylistic diversity underscores the ambitious nature of the project.
How personal experiences are reflected in the texts
The pandemic has profoundly changed Watts' perspective: "The COVID restrictions made me look at life differently. Music and songwriting used to be my top priorities. Now I've learned that being happy with your loved ones is what matters most." This new outlook on life is reflected in his lyrics, as is his recently diagnosed ADHD, which may have influenced both his difficulties in the music business and his distinctive performance style.
What I personally noticed when listening to the new album
A heartfelt thank you to John Watts and Christina Hämmerlein of AREA Entertainment for this vinyl copy of Fischer-Z's new album. I really enjoyed it 🙂
Without knowing exactly what the sources of inspiration actually were, listening to the 10 new tracks by John Watts gave me a very personal reminiscence of the songs “Dreamer” by Ozzy Osbourne, “Soul Love” and “Lazarus” by David Bowie, “Hurt” by Johnny Cash and “Dancing Barefoot” by Patti Smith, both atmospherically and lyrically and musically.
The stylistic diversity of Fischer-Z on their new album “PUNKT!” not only struck me as a nod to the band's punk roots, but also revealed John Watts' remarkable ability to blend different musical worlds. The integration of punk, pop, rock, Motown, and funk elements creates a captivating soundscape that feels both nostalgic and contemporary
I was surprised by my spontaneous association with classics like Bowie's "Soul Love" and "Lazarus" —two works that, much like Fischer-Z's new compositions, blend different musical eras. The fact that I also heard echoes of Johnny Cash's "Hurt" and Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot," , speaks to the album's emotional depth and stylistic breadth.
Watts' artistic development is particularly evident in this release. As is so often the case with long-established musicians, his work has become a kind of "living autobiography"—and yet, the unbridled creative drive of a consummate artist who still seeks to redefine himself in relation to his environment is striking.
When listening, do you get the impression that Watts consciously incorporated these musical references, or do these associations arise more or less by chance through the universal language of certain timbres and arrangements?
The ten new tracks apparently form a sonically coherent but stylistically diverse unit – an ambitious undertaking that not every band with such a long history manages.
What PUNKT! means to John Watts and Fischer-Z
When I stopped Fischer-Z in 1981, EMI were desperate, they wanted me to keep going with it. We’d sold two million albums by then.”
— John Watts,
For 70-year-old John Watts, "PUNKT!" represents far more than just a new release. It marks a decisive turning point in his long career.
Farewell to old ways of working
“PUNKT!” symbolizes for Watts the departure from his usual working methods. While he previously always retained complete artistic control, the new album was created in close collaboration with producer Tony McAnaney.
A look back at Fischer-Z's career
While 2025 will be all about "PUNKT!" , 2026 will mark a special anniversary: 50 years since the band's founding at Brunel University and their first performances in the autumn of 1976. Despite numerous albums such as "This is My Universe" (2015) and "Building Bridges" (2017), success in the English-speaking world has remained limited to date.
Why the English-speaking audience is important now
However, Watts finds it "absolutely frustrating not to be able to work as much as he would like in Great Britain and all English-speaking countries." He wants to close this perception gap in the future.
Future plans and new works
Furthermore, Fischer-Z is planning an extensive anniversary tour through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Portugal, Australia and Great Britain for 2026.
I am 70, but I plan to produce works in the coming years that are as good as anything I have ever done.”
Watts emphasizes this with undiminished enthusiasm. A sample of the new album is available on the official website .
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.
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