ITCHY

Itchy, formerly known as Itchy Poopzkid, is a cornerstone of the German pop punk scene, formed in 2001 in Eislingen. The band is a power trio consisting of Sebastian Hafner, Daniel Friedl, and Max Zimmer. Their sound identity is characterized by high-velocity melodic punk rock, dual lead vocals, and a performance style that involves frequent instrument switching between the guitar and bass players. Historically, they emerged during the early 2000s pop punk boom, successfully bridging the gap between the American skate punk sound (Sum 41, Blink-182) and the German-language punk tradition (Donots, Die Ärzte).

Their career arc shows a significant evolution from juvenile humor to sophisticated social and political commentary, culminating in their 2017 name shortening and a shift toward more diverse rock influences. They are notable for their DIY ethic, having run their own label, Findaway Records, for much of their career. Critically, they are praised for their longevity and their ability to maintain a massive live following across Europe, having played over 900 shows. They have also contributed to the culture of the genre by authoring a two-volume guide on surviving as a rock band, cementing their status as veterans of the independent music circuit.