Fischer-Z

2026 marks a defining milestone – 50 years of Fischer-Z. The new album “X-Ray Serenade” combines powerful new songs with exciting reinterpretations of some of John’s favorite tracks from earlier years. The album will be released on September 4, 2026 on Cherry Red Records.

March – The first single “Strings” is released digitally including audio release and music video. A limited vinyl edition is planned

September – New album “X-Ray Serenade” and third single “Labadabadaar”: digital audio release and music video. The album is released on CD, vinyl and as a limited special edition

Autumn 2026 – In addition, a high-quality anniversary package will be released to honor the extraordinary career to date. This will bring together previously unreleased archive material, which will be released in a very special, strictly limited edition.

The Fischer-Z Podcast – John Watts has recorded 14 podcast episodes with renowned podcast host Martin Bull, which will be released every two weeks in 2026. Included are previously untold stories about John’s favorite song on each album, a special album special and bonus episodes with guests.

A story that began in the post-punk underground

John Watts entered the professional music world in the late 1970s after studying clinical psychology at an experimental institution known for not using drugs or restraint.

Fischer-Z formed in 1976 at Brunel University, where Watts met keyboardist Steve Skolnik. With Watts’ razor-sharp political lyricism and edgy post-punk energy, the band quickly attracted attention and signed to United Artists in 1978 – along with label mates The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks.

The highly regarded debut album “Word Salad” (1979) became an integral part of the European post-punk movement. It was carried by the single “The Worker”, which earned the band an appearance on Top of the Pops, and “Remember Russia”, which was supported by John Peel. Fischer-Z’s biggest chart success followed in 1980 with “So Long” – one of the first music videos ever to be broadcast on MTV and the starting signal for international attention. In 1981, “Red Skies Over Paradise” was released with further successes such as “Marliese” and “Berlin”, which further cemented the band’s international reputation.

Five decades of uncompromising creativity

Since then, John Watts has released 24 albums, sold over two million records and played more than 4,000 concerts in Europe, North America and beyond. His musical companions include Peter Gabriel, Steve Cropper and members of the horn section of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Fischer-Z shared the stage with James Brown in East Berlin, toured with The Police and Dire Straits and performed with Bob Marley on his last European festival tour.

The art and music project “PUNKT!” appeared in 2025. John created ten independent works of art, an album with ten tracks and an accompanying art film. He presented his new art and music in acclaimed gallery exhibitions across Germany, receiving excellent reviews in the national press. John Watts is still regarded as one of the UK’s most independent creative voices. “I’m ready for this,” he says. “This is simply the next chapter.”