Their lyrics were at the beginning anti-capitalist and anarchist. They did not think the socialism of the Soviet Union was anywhere near real socialism, and had connections to the squatter scene (e.g. Rauch-Haus-Song) and the German Red Army Faction during the time before the latter turned to direct guerrilla actions. Later Ton Steine Scherben toned down on political issues and explored more personal themes like freedom, love, drugs, and sadness. They also contributed to two full-length concept albums about homosexuality which were issued under the name Brühwarm (literally: boiling warm) in cooperation with a gay-revue group.
