In March 2001 in Berlin (Germany), eight musicians, well-known on the scene, acknowledged their already advanced Polkaholism. These POLKAHOLIX admit, after the first introductory drugs (Rock, Ska, Balkan music, German Folk and Klezmer) that they are now totally addicted to 2/4 time. This drug is produced from hits and standards which are checked for Polka-suitability by the addicts, and, if necessary, forced sadistically into a Polkaholistic form.

The maniacs are:

- Former folk revivalist ANDREAS WIECZOREK (alto sax, lead vocal) played with JAMS before jumping aboard the rock bandwagon with such legendary German pop-cultural heroes as Stefan Diestelmann, the Modern Soul Band, Gundermann & Seilschaft and others. Despite his long experience as a theatre and studio musician, his enthusiasm remains undimmed. He's been on a polka-mission since 2002.

- IVEN HAUSMANN (trombone, vocal) studied classical trombone in Berlin. His contributions to the legendary Stockhausen Ensemble and the ensemble Modern have not gone unnoticed by lovers of contemporary music. Jazz legends queuing for his services include Jay Oliver, Barre Phillips, Konrad Bauer and more. His bass trombone has ennobled artists as diverse as the jazzrock band Fusion. He's been on a polka-mission since 2003.

- MARIO FERRARO (guitar, lap steel, vocal) disappointed his classical guitar teacher by jumping ship to slum it with tremendously legendary Berliner rockband Die Wilderer. His further adventures have included Rio Reiser, Gerhard Gundermann and Michelle Shocked. He's been on a polka-mission since 2002.

- ANDREAS HILLMANN (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocal) Forced to study music, he realised his dream by joining the really legendary Modern Soul Band from Berlin. He's played with Shakespeare & Rock'n'Roll and Andrej Hermlin's Swing Dance Orchestra, and has been on a polka-mission since 2003.c

- THOMAS DEPKAT (drums) became a hitman for a nameless (but probably legendary) classical orchestra following his underworld studies. Various musical traumas involving big bands, ships orchestras and punks prepared him for polka, and he's been on a polka-mission since 2002.

- JO MEYER (accordion, vocals) dived into folk rock, fusion and world music after his music studies. He founded the legendarily legendary JAMS with Andreas Wieczorek, and they played over 1000 European shows. He is an author, music journalist, editor and studio musician. He's been on a polka-mission since 2002.

- OLIVER OLTERSDORF (clarinet, tenor & baritone sax, vocals) learned clarinet and sax in Berlin, and was a member of the Ensemble Weill and the Maxim Gorki Theatre. His extremely legendary jazz experiences range from local youth orchestras to the Berlin Big Band, and he's been on a polka-mission since 2002.

- ETHAN SCHAFFNER (bass) escaped from the USA to Berlin. He has played in so many bands, most of them very legendary, that he has forgotten them all except for the Alaskan Pirate and his Salty Seamen, and indeed who could forget the Alaskan Pirate and his Salty Seamen, try as one might. He has been on a polka-mission since 2007.