Frame -

Frame was a German Krautrock band that released the 1972 album Frame of Mind on Bacillus.

Members: Andy Kirnberger (guitar, vocals, piano), Cherry Hochdörfer (organ, piano, Mellotron, spinet), Peter Lotz (bass, vocals, percussion), Dieter Becker (vocals, percussion), Wolfgang Claus (drums, percussion)

Formation

Frame assembled around Andy Kirnberger, a guest guitarist on the 1972 Bacillus release Marburg, the debut album by Pell Mell.

The Album

Frame released their singular album, Frame of Mind, in 1972 on Bacillus.

The album contains eight group-credited originals performed by Kirnberger on guitar and piano with keyboardist Cherry Hochdörfer, bassist Peter Lotz, and drummer Wolfgang Claus. The last three double on sundry percussion with singer Dieter Becker. Hochdörfer’s arsenal includes organ, piano, mellotron, and spinet.

A1. “Frame of Mind” (4:08)
A2. “Crusical Scene” (3:56)
A3. “All I Really Want Explain” (11:15)

B1. “If” (5:07)
B2. “Winter” (5:35)
B3. “Penny for an Old Guy” (3:10)
B4. “Childrens Freedom” (2:31)
B5. “Truebsal” (0:18)

Sessions occurred in Cologne at Dierks Studios with Marburg producer Peter Hauke, a soundman on 1971/72 Bacillus titles by Dzyan, Epsilon, Jeronimo, Krokodil, Message, My Solid Ground, Nektar, and Nine Days Wonder.

Frame of Mind appeared in a laminated gatefold cover with imagery of rusty eroded framework. The inner-gate contains a vertical grayscale photo of Frame inside a window frame. The backside notes state “Many thanks to Dietchen and Pietchen for patience and Dierks family keeping us alive.”

The tracks “Frame of Mind,” “Winter,” “If,” and “Crusical Scene” appear on 1972–76 label comps.

Post-Frame

Andy Kirnberger played on the 1973 second Pell Mell album From the New World and cut a 1974 album in Hardcake Special. He later produced singles by The Stripes and Debbie Neon.

Cherry Hochdorffer joined Pell Mell for their 1976–78 albums Rhapsody and Only a Star, the latter with Wolfgang Claus.

Discography: