Xmal Deutschland was a German goth-rock band fronted by songwriter Anja Huwe. They cut two 1981/82 Zickzack EPs and the 1983/84 4AD albums Fetisch and Tocsin, followed by the 1987–89 discs Viva and Devils. Members: Anja Huwe (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar, 1980-87), Fiona Sangster (keyboards, 1980-87), Caro May (drums, 1980-82), Rita Simonsen (bass, 1980), Wolfgang […]
Nina Hagen is a German singer and media personality who made two late-Seventies bandleader albums and scored a European hit with “African Reggae.” She gained international cult renown with her 1982–85 CBS albums Nunsexmonkrock, Angstlos, In Ekstase, and the hits “New York / N.Y.” and “Universelles Radio.” Background She was born Catherine Hagen on March […]
Palais Schaumburg was a German NDW band that released six singles and the 1981–84 Phonogram albums Palais Schaumburg, Lupa, and Parlez-vous Schaumburg? Members: Holger Hiller (vocals, synthesizer, 1980-82), Thomas Fehlmann (synthesizer, trumpet), Timo Blunck (trumpet, bass, vocals, 1980-82), Chris Lunch (bass, 1980), FM Einheit (drums, 1980-81), Stefan Bauer (vibraphone, piano, 1982), Moritz von Oswald (percussion, […]
Klaus Nomi (Jan. 24, 1944 — Aug. 6, 1983) was a German singer and performance artist based in New York’s East Village. He scored club hits with “Total Eclipse” and “Falling In Love Again” from his 1981–82 RCA Victor albums Klaus Nomi and Simple Man. Background Klaus Nomi was born Klaus Sperber on January 24, […]
Der Plan are a German NDW trio who pioneered experimental synth-pop and dadaist electronics across six albums on Ata Tak between 1980 and 1991. They fused surreal lyricism with DIY electronics on Geri Reig (1980) and crystallized their self-styled electronic schlager on Normalette Surprise (1981). The group expanded into film soundtracks with Die letzte Rache […]
Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (German American Friendship, DAF) was the German NDW duo of singer Gabi Delgado and synth programmer Robert Görl. They released two indie titles, followed by the 1981/82 Virgin albums Alles ist Gut, Gold und Liebe, and Für Immer. After a three-year split, they regrouped for the 1986 release 1st Step to Heaven. […]
Gina X Performance was a German electronic project led by Gina Kikoine and producer Zeus B. Held, known for merging vocoder textures, sequencer architecture, and performance art into a distinctive synthetic language. Their early tracks “No G.D.M.” and “Nice Mover” became underground club staples across Europe for their clipped rhythms and stylized vocal presence. Between […]
Zauberfinger was a German NDW band that released the 1981 albums Schizzo-Rock and Zauberfinger 2. Members: Alfred Henning, Dorle Ferber, Hans Reffert, Jan Lindqvist, Liese Kraus, Rainer Herzog, Wolfy Ziegler Inception The name Zauberfinger (Magic Fingers) first appeared on Slide, a 1976 album on the Italian Gevox label with guitarist Hans Reffert. Slide Zauberfinger released […]
The Twins was a German synthpop duo that released four albums on Hansa International between 1981 and 1985, followed by a fifth release on CBS in 1987. Members: Ronny Schreinzer (vocals, drum machine, synthesizer, electronic drums, vocoder), Sven Dohrow (synthesizer, computer, sequencer) Background The Twins took shape in West Berlin after Sven Dohrow (b. 1957) […]
Starter was a Swiss minimal-wave synth trio from Bern that released a 1981 self-titled album on Repertoire Records. A change in lineup yielded three 1985–87 singles on Bariton Records and a final 12″ on Atina Records in 1989. Members: Francis Foss (keyboards, vocals), Claudine Chirac (saxophone, keyboards, 1981-84), Jet Harbour (keyboards, 1981-84), Pauchard (1985-89), Reto […]
Silvia Nemanic is a German minimal-wave singer who cut a 1982 album under her forename, written and produced by Der KFC synthesist Tommi Stumpff. Credits: Rainer Assmann (backing vocals), Ferdinand Mackenthun [aka Käpt’n Nuss] (guitar), Sylvia Nemanic [aka Silvia Senff] (vocals), Tommi Stumpff (guitar, producer, synthesizer, vocals) Background Stumpff (b. Thomas Peters; February 1, 1958) […]
Spliff was a German synthpop band that released four albums between 1980 and 1984 on CBS. Members: Manfred Praeker (bass, vocals), Herwig Mitteregger (drums, vocals), Bernhard “Potsch” Potschka (guitar), Reinhold Heil (keyboard, vocals) Spliff originated as the backing band of Nina Hagen, comprised of ex-Bakmak keyboardist Reinhold Heil and three prior members of Lokomotive Kreuzberg: […]
Xao Seffcheque was the performance moniker of Austrian musician Alexander Sevschek, who made a 1981 Kraftwerk parody album on Das Büro. Under the Xao Seffcheque und der Rest nameplate, he cut an EP on Rondo, followed by the 1981 album Ja, Nein, Vielleicht on Schallmauer. Background Xaõ Seffcheque was born Alexander Sevschek on January 5, […]
R.E.K. was a German New Wave duo that released a numerically self-titled album on RCA in 1983. Members: Richard Kersten, Frithjof Krepp Discography: R.E.K. 1 (1983)
Peter Schilling (Jan. 28, 1956) is a German new wave/synthpop musician who released two albums in his native dialect between 1982 and 1984 on WEA. The first of those, Fehler im System, he dubbed in English for the 1983 Elektra release Error in the System, which spawned the transatlantic sci-fi hit “Major Tom (Coming Home).” […]
Nichts was a German NDW band that released four singles and the 1981–83 albums Made in Eile, Tango 2000, and Aus dem Jenseits. Members: Andrea Mothes (vocals), Tobias Brink (drums), Michael Claus (guitar, 1981-82), Chris Scarbeck (bass, 1981-82), Steven Keusch (guitar, 1982-83), Peter Szimanneck (bass, 1982-83) Background Nichts formed in Düsseldorf in early 1981 when […]
Neonbabies was a German NDW band that released the 1980 EPs I Don’t Want to Loose You and Nervös, followed by the 1981–83 albums Neonbabies, Harmlos, and 1983. Singer Inga Humpe co-founded the band with her older sister, Annette, who left pre-record for Ideal. Members: Inga Humpe [Di Lemma] (vocals), Annette Humpe [Anita Spinetti] (vocals, […]
Nena was a German NDW band that released four albums in their native dialect on CBS; two were English-dubbed for the Anglophone market. Their 1983 single “99 Luftballons” became a transatlantic hit and an Eighties-playlist evergreen. Members: Nena (vocals), Carlo Karges (guitar), Jürgen Dehmel (bass), Rolf Brendel (drums), Jörn-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen (keyboards) Background Nena formed in […]
Leningrad Sandwich was a German goth-rock band that debuted with the album Go East on Up Records in 1980, followed by three longplayers on Good Noise between 1982 and 1985. Members: Annie Lloyd, Bernhard Kunz, Charles Lees, Dimitri Hegemann, Piers Headley Discography: Go East (1980) Heat (1982) Steps (1983) Priests and Petrol (1985) Ghosts in […]
Bleibtreu Revue was a German new wave band that released the 1981 album Ungeheuer Paranoia on Spiegelei. Members: Bernd Güldemeister (vocals), Michael Altrogge (piano, synthesizer), Werner Bohl (guitar), Uli Moritz (drums), Erich Räuker (bass), Carlo Karges (guitar), Kalle Kalkowski (drums), Micky Westpfahl (bass) Discography: Ungeheuer Paranoia (1981)
Belfegore was a German goth-rock band that released the 1983 album A Dog Is Born on Pure Freude, followed by a 1984 self-titled album on Elektra. Members: Michael Claus (guitar, vocals), Walter Jäger (keyboards, bass, vocals), Charly Terstappen (drums), Raoul Walton (bass) Background Belfegore formed in Düsseldorf in late 1982 when singer-guitarist Michael “Meikel” Clauss […]
Fehlfarben (False Colors) are a German Neue Deutsche Welle band that made the 1980/81 albums Monarchie und Alltag and 33 Tage in Ketten, followed by the 1983 EMI release Glut und Asche. Members: Peter Hein (vocals, 1979-81, 1991-present), Michael Kemner (bass), Frank Fenstermacher (keyboards, saxophone, 1979-81, 1991-present), Uwe Jahnke (guitar), Saskia von Klitzing (drums, 2002-present), […]
Ping Pong was a Swiss new wave trio behind a 1982 self-titled album and the single “Destry Rides Again” on Accord. Singer Kurt Maloo later fronted the sophisti-pop combo Double. Members: Felix Haug (percussion, marimba, vocoder), Hazel Pazzi (bass, harmonium), Kurt Maloo (vocals, guitar) Background Ping Pong formed in Zürich in 1981 when singer-guitarist Kurt […]
Wirtschaftswunder was a German NDW band that emerged with the 1980 Ata Tak EP Allein, followed by the ZickZack album Salmobray and the 1982 Polydor titles Tscherwonez and The Wirtschaftswunder. Members: Angelo Galizia (vocals), Tom Dokoupil (guitar), Mark Pfurtscheller (keyboards), Jürgen Beuth (drums) Wirtschaftswunder (German for “Economic Miracle”) formed in 1979 in Limburg. Discography: Allein […]
Kosmonautentraum was a German NDW band that released two EPs and the 1982–84 albums Juri Gagarin and Tagediebe, all on ZickZack Records. Members: Ziggy XY [Michael Jarick], E. K. T. [Eckart Kurtz], Erhard Schüttpelz, Hopek Quirin Kosmonautentraum (German for “Cosmonaut Dream”) formed in 1980 in Hannover. Discography: Juri Gagarin (1982) Livorno 1956 (EP, 1983) Tagediebe […]
Monopol was a German NDW trio that released the album Weltweit on Welt Records. Members: Elke Steinberg, Nick Mono, Clemens Fobianke. Monopol (German for “Monopoly”) formed in 1981 in Hannover. Discography: Weltweit (1982) Sources: Discogs: Monopol RYM: Monopol
Ja Ja Ja was a German NDW trio that released a self-titled album in 1982 on Ata Tak Records. Members: Frank Samba (drums, percussion, vibraphone), Julie Jigsaw (vocals, keyboard, harmonica), Wietn Wito (bass, 1981-83), Billy Grant (bass, 1983-?) Ja Ja Ja formed in 1981 in Düsseldorf. Discography: Ja Ja Ja (1982) Sources: Discogs: Ja Ja […]
Abwärts (Down) are a German NDW band that emerged with the 1980 album Amok Koma on ZickZack Records, followed by the 1982 Mercury title Der Westen ist Einsam. Members: Frank Z. (vocals, guitar), Margitta Haberland [aka Ma Gita] (vocals, percussion, violin, 1979-81), FM Einheit (synthesizer, percussion, vocals, 1979-82, 1988-90), Axel Dill (drums, 1979-84), Joachim “Jocko […]
Der Moderne Man was a German NDW band that released the 1980–82 albums 80 Tage auf See and Unmodern, both on No Fun Records. Members: Eckart Kurtz [E.K.T.] (guitar), Martin Simons [Mattus] (bass, vocals), Michael Jarick [Ziggy XY] (vocals, 1979-?), Claudius Hempelmann (drums, 1979-81), Felix Wolter (drums, 1981-84), Axel Wicke (bass, 1981-84), Thomas Brandt (bass), […]
Ami Marie (stylized as ami Marie) was the German NDW minimal-wave artist behind the 1981 Ariola album Verrückt Nach Glück. Ami Marie (real name unknown) purportedly hailed from Munich. Discography: Verrückt Nach Glück (1981) Sources: Discogs: Ami Marie RYM: Ami Marie
Croox was a German NDW band that released the 1980–82 albums A and Geld Her!, both on Ink Records. Members: Clemens Golz (lead vocals, percussion), Mike Schmidt (bass, synthesizer, vocals), Crashman [Gerd Gaida] (guitar, vocals), Kay Wolde (drums), Bine [Sabine Niedergassel] (synthesizer, vocals), Micky Reinhard (winds, vocals) Croox formed in 1980 in Düsseldorf. Discography: A […]
Ideal was a German NDW band that released five singles and the 1980–82 albums Ideal, Der Ernst des Lebens, and Bi Nuu. Frontwoman Annette Humpe played in an early Neonbabies lineup with her younger sister, Inga. Members: Annette Humpe (vocals, keyboards), Eff Jott Krüger (guitar), Hans Behrendt (drums), Ernst Deuker (bass) Ideal formed in 1980 […]
Rheingold was a German NDW trio that released nine singles and the 1980–82 albums Rheingold and R., followed by the 1984 CBS title Dis-tanz. Members: Bodo Staiger (vocals, guitar, bass, programming), Brigitte Kunze (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Lothar Manteuffel (keyboards, synthesizer) Rheingold formed in 1980 in Düsseldorf. Discography: Rheingold (1980) R. (1982) Dis-tanz (1984) Sources: Discogs: […]
Pyrolator is the moniker of German electronic musician Kurt Dahlke, first active with the 1979–81 NDW albums Inland and Ausland. Dahlke was born on April 29, 1958, in Wuppertal. Discography: Inland (1979) Ausland (1981) Wunderland (1984) Home-Taping Is Killing Music (1984 • A.K. Klosowski / Pyrolator) Traumland (1987) Sources: Discogs: Pyrolator MusicBrainz: Pyrolator RYM: Pyrolator
Minisex was an Austrian New Wave band from Wien that released a self-titled album on Extraplatte in 1980, followed by three albums with accompanying singles on Schallter between 1982 and 1984. Members: Thomas Böröcz (drums), Ernst Czettel (bass), Michael Egger (keyboards), Bernd Lange (saxophone), Walter Marchart (bass), Alex Munkas (drums), Rudi Nemeczek (vocals), Rudi Olschelda […]
Falco (Feb. 19, 1957 — Feb. 6, 1998) was an Austrian new wave singer and songwriter who landed a national No. 1 with the 1982 NDW single “Der Kommissar,” popularized in the Anglosphere by After the Fire. In 1985, he scored a global hit with the rap-dance novelty “Rock Me Amadeus” from his third album […]
Chuzpe was an Austrian New Wave Band from Wien that debuted with a standalone single on Schnazz-o-phone Records in 1979, followed by three 1981 singles and the 1982 album 1000 Takte Tanz on GiG Records. Members: Robert (guitar, vocals), Stephan (synthesizer, vocals), Christian (bass, vocals), Gunulf (drums, vocals) Discography: “(They Can’t Beat) The Beat” / […]
