So what were Germans actually dancing to before Techno? Of course to as many different styles as in other countries. But a good glimpse at what was getting down in West Germany before house music happened was the club Moroco in Cologne. Located at Hohenzollernring, the club ran from 1982 to 1986, and both the club interior and its crowd were determined to look as posh as possible. In contrast to Post Punk counterculture, the materialistic 80s decade manifested itself in the culture of the “Popper”, foppish youth dressed up to display as much wealth and taste as they could. But what distinguished the Moroco from other similar clubs across the land was its status as favourite leisure and inspiration spot of the Kraftwerk members. Carol Martin, credited as CGI artist on their “Computerwelt” album, was a resident DJ at the club and guides us through the sound of the Moroco and how it was connected to the Kraftwerk canon.
James Brown – It’s Too Funky In Here (Polydor, 1979)
Be it Kraftwerk or Miles Davis, everybody seemed to be inspired by James Brown. Bootsy Collins, whom Kraftwerk also cherished, started his career with him. „Boing Boom Tschak“ is also a tribute to Bootsy’s concrete bass.
Earth,Wind and Fire – Fantasy (CBS, 1978)
Funky, emotional and wonderful to dance to until today. I went to see them with Kraftwerk by invitation of the concert promoter Fritz Rau at the Phillips-Halle in Düsseldorf. It was a magnificent show with perfect sound and effects and all of a sudden the bass player was hanging 20 metres up in the air.
The Gap Band – I Don’t Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head) (Mercury, 1979)
Danceability was typical for Moroco, and you could play this anytime. There was a nine minute extended version of it, so the DJ could leave to „wash hands and powder the nose“ and when he returned the floor was still as packed.
Im Gespräch mit Marcel Dettmann über “Ich und die Wirklichkeit” von Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (1981).
Die entscheidende Frage zuerst, wie bist Du zu DAF gekommen?
Ich komme aus dem Ostteil Deutschlands, und nachdem man zu DDR-Zeiten nur Depeche Mode, Madonna oder Prince hatte, die richtig dicken Pop-Acts, kam kurz nach der Wende ein ganzer Schwall von Musik, wie z. B. auch DAF, Throbbing Gristle oder Front 242, später auch Nitzer Ebb. Der Bruder eines Freundes von mir hat uns ständig mit CDs ausgerüstet, da war ich 12, und habe das erste Mal DAF gehört und fand das total verrückt.
Du hattest vorher nie von ihnen gehört?
Nein. Ich hatte vorher Ultravox, Erasure oder Depeche Mode gehört. Poppige Sachen. Und dann kamen DAF oder auch Nitzer Ebb, was ja artverwandt ist, sie waren ja quasi die englische Version von DAF. Wir hörten „Der Räuber und der Prinz“ und „Der Mussolini“ auch im Jugendclub, der von vier Uhr nachmittags bis abends um zehn offen hatte. Dort wurde in Runden gespielt, eine Runde für die Hip-Hopper, eine Runde für die Elektronikleute usw. Read the rest of this entry »
Despite the demolition of most of its former playgrounds, the legacy of the classic era of European punkfunkateers remains indestructible. The Druffalo Hit Squad was actually raised on a diet of edgy dancing, nervous drinking, and romantic industrialism. As we move to the vicious dub, panic horn sections, flat snares, slap basslines and vigorous chants like we used to, we press record. Now you press play…
23 Skidoo – Coup (Illuminated) The Flying Lizards – A-Train (Virgin) The Wolfgang Press – Assassination K. (4AD) Kazino – Binary (Carrere) A Certain Ratio – Mickey Way (Factory) Shriekback – My Spine (Is The Bassline) (Y Records) Thompson Twins – In The Name Of Love (T Records) ABC – Tears Are Not Enough (Neutron) Gabi Delgado – Amor (Virgin) Simple Minds – Theme For Great Cities (Virgin) The Raincoats – Animal Rhapsody (Version) (Rough Trade) 400 Blows – Return Of The Dog (Illuminated Records) Futura 2000 Feat. The Clash – The Escapades Of Futura 2000 (Celluloid) Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Reasons To Be Cheerful Pt. 3 (Stiff Records) Modern Romance – Can You Move (Midnight Mix) (Atlantic) Haircut 100 – Ski Club Of Great Britain (Arista) Medium Medium – So Hungry, So Angry (Intercord) Fehlfarben – Dollars + Deutschmarks (Special Dance Version) (Welt-Rekord) The Members – Chairmen Of The Board (Dance Mix) (Arista) Quando Quango – Love Tempo (Factory) Spandau Ballet – Chant No. 1 (Chrysalis) Clock DVA – Breakdown (Remix) (Polydor) Gang Of Four – At Home He’s A Tourist (EMI) Czukay/Wobble/Liebezeit – How Much Are They? (Welt-Rekord) The Slits – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Island Records) Marianne Faithfull – Why D’ya Do It (Island Records) Colourbox – Look Like We’re Shy One Horse (Virgin) The Specials – Friday Night Saturday Morning (2 Tone)
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