Techniques Berlin – The Extension of Machines [1985​-​1991] [MEC091]

Formed by high school buddies Andreas Gregor and David Rout, Techniques Berlin started in 1984 experimenting with synthesizers, drum machines and guitars. In the early stages, the band was heavily influenced by UK new romantic acts The Human League, Visage, Yazoo, OMD and Depeche Mode, as well as rising Canadian synth-pop bands Rational Youth, Men Without Hats and Trans-X. It took them a few years to master their electronic toys and create a unique blend of addictive electro-pop melodies and beautifully crafted alternative beats. “The Extension of Machines” compiles 13 extra rare and unreleased tracks from the vault. 

Techniques Berlin – The Extension of Machines [1985​-​1991] [MEC091]

Techniques Berlin – The Language of Machines [1985​-​1991] [MEC090]

Formed by high school buddies Andreas Gregor and David Rout, Techniques Berlin started in 1984 experimenting with synthesizers, drum machines and guitars. In the early stages, the band was heavily influenced by UK new romantic acts The Human League, Visage, Yazoo, OMD and Depeche Mode, as well as rising Canadian synth-pop bands Rational Youth, Men Without Hats and Trans-X. It took them a few years to master their electronic toys and create a unique blend of addictive electro-pop melodies and beautifully crafted alternative beats. “The Language of Machines” compiles a selection of original recordings between 1985 and 1991, including some favorite tunes and a few unreleased tracks/versions. 

listen

Techniques Berlin – The Language of Machines [1985​-​1991] [MEC090]

!Bang Elektronika – Aktivierung! EP [MEC067]

BANG ELECTRONICA - Aktivierung! EP

!Bang Elektronika started in 1986 as a solo project of Dave Rout to develop his electronic music wanderings. He recorded material off an on, but most of his time was spent working on Techniques Berlin, a band which he started with Andreas Gregor in 1985. The first !BE release was the “Audio Beat Warfare” cassette on Bombshelter in 1989. For the second !BE tape, “The Rhythm Screams Electronic”, also released in 1989, Andreas contributed with some vocals. After these releases Dave was moving into more EBM / industrial sounds and wanted some harsh German vocals for the new tracks so he asked Andreas to sing on some of them and join permanently the project. Their first release as a duo was the cassette entitled “Aktivierung!” on Shadow Records in 1991. Time after, the project was put on hiatus with just some sporadic releases and a few shows, until 2011 when they did their first and only show in Berlin and release a compilation CD. This year the band is celebrating their 35th anniversary releasing their dance floor stomper “Aktivierung” for the very first time on vinyl. This release includes, along the original version from 1991 and the b-side “Ich Bin So Ätzend!”, two new killer remixes crafted by Randolph & Mortimer and The Horrorist.

listen

!Bang Elektronika – Aktivierung! EP [MEC067]