Techniques Berlin
THE LANGUAGE OF MACHINES 1985-1991
(2LP)
Mecanica / MEC090
12 Inch
Techniques Berlin wurde 1984 von den Schulfreunden Andreas Gregor und David Rout gegründet und begann mit Synthesizern, Drumcomputern und Gitarren zu experimentieren. In der Anfangsphase war die Band stark von den britischen New-Romantic-Bands The Human League, Visage, Yazoo, OMD und Depeche Mode sowie den aufstrebenden kanadischen Synth-Pop-Bands Rational Youth, Men Without Hats und Trans-X beeinflusst. Es dauerte ein paar Jahre, bis sie ihre elektronischen Spielzeuge beherrschten und eine einzigartige Mischung aus süchtig machenden Elektropop-Melodien und wunderschön ausgearbeiteten alternativen Beats kreierten.
Sales Information:
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.
In the late 80s, Techniques Berlin played live on a regular basis and their 3 self-released tapes received frequent local airplay in Canada. Despite their moderate success, the band failed to secure a record deal. Eventually both members had developed a strong interest in the burgeoning electro-industrial scene. Dave and Andreas founded !Bang Elektronika and were working with Digital Poodle as live drummers. Both of these projects were soon picked up by record labels. Techniques Berlin played their last show in November of 1991 at the University of Toronto, debuting the last track they had recorded, fittingly called 'Time Fades to Nothing'. Or so they thought...
The proliferation of Internet radio and streaming music platforms introduced the band to a new generation of fans, enabling Techniques Berlin to stage a remarkable comeback. Within the next years they released the compilation "Suburban Playgrounds and Concrete Beaches" (Fabrika Records), recorded a new album "Breathing" (Nadanna) in 2018 and offered a series of shows in Toronto, Montreal, Mexico City and Leipzig.
"The Language of Machines" compiles a selection of original recordings between 1985 and 1991, including some favourite tunes like 'Dancing to the Fall of the Berlin Wall', 'Metropolis', 'Watching You' and a few unreleased tracks/versions. Limited edition of 500 copies on double vinyl with gatefold sleeve.[info sheet from distr.]