Fehlfarben

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Fehlfarben (lit. transl.: "missing colours") are a German language rock band from Düsseldorf, Germany. Founding members are Peter Hein (vocals, former Mittagspause (lit. transl.: "lunch break")), Thomas Schwebel (guitar, former Mittagspause, S.Y.P.H.), Michael Kemner (bass, former 20 Colors, Mau Mau, DAF, YOU), Frank Fenstermacher (saxophon, later Der Plan), Uwe Bauer (drums, former Mittagspause, Materialschlacht).

Band history

The Band ist the successorband of Mittagspause and Charley's Girls. The band concept and the name "Fehlfarben" (German meaning missing or wrong colours) were created during a vacation in England in 1979, during which several band members were infected by the local Ska hype. Back in Düsseldorf, Germany the band dropped their Ska sound quite soon. After signing a contract with the German subsidiary of EMI, they began losing the status as an underground band they had gained in the early German New-Wave-Hype. In 1980 they released their debut "Monarchie und Alltag" (German: "Monarchy and everyday life"), an album recognized then and now as one of the most important German language rock records ever. Despite its cultural impact, Monarchie und Alltag did not reach gold status in Germany until 2000.

The single "Ein Jahr (Es geht voran)" (One Year - We're getting ahead) was released in 1982, at the peak of the Neue Deutsche Welle. Though released long after the album and disliked by the band members themselves, "Ein Jahr" would go on to be their only hit single.

Shortly after having released their debut album, Fehlfarben suffered the departure of lead singer Peter Hein, due to his frustration at the scheduled tour being lengthened from three to six weeks on short notice. He went back to his day job at Xerox, where he worked until 2003. The band released two more albums without Hein during the 1980s, "33 Tage in Ketten" ("33 days in chains") and "Glut und Asche" ("Blaze and ashes"), with only the latter making it onto the German charts. After struggles with their label they disbanded at the end of 1984.

The first comeback with all the original members took place in 1990s, including the release of two LPs to mixed reviews, "Die Platte des himmlischen Friedens" ("The record of heavenly peace") and "Popmusik und Hundezucht" ("Pop music and dog breeding").

In 2002 another comeback was attempted with the album "Knietief im Dispo" ("Knee-deep in the overdraft loan"). It coincided with a general NDW-revival, which also raised interest in German Punk and New Wave roots.

Discography

Alben:

"Monarchie und Alltag" (1980)
"33 Tage in Ketten" (1981)
"Glut und Asche" (1983)
"Die Platte des Himmlischen Friedens" (1991)
"Live" (1993)
"Popmusik und Hundezucht" (1995, recorded 1984)
"Knietief im Dispo" (2002)
"26 1/2" (2006)

External links

http://www.fehlfarben.com/

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