KMFDM
THE INVENTORS OF THE ULTRA-HEAVY BEAT. KMFDM MOVES FROM GERMANY TO THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE INDUSTRIAL BIG. SINCE A FEW YEARS THE BAND IS BACK HOME. AMERICA STAYS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FANS. DEUTSCH-AMERIKANISCHE FREUNDSCHAFT.
KMFDM is short for Kein Mehrheid Für Die Mitleid. Literally translated this means: no majority for sympathy. But founder Sascha Konietzko prefers it the other way around: no sympathy for the majority.
The early beginning is a performance in 1984 during the opening of an exhibition for young European artists in Paris. Konietzko and the German painter Udo Sturm take care of the audio. It consists of 5 amplified bass guitars and 4 Polish miners pounding on the foundations of the Grand Palais. Speaking of pure industrial. Sturm drops out, but Konietzko is totally convinced.
KMFDM really flourishes when Wax Trax! notices the band in 1988. The label from Chicago is trying to interest the American people for electronic music. Front 242, My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult and Revolting Cocks pave the way for the crossover between techno/dance and German heavy metal.
In 1989 they receive an invitation from Ministry to go and tour the United States. Konietzko realises that the future of the band lies across the ocean. In early 1991 they move from Hamburg to Chicago. This is the beginning of a glorious time. During the nineties KMFDM sells about 2 million albums in the United States. ‘Juke Joint Jezebel’, their most famous song, can be found on the successful soundtrack – together with The Immortals of Maurice Engelen and Olivier Adams – of the movie ‘Mortal Combat’; a soundtrack that sold a whooping 1.8 million copies.
Around the turn of the century the band starts to fall apart. From 2005 onwards the line-up is stable again and singer/wife Lucia Cifarelli gets a bigger role in the band, next to Konietzko. In 2007 the couple returns to Hamburg and – in line with their DIY philosophy – they start their own label and online shop.
In 2010 they celebrate 25 years of ‘ultra-heavy beat’ with ‘Würst’ and ‘Greatest Shit’. The new album ‘WTF?’ (2011) – number 30 already – is preceded by the first single and video in almost 10 years time. ‘Krank’ enters the Billboard Hot 100 on #15 and is a hit in Germany. Things are still heavy. Ultra heavy.
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08/2012 | PHOTOSHOOT | Zappa Antwerp, Belgium | [marquis(pi)X] |
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10/2011 | PHOTOSHOOT | Sinner's Day, Hasselt, Belgium | [marquis(pi)X] |
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06/2010 | PHOTOSHOOT | Trix Antwerp, Belgium | [marquis(pi)X] |
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03/2013 | CD | Kunst | [Didier BECU] |
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04/2011 | CD | WTF | [Didier BECU] |
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02/2013 | NEWS | KMFDM bring you Kunst in February | |
| 11/2012 | NEWS | KMFDM offers you KUNST | ||
| 07/2012 | NEWS | Discover the new single by KMFDM here. | ||
| 02/2012 | NEWS | New single by KMFDM out | ||
| 10/2011 | NEWS | KMFDM Against Wall Street |
