Kraftwerk und Computer World

I've been lucky enough to see these guys at the Brixton Academy in South London and at the State Theater in Detroit. They began tapping into the coming global internet revolution in the latter 1970s, in some mystical aural space between their world hit single "Autobahn" (1974) and Computer World (1981), an album that provides the ideal soundtrack for today's intricately woven electronic culture. Even if you've never listened to an entire Kraftwerk album, you've probably heard them sampled in some mutated form via advertisements, at dance clubs, on soundtracks, or in airports and malls. Their music has effectively spread like a William S. Burroughs word virus, or sound virus.

The Germans are not known best for comedy, but they do generate campy and droll statements about modern urban life -- and life on the outer fringes. Think Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog -- and Kraftwerk. These guys appreciate the wonders and horrors of the world, and they collectively project edgy humorous images and sounds about it from a native Germanic perspective. That can only mean one thing -- it's a little dark.

I loved Kraftwerk from the beginning, especially Computer World and their later Robots remixes. At the Brixton Academy on July 20, 1991, they had an uber-cool multi-media show with projected images, words, phrases and colors, set to the pulsating electonic sounds of the band and their numerous machines -- including their robots. Brixton itself was (and is) known for its arts, ethnic mix, and street actions as epitomized in the Clash's "Guns of Brixton." It helped being shown around the area by London architect Jaqui Allen, a lovely volunteer guide. But I digress -- as is my wont. On June 11, 1998, I caught them at the State Theater, where they again played last year (sadly, I was out of town at the time). It was an almost identical show, and it was wonderful! Today Kraftwerk is as crisp and catchy as ever -- they remind us, too, of the early milieu of personal computing. If you have high speed access with whistles and bells, check out their retro website at www.kraftwerk.com

It's fun to compare it with Detroit's own White Stripes, Tesla coils and all: www.whitestripes.com

Let's not forget that Detroit is a worldwide magnet for techno and electronica music, and Kraftwerk plays here even on very limited North American tours (eight cities, if memory serves, in 1998).

I will revisit both bands at some point; this is merely a brief introduction in a hurried moment.

Music -- nonstop . . . . .