Xmal Germany
| Xmal Germany | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Genre (s) |
Gothic Rock , Neue Deutsche Welle (1980–1988), Pop-Rock , New Wave (1989) |
| founding | 1980 |
| resolution | Early 1990s |
| Founding members | |
| Anja Huwe | |
| Manuela Rickers (until 1988) | |
| Fiona Sangster (until 1988) | |
| Rita Simonsen (until 1981) | |
| Caro May (until 1982) | |
| Last occupation | |
singing |
Anja Huwe |
bass |
Wolfgang Ellerbrock (since 1981) |
guitar |
Frank Z. (since 1989) |
Keyboard |
Henry Staroste (since 1989) |
Drums |
Curt Cress (since 1989) |
| former members | |
Drums |
Manuela Zwingmann (1982-1983) |
Drums |
Peter Bellendir (1983–1988) |
Xmal Deutschland was a Hamburg band that began as an all-girl band in 1980 and was particularly successful abroad. The band's last release dates back to 1989.
history
In 1980 Xmal Germany was founded in Hamburg by Anja Huwe (born June 21, 1958) (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar), Fiona Sangster (keyboard), Rita Simonsen (bass) and Caro May (drums) . Their first single Großstadtindianer was released a year later by Alfred Hilsberg's label ZickZack . The band also contributed the song Kälbermarsch to the label sampler Better too much than too little (ZZ 45). At this time Wolfgang Ellerbrock took over the part of Rita Simonsen.
In 1982 the band created an underground classic with Incubus Succubus . Caro May was replaced on drums by Manuela Zwingmann. While the success of Xmal Germany was limited in Germany, they were signed by indie label 4AD after a tour with the Cocteau Twins in Great Britain . In 1983 the debut album Fetisch and the singles Qual and Incubus Succubus II were released. Although only German lyrics were used, all three achieved positions in the British independent charts.
Manuela Zwingmann left the band after only one year, and was succeeded by Peter Bellendir. 1984 came the single Reigen and the second album Tocsin on the market. The following tour took the band across Europe and the United States , in 1985 to Japan. The EP sequence with the tracks Jahr um Jahr II , Autumn and Polarlicht appeared as a remake of the Peel Session , which was recorded on April 30, 1985 and broadcast on May 13, 1985. The only thing missing in the sequence is The Wind .
The following year saw the release of Matador and a support gig for The Stranglers at London's Wembley Arena . The third LP Viva was recorded in Hamburg and appeared in 1987 with the single Sickle Moon . On Viva is a high proportion of English-language songs, including a setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson .
After Viva , Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the band, Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continued with Frank Z. ( downwards ) as guitarist and co-composer. Producer Henry Staroste took over the keyboard parts and the German studio drummer Curt Cress completes the line-up, which in 1989 showed the last sign of life from Xmal Germany with the LP Devils and the accompanying singles Dreamhouse and I'll Be Near You . Devils presented a complete style change that goes in the direction of mainstream rock-pop.
At the beginning of the nineties, Xmal Germany ended with a few concerts.
Anja Huwe is now a painter and lives in Hamburg and New York City , where her first exhibition took place from March 10 to April 15, 2005 under the title X-Mal .
Discography
Singles and EPs
- 1981: Black World (7 ", ZickZack Records ZZ 31)
- 1982: Incubus Succubus (12 ", ZickZack Records ZZ 110)
- 1983: Qual (12 ", 4AD BAD 305)
- 1983: Incubus Succubus II (7 ", 4AD AD 311)
- 1983: Incubus Succubus II (12 ", 4AD BAD 311)
- 1984: Reigen (7 ", DRO-094)
- 1985: Sequence (7 ", Red Rhino RRE-1)
- 1985: Sequence (12 ", Red Rhino RRET-1)
- 1986: The Peel Sessions (12 "/ CD, Strange Fruit Records SFPS017, recorded April 30, 1985, broadcast May 13, 1985)
- 1986: Matador (7 ", eXile XMAL 107)
- 1986: Matador (12 ", eXile XMAL 112)
- 1987: Sickle Moon (7 ", eXile XMAL 207)
- 1987: Sickle Moon (12 ", eXile XMAL 212)
- 1989: I'll Be Near You (12 ", Metronome)
- 1988: Dreamhouse (12 ", metronomes)
Albums
- 1983: Fetish (LP / CD, 4AD CAD 302 / CAD 302CD)
- 1984: Tocsin (LP / CD, 4AD CAD 407 / CAD 407CD)
- 1987: Viva (LP / CD, eXile XMAL P1)
- 1989: Devils (LP / CD, Metronome)
Sampler contributions
- 1981: Calf march on Better too much than too little - ZigZag summer hits 81
- 1981: Calf March on Germany Strike-Back
- 1982: Alone on Nosferatu
- 1982: Too young, too old on hours
- 1983: Longing for Mas Mix
- 1984: Day after day on Dreams and Desires
- 1992: Incubus Succubus II (Album Version) on Gothic Rock (Jungle Records)
- 2000: Alone on Ghostriders of German Gothic II (Schwarzrock)
- 2004: Big City Indians on Punk Rock BRD Volume 2 (Weird System)
Web links
- Listen to the Pictures - Website from Anja Huwe
- Xmal Germany on Myspace
- Xmal Germany at Discogs (English)