Fex (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in Kiel, Germany |
| Headquarters | Kiel , Germany |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Fex (presented as FEX) is a German new wave ensemble that originated in Kiel towards the end of 1983. They achieved notoriety through the track "Subways of Your Mind", famously dubbed "The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet," which sparked a 17-year-long online quest to uncover its title and artist.
During their original phase, Fex issued only a six-song demo tape. Keyboard player Michael Hädrich disclosed in a Reddit AMA that the group possessed enough material for an entire two-set live show. One of their demo recordings, "Jenny," was featured on the 1985 compilation album Zeus Top Hits. Renewed attention from the search for "Subways of Your Mind" led to Fex's reunion and the release of fresh material starting in late 2024, beginning with "Goldrush," which was initially a B-side on their demo tape. In December 2024, Hädrich located the NDR recording of "Subways of Your Mind," which became available for streaming in early 2025.
Modulators origins, formation, and initial period (1980–1988)
Fex emerged from the band Modulators, established in 1980 by married couple Ture and Ilona Rückwardt, alongside Karl-Heinz "Kalle" Eckert, Norbert Ziermann, Michael Hädrich, and Heino R. This group blended German-language lyrics with elements of new wave, punk, and electronic music, releasing a four-track vinyl titled Hygiene Hygiene Hygiene in 1982 before disbanding.
Guitarist Ture Rückwardt recalls that Fex began rehearsing in a space located in Heikendorf’s industrial district. The name "Fex" originates from Southern German slang referring to someone with intense enthusiasm. The initial lineup comprised the Rückwardts, Eckert, Volker Schenk on bass, and Hans-Reimer Sievers on drums. Schenk was soon replaced by Jörg Lemcke; Eckert departed in spring 1984 and was succeeded by Michael Hädrich. By September 1984, with Ilona on maternity leave, Ture assumed lead vocals while Hädrich contributed backing vocals, second guitar, and keyboards.
Fex gained visibility through participation in the 1984 nationwide Newcomer Show contest organized by Hamburg-based insurance broker Zeus and hosted by Manfred Sexauer. Their performance at Bremen’s Glocke concert hall earned them victory over seven other bands. Their song "Jenny" appeared on the April 1985 Top-Hits compilation album, recorded at Planet Wave Studio.
After Lemcke left to focus on university studies, former Modulators member Norbert Ziermann joined as bassist. In November 1984, Fex recorded a six-song demo at Hawkeye Studios in Ganderkesee and planned to release it on vinyl in spring alongside a tour through Northern and Central Germany. Although the vinyl release never occurred, they toured from March to May 1985, concluding as opening act at Bruchhausen-Vilsen’s Bruchhausen Festival on May 26.
Soon after this tour, Hädrich moved to Munich and exited the band. Fex continued with various lineup changes including Dirk Reichardt replacing Hädrich and Ilona Rückwardt returning as vocalist but ultimately dissolved in 1988.
Reunion and Skyscraper era (2024–present)
On November 7, 2024, Rückwardt, Hädrich, and Ziermann reunited to deliver an acoustic live rendition of "Subways of Your Mind" on German radio station NDR 1 Welle Nord, marking their first performance since their 1988 breakup. The next day, Sievers reached out to NDR 1 after learning about the reunion and reconnected with his former bandmates. In December, all four musicians gathered at a Hamburg studio to record a new version of "Subways of Your Mind".
On December 9, Berlin-based label The Outer Edge announced plans to issue a 7" vinyl featuring the original demo version of "Subways of Your Mind," backed with "Heart in Danger," slated for January 2025 release. Pre-orders began on December 12 via the label’s Bandcamp page, followed by a digital single release on December 20. On Christmas Day 2024, the band discovered a tape containing NDR’s original recording of "Subways of Your Mind," which was subsequently made available on streaming services in January. Shortly thereafter, Sievers declared his departure from FEX due to personal and family reasons.
On May 16, 2025, The Outer Edge revealed FEX’s debut full-length album Skyscraper, scheduled for release on July 8. This album includes remastered versions of all six tracks from their 1985 demo alongside three unearthed songs from the 1980s—"Skyscraper," "Strange Feeling," and "Dirty Slapstick." It also features the original 1984 recording of "Subways of Your Mind" sourced from a cassette belonging to Darius S., whose sister Lydia initiated the search for the track. Darius also created the album’s cover artwork.
Band lineup
Present members
- Michael Hädrich – keyboards, vocals, guitar (1983–1985; 2024–present)
- Ture Rückwardt – composer, vocals, guitar (1983–1988; 2024–present)
- Norbert Ziermann – bass guitar (1984–1988; 2024–present)
Past members
- Ilona Rückwardt – vocals (1983–1984; 1986–1988)
- Dirk Reichardt – keyboards (1985–1988)
- Jörg Lemcke – bass guitar (1983–1984)
- Hans-Reimer Sievers – drums (1983–1988; 2024–2025)
- Volker Schenk – bass guitar (1983)
- Karl-Heinz "Kalle" Eckert – keyboards (1983–1984)
Releases
- Albums
| Year | Album | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Skyscraper: Waves From The Past | The Outer Edge |
- EPs and demo recordings
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Fex | Demo tape distributed during concerts |
| 2025 | More Waves from the Past | Limited-edition EP included with Skyscraper |
- Singles
| Year | Title | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Jenny" | Featured on compilation Zeus Top-Hits |
| 2024 | "Subways of Your Mind" b/w "Heart in Danger" | |
| 2024 | "Subways of Your Mind (Live)" | Live recording from May 1985 at the Roxy, Paderborn |
| 2025 | "Subways of Your Mind (Original TMMS Demo)" | Original demo broadcast on NDR radio |
| 2025 | "Subways of Your Mind (TMMS Version)" b/w "Talking Hands" | |
| 2025 | "Dead End" b/w "Sarah", "Promise" | All tracks feature vocalist Ilona Rückwardt |
- Additional tracks
- "Right and Wrong"
- "Hard Ride"
- "Second Hand Love"
- "Influence"
- "Talk About"
- "Killing Joke"
- "Epcot"
- "Waiting Song"
- "Don't Call Me Loser"
- "We Don't Want It No More"