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Neu!

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Neu!
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1971 in Düsseldorf, West Germany
FounderKlaus Dinger, Michael Rother
Defunct1975 (initial disbandment)
FateDisbanded; brief reunion in mid-1980s
Headquarters
Düsseldorf
,
West Germany
ProductsMusic albums, including Neu! (1972), Neu! 2 (1973), Neu! 75 (1975), Neu! 4 (1995)

Neu! (; a German term meaning "New!"; presented in uppercase letters) was a krautrock group from West Germany, established in Düsseldorf in 1971 by Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother following their departure from Kraftwerk.[1] Their albums were produced by Conny Plank, who is often considered an unofficial member of the band.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name During their initial period, they released three albums: Neu! (1972), Neu! 2 (1973), and Neu! 75 (1975), before disbanding in 1975, with a short-lived reunion occurring in the mid-1980s.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Although their commercial success was limited at the time, Neu! is now acknowledged as a pivotal act within West Germany's 1970s krautrock movement.[2] They were innovators of the minimalist "motorik" rhythm, which became a hallmark for many krautrock musicians.[2] Their influence extends widely, impacting genres such as electronica and punk.[3]

1970–1971: Before Formation

Neu! originated in 1971 in Düsseldorf, emerging from an early incarnation of the krautrock band Kraftwerk, whose initial projects were produced by Conny Plank. Drummer Klaus Dinger joined Kraftwerk during the sessions for their first album, soon followed by guitarist Michael Rother, who had previously played with future Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür in The Spirits of Sound. Co-founder Ralf Hütter departed to focus on his studies, leaving Kraftwerk as a trio consisting of Rother, Dinger, and Florian Schneider. This lineup performed occasionally and appeared on German television’s Beat Club. Attempts to record at Plank's Windrose studio were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Dinger and Rother separated from Schneider and formed Neu! alongside Plank, while Hütter reunited with Schneider to produce Kraftwerk’s second album.

1971–1975: Active Years

The band’s name, NEU! ("new!"), was inspired by Düsseldorf’s advertising scene; Dinger described it as "the most powerful word in advertising." Their debut album sold approximately 30,000 copies but has since been hailed as a classic by artists such as David Bowie, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, and Thom Yorke. It included influential tracks like "Hallogallo" and "Negativland," the latter inspiring the name of the band Negativland.

Their follow-up album, Neu! 2, featured some of the earliest instances of musical remixing. Due to limited financial support from their label—attributable to the modest sales of their first record—the duo was only able to produce half an album's worth of new material. To complete the release, they manipulated existing recordings by changing tape speeds and applying various effects. Notably, "Super 16" and "Super 78" served as theme music for the 1976 cult film Master of the Flying Guillotine, which was later referenced by Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill Volume 1.

The contrasting artistic approaches of Dinger and Rother influenced their final 1970s album, Neu! '75, which essentially consists of two solo halves. Side One highlights Rother’s ambient and keyboard-focused style reminiscent of their debut album; Side Two presents Dinger’s more aggressive sound featuring distorted Motorik rhythms and raw vocals that left a mark on the UK punk movement. To support live shows and studio work, Hans Lampe and Thomas Dinger joined the band.

Considered one of krautrock’s most eclectic albums, Neu! '75 also underscored creative tensions and personal disagreements that distanced many fans. The group disbanded following this release.

In Julian Cope’s Krautrocksampler, Neu! receives high acclaim alongside contemporaries like Kraftwerk and Can. Cope also wrote a track titled "Michael Rother," which appears on the deluxe edition of his album Jehovahkill.

1975–1986: Hiatus and Attempted Reunion

In 1974, Michael Rother joined forces with the German electronic duo Cluster to create the album Musik Von Harmonia under the name Harmonia. The following year, 1975, saw the recording of a second Harmonia album titled Deluxe. Additionally, sessions with Brian Eno from this period were ultimately released in 1997 as Tracks and Traces. Rother embarked on a solo career in 1977, producing three albums—Flammende Herzen (1977), Sterntaler (1978), and Katzenmusik (1979)—all under the production guidance of Conny Plank.

Meanwhile, Klaus Dinger formed La Düsseldorf alongside his brother Thomas and Hans Lampe. This band earned acclaim, with David Bowie describing their sound as "the soundtrack of the eighties". La Düsseldorf released three well-received albums: La Düsseldorf (1976), Viva (1978), and Individuellos (1981).

Between October 1985 and April 1986, Dinger and Rother attempted to resurrect Neu! by incorporating more synthesizer elements and adopting a commercially oriented style that fused their original sound with new wave influences. However, creative and personal disagreements led to the project's premature end. Tracks such as "Crazy" highlighted Rother's inclination towards pop, whereas "'86 Commercial Trash" demonstrated Dinger's experimental collage approach. These recordings were eventually issued in 1995 as Neu! 4.

1987–2009: Conflicts, Reissues, and Dinger's Passing

Throughout the 1990s, tensions prevented collaboration between Dinger and Rother. A significant source of discord was Dinger's unauthorized release of inferior Neu! material on Japan's Captain Trip label, including the 1995 issue of Neu! 4, which contained the 1985–86 session recordings, as well as Neu! '72 Live in Düsseldorf, featuring early rehearsals with Eberhard Kranemann.

In 1999, Cleopatra Records produced a tribute album titled A Homage to Neu!, featuring covers by artists like Legendary Pink Dots, Download, Autechre, alongside an original composition by Rother. This project also paid tribute to producer Conny Plank, who had passed away in 1987.

Legal disputes delayed official CD releases of Neu!'s discography, resulting in widespread circulation of bootlegs sourced from vinyl via Germanofon. Resolution came in 2001 when Rother and Dinger reconciled to remaster and officially release Neu!'s three albums on CD through Grönland Records, with licensing handled by Astralwerks in the United States. These reissues received endorsements from artists including Thom Yorke. However, efforts to officially release Neu! 4 were unsuccessful due to ongoing disagreements.

Rother revealed that plans for a fifth Neu! album were abandoned following renewed personal conflicts. Klaus Dinger passed away from heart failure on 21 March 2008; reports indicate Rother was unaware of his illness until shortly before his death.

After Neu!'s dissolution, Rother continued his solo career. Prior to his passing, Dinger remained active with La! Neu?, a project whose name also caused friction with Rother, and collaborated on unreleased works with Miki Yui and the band sub-tle.

2009–present: Brand Neu!, Official Releases, and Hallogallo 2010

On 25 May 2009, Feraltone issued Brand Neu!, a compilation showcasing contemporary artists influenced by Neu!, featuring contributions from Michael Rother and La Duesseldorf.de—one of Klaus Dinger's final recordings. The collection included both emerging talents and established acts worldwide such as Oasis, Primal Scream, Kasabian, School of Seven Bells, Ciccone Youth (Sonic Youth), Holy Fuck, and Australian group Pets With Pets, illustrating Neu!'s extensive influence across decades.

Ownership of Neu!'s back catalog is shared among Rother, Dinger's estate, and producer Conny Plank's widow Christa Fast. Together they curated a box set compiling all Neu! recordings, incorporating material from the previously unreleased Neu! '86. The Neu! Vinyl Box was launched in May 2010, followed later that year by a separate release of Neu! '86. The box set also featured select live recordings from 1972 on a maxi single.

In 2010, Rother collaborated with Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) and Aaron Mullan (Tall Firs) on Hallogallo 2010—a live project presenting Neu! compositions alongside new pieces. Since then, he has toured intermittently with the German trio Camera, performing works from Neu!, Harmonia, and his solo repertoire; these performances sometimes included Dieter Möbius of Cluster. From 2014 onward, tours have featured Hans Lampe and former Camera guitarist Franz Bargmann.

To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Neu!'s debut album, Rother staged two concerts entitled Michael Rother & Friends: Celebrate 50 years NEU!—held in Berlin on 26 October 2022 and London on 3 November 2022.[4][5]

Musical style

Neu!'s approach, characterized by minimalist rhythms and sparse sonic textures, has played a pivotal role in shaping genres such as electronica and punk.The New York Times critic Ben Sisario described their sound as "a droning, hypnotic style composed of Mr. Dinger’s straightforward, continuous-motion rhythms combined with Mr. Rother’s fluid guitar effects," labeling their initial three albums as "milestones in German experimental rock," a genre later identified as Krautrock. AllMusic praised their use of "minimalist melodies paired with lock-groove rhythms."

The group originated the "motorik" rhythm—a simple 4/4 beat dominated by kick drums that generates a propulsive momentum—debuted on their first album and subsequently embraced by numerous other krautrock acts. Klaus Dinger later referred to this signature pattern as the "Apache beat."

Influence

Musicians such as David Bowie, the Sex Pistols, Sonic Youth, Stereolab, and Tortoise have integrated elements of Neu!'s style into their own work. Simple Minds incorporated Neu!'s repetitive motorik grooves on records like Real to Real Cacophony (1979) and Empires and Dance (1980). The band Siouxsie and the Banshees also acknowledged Neu! as an inspiration. Drummer Stephen Morris from Joy Division and New Order cited Klaus Dinger’s drumming as a significant influence. The Japanese experimental ensemble Boredoms attribute their tape manipulation remix methods and driving 4/4 rhythms to the pioneering work of Rother and Dinger.

Personnel

  • Klaus Dinger – vocals, drums, guitars, keyboards, koto, percussion (1971–1975, 1985–1986; deceased 2008)
  • Michael Rother – guitars, bass guitar, keyboards (1971–1975, 1985–1986)
  • Eberhard Kranemann – bass guitar, slide guitar (1972)
  • Uli Trepte – bass guitar (1972; deceased 2009)
  • Thomas Dinger – drums (1974–1975; deceased 2002)
  • Hans Lampe – drums (1974–1975)
  • Konrad Mathieu – bass guitar (1985–1986)
  • Georg Sessenhausen – drums (1985–1986)

Discography

All original Neu! releases on Brain Records were reissued in 2001 through Astralwerks and Grönland Records. Releases initially issued by Captain Trip Records saw partial reissues within the 2010 Grönland Records Vinyl Box.

Studio albums

Year Title Notes
1972 Neu!
1973 Neu! 2
  • Label: Brain Records
1975 Neu! '75
  • Label: Brain Records
1995 Neu! 4
2010 Neu! '86
  • Official reissue of Neu! 4 featuring an updated tracklist.

Compilation, out-take and live albums

Year Title Details
1982 Black Forest Gateau
  • A compilation album combining selections from Neu! and Neu! '75
In 1984, Brain Records re-released Neu! and Neu! 2 as a double LP set, issued on limited edition transparent and marbled vinyl.
1996 Neu! '72 Live in Dusseldorf
  • Label: Captain Trip Records
  • Issued rehearsal session recordings
2009 Avantgarde History
  • Released: November 2009 (2009-11)
  • Label: Eberhard Kranemann self-published
  • CD-R compilation featuring three previously unreleased Neu! tracks from the post-Neu! '72 tour period.
2010 Vinyl Box
  • Released: 10 May 2010 (2010-05-10)
  • Label: Grönland Records
  • Box collection containing all three studio albums, the out-takes compilation Neu! '86, the live maxi-single Neu! '72, along with a picture book, stencil, T-shirt, and digital download code.
2022 50!
  • Released: 23 September 2022 (2022-09-23)
  • Label: Grönland Records
  • Extensive box set including all three original studio albums, Neu! '86, plus a tribute album.

Singles

Tribute albums

  • 2001 – A Homage to Neu! (Cleopatra Records)
  • 2009 – Brand Neu!: Tribute to Neu! (Feraltone)
  • 2022 – Tribute (Grönland Records; included in the 50! box set)

Videography

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named The_Great_Rock_Discography
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named allmusic.com
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bg
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  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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