FSK (band)
Encyclopedia
FSK is a German band that was formed in Munich in 1980. It became involved in the underground-part of the German New-Wave
-Scene of the early 1980s. The band name is a reference to the German motion picture rating organisation
Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft
, which uses the same acronym. Their records were released on the legendary Zickzack-Label owned by Punk
-guru Alfred Hilsberg. Later in the decade, they became favourites of British radio-guru John Peel
, and were themselves strongly influenced by the independent British music scene of the 1980s. In the late 1980s they became interested in country music
, influenced by bands like the Mekons
, who also had a special approach to country music. FSK played a lot with David Lowery
of Camper Van Beethoven
and Cracker
and recorded in his Studio in Richmond, VA. In the mid-1990s they discovered Techno and House for themselves. Since then they have been recording in Weilheim in Germany which boasts a rich music scene around bands like the Notwist. Their latest album, First Take Then Shake, was recorded with Detroit House
-producer Anthony Shake Shakir.
as F.S.K.:
Neue Deutsche Welle
Neue Deutsche Welle is a genre of German music originally derived from punk rock and New Wave music...
-Scene of the early 1980s. The band name is a reference to the German motion picture rating organisation
Motion picture rating system
A motion picture rating system is designated to classify films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex, violence, substance abuse, profanity, impudence or other types of mature content...
Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft
Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft
The Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft is a German motion picture rating system organisation run by the Spitzenorganisation der Filmwirtschaft based in Wiesbaden.- Assignment :The main tasks of the FSK are approving and rating movies and trailers, videos and DVDs, and...
, which uses the same acronym. Their records were released on the legendary Zickzack-Label owned by Punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
-guru Alfred Hilsberg. Later in the decade, they became favourites of British radio-guru John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
, and were themselves strongly influenced by the independent British music scene of the 1980s. In the late 1980s they became interested in country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, influenced by bands like the Mekons
Jon Langford
Jon Langford born October 11, 1957, Newport, Monmouthshire is a Welsh-born musician and artist who is presently based in Chicago. He is the younger brother of science-fiction author and critic David Langford...
, who also had a special approach to country music. FSK played a lot with David Lowery
David Lowery
David Lowery is an American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock band, Camper Van Beethoven, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker...
of Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
and Cracker
Cracker (band)
Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring founders/songwriters singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, featuring the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl", and "Get Off This".Founders Lowery and Hickman...
and recorded in his Studio in Richmond, VA. In the mid-1990s they discovered Techno and House for themselves. Since then they have been recording in Weilheim in Germany which boasts a rich music scene around bands like the Notwist. Their latest album, First Take Then Shake, was recorded with Detroit House
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
-producer Anthony Shake Shakir.
Lineup
- Wilfred Petzi - Trombone/Guitar/Vocals/Percussion
- Thomas Meinecke - Concertina/Guitar/Vocals/Percussion
- Justin Hoffman - Electric Piano/Guitar/Xylophone/Vocals
- Michaela Melian - Bass/Melodica/Vocals
- Carl Oesterheld - Drums/Percussion (since 1990)
Discography
as Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle:- Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle [Herz aus Stein], 1980, ZickZack ZZ 6 (7" EP)
- Teilnehmende Beobachtung, 1981, ZickZack ZZ 27 (7" EP)
- Stürmer, 1982, ZickZack ZZ 80 (12" LP)
- Magic Moments, 1983, ZickZack ZZ 155 (12" EP)
- Ça c’est le Blues, 1984, ZickZack ZZ 2001 (12" LP)
- Goes Underground, 1985, ZickZack ZZ 1789 (12" LP)
- Last Orders (The John Peel Session), 1985, ZickZack ZZ 1066 (12" EP)
- Continental Breakfast, 1987, ZickZack ZZ 2532 / Ediesta CALC LP 16 (12" LP) [Sampler 1983 - 1985]
- American Sector, 1987, Ediesta CALC 32 (12" EP)
- In Dixieland, 1987, ZickZack ZZ 1987 / Ediesta CALC LP 042 (12" LP / CD) [CD contains Magic Moments EP]
as F.S.K.:
- Double Peel Sessions, 1989, Strange Fruit Records SFPMA204 (12" LP / CD)
- Original Gasman Band, 1989, ZickZack ZZ 8000 (12" LP / CD) [CD contains American Sector EP]
- Budweiser Polka / Cannonball Yodel, 1990, Sub Up Records (7" single)
- Son Of Kraut, 1991, Sub Up Records SUBLP 12 (12" LP / CD) [in some discographies erroneously referred to as Richmond (VA) where it was recorded]
- The Sound Of Music, 1993, Sub Up Records subup25 (12" LP / CD)
- The German-American Octet, 1994, Return To Sender (Normal Records) RTS 8 (CD)
- Bei Alfred, 1995, ZickZack ZZ 1995 (2xCD) [Sampler 1980 - 1989]
- International, 1996, Sub Up Records subup28 (2x12" LP / CD)
- 4 Instrumentals, 1997, Disko B 64 (12" EP)
- Tel Aviv, 1998, Sub Up Records subup31 (12" LP / CD)
- Did You See Davidopoulos Hit That Ball (F.S.K.) / Landla (HP FalknerAttwengerAttwenger is a musical duo from Linz, Austria. The group is made up of drummer Markus Binder and button accordion player Hans-Peter Falkner; both members also sing....
& Cpt. Schneider), 1999, private pressing (7" single) - X, 2000, Sub Up Records subup34 (12" LP / CD)
- First Take Then Shake, 2004, Disko B db123 (12" LP + 7" single / CD)
- Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle, 2008, Buback BTT 95 (CD)
Compilations
- 2006 - "silver monk time - a tribute to the monks" (29 bands cover the MONKS) label play loud! productions
External links
- Michaela Melian RBMA video lecture session
- http://www.diskob.com/a/fsk/index.html
- FSK Peel Sessions from 1985 & 1986