Palais Schaumburg

About

Influential underground NDW (Neue Deutsche Welle) band from Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1979, dissolved 1984.

This band (especially with the early singles and first album) proved to be a creative melting pot which can be seen by the careers of the band members after Palais Schaumburg:
Holger Hiller became a highly acclaimed pioneer in avantgarde electronics with intensive use of sampling techniques
Thomas Fehlmann became an early techno pioneer, a resident DJ in the legendary Berlin techno club 'Tresor' and a member of the influential ambient project The Orb
F.M. Einheit pioneered in avantgarde industrial music with Einstürzende Neubauten and solo projects
Moritz von Oswald 'invented' minimal / dub techno in the early 1990s with his projects and label Basic Channel & undefined

Influenced by the US avantgarde cult band The Residents, founding members Holger Hiller and Thomas Fehlmann joined by Timo Blunck and F.M. Einheit (who was also playing in the punk band Abwärts) tried to produce a new style of avantgarde dance music, mixing hard beats and funky riffs with dadaist lyrics.
They named themselves after the German chancellor's residence 'Palais Schaumburg' in Bonn.
Their debut release 'Rote Lichter' on the independent undefined label in 1980 was followed by 'Telephon / Kinder Der Tod' which became a small underground success. Mid 1981 F.M. Einheit left to join the industrial avantgarde band Einstürzende Neubauten. He was replaced by Ralf Hertwig.
Their first full-length album, the self-titled 'Palais Schaumburg' saw the release on a major label. After its release, Holger Hiller defected for a solo career.
The following LP Lupa, which was released later in 1982, brought a surprising change of style, the album added horns and a slight jazz fusion influence to their sound. Their third and final album 1984's 'Parlez-Vous Schaumburg?' was produced by singer Inga Humpe of Neonbabies/DÖF fame. It threw in some Latin and big band touches into the mix. Yet it failed to attract commercial success and shortly after release the band dissolved.

Band members:
Holger Hiller (founder), Guitar, Vocals: 1980 - 1981
Thomas Fehlmann (founder), Synthesizer, Trumpet: 1980 - 1984
FM Einheit, Drums: 1980 - 1981
Chris Lunch, Bass: 1980
Timo Blunck, Bass: 1981 - 1983
Ralf Hertwig, Drums: 1981 - 1984; Vocals: 1983 - 1984
Walter Thielsch, Vocals: 1982 - 1983
Stefan Bauer, Vibraphone, Piano, Trumpet: 1982 - 1983
Moritz von Oswald, Drums & Percussion: 1983 - 1984