Abwärts

Abwärts formed in West Berlin in 1979 with vocalist Christiane Vera Felscherinow, guitarist FM Einheit, and bassist Mark Chung. Their music came from the city's underground scene, mixing industrial noise with punk energy and experimental composition. Songs like 'Affentanz' and 'Alkohol' featured distorted guitars, pounding rhythms, and Felscherinow's raw, confrontational vocals that tackled subjects like drug addiction and social alienation.

In 1980, a performance at the Berlin Senate was disrupted by police after they played 'Affentanz,' which sparked media attention and cemented their reputation for provocation. Their lyrics often dealt with taboo themes, and their shows sometimes faced hostility or censorship. They released albums including 'Amok' in 1980 and 'Tod und Teufel' in 1981.

Musically, Abwärts became an influence on other industrial acts emerging from Germany at the time. Their approach to noise and confrontation resonated in the early 1980s Berlin scene. They kept recording through the mid-80s with albums like 'Hau Ruck' and '1000 Messer' before their activity wound down.