Zaunpfahl formed in Berlin in 1979 with Klaus Hoffmann, Dietmar Koehnecke, Peter Baumann, and Burkhard Lasch. Their 1981 single 'Ob sie will oder nicht' became a hit, though its lyrics about an obsessive lover drew criticism from feminist groups. The song's success brought the band attention, but also scrutiny that seemed to weigh on them.
They kept making music through the 1980s and early 1990s, putting out albums like 'Never Trust a Stranger' in 1983, 'Blutkultur' in 1987, and 'Kunst' in 1992. Other songs in their catalog include 'Ein Lied das jeder singen kann,' 'Es brennt,' and 'Friedenstaube.' The lineup shifted over time, with Thomas Fehlmann joining on drums in 1987 and Hendrik Weber on bass in 1989.
Their sound had a punk and new wave feel early on, with some dark cabaret touches. Later work moved into synth-pop and industrial territory. They played occasional reunion shows and released material into the 2000s, like the album '2000.'
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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