Wolfgang Seidel - Krautrock Eruption [Book]

This is a pre-order item and is expected 21st March 2025.

An alternative history of German underground in the 60s and 70s
 
Krautrock as an escape from post-war Germany
 
“Krautrock Eruption” is a rousing counter-narrative to the usual depictions of Krautrock,
written by Wolfgang Seidel, member of Conrad Schnitzler’s band Eruption and co-founder
of Ton Steine Scherben.
 
Seidel's groundbreaking book, which includes unique historical photographs, paints a
vivid picture of the old Federal Republic of Germany, with all of its contradictions and
struggles. What is now celebrated as Krautrock emerged in this environment, and at
the time was an attempt to contribute the soundtrack to the revolution. As a fly on
the wall, Seidel recounts the squats, demos and first concerts of bands such as Cluster,
Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel. Just as precisely and vividly, he recapitulates the
influence of minimal music composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass, the origins
of many Krautrock musicians in jazz and the role of the synthesiser.
 
Wolfgang Seidel delivers a captivating account on Krautrock that dispels many of the
founding myths of the first genuinely German pop culture, which above all did not
want to be German. In addition, the book is supplemented by a discography of the
50 most important Krautrock records, written by music journalist and Krautrock expert
Holger Adam.
 
Translated from German by Alexander Paulick (member of influential Düsseldorf based
avant-garde band Kreidler).