In the 'Werks

Influential band Kraftwerk combines synthesizers, electronics for unique sound

Four guys, slicked hair, a drum machine and a bunch of synthesizers.

This may sound like something from a bad sci-fi movie, but it actually describes Kraftwerk, one of the most important bands in modern pop-music history.

Kraftwerk (German for "power station") was formed in Dusseldorf in the early '70s by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Not only did Kraftwerk stir the beginnings of techno music, but its robotic synthesizer sound also had a heavy influence on numerous other areas of modern pop music.

While many genres of music can trace their history to many different roots, Kraftwerk is clearly the one band that singlehandedly began the techno/electronica revolution.

Hütter and Schneider were both music students at the Dusselfdorf Conservatory with high ambitions for making extraordinary music -- and make extraordinary music they did.

They teamed up with various other musicians through the years, and with their clean-cut image and all-electronic sound, the members of Kraftwerk went against all popular musical conventions of the day.

Though its music was at first bewildering, Kraftwerk's creative talents became contagious.

The 1974 album Autobahn became an international hit when it was released to a more receptive audience in the United States.

The hypnotic and minimalist soundscapes laid down on this innovative album solidified Kraftwerk's style.

"I think to really understand Kraftwerk, you need to start from the beginning," said Jason Schmidt (sophomore-electrical engineering), an avid fan of Kraftwerk. "(Their music) is pure and organic . . . based on simple drones and rhythms with subtle changes."

Kraftwerk was the first band to use purely electronic synthesizers for making its music, a trait that would become an industry standard during the following decade.

This style of music became the groundwork for such styles as new wave, hip-hop, dance and techno music.

"Kraftwerk wasn't just an influence on techno, but also a major influence on hip-hop," said Brian Elliott (junior-marketing), a DJ at WKPS-FM (90.7). "Most rap groups during the late '70s started out by sampling the break beats from groups like Kraftwerk."

Even grunge-rock legend Neil Young sampled Kraftwerk sounds on his album Trans.

Like many bands, Kraftwerk has gradually morphed over the years, changing members and altering its sound. On 1981's Computer World, Kraftwerk made a semi-comical, though truly poignant, statement about technology and its role in the modern world.

The single "Computer World," which attained lofty positions on the charts, shows Kraftwerk's unique style and was one of the first synthesizer sounds that defined early '80s music.

Ironically, this is the same technology that Kraftwerk's techniques helped push to the forefront.

Though Kraftwerk may not be easy on the ears, it can be interesting to hear the simple roots of so much of the music we listen to today.