The Hidden Connection Between Krautrock and Post-punk
From motorik to misery
As some of you remember, we named our upcoming tour “Krautpunk”. To me, as a musician, the stylistic influence of the early ‘70s krautrock to the early ‘80s post punk is obvious. And it is well documented in the nerdier corners of music journalism. However, I don’t think that many fans of either genres is aware of the connection.
Krautrock was born in the West Germany in the late ‘60s and the early ‘70s as a unique expression of young musicians there to have a unique voice, disconnected from both the American and British pop and rock. The style of experimental alternative rock music that they created has been hugely influential on both the underground and the mainstream pop-rock around the world. There’s no surprise then that bands like Neu!, Can, and Faust provided the sonic blueprint that Joy Division, Public Image Ltd, and The Fall would later reshape into something darker and more urgent.
The motorik beat: Neu! and Joy Division
Pioneered by Klaus Dinger from Neu!, the “motorik” beat is a relentless rhythm that has the bass drum played on every quaver of each beat. It’s hypnotic, propelling and without any swing; it’s mechanical nature can be heard in the songs by David Bowie and Sonic Youth, to name the few.
Also, you can hear it in Disorder by Joy Division. Compare Neu!’s Hallogallo (1972):
with Joy Division’s Disorder (1979):
While Neu! evoke the feeling of infinite motorways, Joy Division use the same rhythmic intensity to create a feeling of claustrophobia and anxiety.
Sonic Experimentation: Can and Public Image Ltd
Can were quite ahead of their time with their groove-based approach to song writing, fractured rhythms, and fluid bass lines. PIL seem to have borrowed quite a bit from them.
Compare Can’s Vitamin C (1972):
with PIL’s Careering (1980):
Both songs use vocals as texture, the beats are hypnotic and bass lines prominent.
Noise and Dissonance
Faust have always been musical anarchists. With their unconventional use tapes and abrasive sounds, they’ve been a huge influence on post punk musicians who embrace dissonance and discomfort as a tool in their creative language.
Compare Faust’s It’s a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl (1972):
with The Fall’s Repetition (1978):
Krautrock can be hypnotic and repetitive, and I usually stay away from such music, but if repetition is used as a tool of expression, which many post-punk bands did, it can be quite cathartic.
There you go. That’s why we decided to explore this connection between krautrock and post-punk in our upcoming tour. You can check out the dates here:
📍 Oct 2 – Stowmarket – John Peel Centre
🎟️ https://johnpeelcentre.com/JohnPeelCentre.dll/WhatsOn?f=405603
📍 Oct 3 – Coventry – The Arches
🎟️ https://ticket247.co.uk/Event/necroscope-coventry-s-premier-goth-industrial-night-at-arches-venue-coventry-427184
📍 Oct 4 – London – Jam Circus (Free Entry!)
🎟️ https://www.facebook.com/events/954082526843854
📍 Oct 5 – Brighton – The Brunswick Cellar
🎟️ https://good-show.co.uk/events/2648
Written by Vaat from Tantrum Zentrum