Representative Albums: "Neon Golden," "Shrink," "The Devil, You + Me"
Biography
Formed near Munich as a post-hardcore band, the Notwist gradually began to embrace a fusion of classic '80s indie pop songwriting and scruffy electronic backings indebted to Oval and Autechre. The quartet is comprised of brothers Markus and Micha Acher (on vocals/guitar and bass, respectively) plus programmer/keyboard player Martin Gretschmann and drummer Martin Messerschmid. Their self-titled 1989 debut and 1992's Nook were rough-and-tumble punk LPs. Third album 12 marked the group's first flirtation with electronics, though the chord structures and vocals of Markus Acher marked the Notwist more as an alternative band. The band then gained an American distribution deal with Zero Hour, and after 12 was reissued, fourth album Shrink -- almost entirely abstract electronic in nature -- appeared in 1998. Neon Golden (2002) and The Devil, You + Me (2008) were both song-oriented in nature, albeit with electronics continuing to play a significant role in the band's material. [See also: Potawatomi, Console, Lali Puna, Ms. John Soda, 13 & God, Tied + Tickled Trio.] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
The Notwist (pronounced /ˈnoʊ.twɪst/[1]) are a Germanindie rock band[2]. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup. While their early records moved through heavy metal into dark indie rock, their recent efforts for which they've received the most attention have been very strongly influenced by the electronica scene, along with the other groups on the record label Morr Music.
The two Achers and Messerschmid formed the group in 1989 in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronics. Martin Gretschmann then joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. In 1998 Cynthia Dall did the vocals for a remix of "Torture Day" by The Notwist. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners, with its heartfelt sentiment and more pop-oriented sound.
The group has been remixed by Four Tet, Caribou, Console, Loopspool, Panda Bear and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with anticon. rapper/producer Alias on the song "Unseen Sights," an effort that shows a surprising musical breadth for both artists.
The Notwist recently formed a group with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Markus Acher, in addition to his work with The Notwist and 13 & God, also works with the band Lali Puna, while Mecki Messerschmidt now also plays drums for the recently reformed Schweisser. Michael Acher composes and programs for Ms. John Soda.
Messerschmidt left the group in 2007 and was replaced by Andi Haberl. The band's sixth full-length record, The Devil, You + Me, was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records. A free mp3 is up for download on the City Slang website and at the album's official site.
