Blue Plate Special: Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten, formed in West Berlin in 1980, is a pioneering experimental music group known for its radical use of unconventional instruments and industrial noise. Led by Blixa Bargeld (vocals, guitar), with long-time members N.U. Unruh (percussion) and Alexander Hacke (bass), the band’s signature sound is built on custom-made instruments crafted from scrap metal, power tools, and found objects. Their early albums, such as Kollaps (1981), embraced an abrasive, chaotic aesthetic, blending punk energy with avant-garde destruction. At different times, they remind me of their Swiss techno/experimental peers, Yello, the early industrial experimentation of Throbbing Gristle, the artistic musings of Tom Waits, and sometimes the eccentricity of Robyn Hitchcock.
Over time, their music evolved into more structured compositions while maintaining an otherworldly, mechanical intensity, as heard in Halber Mensch (1985) and Tabula Rasa (1993). Often pushing the limits of live performance, the band became notorious for provocative stage antics, including drilling into venue floors and igniting fire-based theatrics.
Beyond their sonic innovations, Einstürzende Neubauten has remained deeply influential in both industrial and experimental music, inspiring artists across multiple genres. Their collaborative spirit led Bargeld to work with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds for two decades while the band pursued independent projects, including the fan-funded Supporter Album series. Despite line-up changes, the group’s ability to reinvent itself has kept them relevant through the decades, culminating in later works like Alles Wieder Offen (2007) and Alles in Allem (2020). Their aesthetic, rooted in post-war German architecture and dystopian themes, extends beyond music into performance art, film, and literature. As they continue to explore new creative frontiers, Einstürzende Neubauten remains a testament to sonic deconstruction and reinvention, embodying their name—Collapsing New Buildings—as both philosophy and practice.
Some favorites from their expansive catalog:
Die Interimsliebenden – from the album Tabula Rasa (1993)
Ten Grand Goldie – from the album ALLES IN ALLEM (2020)
Yü-Gung – Fütter mein ego – from the album Halber Mensch (2011)
Sabrina – from the album Silence is Sexy (2000)
Sado-Masodub – from the album Kollaps (1981)
Zeichnungen des Patienten O.T. – from the album Zeichnungen des Patienten O.T. (2011)
Perpetuum Mobile – from the album Perpetuum Mobile (2004)
Nagorny Karabach – from the album Alles wieder offen (2007)
