Nacht und Nebel (band)
| Nacht Und Nebel | |
|---|---|
 Patrick Nebel, 1985. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Belgium |
| Genres | New wave, synthpop, electropop |
| Years active | 1982–1986 |
| Labels |
Antler Records Vogue Records Carrere Records Laguna |
Career
Nacht Und Nebel were a Belgian new wave band, founded by the late Patrick Marina Nebel (born Patrick Marina Schools, 23 November 1958, Merksem - died 15 March 1986, Ekeren) best known for their 1984 hit single "Beats of Love".
The name was chosen by the band as a pun on their leader's alias and echoing the Nacht und Nebel - German for 'Night and Fog' - directive designed by Adolf Hitler which resulted in the kidnapping and forced disappearance of most enemies of the Third Reich. The French translation of the name - Nuit et Brouillard - is also the title of a 1955 documentary short film made by French director Alain Resnais about the Nazi concentration camps.[1]
Originally, Nebel debuted as a solo artist with a 4-track single in 1981 before finally forming the band and releasing a single with them a year later. Their first album, Casablanca followed right after, along with a series of gigs. Nebel, a very "exuberant figure" - according to Roland Beelen, founder of Antler Records - would "[disguise] himself in a decadent nightlife outfit, sweating like hell and hurrying between the front of the stage and a percussion set".[2]
The next 1983 album, Beats of Love featured the eponymous track that was to become their biggest hit.[3] The single, sold 150,000 copies in Belgium and France and was covered by The Bollock Brothers on their 1989 album, Mythology.[4]
They released a third album Victoria 2000 in 1985 which featured the singles "Ready to Dance" and "Victoria 2000". Both singles made it to the local charts where they were not as successful as their Beats of Love. Both songs did prove to be a larger success in the clubs.[2]
Nebel was greatly overweight and was treated in a Swiss sanatorium after the success of the first album. He was also addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs and suffered from a heart disease. This combination proved fatal in 1986. After the death of their front man, Nacht Und Nebel ceased to exist although there was one final album, Songs for Ever.[2]
Discography
Albums
- Casablanca (1982, Antler)
- Beats of Love (1983, Antler)
- This Is/This Was (1984, Antler)
- Victoria 2000 (1985, Vogue)
- Songs for Ever (1986, Antler/Carrere)
Singles
- "Alcatraz" - "Presidents On Dope" - "Arabian Town" - "Mister Meanie" (Nebel's solo artist single) (1981, Laguna)
- "Movoco Synthaca" - "Strange Desire" (1983, Laguna)
- "Zafari" - "In the Jungle" (1983, Antler)
- "Beats of Love" - "Walk On" (1983, Antler)
- "Beats of Love" - "Everything is White" (1984, Antler/Vogue)
- "Etoile du Nord" - "Ancient Times" (1984, Antler)
- "Ready to Dance" - "Soul, Body and Mind" (1985, Antler)
- "Victoria 2000" - "Jenny" (1985, Vogue)
Band members
- Patrick Marina Nebel (vocals, drums & percussion, piano)
- Fil IJzerdraad (real name Van der Auwera - bass)
- Albano Bentano (real name Bentein - keyboards).
also :
- Koen Claeys (guitar)
- Herman Celis / Pat Pattijn (drums)[2]
- Chris Whitley (Dobro on Beats 0f Love)
See also
References
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nacht und Nebel (band). |