How the Red Hot Chili Peppers once met NEU!

Hamburg-based music journalist Christoph Dallach conducted numerous interviews with the protagonists of Krautrock for his book "Future Sounds", published by Suhrkamp Verlag. We spoke to him about his findings and experiences - and about what all this has to do with Düsseldorf. Dallach (photo left) is currently on a reading tour with Andreas Dorau (photo right). They are also performing at the Zakk in Düsseldorf.

Mr. Dallach, what prompted you to write a book about Krautrock?

That was the night at a concert in Hamburg when the Red Hot Chili Peppers asked Michael Rother, whom they adore, to join them on stage to perform the NEU! classic "Hallogallo". I noticed the many astonished faces in the audience, who were puzzled as to who that was supposed to be. It occurred to me how little attention Rother and the other musicians in this movement receive in Germany - that it must be Caliphonians who are drawing our attention to what these so-called "Krautrockers" have started. So I decided to talk to them and compile the results in a book.

Doesn't the interview format of the book require a great deal of prior knowledge on the part of the reader?

I've always liked the form of oral history. A long time ago, I was impressed by a book about the Warhol scene that was written in this form. And I simply love conducting interviews. As a reader, you don't need any prior knowledge. The interviewees tell a great story that begins at the end of the Second World War and extends right up to the present day. What they experienced is impressive even without knowing anything about them in advance.

What makes this music from the late sixties and early seventies still relevant today?

This music has lost none of its relevance because it still sounds unique. The special thing about bands like Can, Neu!, Amon Düül, Tangerine Dream, Faust or Kraftwerk is not the sound, but an attitude: this longing to find your own way. In other words, music that doesn't sound like role models from the UK or USA, but only like them. This "starting from scratch", as Can founder Irmin Schmidt called it.

Which international musicians have been influenced by bands from Düsseldorf?

Very, very many. You can start with David Bowie and Brian Eno, who were both big fans early on. Eno even lived with Michael Rother, Achim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius in their studio flat for a while. The second, instrumental side of the Bowie album "Low" alone makes it clear how much this "influenced" him. Otherwise, there are too many to list - from John Lydon and The Fall to New Order, Radiohead and Blur. Thanks to social networks, a young generation has now discovered this music.

You are currently going on a reading tour with Andreas Dorau. Why with him in particular?

Andreas fits because his music carries on the attitude that my book is about. In other words, the idea of wanting to make something of my own - something that doesn't sound like LA, London or Seattle. Who sounds like Andreas Dorau other than Andreas Dorau? That's why I've always been a big fan of his music. A Brit says the same thing in the book, namely Nigel House, head of the cool Rough Trade record stores. He finds the attitude of his own path in musicians like Dorau. Incidentally, Dorau's favorite Krautrock record comes from Düsseldorf: "Wunderbar" by Wolfgang Riechmann.

Click here for the book. And you can find out more about Christoph Dallach here.

More about "Krautrock - Made in Düsseldorf" at Google Arts & Culture.

Our author

Gerrit Terstiege was editor-in-chief of the magazine "form" for many years and has published three design books. He writes regularly for Mint, Art, Monopol and Rolling Stone, among others, and has conducted numerous interviews with Diedrich Diederichsen, Bazon Brock, Klaus Theweleit, Richard Hamilton, Donald Fagen, Klaus Voormann and Leonard Cohen.

Photos:
Cover: Christoph Dallach & Andreas Dorau © Stefanie Dallach
Photo 1: Christoph Dallach © Stefanie Dallach
Book cover: © Suhrkamp
Portrait G. Terstiege: Wolfgang Armbruster