Faust

Faust is a German avant-garde group from Hamburg, active since 1969 and associated with krautrock, experimental rock, progressive rock, psychedelic music, drone, electronic music and sound collage. The group forms in Wümme, Germany in 1971 and becomes one of the key early acts in the krautrock scene.

Formation and original line-up

The original line-up includes Werner “Zappi” Diermaier, Hans Joachim Irmler, Arnulf Meifert, Jean-Hervé Péron, Rudolf Sosna and Gunther Wüsthoff. The group also works with producer Uwe Nettelbeck and engineer Kurt Graupner. Their early work uses advanced studio techniques and electronics in ways that help expand ideas about studio composition.

Early recordings and Virgin Records

Faust begins recording its debut album, Faust, soon after forming. The album sells poorly but builds a devoted following. Through a series of releases in the early 1970s, the group becomes one of the most significant names in krautrock. It is also among the first acts to sign to Richard Branson’s Virgin Records. The label issues The Faust Tapes at a single 49p price in the United Kingdom, and the release reaches the UK charts.

Break-up and later activity

The group breaks up in 1975 after Virgin rejects its fifth album; some of the recordings from that period later appear on Munich and Elsewhere. Reissues through Chris Cutler’s Recommended Records keep interest in the band alive, while the years between 1975 and 1990 remain obscure. In 1990, Irmler, Diermaier and Péron reunite for performances, including the band’s first tour of the United States. Since then, Faust continues in changing combinations with additional musicians.

Later line-ups and releases

Péron leaves in June 1997. From mid-1997 to 2004, Faust tours as Zappi W. Diermaier, Hans Joachim Irmler, Steven Wray Lobdell, Lars Paukstat and Michael Stoll. Diermaier and Péron reunite in 2004 and record Trial and Error, which is released on DVD in 2007 by Fuenfundvierzig Label. Diermaier then suggests a “new” Faust with Péron, Olivier Manchion and Amaury Cambuzat from Ulan Bator. The band exists in more than one active incarnation, each reflecting different aspects of the original project.

Influence

Faust’s influence extends widely into post-rock, noise and electronic music. The group is increasingly regarded as one of the most far-sighted German bands of its era.